THEWAYWELIVENOW

By

AnthonyTrollope

CONTENTS:

CHAPTERI.ThreeEditors .........................................................................................5CHAPTERII.TheCarburyFamily ...........................................................................12CHAPTERIII.TheBeargarden.................................................................................18CHAPTERIV.MadameMelmotte'sBall ..................................................................25CHAPTERV. AftertheBall......................................................................................35CHAPTERVI.RogerCarburyandPaulMontague....................................................38CHAPTERVII.Mentor.............................................................................................45CHAPTERVIII.LoveSick.......................................................................................53CHAPTERIX.TheGreatRailwaytoVeraCruz .......................................................59CHAPTERX.MrFisker'sSuccess ............................................................................66CHAPTERXI.LadyCarburyatHome......................................................................74CHAPTERXII.SirFelixinHisMother'sHouse .......................................................83CHAPTERXIII.TheLongestaffes ............................................................................88CHAPTERXIV.CarburyManor...............................................................................96CHAPTERXV."YoushouldrememberthatIamhisMother" ................................102CHAPTERXVI.TheBishopandthePriest .............................................................110CHAPTERXVII.MarieMelmotteHearsaLoveTale .............................................119CHAPTERXVIII.RubyRugglesHearsaLoveTale ...............................................128CHAPTERXIX.HettaCarburyHearsaLoveTale.................................................132CHAPTERXX.LadyPomona'sDinnerParty..........................................................141CHAPTERXXI.EverybodyGoestoThem.............................................................146CHAPTERXXII.LordNidderdale'sMorality .........................................................156CHAPTERXXIII."YesI'maBaronet" ...............................................................162CHAPTERXXIV.MilesGrendall'sTriumph ..........................................................171CHAPTERXXV.InGrosvenorSquare ...................................................................179CHAPTERXXVI.MrsHurtle .................................................................................185CHAPTERXXVII.MrsHurtleGoestothePlay .....................................................194CHAPTERXXVIII.DollyLongestaffeGoesintotheCity ......................................202CHAPTERXXVIX.MissMelmotte'sCourage .......................................................207CHAPTERXXX.MrMelmotte'sPromise...............................................................213CHAPTERXXXI.MrBrouneHasMadeupHisMind............................................221CHAPTERXXXII.LadyMonogram.......................................................................227CHAPTERXXXIII.JohnCrumb ............................................................................234CHAPTERXXXIV.RubyRugglesObeysHerGrandfather ....................................244CHAPTERXXXV.Melmotte'sGlory .....................................................................248CHAPTERXXXVI.MrBroune'sPerils ..................................................................256CHAPTERXXXVII.TheBoardRoom...................................................................260CHAPTERXXXVIII.PaulMontague'sTroubles ....................................................270CHAPTERXXXIX."Idolovehim" .......................................................................277CHAPTERXL."Unanimityistheverysoulofthesethings" ...................................287CHAPTERXLI.AllPrepared.................................................................................292CHAPTERXLII."CanYouBeReadyinTenMinutes?".........................................297CHAPTERXLIII.TheCityRoad............................................................................306CHAPTERXLIV.TheComingElection .................................................................316

CHAPTERXLV.MrMelmotteIsPressedforTime ................................................322CHAPTERXLVI.RogerCarburyandHisTwoFriends ..........................................329CHAPTERXLVII.MrsHurtleatLowestoft............................................................337CHAPTERXLVIII.RubyaPrisoner .......................................................................346CHAPTERXLIX.SirFelixMakesHimselfReady..................................................351CHAPTERL.TheJourneytoLiverpool..................................................................359CHAPTERLI.WhichShall ItBe? ..........................................................................367CHAPTERLII.TheResultsofLoveandWine.......................................................374CHAPTERLIII.ADayintheCity..........................................................................380CHAPTERLIV.TheIndiaOffice ...........................................................................389CHAPTERLV.ClericalCharities ...........................................................................397CHAPTERLVI.FatherBarhamVisitsLondon .......................................................402CHAPTERLVII.LordNidderdaleTriesHisHandAgain .......................................409CHAPTERLVIII.MrSquercumIsEmployed.........................................................416CHAPTERLIX.TheDinner ...................................................................................422CHAPTERLX.MissLongestaffe'sLover ...............................................................429CHAPTERLXI.LadyMonogramPreparesfortheParty.........................................436CHAPTERLXII.TheParty.....................................................................................441CHAPTERLXIII.MrMelmotteontheDayoftheElection ....................................450CHAPTERLXIV.TheElection...............................................................................456CHAPTERLXV.MissLongestaffeWritesHome ...................................................463CHAPTERLXVI."SoShallBeMyEnmity" ..........................................................470CHAPTERLXVII.SirFelixProtectsHisSister ......................................................477CHAPTERLXVIII.MissMelmotteDeclaresHerPurpose......................................483CHAPTERLXIX.MelmotteinParliament..............................................................489CHAPTERLXX.SirFelixMeddleswithManyMatters..........................................498CHAPTERLXXI.JohnCrumbFallsintoTrouble...................................................505CHAPTERLXXII."AskHimself" ..........................................................................511CHAPTERLXXIII.Marie'sFortune .......................................................................520CHAPTERLXXIV.MelmotteMakesaFriend........................................................525CHAPTERLXXV.InBrutonStreet ........................................................................533CHAPTERLXXVI.HettaandHerLover................................................................541CHAPTERLXXVII.AnotherSceneinBrutonStreet ..............................................549CHAPTERLXXVIII.MissLongestaffeAgainatCaversham..................................556CHAPTERLXXIX.TheBrehgertCorrespondence .................................................563CHAPTERLXXX.RubyPreparesforService ........................................................572CHAPTERLXXXI.MrCohenlupeLeavesLondon ................................................578CHAPTERLXXXII.Marie'sPerseverance..............................................................587CHAPTERLXXXIII.MelmotteAgainattheHouse ...............................................595CHAPTERLXXXIV.PaulMontague'sVindication ................................................601CHAPTERLXXXV.BreakfastinBerkeleySquare.................................................608CHAPTERLXXXVI.TheMeetinginBrutonStreet ...............................................614CHAPTERLXXXVII.DownatCarbury.................................................................621CHAPTERLXXXVIII.TheInquest ........................................................................627CHAPTERLXXXIX."TheWheelofFortune".......................................................633CHAPTERXC.Hetta'sSorrow ...............................................................................642

