CHAPTER8

THEBEGINNINGOFANEWCAREER。

BythetimethattheEasterholidayswereover，——holidayswhichhadbeenusedsoconvenientlyforthemakingofanewgovernment，——theworkofgettingateamtogetherhadbeenaccomplishedbytheunitedenergyofthetwodukesandotherfriends。Thefillingupofthegreatplaceshadbeenbynomeanssodifficultorsotedious，——norindeedthecauseofhalfsomanyheartburns，——asthecompletionofthelistofsubordinates。Noblesseoblige。TheSecretariesofState，andtheChancellors，andtheFirstLords，selectedfromthisortheotherpartyfeltthattheeyesofmankindwereuponthem，andthatitbehovedthemtoassumeavirtueiftheyhaditnot。Theywerehabituallyindifferenttoself-exaltation，andallowedthemselvestobethrustintothisorthatunfittingrole，professingthattheQueen’sGovernmentandthegoodofthecountryweretheironlyconsiderations。LordThriftmadewayforSirOrlandoDroughtattheAdmiralty，becauseitwasfeltonallsidesthatSirOrlandocouldnotjointhenewcompositepartywithoutahighplace。AndthesamegracewasshowninregardtoLordDrummond，whoremainedattheColonies，keepingtheofficetowhichhehadlatelybeentransferredunderMrDaubney。AndSirGregoryGrogramsaidnotaword，whateverhemayhavethought，whenhewastoldthatMrDaubney’sLordChancellor，LordRamsden，wastokeeptheseals。

SirGregorydid，nodoubt，thinkverymuchaboutit，forlegalofficeshaveasignificationdifferingmuchfromthatwhichattachesitselftoplacessimplypolitical。ALordChancellorbecomesapeer，andongoingoutofofficeenjoysalargepension。Whenthewoolsackhasbeenreachedtherecomesanendofdoubt，andabeginningofease。SirGregorywasnotayoungman，andthiswasaterribleblow。Butheboreitmanfully，sayingnotawordwhentheDukespoketohim。buthebecameconvincedfromthatmomentthatnomoreinefficientlawyereversatupontheEnglishbench，oramorepresumptuouspoliticianintheBritishParliament，thanLordRamsden。

Therealstruggle，however，layintheappropriatedistributionoftheRattlers，theRobys，theFitzgibbons，andtheMacphersonsamongthesubordinateofficesofState。MrMacphersonandMrRoby，withahostofotherswhohadbelongedtoMrDaubney，wereprepared，astheydeclaredfromthefirst，tolendtheirassistancetotheDuke。TheyhadconsultedMrDaubneyonthesubject，andMrDaubneytoldthemthattheirdutylayinthatdirection。Atthefirstblushofthematterthearrangementtooktheformofagracioustenderfromthemselvestoastatesmancalledupontoactinverydifficultcircumstances，——andtheywerethankedaccordinglybytheDuke，withsomethingofrealcordialgratitude。Butwhentheactualadjustmentofthingswasinhand，theDuke，havingbutlittlepowerofassumingasoftcountenanceandusingsoftwordswhilehisheartwasbitter，feltonmorethanoneoccasioninclinedtowithdrawhisthanks。Hewasastoundednotsomuchbythepretensionsasbytheunblushingassertionofthesepretensionsinreferencetoplaceswhichhehadbeeninnocentenoughtothinkwerealwaysbestowedatanyratewithoutdirectapplication。HehadmeasuredhimselfrightlywhenhetoldtheolderDukeinoneofthoseanxiousconversationswhichhadbeenheldbeforetheattemptwasmade，thatlongashehadbeeninofficehimselfhedidnotknowwhatwasthewayofbestowingoffice。’Twogentlemenhavebeenherethismorning，’

hesaidonedaytotheDukeofStBungay，’oneontheheelsoftheother，eachassuringmenotonlythatthewholestabilityoftheenterprisedependsonmygivingacertainofficetohim，——

butactuallytellingmetomyfacethatIhadpromisedittohim！’Theoldstatesmanlaughed。’Tobetoldwithinthesamehalf-hourbytwomenthatIhadmadepromisestoeachoftheminconsistentwitheachother。’

’Whowerethetwomen？’

’MrRattlerandMrRoby。’

’Iamassuredthattheyareinseparablesincetheworkhasbegun。

Theyalwayshadaleaningtoeachother，andnowIheartheypasstheirtimebetweenthestepsoftheCarltonandReformClubs。’

’ButwhatamItodo？OnemustbePatronageSecretary，nodoubt。’

’They’rebothgoodmenintheirway，youknow。’

’Butwhydotheycometomewiththeirmouthsopen，likedogscravingabone？Itusednottobeso。Ofcoursemenwerealwaysanxiousforofficeastheyarenow。’

’Well。yes。We’veheardofthatbeforeto-day，Ithink。’

’ButIdon’tthinkanymaneverventuredtoaskMrMildmay。’

’Timehasdonemuchforhiminconsolidatinghisauthority，andperhapsthepresentworldislessreticentinitseagernessthanitwasinhisyoungerdays。Idoubt，however，whetheritismoredishonest，andwhetherstruggleswerenotmadequiteasdisgracefultothestrugglersasanythingthatisdonenow。Youcan’talterthemen，andyoumustusethem。’TheyoungerDukesatdownandsighedoverthedegeneratepatriotismoftheage。

ButatlasteventheRattlersandRobyswerefixed，ifnotsatisfied，andacompletelistoftheministryappearedinallthenewspapers。Thoughthethinghadbeenlonga-doing，stillithadcomesuddenly，——sothatthefirstpropositiontoformacoalitionministry，thenewspapershadhardlyknownwhethertoassistortoopposethescheme。Therewasnodoubt，inthemindsofalltheseeditorsandcontributors，theteachingofatraditionthatcoalitionsofthiskindhavebeengenerallyfeeble，sometimesdisastrous，andonoccasions，evendisgraceful。

Whenaman，perhapsthroughalongpoliticallife，hasboundhimselftoacertaincodeofopinions，howcanhechangethatcodeatamoment？Andwhenatthesamemoment，togetherwiththechange，hesecurespower，patronage，andpay，howshallthepublicvoiceabsolvehim？Butthenagain，men，whohavebytheworkoftheirlivesgrownintoacertainpositioninthecountry，andhaveunconsciouslybutnotthereforelessactuallymadethemselvesindispensableeithertothissideofpolitics，ortothat，cannotfreethemselvesaltogetherfromtheresponsibilityofmanagingthemwhenaperiodcomessuchasthatnowreached。

Thisalsothenewspapersperceived，andhaving，sincethecommencementofthesessionbeenveryloudinexposingthedisgracefulcollapseofgovernmentaffairs，couldhardlyrefusetheirsupporttoanyattemptatafeasiblearrangement。WhenitwasfirstknownthattheDukeofOmniumhadconsentedtomaketheattempt，theyhadbothononesideandtheotherbeenloudinhispraise，goingsofarastosaythathewastheonlymaninEnglandwhocoulddothework。ItwasprobablythisencouragementwhichhadenabledthenewPremiertogoonwithanundertakingwhichwaspersonallydistastefultohim，andforwhichfromdaytodayhebelievedhimselftobelessandlessfit。Butwhenthenewspaperstoldhimthathewastheonlymanfortheoccasion，howcouldhebejustifiedincreditinghimselfinpreferencetothem？

TheworkinParliamentbeganunderthenewauspiceswithgreattranquillity。Thattherewouldsooncomecausesofhotblood，——

theEnglishChurch，thecountysuffrage，theincometax，andfurthereducationquestions，——allmenknewwhoknewanything。

Butforthemoment，forthemonthseven，perhapsforthesession，therewastobepeace，withfulllatitudefortheperformanceofroutineduties。Therewassotosaynoopposition，andatfirstitseemedthatonespecialbenchintheHouseofCommonswouldremainunoccupied。Butafteradayortwo，——ononewhichMrDaubneyhadbeenseensittingjustbelowthegangway，——thatgentlemanreturnedtotheplaceusuallyheldbythePrimeMinister’srival，sayingwithasmilethatitmightbefortheconvenienceoftheHousethattheseatshouldbeutilized。MrGresham，atthistime，hadwithdeclaredpurpose，askedandobtainedtheSpeaker’sleaveofabsence，andwasabroad。WhoshouldleadtheHouse？Thathadbeenagreatquestion，causedbythefactthatthePrimeMinisterwasintheHouseofLords——andwhatofficeshouldtheleaderhold？MrMonkhadconsentedtotaketheExchequer，buttherighttositoppositetotheTreasureBoxandtoconsiderhimselfforthetimetheprincipalspiritinthatchamberwasatlastassignedtoSirOrlandoDrought。’Itwillneverdo，’saidMrRattlertoMrRoby。’Idon’tmeantosayanythingagainstDrought，whohadalwaysbeenaveryusefulmantoyourparty——buthelackssomethingoftheposition。’

