Hewouldmakeanysacrificebeforeitcametothat。
　　HedeterminedinpartingwithBellinghamtomakethesacrificewhichhehadoftenestinhismind，becauseitwasthehardest，andtosellhisnewhouse。
　　Thatwouldcausetheleastcomment。Mostpeoplewouldsimplythinkthathehadgotasplendidoffer，andwithhisusualluckhadmadeaverygoodthingofit；
　　otherswhoknewalittlemoreabouthimwouldsaythathewashaulinginhishorns，buttheycouldnotblamehim；
　　agreatmanyothermenweredoingthesameinthosehardtimes——theshrewdestandsafestmen：itmightevenhaveagoodeffect。HewentstraightfromBellingham’sofficetothereal—estatebrokerinwhosehandshemeanttoputhishouse，forhewasnotthesortofmantoshilly—shallywhenhehadoncemadeuphismind。
　　Buthefoundithardtogethisvoiceupoutofhisthroat，whenhesaidheguessedhewouldgetthebrokertosellthatnewhouseofhisonthewatersideofBeacon。
　　Thebrokeransweredcheerfully，yes；hesupposedColonelLaphamknewitwasaprettydulltimeinrealestate？
　　andLaphamsaidyes，heknewthat，butheshouldnotsellatasacrifice，andhedidnotcaretohavethebrokernamehimordescribethehousedefinitelyunlesspartiesmeantbusiness。Againthebrokersaidyes；andheadded，asajokeLaphamwouldappreciate，thathehadhalfadozenhousesonthewatersideofBeacon，onthesameterms；
　　thatnobodywantedtobenamedortohavehispropertydescribed。
　　Itdid，infact，comfortLaphamalittletofindhimselfinthesameboatwithsomanyothers；hesmiledgrimly，andsaidinhisturn，yes，heguessedthatwasaboutthesizeofitwithagoodmanypeople。Buthehadnotthehearttotellhiswifewhathehaddone，andhesattaciturnthatwholeevening，withoutevengoingoverhisaccounts，andwentearlytobed，wherehelaytossinghalfthenightbeforehefellasleep。Hesleptatlastonlyuponthepromisehemadehimselfthathewouldwithdrawthehousefromthebroker’shands；buthewentheavilytohisownbusinessinthemorningwithoutdoingso。
　　Therewasnosuchrush，anyhow，hereflectedbitterly；
　　therewouldbetimetodothatamonthlater，probably。
　　Itstruckhimwithasortofdismaywhenaboycamewithanotefromabroker，sayingthatapartywhohadbeenoverthehouseinthefallhadcometohimtoknowwhetheritcouldbebought，andwaswillingtopaythecostofthehouseuptothetimehehadseenit。
　　Laphamtookrefugeintryingtothinkwhothepartycouldbe；
　　heconcludedthatitmusthavebeensomebodywhohadgoneoveritwiththearchitect，andhedidnotlikethat；
　　buthewasawarethatthiswasnotananswertothebroker，andhewrotethathewouldgivehimananswerinthemorning。
　　Nowthatithadcometothepoint，itdidnotseemtohimthathecouldpartwiththehouse。Somuchofhishopeforhimselfandhischildrenhadgoneintoitthatthethoughtofsellingitmadehimtremulousandsick。
　　Hecouldnotkeepabouthisworksteadily，andwithhisnervesshakenbywantofsleep，andtheshockofthissuddenandunexpectedquestion，helefthisofficeearly，andwentovertolookatthehouseandtrytobringhimselftosomeconclusionhere。Thelongprocessionoflampsonthebeautifulstreetwasflaringintheclearredofthesunsettowardswhichitmarched，andLapham，withalumpinhisthroat，stoppedinfrontofhishouseandlookedattheirmultitude。Theywerenotmerelyapartofthelandscape；theywereapartofhisprideandglory，hissuccess，histriumphantlife’sworkwhichwasfadingintofailureinhishelplesshands。Hegroundhisteethtokeepdownthatlump，butthemoistureinhiseyesblurredthelamps，andthekeenpalecrimsonagainstwhichitmadethemflicker。Heturnedandlookedup，ashehadsooftendone，atthewindow—spaces，neatlyglazedforthewinterwithwhitelinen，andrecalledthenightwhenhehadstoppedwithIrenebeforethehouse，andshehadsaidthatsheshouldneverlivethere，andhehadtriedtocoaxherintocourageaboutit。