CHAPTERXCI.TheRivals ....................................................................................647CHAPTERXCII.HamiltonK.FiskerAgain ...........................................................655CHAPTERXCIII.ATrueLover .............................................................................662CHAPTERXCIV.JohnCrumb'sVictory ................................................................669CHAPTERXCV.TheLongestaffeMarriages.........................................................675CHAPTERXCVI.Where"TheWildAssesQuenchTheirThirst"...........................682CHAPTERXCVII.MrsHurtle'sFate ......................................................................690CHAPTERXCVIII.MarieMelmotte'sFate.............................................................697CHAPTERXCIX.LadyCarburyandMrBroune ....................................................704CHAPTERC.DowninSuffolk ...............................................................................711

CHAPTERI.ThreeEditors

LetthereaderbeintroducedtoLadyCarbury,uponwhosecharacteranddoingsmuchwill dependofwhateverinterestthesepagesmayhave,asshesitsatherwritingtableinherownroominherownhouseinWelbeckStreet.LadyCarburyspentmanyhoursatherdesk,andwrotemanyletters,wrotealsoverymuchbesideletters.ShespokeofherselfinthesedaysasawomandevotedtoLiterature,alwaysspellingthewordwithabigL.Somethingofthenatureofherdevotionmaybelearnedbytheperusalofthreeletterswhichonthismorningshehadwrittenwithaquicklyrunninghand.LadyCarburywasrapidineverything,andinnothingmorerapidthaninthewritingofletters.HereisLetterNo.1

Thursday,WelbeckStreet.

DEARFRIEND,

Ihavetakencarethatyoushallhavetheearlysheetsofmytwonewvolumestomorrow,orSaturdayatlatest,sothatyoumay,ifsominded,giveapoorstrugglerlikemyselfaliftinyournextweek'spaper.Dogiveapoorstruggleralift.YouandIhavesomuchincommon,andIhaveventuredtoflattermyselfthatwearereallyfriends!IdonotflatteryouwhenIsay,thatnotonlywouldaidfromyouhelpmemorethanfromanyotherquarter,butalsothatpraisefromyouwouldgratifymyvanitymorethananyotherpraise.Ialmostthinkyouwilllikemy"CriminalQueens."ThesketchofSemiramisisatanyratespirited,thoughIhadtotwistitaboutalittletobringheringuilty.Cleopatra,ofcourse,IhavetakenfromShakespeare.Whatawenchshewas!IcouldnotquitemakeJuliaaqueenbutitwasimpossibletopassoversopiquantacharacter.YouwillrecogniseinthetwoorthreeladiesoftheempirehowfaithfullyIhavestudiedmyGibbon.PoordearoldBelisarius!IhavedonethebestIcouldwithJoanna,butIcouldnotbringmyselftocareforher.InourdaysshewouldsimplyhavegonetoBroadmore.IhopeyouwillnotthinkthatIhavebeentoostronginmydelineationsofHenryVIIIandhissinfulbutunfortunateHoward.Idon'tcareabitaboutAnneBoleyne.IamafraidthatIhavebeentemptedintotoogreatlengthabouttheItalianCatherinebutintruthshehasbeenmyfavourite.Whatawoman!Whatadevil!PitythatasecondDantecouldnothaveconstructedforheraspecialhell.HowonetracestheeffectofhertraininginthelifeofourScotchMary.ItrustyouwillgowithmeinmyviewastotheQueenofScots.Guilty!guiltyalways!Adultery,murder,treason,andalltherestofit.Butrecommendedtomercybecauseshewasroyal.Aqueenbred,bornandmarried,andwithsuchotherqueensaroundher,howcouldshehaveescapedtobeguilty?MarieAntoinetteIhavenotquiteacquitted.Itwouldbeuninterestingperhapsuntrue.Ihaveaccusedherlovingly,andhavekissedwhenIscourged.ItrusttheBritishpublicwillnotbeangrybecauseIdonotwhitewashCaroline,especiallyasIgoalongwiththemaltogetherinabusingherhusband.

ButImustnottakeupyourtimebysendingyouanotherbook,thoughitgratifiesmetothinkthatIamwritingwhatnonebutyourselfwillread.Doityourself,likeadearman,and,asyouaregreat,bemerciful.Orrather,asyouareafriend,beloving.

Yoursgratefullyandfaithfully,

MATILDACARBURY.

Afterallhowfewwomentherearewhocanraisethemselvesabovethequagmireofwhatwecalllove,andmakethemselvesanythingbutplaythingsformen.Ofalmostalltheseroyalandluxurioussinnersitwasthechiefsinthatinsomephaseoftheirlivestheyconsentedtobeplaythingswithoutbeingwives.Ihavestrivensohardtobeproperbutwhengirlsreadeverything,whyshouldnotanoldwomanwriteanything?