’Thefactis，’saidRoby，’thatwe’vetrustedtotwomensolongthatwedon’tknowhowtosupposeanyoneelsebigenoughtofilltheirplaces。Monkwouldn’thavedone。TheHousedoesn’tcareaboutMonk。’

’IalwaysthoughtitshouldhavebeenWilson，andsoItoldtheDuke。Hehadanideathatitshouldbeoneofyourmen。’

’Ithinkhe’srightthere，’saidRoby。’Thereoughttobesomethinglikeafairdivision。Individualsmightbecontent，butthepartywouldbedissatisfied。Formyself，I’dhavesoonerstayedoutasanindependentmember，butDaubneysaidthathethoughtIwasboundtomakemyselfuseful。’

’ItoldtheDukefromthebeginning，’saidRattler，’thatI

didn’tthinkthatIcouldbeofanyservicetohim。Ofcourse，I

wouldsupporthim，butIhadbeentoothoroughlyapartymanforanewmovementofthiskind。Buthesaidjustthesame？——thatheconsideredIwasboundtojoinhim。IaskedGresham，andwhenGreshamsaidsotoo，ofcourseIhadnohelpforit。’

Neitheroftheseexcellentpublicservantshadtoldalieinthis。Somesuchconversationsasthosereportedhadpassed——

butamandoesn’tliewhenheexaggeratesanemphasis，orevenwhenhegivesbyatoneameaningtoaman’swordsexactlyoppositetothatwhichanothertonewouldconvey。Or，ifhedoeslieindoingso，hedoesnotknowthathelies。MrRattlerhadgonebacktohisoldofficeattheTreasuryandMrRobyhadbeenforcedtocontenthimselfwiththeSecretaryshipattheAdmiralty。But，astheoldDukehadsaid，theywereclosefriends，andpreparedtofighttogetheranybattlewhichmightkeeptheminthepresentposition。

ManyofthecaresofofficethePrimeMinisterdidsucceedinshufflingoffaltogetherontotheshouldersofhiselderfriend。

Hewouldnotconcernhimselfwiththeappointmentofladies，aboutwhomhesaidheknewnothing，andastowhosefitnessandclaimsheprofessedhimselftobeasignorantastheofficemessenger。Theofferswereofcoursemadeintheusualform，asthoughcomingdirectfromtheQueen，throughthePrimeMinister——

buttheselectionswereintrutheffectedbytheoldDukeincouncilwith——anillustriouspersonage。ThematteraffectedourDuke，——onlyinsofarashecouldgetoutofhismindthatstrangeapplicationfromhisownwife。’Thatsheshouldhaveevendreamedofit！’hewouldsaytohimself，notyethavingacquiredsufficientexperienceofhisfellowcreaturestobeawarehowwonderfullytemptationswillaffecteventhosewhoappeartobeleastsubjecttothem。Thetownhorse，usedtogaudytrappings，nodoubtdespisestheworkofhiscountrybrother。butyet，nowandagain，therecomesuponhimasuddendesiretoplough。ThedesireforploughinghadcomeupontheDuchess，buttheDukecouldnotunderstandit。

Heperceived，however，inspiteofthemultiplicityofhisofficialwork，thathisrefusalsatheavilyonhiswife’sbreast，andthat，thoughshespokenofurtherword，shebroodedoverherinjury。Andhisheartwassadwithinhimwhenhethoughthehadvexedher，——lovingherashedidwithallhisheart，butwithaheartthatwasneverdemonstrative。Whenshewasunhappyhewasmiserable，thoughhewouldhardlyknowthecauseofhismisery。

Herridiculeandrailleryhecouldbear，thoughtheystunghim。

buthersorrow，ifeversheweresorrowful，orhersullenness，ifeversheweresullen，upsethimaltogether。Hewasintruthsosoftofheartthathecouldnotbearthediscomfortoftheonepersonintheworldwhoseemedtohimtobeneartohim。Hehadexpresslyaskedherforhersympathyforthebusinesshehadonhand，——therebygoingmuchbeyondhisusualcoldnessofmanner。

She，withaneagernesswhichmighthavebeenexpectedfromher，hadpromisedthatshewouldslaveforhim，ifslaverywerenecessary。Thenshehadmadeherrequest，hadbeenrefused，andwasnowmoody。’TheDuchessof——istobeMistressofTheRobes，’hesaidtoheroneday。Hehadgonetoher，uptoherownroom，beforehedressedfordinner，havingdevotedmuchmoretimethatasPrimeMinisterheoughttohavedonetoaresolutionthathewouldmakethingsstraightwithher，andtothebestwayofdoingit。

’SoIamtold。Sheoughttoknowherawayabouttheplace，asI

remembershewasatthesameworkwhenIwasagirlofeleven。’

’That’snotsoverylongago，Cora。’

’SilverbridgeisoldernowthanIwasthen，andIthinkthatmakesitaverylongtimeago。’LordSilverbridgewastheDuke’seldestson。

’Butwhatdoesitmatter？IfshebeganhercareeratthetimeofGeorgetheFourth，whatisittoyou？’

’Nothingonearth，——onlythatshedidintruthbeginhercareerinthetimeofGeorgetheThird。I’msureshe’snearersixtythanfifty。’

’I’mgladtoseeyourememberyourdatessowell。’

’It’sapitysheshouldnotrememberhersinthewaysshedresses，’saidtheDuchess。

Thiswasmarvelloustohim，——thathiswife，whoasLadyGlencoraPalliserhadbeensoconspicuousforawilddisregardofsocialrulesastobelookeduponbymanyasanenemyofherownclass，shouldbesodepressedbynotbeingallowedtobetheQueen’sheadservantastodescendtopersonalinvective！’I’mafraid，’

saidhe，attemptingtosmile，’thatitwon’tcomewithinthecompassofmyofficetoeffectoreventoproposeanyradicalchangeinherGrace’sapparel。Butdon’tyouthinkthatyouandIcanaffordtoignoreallthat？’

’Icancertainly。ShemaybeanantiquatedEveforme。’

’Ihope，Cora，youarenotstilldisappointedbecauseIdidnotagreewithyouwhenyouspokeabouttheplaceforyourself。’

’Notbecauseyoudidnotagreewithme，——butbecauseyoudidnotthinkmefittobetrustedwithanyjudgementofmyown。Idon’tknowwhyI’malwaystobelookeduponasdifferentfromotherwomen，——asthoughIwerehalfasavage。’

’Youarewhatyoumadeyourself，andIhavealwaysrejoicedthatyouareasyouare，fresh，untrammelled，withoutmanyprejudiceswhichafflictotherladies，andfreefrombondsbywhichtheyarecrampedandconfined。Ofcoursesuchaturnofcharacterissubjecttocertaindangersofitsown。’

’Thereisnodoubtaboutthedangers。ThechancesarethatwhenIseeherGrace，IshalltellherwhatIthinkabouther。’

’YouwillIamsuresaynothingunkindtoaladywhoissupposedtobeintheplaceshenowfillsbymyauthority。Butdonotletusquarrelaboutanoldwoman。’

’Iwon’tquarrelwithyouevenaboutayoungone。’

’IcannotbeateasewithinmyselfwhileIthinkyouareresentingmyrefusal。YoudonotknowhowconstantlyIcarryyouaboutwithme。’

’Youcarryaveryunnecessaryburdenthen，’shesaid。Buthecouldtellatoncefromthealteredtoneofvoice，andfromthelightofhereyeasheglancedintoherface，thatherangerabout’TheRobes’wasappeased。

’Ihavedoneasyouhaveaskedaboutafriendofyours，’hesaid。

Thisoccurredjustbeforethefinalandperfectedlistofthenewmenhadappearedinallthenewspapers。

’Whatfriend？’

’MrFinnistogotoIreland。’

’GotoIreland！——Howdoyoumean？’

’Itislookeduponasbeingaverygreatpromotion。Indeed，Iamtoldthatheisconsideredtobetheluckiestmaninallthescramble。’