　　Therewasnosuchfacadeasthatonthewholestreet，tohisthinking。Throughhislongtalkswiththearchitect，hehadcometofeelalmostasintimatelyandfondlyasthearchitecthimselfthesatisfyingsimplicityofthewholedesignandthedelicacyofitsdetail。
　　Itappealedtohimasanexquisitebitofharmonyappealstotheunlearnedear，andherecognisedthedifferencebetweenthisfineworkandtheobstreperouspretentiousnessofthemanyoverloadedhouse—frontswhichSeymourhadmadehimnoticeforhisinstructionelsewhereontheBackBay。Now，inthedepthsofhisgloom，hetriedtothinkwhatItaliancityitwaswhereSeymoursaidhehadfirstgotthenotionoftreatingbrick—workinthatway。
　　Heunlockedthetemporarydoorwiththekeyhealwayscarried，sothathecouldlethimselfinandoutwheneverheliked，andenteredthehouse，dimandverycoldwiththeaccumulatedfrigidityofthewholewinterinit，andlookingasifthearrestofworkuponithadtakenplaceathousandyearsbefore。Itsmeltoftheunpaintedwoodsandtheclean，hardsurfacesoftheplaster，wheretheexperimentsindecorationhadleftituntouched；
　　andmingledwiththeseodourswasthatofsomerankpigmentsandmetalliccompositionswhichSeymourhadusedintryingtorealiseacertaindaringnoveltyoffinish，whichhadnotprovedsuccessful。Aboveall，Laphamdetectedthepeculiarodourofhisownpaint，withwhichthearchitecthadbeengreatlyinterestedoneday，whenLaphamshowedittohimattheoffice。HehadaskedLaphamtolethimtrythePersisBrandinrealisingalittleideahehadforthefinishofMrs。Lapham’sroom。
　　Ifitsucceededtheycouldtellherwhatitwas，forasurprise。
　　Laphamglancedatthebay—windowinthereception—room，wherehesatwithhisgirlsonthetrestleswhenCoreyfirstcameby；andthenheexploredthewholehousetotheattic，inthelightfaintlyadmittedthroughthelinensashes。
　　Thefloorswerestrewnwithshavingsandchipswhichthecarpentershadleft，andinthemusic—roomthesehadbeenblownintolongirregularwindrowsbythedraughtsthroughawiderentinthelinensash。Laphamtriedtopinitup，butfailed，andstoodlookingoutofitoverthewater。
　　Theicehadlefttheriver，andthelowtidelaysmoothandredinthelightofthesunset。TheCambridgeflatsshowedthesad，soddenyellowofmeadowsstrippedbareafteralongsleepundersnow；thehills，thenakedtrees，thespiresandroofshadablackoutline，asiftheywereobjectsinalandscapeoftheFrenchschool。
　　ThewhimseizedLaphamtotestthechimneyinthemusic—room；
　　ithadbeentriedinthedining—roombelow，andinhisgirls’
　　fireplacesabove，butherethehearthwasstillclean。
　　Hegatheredsomeshavingsandblockstogether，andkindledthem，andastheflamemountedgailyfromthem，hepulledupanail—kegwhichhefoundthereandsatdowntowatchit。Nothingcouldhavebeenbetter；
　　thechimneywasaperfectsuccess；andasLaphamglancedoutofthetornlinensashhesaidtohimselfthatthatparty，whoeverhewas，whohadofferedtobuyhishousemightgotothedevil；hewouldneversellitaslongashehadadollar。Hesaidthatheshouldpullthroughyet；
　　anditsuddenlycameintohismindthat，ifhecouldraisethemoneytobuyoutthoseWestVirginiafellows，heshouldbeallright，andwouldhavethewholegameinhisownhand。Heslappedhimselfonthethigh，andwonderedthathehadneverthoughtofthatbefore；