ThisletterwasaddressedtoNicholasBroune,Esq.,theeditorofthe"MorningBreakfastTable,"adailynewspaperofhighcharacterand,asitwasthelongest,sowasitconsideredtobethemostimportantofthethree.MrBrounewasamanpowerfulinhisprofession,andhewasfondofladies.LadyCarburyinherletterhadcalledherselfanoldwoman,butshewassatisfiedtodosobyaconvictionthatnooneelseregardedherinthatlight.Herageshallbenosecrettothereader, thoughtohermostintimatefriends,eventoMrBroune,ithadneverbeendivulged.Shewasfortythree,butcarriedheryearssowell,andhadreceivedsuchgiftsfromnature,thatitwasimpossibletodenythatshewasstillabeautifulwoman.Andsheusedherbeautynotonlytoincreaseherinfluence,asisnaturaltowomenwhoarewellfavoured,butalsowithawellconsideredcalculationthatshecouldobtainmaterialassistanceintheprocuringofbreadandcheese,whichwasverynecessarytoHer,by aprudentadaptationtoherpurposesofthegoodthingswithwhichprovidencehadendowedher.Shedidnotfallinlove,shedidnotwilfullyflirt,shedidnotcommitherselfbutshesmiledandwhispered,andmadeconfidences,andlookedoutofherown eyesintomen'seyesasthoughtheremightbesomemysteriousbondbetweenherandthemifonlymysteriouscircumstanceswouldpermitit.Buttheendofallwastoinducesomeonetodosomethingwhichwouldcauseapublishertogivehergoodpaymentforindifferentwriting,oraneditortobelenientwhen,uponthemeritsofthecase,heshouldhavebeensevere.Amongallherliteraryfriends,MrBrounewastheoneinwhomshemosttrustedandMrBrounewasfondofhandsomewomen.ItmaybeaswelltogiveashortrecordofascenewhichhadtakenplacebetweenLadyCarburyandherfriendaboutamonthbeforethewritingofthisletterwhichhasbeenproduced.Shehadwantedhimtotakeaseriesofpapersforthe"MorningBreakfastTable,"andtohavethem paidforatrateNo.1,whereasshesuspectedthathewasratherdoubtfulastotheirmerit,andknewthat,withoutspecialfavour,shecouldnothopeforremunerationaboverateNo.2,orpossiblyevenNo.3.Soshehadlookedintohiseyes,andhadlefthersoft,plumphandforamomentinhis.Amaninsuchcircumstancesissooftenawkward,notknowingwithanyaccuracywhentodoonethingandwhenanother!MrBroune,inamomentofenthusiasm,hadputhisarmroundLadyCarbury'swaistandhadkissedher.TosaythatLadyCarburywasangry,asmostwomenwouldbeangryifsotreated,wouldbetogiveanunjustideaofhercharacter.Itwasalittleaccidentwhichreallycarriedwithitnoinjury,unlessitshouldbetheinjuryof

leadingtoarupturebetweenherselfandavaluableally.Nofeelingofdelicacywasshocked.Whatdiditmatter?Nounpardonableinsulthadbeenofferednoharmhadbeendone,ifonlythedearsusceptibleolddonkeycouldbemadeatoncetounderstandthatthatwasn'tthewaytogoon!

Withoutaflutter,andwithoutablush,sheescapedfromhisarm,andthenmadehimanexcellentlittlespeech."MrBroune,howfoolish,howwrong,howmistaken!Isitnotso?Surelyyoudonotwishtoputanendtothefriendshipbetweenus!"

"Putanendtoourfriendship,LadyCarbury!Oh,certainlynotthat."

"Thenwhyriskitbysuchanact?Thinkofmysonandofmydaughter,bothgrownup.Thinkofthepasttroublesofmylife,somuchsufferedandsolittledeserved.Nooneknowsthem sowellasyoudo.Thinkofmyname,thathasbeensooftenslanderedbutneverdisgraced!Saythatyouaresorry,anditshallbeforgotten."

Whenamanhaskissedawomanitgoesagainstthegrainwithhimtosaytheverynextmomentthatheissorryforwhathehasdone.Itisasmuchastodeclarethatthekisshadnotansweredhisexpectation.MrBrounecouldnotdothis,andperhapsLadyCarburydidnotquiteexpectit."YouknowthatforworldIwouldnotoffendyou,"hesaid.Thissufficed.LadyCarburyagainlookedintohiseyes,andapromisewasgiventhatthearticlesshouldbeprintedandwithgenerousremuneration.

WhentheinterviewwasoverLadyCarburyregardeditashavingbeenquitesuccessful.Ofcoursewhenstruggleshavetobemadeandhardworkdone,therewillbelittleaccidents.Theladywhousesastreetcabmustencountermudanddustwhichherricherneighbour,whohasaprivatecarriage,willescape.Shewouldhavepreferrednottohavebeenkissedbutwhatdiditmatter?With MrBrounetheaffairwasmoreserious."Confoundthemall,"hesaidtohimselfasheleftthehouse"noamountofexperienceenablesamantoknowthem."AshewentawayhealmostthoughtthatLadyCarburyhadintendedhimtokissheragain,andhewasalmostangrywithhimselfinthathehadnotdoneso.Hehadseenherthreeorfourtimessince,buthadnotrepeatedtheoffence.

Wewillnowgoontotheotherletters,bothofwhichwereaddressedtotheeditorsofothernewspapers.ThesecondwaswrittentoMrBooker,ofthe"LiteraryChronicle."MrBookerwasahardworkingprofessorofliterature,bynomeanswithouttalent,bynomeanswithoutinfluence,andbynomeanswithoutaconscience.But,fromthenatureofthestrugglesinwhichhehadbeen engaged,bycompromiseswhichhadgraduallybeendrivenuponhimbytheencroachmentofbrotherauthorsontheonesideandbythedemandsontheotherofemployerswholookedonlytotheirprofits,hehadfallenintoaroutineofworkinwhichitwasvery difficulttobescrupulous,andalmostimpossibletomaintainthedelicaciesofaliteraryconscience.Hewasnowabaldheadedoldmanofsixty,withalargefamilyofdaughters,oneofwhomwasawidowdependentonhimwithtwolittlechildren.Hehadfivehundredayearforeditingthe"LiteraryChronicle,"which,throughhisenergy,hadbecomeavaluableproperty.Hewroteformagazines,andbroughtoutsomebookofhisownalmostannually.Hekepthisheadabovewater,and

wasregardedbythosewhoknewabouthim,butdidnotknowhim,asasuccessfulman.Healwayskeptuphisspirits,andwasableinliterarycirclestoshowthathecouldholdhisown.Buthewasdrivenbythestressofcircumstancestotakesuchgoodthingsascameinhisway,andcouldhardlyaffordtobeindependent.Itmustbeconfessedthatliteraryscruplehadlongdepartedfromhismind.LetterNo.2wasasfollows

WelbeckStreet,25thFebruary,187.