’Youdon’tmeanasChiefSecretary？’

’Yes，Ido。Hecertainlycouldn’tgoasLordLieutenant。’

’ButtheysaidthatBarringtonErlewasgoingtoIreland。’

’Well。yes。Idon’tknowthatyou’dbeinterestedbyalltheinsandoutsofit。ButMrErledeclined。ItseemsthatMrErleisafteralltheonemaninParliamentmodestenoughnottoconsiderhimselftobefitforanyplacethatcanbeofferedtohim。’

’PoorBarrington！HedoesnotliketheideaofcrossingtheChannelsooften。Iquitesympathizewithhim。AndsoPhineasistobeSecretaryforIreland！NotintheCabinet？’

’No——notintheCabinet。Itisnotbyanymeansusualthatheshouldbe。’

’Thatispromotion，andI’mglad！PoorPhineas！Ihopetheywon’tmurderhim，oranythingofthatkind。Theydomurderpeople，youknow，sometimes。’

’He’sanIrishmanhimself。’

’Thatjustthereasonwhytheyshould。Hemustpassupwiththatofcourse。Iwonderwhethershe’lllikegoing。They’llbeabletospendmoney，whichtheyalwayslike，overthere。Hecomesbackwardsandforwardseveryweek，——doesn’the？’

’Notquitethat，Ibelieve。’

’Ishallmissher，ifshehastostayawaysolong。Iknowyoudon’tlikeher。’

’Idolikeher。Shehasalwaysbehavedwell，bothtomeandtomyuncle。’

’Shewasanangeltohim，——andtoyoutoo，ifyouonlyknewit。

Idaresayyou’resendinghimtoIrelandsoastogetherawayfromme。’Thisshesaidwithasmile，asthoughnotmeaningitaltogether，butyethalfmeaningit。

’Ihaveaskedhimtoundertaketheoffice，’saidtheDukesolemnly，’becauseIamtoldheisfitforit。ButIdidhavesomepleasureinproposingittohimbecauseIthoughtitwouldpleaseyou。’

’Itdoespleaseme，andIwon’tbecrossanymore，andtheDuchessof——maywearherclothesjustasshepleases，orgowithoutthem。AndasforMrsFinn，Idon’tseewhysheshouldbewithhimalwayswhenhegoes。Youcanquiteunderstandhownecessarysheistome。ButsheisintruththeonlywomaninLondontowhomIcansaywhatIthink。Anditisacomfort，youknow，tohavesomeone。’

InthiswaythedomesticpeaceofthePrimeMinisterwasreadjusted，andthatsympathyandco-operationforwhichhehadfirstaskedwasaccordedtohim。ItmaybeaquestionwhetheronthewholetheDuchessdidnotworkharderthanhedid。Shedidnotatfirstdaretoexpoundtohimthosegrandideaswhichshehadconceivedinregardtomagnificenceandhospitality。Shesaidnothingofanyextraordinaryexpenditureofmoney。Butshesetherselftoworkafterherownfashion，makingtohimsuggestionsastodinnersandeveningreceptions，towhichheobjectedonlyonthescoreoftime。’Youmusteatyourdinnersomewhere，’shesaid，’andyouneedonlycomeinjustbeforewesitdown，andgointoyourroomifyoupleasewithoutcomingupstairsatall。Icanatanyratedothatpartofitforyou。’

AndshediddothatpartofitwithmarvellousenergyallthroughthemonthofMay，——sothatbytheendofthemonth，withinsixweeksofthetimeatwhichshefirstheardoftheCoalitionMinistry，alltheworldhadbeguntotalkofthePrimeMinister’sdinners，andofthereceptionsgivenbythePrimeMinister’swife。

CHAPTER9

MRSDICK’SDINNERPARTY——NO1。

OurreadersmustnotforgetthetroublesofpoorEmilyWhartonamidstthegorgeousfestivitiesofthenewPrimeMinister。

ThroughoutAprilandMayshedidnotonceseeFerdinandLopez。

Itmayberememberedthatonthenightwhenthematterwasdiscussedbetweenherandherfather，shepromisedhimthatshewouldnotdosowithouthispermission，——saying，however，atthesametimeveryopenlythatherhappinessdependedonsuchpermissionbeinggiventoher。Fortwoorthreeweeksnotawordfurtherwassaidbetweenherandherfatheronthesubject，andhehadendeavouredtobanishthesubjectfromhismind，——feelingnodoubtthatifnothingfurtherwereeversaiditwouldbesomuchthebetter。Butthenhisdaughterreferredtothematter，veryplainly，withasimplequestion，andwithoutdisguiseofherownfeeling，butstillinamannerwhichhecouldnotbringhimselftorebuke。’AuntHarriethasaskedmeonceortwicetogothereofanevening，whenyouhavebeenout。IhavedeclinedbecauseIthoughtMrLopezwouldbethere。MustItellherthatIamnottomeetMrLopez，papa？’

’Ifshehasaskedhimthereonpurposetothrowhiminyourway，Ishallthinkverybadlyofher。’

’Buthehasbeeninthehabitofbeingthere，papa。Ofcourseifyouaredecidedaboutthis，itisbetterthatIshouldnotseehim。’

’DidInottellyouthatIwasdecided？’

’Yousaidyouwouldmakesomefurtherinquiry，andspeaktomeagain。’NowMrWhartonhadmadeinquiry，buthadlearnednothingtoreassurehimself——neitherhadbeenabletolearnanyfact，puttinghisfingeronwhichhecouldpointouttohisdaughterclearlythatthemarriagewouldbeunsuitableforher。Oftheman’sabilityandposition，ascertainlyalsoofhismanners，theworldatlargeseemedtospeakwell。Hehadbeenblack-balledattwoclubs，butapparentlywithoutdefinedreason。Helivedasthoughhepossessedahandsomeincome，andyetwasinnodegreefastorflashy。HewassupposedtobeanintimatefriendofMrMillsHapperton，oneofthepartnersintheworld-famouscommercialhouseofHunkyandSons，whichdealtinmillions。

IndeedtherehadbeenatoncetimearumourthathewasgoingtobetakenintothehouseofHunkyandSonsasajuniorpartner。

Itwasevidentthatmanypeoplehadbeenfavourablyimpressedbyhisoutwarddemeanour，byhismodeoftalk，andbyhiswayofliving。Butnooneknewanythingabouthim。Withregardtohismaterialposition，MrWhartoncouldofcourseaskdirectquestionsifhepleased，andrequireevidenceastohisallegedproperty。ButhefeltthatbydoingsohewouldabandonhisrighttoobjecttothemanasbeingaPortuguesestranger，andhedidnotwishtohaveFerdinandLopezasson-in-law，eventhoughheshouldbeapartnerinHunkyandSons，andabletomaintainagorgeouspalaceatSouthKensington。

’Ihavemadeinquiry。’

’Well，papa。’

’Idon’tknowanythingabouthim。Nobodyknowsanythingabouthim。’

’Couldyounotaskhimyourselfanythingyouwanttoknow？IfI

mightseehimIwouldaskhim。’

’Thatwouldnotdoatall。’

’Itcomestothis，papa，thatIamtosevermyselffromamantowhomIamattached，andwhoyoumustadmitthatIhavebeenallowedtomeetfromdaytodaywithnocautionthathisintimacywasunpleasanttoyou，becauseheiscalled，——Lopez。’

’Itisn’tthatatall。ThereareEnglishpeopleofthatname，butheisn’tanEnglishman。’

’Ofcourse，ifyousayso，papa，itmustbeso。IhavetoldAuntHarrietthatIconsidermyselfprohibitedfrommeetingMrLopezbywhatyouhavesaid。butIthink，papa，youarealittlecrueltome。’

’Crueltoyou！’saidMrWharton，almostburstingintotears。

’Iamreadytoobeyasachild——but，notbeingachild，IthinkIoughttohaveareason。’TothisMrWhartonmadenofurtherimmediateanswer，butpulledhishair，andshuffledhisfeetabout，andthenescapedoutoftheroom。

Afewdaysafterwardshissister-in-lawattachedhim。’Arewetounderstand，MrWharton，thatEmilyisnottomeetMrLopezagain？

Itmakesitveryunpleasant，becausehehasbeenanintimateatourhouse。’

’Ineversaidwordabouthernotmeetinghim。OfcourseIdonotwishthatanymeetingshouldbecontrivedbetweenthem。’