　　andthen，lightingacigarwithasplinterfromthefire，hesatdownagaintoworktheschemeoutinhisownmind。
　　Hedidnothearthefeetheavilystampingupthestairs，andcomingtowardstheroomwherehesat；andthepolicemantowhomthefeetbelongedhadtocallouttohim，smokingathischimney—corner，withhisbackturnedtothedoor，"Hello！whatareyoudoinghere？"
　　"What’sthattoyou？"retortedLapham，wheelinghalfroundonhisnail—keg。
　　"I’llshowyou，"saidtheofficer，advancinguponhim，andthenstoppingshortasherecognisedhim。"Why，ColonelLapham！Ithoughtitwassometrampgotinhere！"
　　"Haveacigar？"saidLaphamhospitably。"Sorrythereain’tanothernail—keg。"
　　Theofficertookthecigar。"I’llsmokeitoutside。
　　I’vejustcomeon，andIcan’tstop。Tryin’yourchimney？"
　　"Yes，IthoughtI’dseehowitwoulddraw，inhere。
　　Itseemstogofirst—rate。"
　　Thepolicemanlookedabouthimwithaneyeofinspection。
　　"Youwanttogetthatlinenwindow，there，mendedup。"
　　"Yes，I’llspeaktothebuilderaboutthat。Itcangoforonenight。"
　　ThepolicemanwenttothewindowandfailedtopinthelinentogetherwhereLaphamhadfailedbefore。"Ican’tfixit。"
　　Helookedroundoncemore，andsaying，"Well，goodnight，"
　　wentoutanddownthestairs。
　　Laphamremainedbythefiretillhehadsmokedhiscigar；
　　thenheroseandstampedupontheembersthatstillburnedwithhisheavyboots，andwenthome。Hewasverycheerfulatsupper。Hetoldhiswifethatheguessedhehadasurethingofitnow，andinanothertwenty—fourhoursheshouldtellherjusthow。HemadePenelopegotothetheatrewithhim，andwhentheycameout，aftertheplay，thenightwassofinethathesaidtheymustwalkroundbythenewhouseandtakealookatitinthestarlight。
　　Hesaidhehadbeentherebeforehecamehome，andtriedSeymour’schimneyinthemusic—room，anditworkedlikeacharm。
　　AstheydrewnearBeaconStreettheywereawareofunwontedstirandtumult，andpresentlythestillairtransmittedaturmoilofsound，throughwhichapowerfulandincessantthrobbingmadeitselffelt。
　　Theskyhadreddenedabovethem，andturningthecorneratthePublicGarden，theysawablackmassofpeopleobstructingtheperspectiveofthebrightly—lightedstreet，andoutofthismassahalf—dozenengines，whosestrongheart—beatshadalreadyreachedthem，sentupvolumesoffire—tingedsmokeandsteamfromtheirfunnels。
　　Ladderswereplantedagainstthefacadeofabuilding，fromtheroofofwhichamassofflameburntsmoothlyupward，exceptwherehereandthereitseemedtopullcontemptuouslyawayfromtheheavystreamsofwaterwhichthefiremen，clinginglikegreatbeetlestotheirladders，pouredinuponit。
　　Laphamhadnoneedtowalkdownthroughthecrowd，gazingandgossiping，withshoutsandcriesandhystericallaughter，beforetheburninghouse，tomakesurethatitwashis。
　　"IguessIdoneit，Pen，"wasallhesaid。
　　Amongthepeoplewhowerelookingatitwereapartywhoseemedtohaverunoutfromdinnerinsomeneighbouringhouse；
　　theladieswerefantasticallywrappedup，asiftheyhadflungonthefirstthingstheycouldseize。
　　"Isn’titperfectlymagnificent！"criedaprettygirl。
　　"Iwouldn’thavemisseditonanyaccount。Thankyousomuch，Mr。Symington，forbringingusout！"
　　"Ah，Ithoughtyou’dlikeit，"saidthisMr。Symington，whomusthavebeenthehost；"andyoucanenjoyitwithouttheleastcompunction，MissDelano，forIhappentoknowthatthehousebelongstoamanwhocouldaffordtoburnoneupforyouonceayear。"
　　"Oh，doyouthinkhewould，ifIcameagain？"
　　"Ihaven’ttheleastdoubtofit。Wedon’tdothingsbyhalvesinBoston。"