DEARMRBOOKER,

IhavetoldMrLeadham[MrLeadhamwasseniorpartnerin theenterprisingfirmofpublishersknownasMessrs.LeadhamandLoiter]tosendyouanearlycopyofmy"CriminalQueens."IhavealreadysettledwithmyfriendMrBrounethatIamtodoyour"NewTaleofaTub"inthe"BreakfastTable."Indeed,Iamaboutitnow,andamtakinggreatpainswithit.IfthereisanythingyouwishtohavespeciallysaidastoyourviewoftheProtestantismofthetime,letmeknow.Ishouldlikeyoutosayawordastotheaccuracyofmyhistoricaldetails,whichIknowyoucansafelydo.Don'tputitoff,asthesaledoessomuchdependonearlynotices.Iamonlygettingaroyalty,whichdoesnotcommencetillthefirstfourhundredaresold.

Yourssincerely,

MATILDACARBURY.

ALFREDBOOKER,ESQ.,

"LiteraryChronicle"Office,Strand.

TherewasnothinginthiswhichshockedMrBooker.Helaughedinwardly,withapleasantlyreticentchuckle,ashethoughtofLadyCarburydealingwithhisviewsofProtestantism,ashethoughtalsoofthenumeroushistoricalerrorsintowhichthatcleverladymustinevitablyfallinwritingaboutmattersofwhichhebelievedhertoknownothing.Buthewasquitealivetothefactthatafavourablenoticeinthe"BreakfastTable"ofhisverythoughtfulwork,calledthe"NewTaleofaTub,"wouldservehim,eventhoughwrittenbythehandofafemaleliterarycharlatan,andhewouldhavenocompunctionastorepayingtheservicebyfulsomepraiseinthe"LiteraryChronicle."Hewouldnotprobablysaythatthebookwasaccurate,buthewouldbeabletodeclarethatitwasdelightfulreading,thatthefemininecharacteristicsofthequeenshadbeentouchedwithamasterlyhand,andthattheworkwasonewhichwouldcertainlymakeitswayintoalldrawingrooms.Hewasanadeptatthissortofwork,andknewwellhowtoreviewsuchabookasLadyCarbury's"CriminalQueens,"withoutbestowingmuchtroubleonthereading.Hecouldalmostdoitwithoutcuttingthebook,sothatitsvalueforpurposesofaftersalemightnotbeinjured.AndyetMrBookerwasanhonestman,andhadsethisfacepersistentlyagainstmanyliterarymalpractices.Stretchedouttype,insufficientlines,andtheFrenchhabitofmeanderingwithafewwordsoveranentirepage,hadbeenrebukedbyhimwithconscientiousstrength.HewassupposedtoberatheranAristides

amongreviewers.Butcircumstancedashewashecouldnotopposehimselfaltogethertotheusagesofthetime."Badofcourseitisbad,"hesaidtoayoungfriendwhowasworkingwithhimonhisperiodical."Whodoubtsthat?Howmanyverybadthingsaretherethatwedo!Butifweweretoattempttoreformallourbadwaysatonce,weshouldneverdoanygoodthing.Iamnotstrongenoughtoputtheworldstraight,andIdoubtifyouare."SuchwasMrBooker.

ThentherewasletterNo.3,toMrFerdinandAlf.MrAlfmanaged,and,asitwassupposed,chieflyowned,the"EveningPulpit,"whichduringthelasttwoyearshadbecome"quiteaproperty,"asmenconnectedwiththepresswereinthehabitofsaying.The"EveningPulpit"wassupposedtogivedailytoitsreadersallthathadbeensaidanddoneuptotwoo'clockinthedaybyalltheleadingpeopleinthemetropolis,andtoprophesywithwonderfulaccuracywhatwouldbethesayingsanddoingsofthetwelvefollowinghours.Thiswaseffectedwithanairofwonderfulomniscience,andnotunfrequentlywithanignorancehardlysurpassedbyitsarrogance.Butthewritingwasclever.Thefacts,ifnottrue,werewellinventedthearguments,ifnotlogical,wereseductive.Thepresidingspiritofthepaperhadthegift,atanyrate,ofknowingwhatthepeopleforwhomhecateredwouldliketoread,andhowtogethissubjectshandledsothatthereadingshouldbepleasant.MrBooker's"LiteraryChronicle"didnotpresumetoentertainanyspecialpoliticalopinions.The"BreakfastTable"wasdecidedlyLiberal.The"EveningPulpit"wasmuchgiventopolitics,butheldstrictlytothemottowhichithadassumed

"Nulliusaddictusjurareinverbamagistri"

andconsequentlyhadatalltimestheinvaluableprivilegeofabusingwhatwasbeingdone,whetherbyonesideorbytheother.Anewspaperthatwishestomakeitsfortuneshouldneverwasteitscolumnsandwearyitsreadersbypraisinganything.Eulogyisinvariably dull,afactthatMrAlfhaddiscoveredandhadutilized.

MrAlfhad,moreover,discoveredanotherfact.Abusefromthosewhooccasionallypraiseisconsideredtobepersonallyoffensive,andtheywhogivepersonaloffencewillsometimesmaketheworldtoohottoholdthem.Butcensurefromthosewhoarealwaysfindingfaultisregardedsomuchasamatterofcoursethatitceasestobeobjectionable.Thecaricaturist,whodrawsonlycaricatures,isheldtobejustifiable,lethimtakewhatlibertieshemaywithaman'sfaceandperson.Itishistrade,andhisbusinesscallsuponhimtovilifyallthathetouches.Butwereanartisttopublishaseriesofportraits,inwhichtwooutofadozenweremadetobehideous,hewouldcertainlymaketwoenemies,ifnotmore.MrAlfnevermadeenemies,forhepraisednoone,and,asfarastheexpressionofhisnewspaperwent,wassatisfiedwithnothing.