’Asitstandsnowitisprejudicialtoher。Ofcourseitcannotbutbeobserved，anditsooddthatayoungladyshouldbeforbiddentomeetacertainman。Itlookssounpleasantforher，——asthoughshehadmisbehavedherself。’

’Ihaveneverthoughtsoforamoment。’

’Ofcourseyouhavenot。Howcouldyouhavethoughtso，MrWharton？’

’IsaythatIneverdid。’

’Whatmusthethinkwhenheknows，——asofcoursehedoesknow，——

thatshehasbeenforbiddentomeethim？Itmustmakehimfancythatheisverymuchmadeof。Allthatissoverybadforagirl！Indeeditis，MrWharton。’OfcoursetherewasabsolutedishonestyinallthisonthepartofMrsRoby。ShewastrueenoughtoEmily’slover，——tootruetohim。butshewasfalsetoEmily’sfather。IfEmilywouldhaveyieldedtohershewouldhavearrangedmeetingsatherownhousebetweentheloversaltogetherinoppositiontothefather。Nevertheless，therewasashowofreasonaboutwhatshesaidwhichMrWhartonwasunabletoovercome。Andatthesametimetherewasarealityaboutthegirl’ssorrowwhichovercamehim。Hehadneverhithertoconsultedanyoneaboutanythinginhisfamily，havingalwaysfoundhisowninformationandintellectsufficientforhisownaffairs。Butnowhefeltgrievouslyinwantofsomepillar，——

somefemalepillar，——onwhichhecouldlean。HedidnotknowallMrsRoby’siniquities。butstillhefeltthatshewasnotthepillarofwhichhewasinneed。Therewasnosuchpillarforhisuse，andhewasdriventoacknowledgetohimselfthatinthisdistressingpositionhemustbeguidedbyhisownstrength，andhisownlights。Hethoughtitalloutaswellashecouldinhisownchamber，allowinghisbookorbrieftolieidlebesidehimformanyahalf-hour。Buthewasmuchpuzzledbothastotheextentofhisownauthorityandthemannerinwhichitshouldbeused。Hecertainlyhadnotdesiredhisdaughternottomeettheman。Hecouldunderstandthatunlesssomeaffronthadbeenofferedsuchanedictenforcedastotheconductofayoungladywouldinduceallheracquaintancetosupposethatshewaseitherverymuchinloveorelseshewasverypronetomisbehaveherself。Hefeared，indeed，thatshewasverymuchinlove，butitwouldnotbeprudenttotellhersecrettoalltheworld。

Perhapsitwouldbebetterthatsheshouldmeethim，alwayswiththeunderstandingthatshewasnottoacceptfromhimanypeculiarattention。Ifshewouldbeobedientinoneparticular，shewouldprobablybesointheother，and，indeed，hedidnotatalldoubtherobedience。Shewouldobey，butwouldtakecaretoshowhimthatshewasmademiserablebyobeying。Hebegantoforeseethathehadabadtimebeforehim。

Andthenashestillsatidle，thinkingofitall，hismindwanderedofftoanotherviewofthesubject。Couldhebehappy，orevencomfortable，ifshewereunhappy？Ofcourseheendeavouredtoconvincehimselfthatifhewerebold，determinedanddictatorialwithher，itwouldonlybeinorderthatherfuturehappinessmightbesecured。Aparentisoftenboundtodisregardtheimmediatecomfortofachild。Butthenwashesurethathewasright？Heofcoursehadhisownwayoflookingatlife，butwasitreasonablethatheshouldforcehisgirltolookatthingswithhiseyes？ThemanwasdistastefultohimasbeingunlikehisideaofanEnglishgentleman，andasbeingwithoutthosefar-reachingfibresandrootsbywhichhethoughtthatthesolidityandstabilityofahumantreeshouldbeassured。Buttheworldwaschangingaroundhimeveryday。Royaltywasmarryingoutofitsdegree。Peers’sonswerelookingonlyformoney。And，morethanthat，peers’daughterswerebestowingthemselvesonJewsandshopkeepers。Hadhenotbettermaketheusualinquiryabouttheman’smeans，and，ifsatisfiedonthathead，letthegirldoasshewould？Addedtoallthis，therewasgrowingonhimafeelingthatultimatelyyouthwouldasusualtriumphoverage，andthathewouldbebeaten。Ifthatwereso，whyworryhimself，orwhyworryher？

OnthedayafterMrsRoby’sattackuponhimheagainsawthatlady，havingonthisoccasionsentroundtoaskhertocometohim。’IwantyoutounderstandthatIputnoembargoonEmilyastomeetingMrLopez。Icantrustherfully。Idonotwishhertoencouragehisattentions，butIbynomeanswishhertoavoidhim。’

’AmItotellEmilywhatyousay？’

’Iwilltellhermyself。Ithinkitbettertosayasmuchtoyou，asyouseemedtobeembarrassedbythefearthattheymighthappentoseeeachotherinyourdrawing-room。’

’Itwasratherawkward，wasn’tit？’

’Ihavespokentoyounowbecauseyouseemedtothinkso。’Hismannertoherwasnotverypleasant，butMrsRobyhadknownhimformanyyears，anddidnotcareverymuchforhismanner。Shehadanobjecttogain，andcouldputupwithagooddealforthesakeofherobject。

’Verywell。ThenIshallknowhowtoact。But，MrWharton，I

mustsaythis，youknowEmilyhasawillofherown，andyoumustnotholdmeresponsibleforanythingthatmayoccur。’Assoonasheheardthishealmostresolvedtowithdrawtheconcessionhehadmade，——buthedidnotdoso。

VerysoonafterthistherecameaspecialinvitationfromMrandMrsRoby，askingtheWhartons，fatheranddaughter，todinewiththemroundthecorner。Itwasquiteaspecialinvitation，becauseitcameintheformofacard，——whichwasunusualbetweenthetwofamilies。Butthedinnerwastoo，insomedegree，aspecialdinner，——asEmilywasenabledtoexplaintoherfather，thewholespecialityhavingbeenfullydetailedtoherselfbyheraunt。MrRoby，whosebelongingswerenotgenerallyaristocratic，hadonegreatconnectionwithwhom，aftermanyyearsofquarrelling，hehadlatelycomeintoamity。Thiswashishalf-brother，considerablyolderthanhimself，andwasnootherthanthatMrRobywhowasnowSecretarytotheAdmiralty，andwhointhelastConservativeGovernmenthadbeenoneoftheSecretariesoftheTreasury。TheoldestMrRobyofall，nowlongsincegatheredtohisfathers，hadhadtwowivesandtwosons。

Theeldersonhadnotbeenleftaswelloffasfriends，orperhapsashehimself，couldhavewished。Buthehadrisenintheworldbyhiswits，hadmadehiswayintoParliament，andhadbecome，asallreadersofthesechroniclesknow，astaffofgreatstrengthtohisparty。Buthehadalwaysbeenapoorman。HisperiodsofofficehadbeenmuchshorterthanthoseofhisfriendRattler，andhisothersourcesofincomehadnotbeencertain。

Hisyoungerhalf-brother，who，asfarasthegreatworldwasconcerned，hadnoneofhiselderbrother’sadvantages，hadbeenendowedwithsomefortunefromhismother，and，——inanevilhourforbothofthem，——hadlentthepoliticianmoney。Asoneconsequenceofthistransaction，theyhadnotspokentoeachotherforyears。Onthisquarrel，MrsRobywasalwaysharpingwithherownhusband，——nottakinghispart。HerRoby，herDick，hdindeedthemeansofsupportingherwithfaircomfort，buthad，ofhisown，nopowerofintroducinghertothatsortofsocietyforwhichhersoulcraved。ButMrThomasRobywasagreatman——

thoughunfortunatelypoor，——andmovedinhighcircles。Becausetheyhadlenttheirmoney，——whichwasnodoubtlostforever，——

whyshouldtheyalsolosetheadvantagesofsuchaconnection？

Woulditnotbewiserrathertotakethedebtasabasiswhereontofoundaclaimforspecialfraternalobservationandkindredintercourse？Dick，whowasfondofhismoney，wouldnotforalongtimelookatthematterinthislight，butharassedhisbrotherfromtimetotimebyapplicationswhichwerequiteuseless，andwhichbytheacerbityoftheirlanguagealtogethershutMrsRobyfromthegoodthingswhichmighthaveaccruedtoherfromsodistinguishedabrother-in-law。ButwhenitcametopassthatThomasRobywasconfirmedinofficebythecoalitionwhichhasbeenmentioned，MrsDickbecameveryenergetic。Shewentherselftotheofficialhero，andtoldhimhowdesirousshewasofpeace。Nothingmoreshouldbesaidaboutthemoney，——atanyrateforthepresent。Letbrothersbebrothers。AndsoitcametopassthattheSecretarytotheAdmiralty，withhiswife，weretodineatBerkeleyStreet，andthatMrWhartonwasaskedtomeetthem。