　　"Heoughttohavehadacoatofhisnoncombustiblepaintonit，"saidanothergentlemanoftheparty。
　　Penelopepulledherfatherawaytowardthefirstcarriageshecouldreachofanumberthathaddrivenup。
　　"Here，father！getintothis。"
　　"No，no；Icouldn’tride，"heansweredheavily，andhewalkedhomeinsilence。Hegreetedhiswifewith，"Well，Persis，ourhouseisgone！AndIguessIsetitonfiremyself；"
　　andwhileherummagedamongthepapersinhisdesk，stillwithhiscoatandhaton，hiswifegotthefactsasshecouldfromPenelope。Shedidnotreproachhim。
　　Herewasacaseinwhichhisself—reproachmustbesufficientlysharpwithoutanyedgefromher。Besides，hermindwasfullofaterriblethought。
　　"OSilas，"shefaltered，"they’llthinkyousetitonfiretogettheinsurance！"
　　Laphamwasstaringatapaperwhichheheldinhishand。
　　"Ihadabuilder’sriskonit，butitexpiredlastweek。
　　It’sadeadloss。"
　　"Oh，thankthemercifulLord！"criedhiswife。
　　"Merciful！"saidLapham。"Well，it’saqueerwayofshowingit。"
　　Hewenttobed，andfellintothedeepsleepwhichsometimesfollowsagreatmoralshock。Itwasperhapsratheratorporthanasleep。
　　XXV。
　　LAPHAMawokeconfused，andinakindofremotenessfromthelossofthenightbefore，throughwhichitloomedmistily。
　　Butbeforeheliftedhisheadfromthepillow，itgatheredsubstanceandweightagainstwhichitneededallhiswilltobearupandlive。Inthatmomenthewishedthathehadnotwakened，thathemightneverhavewakened；
　　butherose，andfacedthedayanditscares。
　　Themorningpapersbroughtthereportofthefire，andtheconjecturedloss。ThereporterssomehowhadfoundoutthefactthatthelossfellentirelyuponLapham；
　　theylightedupthehackneyedcharacteroftheirstatementswiththepicturesqueinterestOFthecoincidencethatthepolicyhadexpiredonlytheweekbefore；heavenknowshowtheyknewit。Theysaidthatnothingremainedofthebuildingbutthewalls；andLapham，onhiswaytobusiness，walkeduppastthesmoke—stainedshell。
　　Thewindowslookedliketheeye—socketsofaskulldownupontheblackenedandtrampledsnowofthestreet；
　　thepavementwasasheetofice，andthewaterfromtheengineshadfrozen，likestreamsoftears，downthefaceofthehouse，andhunginicytagsfromthewindow—sillsandcopings。
　　Hegatheredhimselfupaswellashecould，andwentontohisoffice。Thechanceofretrievalthathadflasheduponhim，ashesatsmokingbythatruinedhearththeeveningbefore，stoodhiminsuchsteadnowasasolehopemay；andhesaidtohimselfthat，havingresolvednottosellhishouse，hewasnomorecrippledbyitslossthanhewouldhavebeenbylettinghismoneylieidleinit；whathemighthaveraisedbymortgageonitcouldbemadeupinsomeotherway；andiftheywouldsellhecouldstillbuyoutthewholebusinessofthatWestVirginiacompany，mines，plant，stockonhand，good—will，andeverything，anduniteitwithhisown。
　　HewentearlyintheafternoontoseeBellingham，whoseexpressionsofcondolenceforhislosshecutshortwithasmuchpolitenessasheknewhowtothrowintohisimpatience。Bellinghamseemedatfirstalittledazzledwiththesplendidcourageofhisscheme；itwascertainlyfineinitsway；butthenhebegantohavehismisgivings。
　　"Ihappentoknowthattheyhaven’tgotmuchmoneybehindthem，"urgedLapham。"They’lljumpatanoffer。"
　　Bellinghamshookhishead。"Iftheycanshowprofitontheoldmanufacture，andprovetheycanmaketheirpaintstillcheaperandbetterhereafter，theycanhaveallthemoneytheywant。Anditwillbeverydifficultforyoutoraiseitifyou’rethreatenedbythem。