Personally,MrAlfwasaremarkableman.Nooneknewwhencehecameorwhathehadbeen.HewassupposedtohavebeenbornaGermanJewandcertainladiessaidthattheycoulddistinguishinhistonguetheslightestpossibleforeignaccent.NeverthelessitwasconcededtohimthatheknewEnglandasonlyanEnglishmancanknowit.Duringthelastyearortwohehad"comeup"asthephrasegoes,andhadcomeupverythoroughly.

Hehadbeenblackballedatthreeorfourclubs,buthadeffectedanentranceattwoorthreeothers,andhadlearnedamannerofspeakingofthosewhichhadrejectedhimcalculatedtoleaveon themindsofhearersaconvictionthatthesocietiesinquestionwereantiquated,imbecile,andmoribund.HewasneverwearyofimplyingthatnottoknowMrAlf,nottobeongoodtermswithMrAlf,nottounderstandthatletMrAlfhavebeenbornwherehemightandhowhemighthewasalwaystoberecognizedasadesirableacquaintance,wastobealtogetheroutinthedark.Andthatwhichhesoconstantlyasserted,orimplied,menandwomenaroundhimbeganatlasttobelieve,andMrAlfbecameanacknowledgedsomethinginthedifferentworldsofpolitics,letters,andfashion.

Hewasagoodlookingman,aboutfortyyearsold,butcarryinghimselfasthoughhewasmuchyounger,spare,belowthemiddleheight,withdarkbrownhairwhichwouldhaveshownatingeofgreybutforthedyer'sart,withwellcutfeatures,withasmileconstantlyonhismouththepleasantnessofwhichwasalwaysbeliedbythesharpseverityofhiseyes.Hedressedwiththeutmostsimplicity,butalsowiththeutmostcare.Hewasunmarried,hadasmallhouseofhisownclosetoBerkeleySquareatwhichhegaveremarkabledinnerparties,keptfourorfivehuntersinNorthamptonshire,andwasreputedtoearn6,000ayearoutofthe"EveningPulpit"andtospendabouthalfofthatincome.HealsowasintimateafterhisfashionwithLadyCarbury,whosediligenceinmakingandfosteringusefulfriendshipshadbeenunwearied.HerlettertoMrAlfwasasfollows:

DEARMRALF,

DotellmewhowrotethereviewonFitzgeraldBarker'slastpoem.OnlyIknowyouwon't.Iremembernothingdonesowell.Ishouldthinkthepoorwretchwillhardlyholdhisheadupagainbeforetheautumn.Butitwasfullydeserved.Ihavenopatiencewiththepretensionsofwouldbepoetswhocontrivebytoadyingandundergroundinfluencestogettheirvolumesplacedoneverydrawingroomtable.IknownoonetowhomtheworldhasbeensogoodnaturedinthiswayastoFitzgeraldBarker,butIhaveheardofnoonewhohasextendedthegoodnaturetothelengthofreadinghispoetry.

Isitnotsingularhowsomemencontinuetoobtainthereputationofpopularauthorshipwithoutaddingawordtotheliteratureoftheircountryworthyofnote?Itisaccomplishedbyunflaggingassiduityinthesystemofpuffing.Topuff andtogetone'sselfpuffedhavebecomedifferentbranchesofanewprofession.Alas,me!IwishImightfindaclassopeninwhichlessonscouldbetakenbysuchapoortyroasmyself.MuchasIhatethethingfrommyverysoul,andmuchasIadmiretheconsistencywithwhichthe"Pulpit"hasopposedit,Imyselfamsomuchinwantofsupportformyownlittleefforts,andamstrugglingsohardhonestlytomakeformyselfaremunerativecareer,thatIthink,weretheopportunityofferedtome,Ishouldpocketmyhonour,layasidethehighfeelingwhichtellsmethatpraiseshouldbeboughtneitherbymoneynorfriendship,anddescendamongthelowthings,inorderthatImightonedayhavetheprideoffeelingthatIhadsucceededbymyownworkinprovidingfortheneedsofmychildren.

ButIhavenotasyetcommencedthedescentdownwardsandthereforeIamstillboldenoughtotellyouthatIshalllook,notwithconcernbutwithadeepinterest,toanythingwhichmayappearinthe"Pulpit"respectingmy"CriminalQueens."Iventuretothinkthatthebook,thoughIwroteitmyself,hasanimportanceofitsownwhichwillsecureforitsomenotice.ThatmyinaccuracywillbelaidbareandpresumptionscourgedIdonotintheleastdoubt,butIthinkyourreviewerwillbeabletocertifythatthesketchesarelifelikeandtheportraitswellconsidered.Youwillnothearmetold,atanyrate,thatIhadbettersitathomeanddarnmystockings,asyousaidtheotherdayofthatpoorunfortunateMrsEffingtonStubbs.

Ihavenotseenyouforthelastthreeweeks.IhaveafewfriendseveryTuesdayeveningpraycomenextweekortheweekfollowing.Andpraybelievethatnoamountofeditorialorcriticalseverityshallmakemereceiveyouotherwisethanwith asmile.

Mostsincerelyyours,

MATILDACARBURY.

LadyCarbury,havingfinishedherthirdletter,threwherselfbackinherchair,andforamomentortwoclosedhereyes,asthoughabouttorest.Butshesoonrememberedthattheactivityofherlifedidnotadmitofsuchrest.Shethereforeseizedherpenandbeganscribblingfurthernotes.

CHAPTERII.TheCarburyFamily

SomethingofherselfandconditionLadyCarburyhastoldthereaderinthelettersgivenintheformerchapter,butmoremustbeadded.Shehasdeclaredshehadbeencruellyslanderedbutshehasalsoshownthatshewasnotawomanwhosewordsaboutherselfcouldbetakenwithmuchconfidence.Ifthereaderdoesnotunderstandsomuchfromherletterstothethreeeditorstheyhavebeenwritteninvain.Shehasbeenmadetosaythatherobjectinworkwastoprovidefortheneedofherchildren,andthatwiththatnoblepurposebeforehershewasstrugglingtomakeforherselfacareerinliterature.Detestablyfalseashadbeenherletterstotheeditors,absolutelyandabominablyfoulaswastheentiresystembywhichshewasendeavouringtoachievesuccess,farawayfromhonourandhonestyasshehadbeencarriedbyherreadysubserviencytothedirtythingsamongwhichshehadlatelyfallen,neverthelessherstatementsaboutherselfweresubstantiallytrue.Shehadbeenilltreated.Shehadbeenslandered.Shewastruetoherchildren,especiallydevotedtooneofthemandwasreadytoworkhernailsoffifbydoingsoshecouldadvancetheirinterests.