’Idon’tparticularlywanttomeetMrThomasRoby，’theoldbarristersaid。

’Theywantyoutocome，’saidEmily，’becausetherehasbeensomefamilyreconciliation。Youusuallydogoonceortwiceayear。’

’Isupposeitmayaswellbedone，’saidMrWharton。

’Ithink，papa，thattheymeantoaskMrLopez，’saidEmilydemurely。

’ItoldyoubeforethatIdon’twanttohaveyoubanishedfromyouraunt’shomebyanyman，’saidthefather。Sothematterwassettled，andtheinvitationwasaccepted。ThiswasjustattheendofMay，atwhichtimepeoplewerebeginningtosaythatthecoalitionwasasuccess，andsomewisementopredictthatatleastfortuitousparliamentaryatomshadsocometogetherbyaccidentalconnection，thataministryhadbeenformedwhichmightendureforadozenyears。Indeedtherewasnoreasonwhythereshouldbeanyendtoaministrybuiltonsuchafoundation。

OfcoursethiswasverycomfortabletosuchmenasMrRoby，sothattheAdmiraltySecretarywhenheenteredhissister-in-law’sdrawing-roomwassuffusedwiththatrosyhueofhumanblisswhichafeelingoftriumphbestows。’Yes，’saidhe，inanswertosomewould-befacetiousremarkfromhisbrother，’Ithinkwehaveweatheredthatstormprettywell。Itdoesseemratherodd，mysittingcheekbyjowlwithMrMonkandgentlemenofthatkidney。

buttheydon’tbite。I’vegotoneofourownsetattheheadofourownoffice，andheleadstheHouse。Ithinkuponthewholewe’vegotalittlethebestofit。’ThiswaslistenedtobyMrWhartonwithgreatdisgust，——forMrWhartonwasaToryoftheoldschool，whohatedcompromises，andabhorredinhishearttheclashofpoliticianstowhompoliticswereaprofessionratherthanacreed。

MrRoby，senior，havingescapedfromtheHouse，wasofcoursethelast，andhadindeedkeptalltheotherguestswaitinghalf-an-

hour，——asbecomesaparliamentarymagnateintheheatofthesession。MrWharton，whohadbeenearly，sawalltheotherguestsarrive，amongthemMrFerdinandLopez。TherewasalsoMrMillsHapperton，——partnerinHunkyandSons，——withhiswife，respectingwhomMrWhartonatonceconcludedthathewasthereasbeingthefriendofFerdinandLopez。Ifso，howmuchinfluencemustFerdinandLopezhaveinthathouse！Nevertheless，MrMillsHappertonwasinhiswayagreatman，andacredittoMrsRoby。

AndtherewasSirDamaskandLadyMonogram，whowerepeoplemovinginquitethefirstcircles。SirDamaskshotpigeons，andsodidalsoDickRoby，——whencehadperhapsarisenanintimacy。

ButLadyMonogramwasnotatallthepersontodinewithMrsDickRobywithoutothercausethanthis。Butagreatofficialamongone’sacquaintancecandosomuchforone！ItwasprobablethatLadyMonogram’spresencewasamongthefirstfruitsofthehappyfamilyreconciliationthathadtakenplace。ThentherewasMrsLeslie，aprettywidow，ratherpoor，whowasgladtoreceivecivilitiesfromMrsRoby，andwasEmilyWharton’spetaversion。

MrsLesliehadsaidimpertinentthingstoheraboutFerdinandLopez，andshehadsnubbedMrsLeslie。ButMrsLesliewasserviceabletoMrsRoby，andhadnowbeenaskedtohergreatdinnerparty。

Butthetwomostillustriousguestshavenotyetbeenmentioned。

MrsRobyhadsecuredalord，——anabsolutepeerofParliament。

ThiswasnolessthanLordMongrober，whosefatherhadbeenagreatjudgeintheearlypartofthecentury，andhadbeenmadeapeer。TheMongroberestateswerenotsupposedtobelarge，norwastheMongroberinfluenceatthistimeextensive。Butthisnoblemanwasseenaboutagooddealinsocietywhenthedinnersgivenweresupposedtobewortheating。Hewasafat，silent，red-faced，elderlygentleman，whosaidverylittle，andwhowhenhedidspeakseemedalwaystobeinanill-humour。Hewouldnowandthenmakeill-naturedremarksabouthisfriends’wines，assuggesting’68whenamanwouldboastofhis’48claret。andwhencostlydaintiesweresuppliedforhisuse，wouldremarkthatsuchandsuchadishwasverywellatsomeothertimeoftheyear。SothatladiesattentivetotheirtablesandhostsproudoftheircellarswouldalmostshakeintheirshoesbeforeLordMongrober。

AnditmayalsobesaidthatLordMongrobernevergaveanychanceofretaliationbyreturndinners。TherelivednotthemanorwomanwhohaddinedwithLordMongrober。ButyettheRobysofLondonweregladtoentertainhim。andtheMrsRobys，whenhewascoming，wouldurgetheircookstosuperhumanenergiesbythementionofhisname。

AndtherewasLadyEustace！OfLadyEustaceitwasimpossibletosaywhetherherbeauty，herwit，herwealth，ortheremarkablehistoryofherpastlife，mostrecommendedhertosuchhostsandhostessesasMrandMrsRoby。Asherhistorymayalreadybeknowntosome，nodetailsofitshallberepeatedhere。Atthismomentshewasfreefromallmaritalpersecution，andwasverymuchrunafterbyacertainsetinsociety。Therewereothersagainwhodeclaredthatnodecentmanorwomanoughttomeether。

Onthescoreofloverstherewasreallylittleornothingtobesaidagainsther。butshehadimplicatedherselfinanunfortunatesecondmarriage，andthentherewastheoldstoryaboutthejewels！Buttherewasnodoubtabouthermoneyandhergoodlooks，andsomeconsideredhertobeclever。ThesecompletedthelistofMrsRoby’sgreatdinnerparty。

MrWharton，whohadarrivedearly，couldnotbuttakenoticethatLopez，whosoonfollowedhimintotheroom，hadatoncefallenintoconversationwithEmily，asthoughtherehadneverbeenanydifficultyinthematter。Thefather，standingontherugandpretendingtoanswertheremarksmadetohimbyDickRoby，couldseethatEmilysaidbutlittle。Theman，however，wassomuchathiseasethattherewasnonecessityforhertoexertherself。

MrWhartonhatedhimforbeingathisease。Hadheappearedtohavebeenrebuffedbythecircumstancesofhispositiontheprejudicesoftheoldmanwouldhavebeenlessened。Bydegreestheguestscame。LordMongroberstoodalsoontherugdumb，withalookofintenseimpatienceforhisfood，hardlyevercondescendingtoanswerthelittleattemptsatconversationmadebyMrsDick。LadyEustacegushedintotheroom，kissingMrsDickandafterwardskissinghergreatfriendofthemoment，MrsLeslie，whofollowed。ShethenlookedasthoughshemeanttokissLordMongrober，whomsheplayfullyandalmostfamiliarlyaddressed。ButLordMongroberonlygrunted。ThencameSirDamaskandLadyMonogram，andDickatoncebeganabouthispigeons。SirDamask，whowasthemostgood-naturedmanintheworld，interestedhimselfatonceandbecameenergetic。butLadyMonogramlookedaroundtheroomcarefully，andseeingLadyEustaceturneduphernose，nordidshecaremuchformeetingLordMongrober。IfshehadbeentakeninastotheAdmiraltyRobys，thenwouldsheletthejuniorRobysknowwhatshethoughtaboutit。MillsHapperton，withhiswife，causedthefrownonLadyMonogram’sbrowtoloosenitselfalittle，for，sogreatwasthewealthandpowerofthehouseofHunkyandSons，thatMrMillsHappertonwasnodoubtafeatureatanydinnerparty。ThencametheAdmiraltySecretarywithhiswife，andtheorderfordinnerwasgiven。