　　Withthatcompetition，youknowwhatyourplantatLaphamwouldbeworth，andwhattheshrinkageonyourmanufacturedstockwouldbe。Bettersellouttothem，"heconcluded，"iftheywillbuy。"
　　"Thereain’tmoneyenoughinthiscountrytobuyoutmypaint，"
　　saidLapham，buttoninguphiscoatinaquiverofresentment。
　　"Goodafternoon，sir。"Menarebutgrown—upboysafterall。
　　Bellinghamwatchedthisperverselyproudandobstinatechildflingpetulantlyoutofhisdoor，andfeltasympathyforhimwhichwasastrulykindasitwashelpless。
　　ButLaphamwasbeginningtoseethroughBellingham，ashebelieved。Bellinghamwas，inhisway，partofthatconspiracybywhichLapham’screditorsweretryingtodrivehimtothewall。Morethanevernowhewasgladthathehadnothingtodowiththatcold—hearted，self—conceitedrace，andthatthefavourssofarwereallfromhisside。
　　Hewasmorethaneverdeterminedtoshowthem，everyoneofthem，highandlow，thatheandhischildrencouldgetalongwithoutthem，andprosperandtriumphwithoutthem。
　　HesaidtohimselfthatifPenelopewereengagedtoCoreythatveryminute，hewouldmakeherbreakwithhim。
　　Heknewwhatheshoulddonow，andhewasgoingtodoitwithoutlossoftime。HewasgoingontoNewYorktoseethoseWestVirginiapeople；theyhadtheirprincipalofficethere，andheintendedtogetattheirideas，andthenheintendedtomakethemanoffer。Hemanagedthisbusinessbetterthancouldpossiblyhavebeenexpectedofamaninhisimpassionedmood。Butwhenitcamereallytobusiness，hispracticalinstincts，alertandwary，cametohisaidagainstthepassionsthatlayinwaittobetrayaftertheyceasedtodominatehim。
　　HefoundtheWestVirginiansfullofzealandhope，butintenminutesheknewthattheyhadnotyettestedtheirstrengthinthemoneymarket，andhadnotascertainedhowmuchorhowlittlecapitaltheycouldcommand。
　　Laphamhimself，ifhehadhadsomuch，wouldnothavehesitatedtoputamilliondollarsintotheirbusiness。
　　Hesaw，astheydidnotsee，thattheyhadthegameintheirownhands，andthatiftheycouldraisethemoneytoextendtheirbusiness，theycouldruinhim。Itwasonlyaquestionoftime，andhewasonthegroundfirst。
　　Hefranklyproposedaunionoftheirinterests。
　　Headmittedthattheyhadagoodthing，andthatheshouldhavetofightthemhard；buthemeanttofightthemtothedeathunlesstheycouldcometosomesortofterms。Now，thequestionwaswhethertheyhadbettergoonandmakeaheavylossforbothsidesbycompetition，orwhethertheyhadbetterformapartnershiptorunbothpaintsandcommandthewholemarket。Laphammadethemthreepropositions，eachofwhichwasfairandopen：
　　tosellouttothemaltogether；tobuythemoutaltogether；
　　tojoinfacilitiesandforceswiththem，andgooninaninvulnerablealliance。Letthemnameafigureatwhichtheywouldbuy，afigureatwhichtheywouldsell，afigureatwhichtheywouldcombine，——or，inotherwords，theamountofcapitaltheyneeded。
　　Theytalkedallday，goingouttolunchtogetherattheAstorHouse，andsittingwiththeirkneesagainstthecounteronarowofstoolsbeforeitforfifteenminutesofreflectionanddeglutition，withtheirhatson，andthenreturningtothebasementfromwhichtheyemerged。TheWestVirginiacompany’snamewasletteredingiltonthewidelowwindow，anditspaint，intheformofore，burnt，andmixed，formedadisplayonthewindowshelfLaphamexamineditandpraisedit；
　　fromtimetotimetheyallrecurredtoittogether；
　　theysentoutforsomeofLapham’spaintandcomparedit，theWestVirginiansadmittingitsformersuperiority。