ShewasthewidowofoneSirPatrickCarbury,whomanyyearssincehaddonegreatthingsasasoldierinIndia,andhadbeenthereuponcreatedabaronet.Hehadmarriedayoungwifelateinlifeand,havingfoundoutwhentoolatethathehadmadeamistake,hadoccasionallyspoilthisdarlingandoccasionallyillusedher.Indoingeachhehaddoneitabundantly.AmongLadyCarbury'sfaultshadneverbeenthatofevenincipient,notevenofsentimentalinfidelitytoherhusband.When asalovelyandpennilessgirlofeighteenshehadconsentedtomarryamanoffortyfourwhohadthespendingofalargeincome,shehadmadeuphermindtoabandonallhopeofthatsortoflovewhichpoetsdescribeandwhichyoungpeoplegenerallydesiretoexperience.SirPatrickatthetimeofhismarriagewasredfaced,stout,bald,verycholeric,generousinmoney,suspiciousintemper,andintelligent.Heknewhowtogovernmen.Hecouldreadandunderstandabook.Therewasnothingmeanabouthim.Hehadhisattractivequalities.Hewasamanwhomightbeloved,buthewashardlyamanforlove.TheyoungLadyCarburyhadunderstoodherpositionandhaddeterminedtodoherduty.Shehadresolvedbeforeshewenttothealtarthatshewouldneverallowherselftoflirtandshehadneverflirted.Forfifteenyearsthingshadgonetolerablywellwithher,bywhichitisintendedthatthereadershouldunderstandthattheyhadsogonethatshehadbeenabletotoleratethem.TheyhadbeenhomeinEnglandforthreeorfouryears,andthenSirPatrickhadreturnedwithsomenewandhigherappointment.Forfifteenyears,thoughhehadbeenpassionate,imperious,andoftencruel,hehadneverbeenjealous.Aboyandagirlhadbeenborntothem,towhombothfatherandmotherhadbeenoverindulgent,butthemother,accordingtoherlights,hadendeavouredtodoherdutybythem.Butfromthecommencementofherlifeshehadbeeneducatedindeceit,andhermarriedlifehadseemedtomakethepracticeofdeceitnecessarytoher.Hermotherhadrunawayfromherfather,andshehadbeentossedtoandfrobetweenthisandthatprotector,sometimesbeingindangerofwantinganyonetocareforher,tillshehadbeenmadesharp,incredulous,anduntrustworthybythedifficultiesofherposition.Butshe

wasclever,andhadpickedupaneducationandgoodmannersamidstthedifficultiesofherchildhood,andhadbeenbeautifultolookat.

Tomarryandhavethecommandofmoney,todoherdutycorrectly,toliveinabighouseandberespected,hadbeenherambition,andduringthefirstfifteenyearsofhermarriedlifeshewassuccessfulamidstgreatdifficulties.Shewouldsmilewithinfiveminutesofviolentillusage.Herhusbandwouldevenstrikeher,andthefirsteffortofhermindwouldbegiventoconcealthefactfromalltheworld.Inlatteryearshedranktoomuch,andshestruggledhardfirsttopreventtheevil,andthentopreventandtohidetheilleffectsoftheevil.Butindoingallthissheschemed,andlied,andlivedalifeofmanoeuvres.Then,atlast,whenshefeltthatshewasnolongerquiteayoungwoman,sheallowedherselftoattempttoformfriendshipsforherself,andamongherfriendswasoneoftheothersex.Iffidelityinawifebecompatiblewithsuchfriendship,ifthemarriedstatedoesnotexactfromawomanthenecessityofdebarringherselffromallfriendlyintercoursewithanymanexceptherlord,LadyCarburywasnotfaithless.ButSirCarburybecamejealous,spokewordswhichevenshecouldnotendure,didthingswhichdroveevenherbeyondthecalculationsofherprudence,andshelefthim.Buteventhisshedidinsoguardedawaythat,astoeverystepshetook,shecouldproveherinnocence.Herlifeatthatperiodisof littlemomenttoourstory,exceptthatitisessentialthatthereadershouldknowinwhatshehadbeenslandered.Foramonthortwoallhardwordshadbeensaidagainstherbyherhusband'sfriends,andevenbySirPatrickhimself.Butgraduallythetruthwasknown,andafterayear'sseparationtheycameagaintogetherandsheremainedthemistressofhishousetillhedied.ShebroughthimhometoEngland,butduringtheshortperiodlefttohimoflifeinhisoldcountryhehadbeenawornout,dyinginvalid.Butthescandalofhergreatmisfortunehadfollowedher,andsomepeoplewerenevertiredofremindingothersthatinthecourseofhermarriedlifeLadyCarburyhadrunawayfromherhusband,andhadbeentakenbackagainbythekindheartedoldgentleman.