CHAPTER10

MRSDICK’SDINNERPARTY——NO2。

DickwalkeddownstairswithLadyMonogram。TherehadbeensomedoubtwhetherofrightheshouldnothavetakenLadyEustace，butitwasheldbyMrsDickthatherladyshiphadsomewhatimpairedherrightsbytheeccentricitiesofhercareer，andalsothatshewouldamiablypardonanylittlewrongdoingagainstherofthatkind，——whereasLadyMonogramwasapersonmuchtobeconsidered。

ThenfollowedSirDamaskwithLadyEustace。Theyseemedtobepairedsowelltogetherthattherecouldbenodoubtaboutthem。

TheministerialRoby，whowasreallytheheroofthenight，tookMrsHapperton，andourfriendMrWhartontooktheSecretary’swife。Allthathadbeeneasy，——soeasythatfatehadgoodnaturedlyarrangedthingswhicharesometimesdifficultofmanagement。Butthentherecameanembarrassment。OfcourseitwouldinausualwayberightthatamarriedmanaswasMrHappertonshouldbeassignedtothewidowMrsLeslie，andthattheonlytwo’young’people，——intheusualsenseoftheword，——

shouldgodowntodinnertogether。ButMrsRobywasatfirstafraidofMrWharton，andplanneditotherwise。When，however，thelastmomentcameshepluckedupcourage，gaveMrsLeslietothegreatcommercialman，andwithabravesmileaskedMrLopeztogivehisarmtotheladyheloved。Itissometimessohardtomanagethese’littlethings’，saidshetoLordMongroberassheputherhanduponhisarm。Hislordshiphadbeenkeptstandinginthatodiousdrawing-roomformorethanhalf-an-hourwaitingforamanwhomheregardedasapoorTreasuryhack，andwasbynomeansinagoodhumour。DickRoby’swinewasnodoubtgood，buthewasnotpreparedtopurchaseitatsuchapriceasthis。

’Thingsalwaysgetconfusedwhenyouhavewaitedanhourforanyone，’hesaid。

’Whatcanyoudo，youknow，whentheHouseissitting？’saidtheladyapologetically。’Ofcourseyoulordscangetaway，butthenyouhavenothingtodo。’

LordMongrobergrunted，meaningtoimplybyhisgruntthatanyonewouldbeverymuchmistakenwhosupposedthathehadanyworktodobecausehewasapeerofParliament。

LopezandEmilywereseatednexttoeachother，andimmediatelyoppositetothemwasMrWharton。Certainlynothingfraudulenthadbeenintendedonthisoccasion，——oritwouldhavebeenarrangedthatthefathershouldsitonthesamesideofthetablewiththelover，sothatheshouldseenothingofwhatwasgoingon。ButitseemedtoMrWhartonasthoughhehadbeenpositivelyswindledbyhissister-in-law。Theretheysatoppositetohim，talkingtoeachotherapparentlywiththoroughlymutualconfidence，theverytwopersonswhomhemostespeciallydesiredtokeepapart。Hehadnotawordtosaytoeitheroftheladiesnearhim。Heendeavouredtokeephiseyesawayfromhisdaughterasmuchaspossible，andtodiverthisearsfromtheirconversation——buthecouldnotbutlookandhecouldnotbutlisten。Notthathereallyheardasentence。Emily’svoicehardlyreachedhim，andLopezunderstoodthegamehewasplayingmuchtoowelltoallowhisvoicetotravel。Andhelookedasthoughhispositionwerethemostcommonplaceintheworld，andasthoughhehadnothingofmorethanordinaryinteresttosaytohisneighbour。MrWharton，ashesatthere，almostmadeuphismindthathewouldleavehispractice，giveuphischambers，abandonevenhisclub，andtakehisdaughteratonceto，——to，——

itdidnotmatterwhere，sothattheplaceshouldbeverydistantfromManchesterSquare。Therecouldbenootherremedyforthisevil。

Lopez，thoughhetalkedthroughoutthewholeofdinner，——turningsometimesindeedtoMrsLesliewhosatathislefthand，——saidverylittlethatalltheworldmightnothaveheard。Buthedidsayonesuchword。’Ithasbeendrearytome，thelastmonth！’

Emilyofcoursehadnoanswertomaketothis。Shecouldnottellhimthatherdesolationhadbeeninfinitelyworsethanhis，andthatshesometimesfeltasthoughherveryheartwouldbreak。

’Iwonderwhetheritmustalwaysbelikethiswithme，’hesaid，——andthenhewentbacktothetheatresandotherordinaryconversation。

’Isupposeyou’vegottothebottomofthatchampagneyouusedtohave，’saidLordMongroberroaringacrossthetabletohishost，holdinghisglassinhishandandwithstrongmarksofdisapprobationonhisface。

’Theverysamewineasweweredrinkingwhenyourlordshiplastdidmethehonourofdininghere，’saidDick。LordMongroberraisedhiseyebrows，shookhisheadandputdowntheglass。

’Shallwetryanotherbottle？’askedMrsDickwithsolicitude。

’Oh，no——it’dbeallthesame，Iknow。I’lljusttakealittledrysherryifyouhaveit。’Themancamewiththedecanter。

’No，drysherry——drysherry，’saidhislordship。Themanwasconfounded，MrsDickwasatherwits’ends，andeverythingwasinconfusion。LordMongroberwasnotthemantobekeptwaitingbyagovernmentsubordinatewithoutexactingsomepenaltyforsuchill-treatment。

’Hislordshipisalittleoutofsorts，’whisperedDicktoLadyMonogram。

’Verymuchoutofsorts，itseems。’

’Andtheworstofitis，thereisn’tabetterglassofwineinLondon，andhislordshipknowsit。’

’Isupposethat’swhathecomesfor，’saidLadyMonogram，beingquiteasuncivilinherwayasthenobleman。

’He’slikeagoodmanyothers。Heknowswherehecangetagooddinner。Afterall，there’snoattractionlikethat。Ofcourse，ahansomewomanwon’tadmitthat，LadyMonogram。’

’Iwillnotadmitit，atanyrate，MrRoby。’

’ButIdon’tdoubtMonogramisascarefulasanyoneelsetogetthebestcookhecan，andtakesagooddealoftroubleabouthiswinetoo。Mongroberisveryunfairaboutthatchampagne。ItcameoutofMadameCliquot’scellarsbeforethewar，andIgaveSprottandBurlinghammer100sforit。’

’Indeed！’

’Idon’tthinkthereareadozenmeninLondoncangiveyousuchaglassofwineasthat。Whatdoyousayaboutthechampagne，Monogram？’

’Verytidywine，’saidSirDamask。

’Ishouldthinkitis。Igave100sforitbeforethewar。Hislordship’sgotafitofthegoutcoming，Isuppose。’

ButSirDamaskwasengagedwithhisneighbourLadyEustace。’OfallthingsIshouldsoliketoseeapigeonmatch，’saidLadyEustace。’Ihaveheardaboutthemallmylife。OnlyIsupposeitisn’tquiteproperforalady。’

’Oh，dear，yes。’

’Thedarlinglittlepigeons！Theydosometimesescape，don’tthey？Ihopetheyescapesometimes。I’llgoanydayyou’llmakeupaparty，——ifLadyMonogramwilljoinus。’SirDamasksaidthathewouldarrangeit，makinguphismind，however，atthesametime，thatthislaststipulation，ifinsistedon，wouldmakethethingimpracticable。

Robytheministerialist，sittingattheendofthetablebetweenhissister-in-lawandMrsHapperton，wasveryconfidentialrespectingtheGovernmentandparliamentaryaffairsingeneral。

’Yes，indeed——ofcourseit’sacoalition，butIdon’tseewhyweshouldn’tgoonverywell。AstotheDuke，I’vealwayshadthegreatestpossiblerespectforhim。Thetruthis，there’snothingspecialtobedoneatthepresentmoment，andthere’snoreasonwhyweshouldn’tagreeanddividethegoodthingsbetweenus。TheDukehasgotsomecrazeofhisownaboutdecimalcoinage。He’llamusehimselfwiththat。butitwon’tcometoanything，anditwon’thurtus。’

’Isn’ttheDuchessgivingagreatmanyparties？’askedMrsHapperton。

’Well——yes。ThatkindofthingusedtobedoneinoldLadyBrock’stime，andtheDuchessisrepeatingit。There’snoendtotheirmoney，youknow。Butit’sratheraboreforthepersonswhohavetogo。’TheministerialRobyknewwellhowhewouldmakehissister-in-law’smouthwaterbysuchanallusion，asthistothegreatprivilegeofenteringthePrimeMinister’smansioninCarltonTerrace。