　　Theywereyoungfellows，andcountrypersons，likeLapham，byorigin，andtheylookedoutwiththesameamused，undauntedprovincialeyesatthemyriadmetropolitanlegspassingonthepavementabovetheleveloftheirwindow。
　　Hegotonwellwiththem。Atlast，theysaidwhattheywoulddo。
　　TheysaiditwasnonsensetotalkofbuyingLaphamout，fortheyhadnotthemoney；andasforsellingout，theywouldnotdoit，fortheyknewtheyhadabigthing。
　　Buttheywouldassoonusehiscapitaltodevelopitasanybodyelse’s，andifhecouldputinacertainsumforthispurpose，theywouldgoinwithhim。
　　HeshouldruntheworksatLaphamandmanagethebusinessinBoston，andtheywouldruntheworksatKanawhaFallsandmanagethebusinessinNewYork。ThetwobrotherswithwhomLaphamtalkednamedtheirfigure，subjecttotheapprovalofanotherbrotheratKanawhaFalls，towhomtheywouldwrite，andwhowouldtelegraphhisanswer，sothatLaphamcouldhaveitinsideofthreedays。
　　Buttheyfeltperfectlysurethathewouldapprove；
　　andLaphamstartedbackontheeleveno’clocktrainwithanelationthatgraduallylefthimashedrewnearBoston，wherethedifficultiesofraisingthissumweretobeovercome。Itseemedtohim，then，thatthosefellowshadputituponhimprettysteep，butheownedtohimselfthattheyhadasurething，andthattheywererightinbelievingtheycouldraisethesamesumelsewhere；
　　itwouldtakeallOFit，headmitted，tomaketheirpaintpayonthescaletheyhadtherighttoexpect。
　　Attheirage，hewouldnothavedonedifferently；
　　butwhenheemerged，old，sore，andsleep—broken，fromthesleeping—carintheAlbanydepotatBoston，hewishedwithapatheticself—pitythattheyknewhowamanfeltathisage。Ayearago，sixmonthsago，hewouldhavelaughedatthenotionthatitwouldbehardtoraisethemoney。Buthethoughtruefullyofthatimmensestockofpaintonhand，whichwasnowadruginthemarket，ofhislossesbyRogersandbythefailuresofothermen，ofthefirethathadlickedupsomanythousandsinafewhours；hethoughtwithbitternessofthetensofthousandsthathehadgambledawayinstocks，andofthecommissionsthatthebrokershadpocketedwhetherhewonorlost；andhecouldnotthinkofanysecuritiesonwhichhecouldborrow，excepthishouseinNankeenSquare，orthemineandworksatLapham。
　　HesethisteethinhelplessragewhenhethoughtofthatpropertyoutontheG。L。&P。，thatoughttobeworthsomuch，andwasworthsolittleiftheRoadchosetosayso。
　　Hedidnotgohome，butspentmostofthedayshininground，ashewouldhaveexpressedit，andtryingtoseeifhecouldraisethemoney。Buthefoundthatpeopleofwhomhehopedtogetitwereintheconspiracywhichhadbeenformedtodrivehimtothewall。Somehow，thereseemedasenseofhisembarrassmentsabroad。NobodywantedtolendmoneyontheplantatLaphamwithouttakingtimetolookintothestateofthebusiness；butLaphamhadnotimetogive，andheknewthatthestateofthebusinesswouldnotbearlookinginto。HecouldraisefifteenthousandonhisNankeenSquarehouse，andanotherfifteenonhisBeaconStreetlot，andthiswasallthatamanwhowasworthamillionbyrightscoulddo！Hesaidamillion，andhesaiditindefianceofBellingham，whohadsubjectedhisfigurestoananalysiswhichwoundedLaphammorethanhechosetoshowatthetime，foritprovedthathewasnotsorichandnotsowiseashehadseemed。HishurtvanityforbadehimtogotoBellinghamnowforhelporadvice；andifhecouldhavebroughthimselftoaskhisbrothersformoney，itwouldhavebeenuseless；theyweresimplywell—to—doWesternpeople，butnotcapitalistsonthescaleherequired。