SirPatrickhadleftbehindhimamoderatefortune,thoughbynomeansgreatwealth.Tohisson,whowasnowSirFelixCarbury,hehadleft1,000ayearandtohiswidowasmuch,withaprovisionthatafterherdeaththelattersumshouldbedividedbetweenhissonanddaughter.Itthereforecametopassthattheyoungman,whohadalreadyenteredthearmywhenhisfatherdied,anduponwhomdevolvednonecessityofkeepingahouse,andwhoinfactnotunfrequentlylivedinhismother'shouse,hadanincomeequaltothatwithwhichhismotherandsisterwereobligedtomaintainaroofovertheirhead.NowLadyCarbury,whenshewasreleasedfromherthraldomattheageofforty,hadnoideaatallofpassingherfuturelifeamidsttheordinary penancesofwidowhood.Shehadhithertoendeavouredtodoherduty,knowingthatinacceptingherpositionshewasboundtotakethegoodandthebadtogether.Shehadcertainlyencounteredhithertomuchthatwasbad.Tobescolded,watched,beaten,andswornatbyacholericoldmantillshewasatlastdrivenoutofherhousebytheviolenceofhisillusagetobetakenbackasafavourwiththeassurancethathernamewouldfortheremainderofherlifebeunjustlytarnishedtohaveherflightconstantlythrowninherfaceandthenatlasttobecomeforayearortwothenurseofadyingdebauchee,wasahighpricetopayforsuchgoodthingsasshehadhithertoenjoyed.Nowatlengthhadcometoheraperiodof

relaxationherreward,herfreedom,herchanceofhappiness.Shethoughtmuchaboutherself,andresolvedononeortwothings.Thetimeforlovehadgoneby,andshewouldhavenothingtodowithit.Norwouldshemarryagainforconvenience.Butshewouldhavefriends,realfriendsfriendswhocouldhelpher,andwhompossiblyshemighthelp.Shewould,too,makesomecareerforherself,sothatlifemightnotbewithoutaninteresttoher.ShewouldliveinLondon,andwouldbecomesomebodyatanyrateinsomecircle.Accidentatfirstratherthanchoicehadthrownheramongliterarypeople,butthataccidenthad,duringthelasttwoyears,beensupportedandcorroboratedbythedesirewhichhadfallenuponherofearningmoney.Shehadknownfromthefirstthateconomywouldbenecessarytoher,notchieflyorperhapsnotatallfromafeelingthatsheandherdaughtercouldnotlivecomfortablytogetheronathousandayear,butonbehalfofherson.Shewantednoluxurybutahousesoplacedthatpeoplemightconceiveofherthatshelivedinaproperpartofthetown.Ofherdaughter'sprudenceshewasaswellconvincedasofherown.ShecouldtrustHenriettaineverything.Butherson,SirFelix,wasnotverytrustworthy.AndyetSirFelixwasthedarlingofherheart.

Atthetimeofthewritingofthethreeletters,atwhichourstoryissupposedtobegin,shewasdrivenveryhardformoney.SirFelixwasthentwentyfive,hadbeeninafashionableregimentforfouryears,hadalreadysoldout,and,toownthetruthatonce,hadaltogetherwastedthepropertywhichhisfatherhadlefthim.Somuchthemotherknew,andknew,therefore,thatwithherlimitedincomeshemustmaintainnotonlyherselfanddaughter,butalsothebaronet.Shedidnotknow,however,theamountofthebaronet'sobligationsnor,indeed,didhe,oranyoneelse.Abaronet,holdingacommissionintheGuards,andknowntohavehadafortunelefthimbyhisfather,maygoveryfaringettingintodebtandSirFelixhadmadefulluseofallhisprivileges.Hislifehadbeenineverywaybad.Hehadbecomeaburdenonhismothersoheavy,andonhissisteralso,thattheirlifehadbecomeoneofunavoidableembarrassments.Butnotforamoment,hadeitherofthemeverquarrelledwithhim.Henriettahadbeentaughtbytheconductofbothfatherandmotherthateveryvicemightbeforgiveninamanandinason,thougheveryvirtuewasexpectedfromawoman,andespeciallyfromadaughter.Thelessonhadcometohersoearlyinlifethatshehadlearneditwithoutthefeelingofanygrievance.Shelamentedherbrother'sevilconductasitaffectedhim,butshepardoneditaltogetherasitaffectedherself.Thatallherinterestsinlifeshouldbemadesubservienttohimwasnaturaltoherandwhenshefoundthatherlittlecomfortswerediscontinued,andhermoderateexpensescurtailed,becausehe,havingeatenupallthatwashisown,wasnoweatingupalsoallthatwashismother's,shenevercomplained.Henriettahadbeentaughttothinkthatmeninthatrankoflifein whichshehadbeenbornalwaysdideatupeverything.

Themother'sfeelingwaslessnoble,orperhaps,itmightbetterbesaid,moreopentocensure.Theboy,whohadbeenbeautifulasastar,hadeverbeenthecynosureofhereyes,theonethingonwhichherhearthadriveteditself.Evenduringthecareerofhisfollyshehadhardlyventuredtosayawordtohimwiththepurportofstoppinghimonhisroadtoruin.Ineverythingshehadspoilthimasaboy,andineverythingshestillspoilthimasaman.Shewasalmostproudofhisvices,andhadtakendelightinhearingofdoingswhichifnotviciousofthemselveshadbeenruinousfromtheirextravagance.

Shehadsoindulgedhimthateveninherownpresencehewasneverashamedofhisownselfishnessorapparentlyconsciousoftheinjusticewhichhedidtoothers.

Fromallthisithadcometopassthatthatdabblinginliteraturewhichhadbeencommencedpartlyperhapsfromasenseofpleasureinthework,partlyasapassportintosociety,hadbeenconvertedintohardworkbywhichmoneyifpossiblemightbeearned.SothatLadyCarburywhenshewrotetoherfriends,theeditors,ofherstruggleswasspeakingthetruth.Tidingshadreachedherofthisandtheotherman'ssuccess,and,comingneartoherstill,ofthisandthatotherwoman'searningsinliterature.Andithadseemedtoherthat,withinmoderatelimits,shemightgiveawidefieldtoherhopes.Whyshouldshenotaddathousandayeartoherincome,sothatFelixmightagainlivelikeagentlemanandmarrythatheiresswho,inLadyCarbury'slookoutintothefuture,wasdestinedtomakeallthingsstraight!Whowassohandsomeasherson?Whocouldmakehimselfmoreagreeable?Whohadmoreofthataudacitywhichisthechiefthingnecessarytothewinningofheiresses?

AndthenhecouldmakehiswifeLadyCarbury.Ifonlyenoughmoneymightbeearnedtotideoverthepresentevilday,allmightbewell.