’IsupposeyouintheGovernmentarealwaysasked。’

’Weareexpectedtogotoo，andarewatchedprettyclose。LadyGlen，asweusedtocallher，hastheeyesofArgus。Andofcoursewewhousedtobeontheothersideareespeciallyboundtopayherobservance。’

’Don’tyouliketheDuchess？’askedMrsHapperton。

’Ohyes——Ilikeherverywell。She’smad，youknow，——madasahatter——andnoonecaneverguesswhatfreakmaycomenext。

Onealwaysfeelsthatshe’lldosomethingsoonerorlaterthatwillstartlealltheworld。’

’Therewasaqueerstoryonce，——wasn’tthere？’askedMrsDick。

’Ineverquitebelievedthat，’saidRoby。’Itwassomethingaboutsomelovershehadbeforeshewasmarried。ShewentofftoSwitzerland。ButtheDuke，——hewasMrPalliserthen，——followedherverysoonanditallcameright。’

’Whenladiesaregoingtobeduchesses，thingsdocomeright，don’tthey？’saidMrsHapperton。

OntheothersideofMrsHappertonwasMrWharton，quiteunabletotalktohisright-handneighbour，theSecretary’swife。TheelderMrsRobyhadnot，indeed，muchtosayforherself，andheduringthewholedinnerwasinmisery。HehadresolvedthatthereshouldbenointimacyofanykindbetweenhisdaughterandFerdinandLopez，——nothingmorethanthemerestacquaintance，andtheretheywere，talkingtogetherbeforehisveryeyes，withmoreevidentsignsofunderstandingeachotherthanwereexhibitedbyanyothertwopersonsatthetable。Andyethehadnojustgroundofcomplaintagainsteitherofthem。Ifpeopledinetogetheratthesamehouse，itmayofcoursehappenthattheyshallsitnexttoeachother。Andifpeoplesitnexttoeachotheratdinner，itisexpectedthattheyshalltalk。NobodycouldaccuseEmilyofflirting。butthenshewasagirlwhoundernocircumstanceswouldcondescendtoflirt。Butshehaddeclaredboldlytoherfatherthatshelovedthisman，andthereshewasincloseconversationwithhim！Woulditnotbebetterforhimtogiveupanyfurthertrouble，andlethermarrytheman？Shewouldcertainlydososoonerorlater。

Whentheladieswentupstairsthatmiserywasoverforatime，butMrWhartonwasstillnothappy。Dickcameroundandtookhiswife’schairsothathesatbetweenthelordandhisbrother。

LopezandHappertonfellintoCityconversation，andSirDamasktriedtoamusehimselfwithMrWharton。Butthetaskwashopeless，——asitalwaysiswhentheelementsofthepartyhavebeenill-mixed。MrWhartonhadnotevenheardoftheAldershotcoachwhichSirDamaskhadjuststartedwithColonelBuskinandSirAlfonsoBlackbird。AndwhenSirDamaskdeclaredthathedrovethecoachupanddowntwiceaweekhimself，MrWhartonatanyrateaffectedtobelievethatsuchathingwasimpossible。

ThenwhenSirDamaskgavehimtheopinionastothecauseofthefailureofacertainhorseatNorthampton，MrWhartongavehimnoencouragementwhatever。’Ineverwasatarace-courseinmylife，’saidthebarrister。AfterthatSirDamaskdrankhiswineinsilence。

’Yourememberthatclaret，mylord？’saidDick，thinkingthatsomelittlecompensationwasduetohimforwhathadbeensaidaboutthechampagne。

ButLordMongrober’sdinnerhadnotyethadtheeffectofmollifyingthemansufficientlyforDick’spurposes。’Oh，yes。

Irememberthewine。Youcallit’57，don’tyou？’

’Anditis’57——’57，Leoville。’

’Verylikely，——verylikely。Ifithadn’tbeenheatedbeforethefire——’

’Ithasn’tbeennearthefire，’saidDick。

’Orputintoadecanter——’

’Nothingofthekind。’

’Ortreatedaftersomeotherdamnablefashion，itwouldbeverygoodwine，Idaresay。’

’Youarehardtoplease，mylord，to-day，’saidDick，whowasputbeyondhisbearing。

’Whatisamantosay？Ifyouwilltalkaboutyourwine，IcanonlytellyouwhatIthink。Anymanmaygetgoodwine，——thatisifhecanaffordtopaytheprice，——butoneisn’toutoftenwhoknowshowtoputitonthetable。’Dickfeltthistobeveryhard。Whenamanpays100sadozenforhischampagne，andthengivesittoguestslikeLordMongrober，whoarenotevenexpectedtoreturnthefavour，thenthatmanoughttobeallowedtotalkabouthiswinewithoutfearofrebuke。Onedoesn’thaveanagreementtothateffectwrittendowninparchmentandsealed。

butitisaswellunderstoodandoughttobeasfaithfullykeptasanylegalcontract。Dick，whocouldonoccasionsbeawakenedtoatouchofmanliness，gavethebottleashoveandthrewhimselfbackinhischair。’Ifyouaskme，Icanonlytellyou，’

repeatedLordMongrober。

’Idon’tbelieveyoueverhadabottleofwineputbeforeyouinbetterorderinallyourlife，’saidDick。Hislordship’sfacebecameverysquareandveryredashelookedroundathishost。

’Andasfortalkingaboutmywine，ofcourseItalktoamanaboutwhatheunderstands。ItalktoMonogramaboutpigeons，toTomthereaboutpolitics，to’AppertonandLopezaboutthepriceofconsols，andtoyouaboutwine。IfIaskedyouwhatyouthoughtofthelastnewbook，yourlordshipwouldbealittlesurprised。’LordMongrobergruntedandlookedredderandsquarerthatever。buthemadenoattemptatreply，andthevictorywasevidentlyleftwithDick，——verymuchthegeneralexaltationofhischaracter。Andhewasproudofhimself。’Wehadalittletiff，meandMongrober，’hesaidtohiswifethatnight。’He’saverygoodfellow，andofcoursehe’salordandallthat。Buthehastobeputdownoccasionally，andbyGeorge，Ididittonight。

YouaskLopez。’

Thereweretwodrawing-roomsupstairsopeningintoeachother，butstilldistinct。Emilyhadescapedintothebackroom，avoidingthegushingsentimentsandequivocalmoralsofLadyEustaceandMrsLeslie，——andhereshewasfollowedbyFerdinandLopez。MrWhartonwasinthefrontroom，andthoughonenteringithedidlookfurtivelyforhisdaughter，hewasashamedtowanderaboutinorderthathemightwatchher。Andtherewereothersinthebackroom，——DickandMonogramstandingontherug，andtheelderMrsRobyseatedinacorner，——sothattherewasnothingpeculiarinthepositionofthetwolovers。

’MustIunderstand，’saidhe，’thatIambanishedfromManchesterSquare？’

’Haspapabanishedyou？’

’That’swhatIwantyoutotellme。’

’Iknowyouhadaninterviewwithhim，MrLopez。’

’Yes，Ihad。’

’Andyoumustknowbestwhathetoldyou。’

’Hewouldexplainhimselfbettertoyouthanhedidtome。’

’Idoubtthatverymuch。Papa，whenhehasanythingtosaygenerallysaysitplainly。However，Idothinkthathedidintendtobanishyou。IdonotknowwhyIshouldnottellyouthetruth。’

’Idonotknoweither。’

’Ithinkhedid——intendtobanishyou。’

’Andyou？’

’Ishallbeguidedbyhiminallthings，——asfarasIcan。’

’ThenIambanishedbyyoualso？’

’Ididnotsayso。Butifpapasaysthatyouarenottocomethere，ofcourseIcannotaskyoutodoso。’

’ButImayseeyouhere？’

’MrLopez，Iwillnotbeaskedsomequestions。Iwillnotindeed。’