　　Laphamstoodintheisolationtowhichadversitysooftenseemstobringmen。Whenitstestwasapplied，practicallyortheoretically，toallthosewhohadseemedhisfriends，therewasnonewhoboreit；andhethoughtwithbitterself—contemptofthepeoplewhomhehadbefriendedintheirtimeofneed。Hesaidtohimselfthathehadbeenafoolforthat；andhescornedhimselfforcertainactsofscrupulositybywhichhehadlostmoneyinthepast。Seeingthemoralforcesallarrayedagainsthim，Laphamsaidthathewouldliketohavethechanceofferedhimtogetevenwiththemagain；
　　hethoughtheshouldknowhowtolookoutforhimself。
　　Asheunderstoodit，hehadseveraldaystoturnaboutin，andhedidnotletoneday’sfailuredisheartenhim。
　　Themorningafterhisreturnhehad，infact，agleamofluckthatgavehimthegreatestencouragementforthemoment。
　　AmancameintoinquireaboutoneofRogers’swild—catpatents，asLaphamcalledthem，andendedbybuyingit。
　　Hegotit，ofcourse，forlessthanLaphamtookitfor，butLaphamwasgladtoberidofitforsomething，whenhehadthoughtitworthnothing；andwhenthetransactionwasclosed，heaskedthepurchaserrathereagerlyifheknewwhereRogerswas；itwasLapham’ssecretbeliefthatRogershadfoundtherewasmoneyinthething，andhadsentthemantobuyit。Butitappearedthatthiswasamistake；themanhadnotcomefromRogers，buthadheardofthepatentinanotherway；andLaphamwasastonishedintheafternoon，whenhisboycametotellhimthatRogerswasintheouteroffice，andwishedtospeakwithhim。
　　"Allright，"saidLapham，andhecouldnotcommandatoncetheseverityforthereceptionofRogerswhichhewouldhavelikedtouse。Hefoundhimself，infact，somuchrelaxedtowardshimbythemorning’stouchofprosperitythatheaskedhimtositdown，gruffly，ofcourse，butdistinctly；andwhenRogerssaidinhislifelessway，andwiththeeffectofkeepinghisappointmentofamonthbefore，"ThoseEnglishpartiesareintown，andwouldliketotalkwithyouinreferencetothemills，"
　　Laphamdidnotturnhimout—of—doors。
　　Hesatlookingathim，andtryingtomakeoutwhatRogerswasafter；forhedidnotbelievethattheEnglishparties，iftheyexisted，hadanynotionofbuyinghismills。
　　"Whatiftheyarenotforsale？"heasked。"YouknowthatI’vebeenexpectinganofferfromtheG。L。&P。"
　　"I’vekeptwatchofthat。Theyhaven’tmadeyouanyoffer，"
　　saidRogersquietly。
　　"Anddidyouthink，"demandedLapham，firingup，"thatI
　　wouldturntheminonsomebodyelseasyouturnedtheminonme，whenthechancesarethattheywon’tbeworthtencentsonthedollarsixmonthsfromnow？"
　　"Ididn’tknowwhatyouwoulddo，"saidRogersnon—committally。
　　"I’vecomeheretotellyouthatthesepartiesstandreadytotakethemillsoffyourhandsatafairvaluation——atthevalueIputuponthemwhenIturnedthemin。"
　　"Idon’tbelieveyou！"criedLaphambrutally，butawildpredatoryhopemadehisheartleapsothatitseemedtoturnoverinhisbreast。"Idon’tbelievethereareanysuchpartiestobeginwith；andinthenextplace，Idon’tbelievetheywouldbuyatanysuchfigure；
　　unless——unlessyou’veliedtothem，asyou’veliedtome。
　　DidyoutellthemabouttheG。L。&P。？"
　　Rogerslookedcompassionatelyathim，butheanswered，withunvarieddryness，"Ididnotthinkthatnecessary。"
　　Laphamhadexpectedthisanswer，andhehadexpectedorintendedtobreakoutinfuriousdenunciationofRogerswhenhegotit；butheonlyfoundhimselfsaying，inasortofbaffledgasp，"Iwonderwhatyourgameis！"
　　Rogersdidnotreplycategorically，butheanswered，withhisimpartialcalm，andasifLaphamhadsaidnothingtoindicatethathedifferedatallwithhimastodisposingofthepropertyinthewayhehadsuggested："Ifweshouldsucceedinselling，Ishouldbeabletorepayyouyourloans，andshouldhavealittlecapitalforaschemethatIthinkofgoinginto。"