’YouknowwhyIaskthem。Youknowthattomeyouaremorethanalltheworld。’Shestoodstillforamomentafterhearingthis，andthenwithoutanyreplywalkedawayintotheotherroom。Shefelthalfashamedofherselfinthatshehadnotrebukedhimforspeakingtoherinthatfashionafterhisinterviewwithherfather，andyethiswordshadfilledherheartwithdelight。Hehadneverbeforeplainlydeclaredhislovetoher，——thoughshehadbeendrivenbyherfather’squestionstodeclareherownlovetoherself。Shewasquitesureofherself，——thatthemanwasandwouldalwaysbetohertheonebeingwhomshewouldprefertoallothers。Herfatewasinherfather’shands。Ifhechosetomakeherwretchedhemustdoso。Butononepointshehadquitemadeuphermind。Shewouldmakenoconcealment。Totheworldatlargeshehadnothingtosayonthematter。Butwithherfatherthereshouldbenoattemptonherparttokeepbackthetruth。Werehetoquestionheronthesubjectshewouldtellhim，asfarashermemorywouldserveher，theverywordswhichLopezhadspokentoherthisevening。Shewouldasknothingfromhim。Hehadalreadytoldherthatthemanwastoberejected，andhadrefusedtogiveanyotherreasonthanhisdisliketotheabsenceofanyEnglishconnection。Shewouldnotagainaskevenforareason。Butshewouldmakeherfatherunderstandthatthoughsheobeyedhimsheregardedtheexerciseofhisauthorityastyrannicalandirrational。

TheyleftthehousebeforeanyoftheotherguestsandwalkedroundthecornertogetherintotheSquare。’Whataveryvulgarsetofpeople！’saidMrWhartonassoonastheyweredownthesteps。

’Someofthemwere，’saidEmily，makingamentalreservationofherown。

’UponmywordIdon’tknowwheretomaketheexception。WhyonearthanyoneshouldwanttoknowsuchapersonasLordMongroberIcan’tunderstand。Whatdoeshebringintosociety？’

’Atitle。’

’Butwhatdoesthatdoofitself？Heisaninsolent，bloatedbrute。’

’Papa，youareusingstronglanguageto-night。’

’AndthatLadyEustace！Heavenandearth！AmItobetoldthatthatcreatureisalady？’

Theyhadcometotheirowndoor，andwhilethatwasbeingopened，andastheywentupintotheirowndrawing-room，nothingwassaid，butthenEmilybeganagain。’IwonderwhyyougotoAuntHarriet’satall。Youdon’tlikethepeople？’

’Ididn’tlikeanyofthemtoday。’

’Whydoyougothere？Youdon’tlikeAuntHarrietherself。Youdon’tlikeUncleDick。Youdon’tlikeMrLopez。’

’CertainlyIdonot。’

’Idon’tknowwhoitisyoudolike。’

’IlikeMrFletcher。’

’It’snousesayingthattome，papa。’

’Youaskmeaquestion，andIchoosetoanswerit。IlikeArthurFletcher，becauseheisagentleman，——becauseheisagentlemanoftheclasstowhichIbelongmyself。becauseheworks，becauseIknowallabouthim，sothatIcanbesureofhim，beingquitesurethathewillsaytomeneitherawkwardthingsnorimpertinentthings。Hewillnottalktomeaboutdrivingamailcoachlikethatfoolishbaronet，nortellmethepriceofallthewineslikeyouruncle。’NorwouldFerdinandLopezdoso，thoughtEmilytoherself。’Butinallsuchmatters，mydear，thegreatthingisliketolike。Ihavespokenofayoungperson，merelybecauseIwishyoutounderstandthatIcansympathizewithothersbesidesthoseofmyownage。Butto-nighttherewasnoonethereatalllikemyself，——or，asIhope，likeyou。ThatmanRobyisachatteringass。HowsuchamancanbeusefultoanygovernmentIcan’tconceive。Happertonwasthebest，butwhathadhetosayforhimself？I’vealwaysthoughtthattherewasverylittlewitwantedtomakeafortuneintheCity。’Inthisframeofmind，MrWhartonwentofftobed，butnotawordmorewasspokenaboutFerdinandLopez。

CHAPTER11

CARLTONTERRACE。

CertainlythethingwasdoneverywellbyLadyGlen，——asmanyinthepoliticalworldpersistedincallinghereveninthesedays。

Shehadnotasyetquitecarriedoutherplan，——thedoingofwhichwouldhaverequiredhertoreconcileherhusbandtosomeexcessiveabnormalexpenditure，andtohaveobtainedfromhimadeliberatesanctionforappropriationandprobablysaleofproperty。Shenevercouldfindthepropermomentfordoingthis，havingwithallhercourage，——lowdowninsomecornerofherheart，——awholesomefearofacertainquietpowerwhichherhusbandpossessed。Shecouldnotbringherselftomakeherproposition——butshealmostactedasthoughithadbeenmadeandapproved。Herhousewasalwaysgorgeouswithflowers。Ofcoursetherewouldbethebill——andhe，whenhesawtheexotics，andthewholeplaceturnedintoabowerofeveryfreshbloomingfloralglories，mustknowthattherewouldbethebill。

Andwhenhefoundthattherewasanarchducaldinner-partyeveryweekandanalmostimperialreceptiontwiceaweek。thatatthesereceptionsabanquetwasalwaysprovided。whenhewasaskedtowhethershemightbuyamagnificentpairofbaycarriage-horses，astowhichsheassuredhimthatnothingsolovelyhadeverasyetbeenseensteppinginthestreetsofLondon，——ofcoursehemustknowthatthebillwouldcome。Itwasbetter，perhaps，todoitinthisway，thantomakeanydirectproposition。Andthen，earlyinJune，shespoketohimasthegueststobeinvitedtoGatherumCastleinAugust。’DoyouwanttogotoGatheruminAugust？’heaskedinsurprise。Forshehatedtheplace，andhadhardlybeencontenttospendtendaysthereeveryyearatChristmas。

’Ithinkitshouldbedone，’shesaidsolemnly。’Onecannotquiteconsiderjustnowwhatonelikesoneself。’

’Whynot？’

’YouwouldhardlygotoasmallplacelikeMatchinginyourpresentposition。Therearesomanypeoplewhomyoushouldentertain！Youwouldprobablyhavetwoorthreeoftheforeignministersdownforatime。’

’WealwaysusedtofindplentyofroomatMatching。’

’ButyoudidnotalwaysusetobePrimeMinister。ItisonlyforsuchatimeasthisthatsuchahouseasGatherumisserviceable。’

Hewassilentforamoment，thinkingaboutit，andthengavewaywithoutanotherword。Shewasprobablyright。Therewasthehugepileofmagnificentbuildings。andsomebody，atanyrate，hadthoughtthatitbehovedaDukeofOmniumtoliveinsuchapalace。Itoughttobedoneatanytime，itoughttobedonenow。Inthathiswifehadbeenright。’Verywell。Letusgothere。’

’I’llmanageitall，’saidtheDuchess，’IandLocock。’Locockwasthehouse-steward。

’Irememberonce，’saidtheDuke，andhesmiledashespokewithapeculiarlysweetexpression，whichwouldattimescomeacrosshisgenerallyinexpressiveface，——’IrememberoncethatsomeFirstMinisteroftheCrowngaveevidenceastheamountofhissalary，sayingthathisplaceentaileduponhimexpenseshigherthanhisstipendwoulddefray。Ibegintothinkthatmyexperiencewillbethesame。’

’Doesthatfretyou？’

’No，Cora——itcertainlydoesnotfretme，orIshouldnotallowit。ButIthinkthereshouldbealimit。Nomaniseverrichenoughtosquander。’

Thoughtheyweretosquanderherfortune，——themoneywhichshehadbrought，——forthenexttenyearsatamuchgreaterratethanshecontemplated，theymightdosowithouttouchingthePalliserproperty。Ofthatshewasquitesure。Andthesquanderingwastobeallforhisglory，——sothathemightretainhispositionasapopularPrimeMinister。Foraninstantitoccurredtoherthatshewouldtellhimallthis。Butshecheckedherself，andtheideaofwhatshehadbeenabouttosaybroughtthebloodintoherface。Neveryethadsheintalkingtohimalludedtoherownwealth。

’Ofcoursewearespendingmoney，’shesaid。’Ifyougivemeahinttoholdmyhand，Iwillholdit。’

Hehadlookedather。andreaditallinherface。’Godknows，’

hesaid，’you’vearighttodoitifitpleasesyou。’

’Foryoursake！’Thenhestoopeddownandkissedhertwice，andlefthertoarrangeherpartiesasshepleased。Afterthatshecongratulatedherselfthatshehadnotmadethedirectproposition，knowingthatshemightnowdoprettymuchasshepleased。

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