　　"AnddoyouthinkthatIamgoingtostealthesemen’smoneytohelpyouplundersomebodyinanewscheme？"
　　answeredLapham。Thesneerwasonbehalfofvirtue，butitwasstillasneer"Isupposethemoneywouldbeusefultoyoutoo，justnow。"
　　"Why？"
　　"BecauseIknowthatyouhavebeentryingtoborrow。"
　　AtthisproofofwickedomniscienceinRogers，thequestionwhetherhehadbetternotregardtheaffairasafatality，andyieldtohisdestiny，flasheduponLapham；butheanswered，"IshallwantmoneyagreatdealworsethanI’veeverwantedityet，beforeIgointosuchrascallybusinesswithyou。
　　Don’tyouknowthatwemightaswellknockthesepartiesdownonthestreet，andtakethemoneyoutoftheirpockets？"
　　"Theyhavecomeon，"answeredRogers，"fromPortlandtoseeyou。Iexpectedthemsomeweeksago，buttheydisappointedme。TheyarrivedontheCircassianlastnight；
　　theyexpectedtohavegotinfivedaysago，butthepassagewasverystormy。"
　　"Wherearethey？"askedLapham，withhelplessirrelevance，andfeelinghimselfsomehowdriftedfromhismooringsbyRogers’sshippingintelligence。
　　"TheyareatYoung’s。Itoldthemwewouldcalluponthemafterdinnerthisevening；theydinelate。"
　　"Oh，youdid，didyou？"askedLapham，tryingtodropanotheranchorforafreshclutchonhisunderlyingprinciples。
　　"Well，now，yougoandtellthemthatIsaidIwouldn’tcome。"
　　"Theirstayislimited，"remarkedRogers。"Imentionedthiseveningbecausetheywerenotcertaintheycouldremainoveranothernight。Butifto—morrowwouldsuityoubetter————"
　　"Tell’emIshan’tcomeatall，"roaredLapham，asmuchinterrorasdefiance，forhefelthisanchordragging。
　　"Tell’emIshan’tcomeatall！Doyouunderstandthat？"
　　"Idon’tseewhyyoushouldstickleastothematterofgoingtothem，"saidRogers；"butifyouthinkitwillbebettertohavethemapproachyou，IsupposeIcanbringthemtoyou。"
　　"No，youcan’t！Ishan’tletyou！Ishan’tseethem！I
　　shan’thaveanythingtodowiththem。NOWdoyouunderstand？"
　　"Iinferredfromourlastinterview，"persistedRogers，unmovedbyallthisviolentdemonstrationofLapham’s，"thatyouwishedtomeettheseparties。Youtoldmethatyouwouldgivemetimetoproducethem；andIhavepromisedthemthatyouwouldmeetthem；Ihavecommittedmyself。"
　　ItwastruethatLaphamhaddefiedRogerstobringonhismen，andhadimpliedhiswillingnesstonegotiatewiththem。
　　Thatwasbeforehehadtalkedthematteroverwithhiswife，andperceivedhismoralresponsibilityinit；evenshehadnotseenthisatonce。HecouldnotenterintothisexplanationwithRogers；hecouldonlysay，"IsaidI’dgiveyoutwenty—fourhourstoproveyourselfaliar，andyoudidit。Ididn’tsaytwenty—fourdays。"
　　"Idon’tseethedifference，"returnedRogers。"Thepartiesareherenow，andthatprovesthatIwasactingingoodfaithatthetime。Therehasbeennochangeinthepostureofaffairs。Youdon’tknownowanymorethanyouknewthenthattheG。L。&P。isgoingtowanttheproperty。
　　Ifthere’sanydifference，it’sinfavouroftheRoad’shavingchangeditsmind。"
　　Therewassomesenseinthis，andLaphamfeltit——feltitonlytooeagerly，asherecognisedthenextinstant。
　　Rogerswentonquietly："You’renotobligedtoselltothesepartieswhenyoumeetthem；butyou’veallowedmetocommitmyselftothembythepromisethatyouwouldtalkwiththem。"
　　"’Twan’tapromise，"saidLapham。
　　"Itwasthesamething；theyhavecomeoutfromEnglandonmyguarantythattherewassuchandsuchanopeningfortheircapital；andnowwhatamItosaytothem？