TheonemostessentialobstacletothechanceofsuccessinallthiswasprobablyLadyCarbury'sconvictionthatherendwastobeobtainednotbyproducinggoodbooks,butbyinducingcertainpeopletosaythatherbooksweregood.Shedidworkhardatwhatshewrote,hardenoughatanyratetocoverherpagesquicklyandwas,bynature,acleverwoman.Shecouldwriteafteraglib,commonplace,sprightlyfashion,andhadalreadyacquiredtheknackofspreadingallsheknewverythin,sothatitmightcoveravastsurface.Shehadnoambitiontowriteagoodbook,butwaspainfullyanxioustowriteabookthatthecriticsshouldsaywasgood.HadMrBroune,inhiscloset,toldherthatherbookwasabsolutelytrash,buthadundertakenatthesametimetohaveitviolentlypraisedinthe"BreakfastTable",itmaybedoubtedwhetherthecritic'sownopinionwouldhaveevenwoundedhervanity.Thewomanwasfalsefromheadtofoot,buttherewasmuchofgoodinher,falsethoughshewas.

WhetherSirFelix,herson,hadbecomewhathewassolelybybadtraining,orwhetherhehadbeenbornbad,whoshallsay?Itishardlypossiblethatheshouldnothavebeenbetterhadhebeentakenawayasaninfantandsubjectedtomoraltrainingbymoralteachers.Andyetagainitishardlypossiblethatanytrainingorwantoftrainingshouldhaveproducedaheartsoutterlyincapableoffeelingforothersaswashis.Hecouldnotevenfeelhisownmisfortunesunlesstheytouchedtheoutwardcomfortsofthemoment.Itseemedthathelackedsufficientimaginationtorealisefuturemiserythoughthefuturitytobeconsideredwasdividedfromthepresentbutbyasinglemonth,asingleweek,butbyasinglenight.Helikedtobekindlytreated,tobepraisedandpetted,tobewellfedandcaressedandtheywhosotreatedhimwerehischosenfriends.Hehadin thistheinstinctsofahorse,notapproachingthehighersympathiesofadog.Butitcannotbesaidofhimthathehadeverlovedanyonetotheextentofdenyinghimselfamoment'sgratificationonthatlovedone'sbehalf.Hisheartwasastone.Buthewasbeautifultolockat,readywitted,andintelligent.Hewasverydark,withthatsoftolivecomplexion

whichsogenerallygivestoyoungmenanappearanceofaristocraticbreeding.Hishair,whichwasneverallowedtobecomelong,wasnearlyblack,andwassoftandsilkywithoutthattaintofgreasewhichissocommonwithsilkenheadeddarlings.Hiseyeswerelong,brownincolour,andweremadebeautifulbytheperfectarchoftheperfecteyebrow.Butperhapsthegloryofthefacewasduemoretothefinishedmouldingandfinesymmetryofthenoseandmouththantohisotherfeatures.Onhisshortupperliphehadamoustacheaswellformedashiseyebrows,butheworenootherbeard.Theformofhischintoowasperfect,butitlackedthatsweetnessandsoftnessofexpression,indicativeofsoftnessofheart,whichadimpleconveys.Hewasaboutfivefeetnineinheight,andwasasexcellentinfigureasinface.ItwasadmittedbymenandclamorouslyassertedbywomenthatnomanhadeverbeenmorehandsomethanFelixCarbury,anditwasadmittedalsothathenevershowedconsciousnessofhisbeauty.Hehadgivenhimselfairsonmanyscoresonthescoreofhismoney,poorfool,whileitlastedonthescoreofhistitleonthescoreofhisarmystandingtillhelostitandespeciallyonthescoreofsuperiorityinfashionableintellect.Buthehadbeencleverenoughtodresshimselfalwayswithsimplicityandtoavoidtheappearanceofthoughtabouthisoutwardman.Asyetthelittleworldofhisassociateshadhardlyfoundouthowcallouswerehisaffections,orratherhowdevoidhewasofaffection.Hisairsandhisappearance,joinedwithsomecleverness,hadcarriedhimthrougheventheviciousnessofhislife.Inonematterhehadmarredhisname,andbyamoment'sweaknesshadinjuredhischaracteramonghisfriendsmorethanhehaddonebythefollyofthreeyears.Therehadbeenaquarrelbetweenhimandabrotherofficer,inwhichhehadbeentheaggressorand,whenthemomentcameinwhichaman'sheartshouldhaveproducedmanlyconduct,hehadfirstthreatenedandhadthenshownthewhitefeather.Thatwasnowayearsince,andhehadpartlyoutlivedtheevilbutsomemenstillrememberedthatFelixCarburyhadbeencowed,andhadcowered.

Itwasnowhisbusinesstomarryanheiress.Hewaswellawarethatitwasso,andwasquitepreparedtofacehisdestiny.Buthelackedsomethingintheartofmakinglove.Hewasbeautiful,hadthemannersofagentleman,couldtalkwell,lackednothingofaudacity,andhadnofeelingofrepugnanceatdeclaringapassionwhichhedidnotfeel.Butheknewsolittleofthepassion,thathecouldhardlymakeevenayounggirlbelievethathefeltit.Whenhetalkedoflove,henotonlythoughtthathewastalkingnonsense,butshowedthathethoughtso.Fromthisfaulthehadalreadyfailedwithoneyoungladyreputedtohave40,000,whohadrefusedhimbecause,asshenaivelysaid,sheknew"hedidnotreallycare.""HowcanIshowthatIcaremorethanbywishingtomakeyoumywife?"hehadasked."Idon'tknowthatyoucan,butallthesameyoudon'tcare,"shesaid.Andsothatyoungladyescapedthepitfall.Nowtherewasanotheryounglady,towhomthereadershallbeintroducedintime,whomSirFelixwasinstigatedtopursuewithunremittingdiligence.Herwealthwasnotdefined,ashadbeenthe40,000ofherpredecessor,butwasknowntobeverymuchgreaterthanthat.Itwas,indeed,generallysupposedtobefathomless,bottomless,endless.Itwassaidthatinregardtomoneyforordinaryexpenditure,moneyforhouses,servants,horses,jewels,andthelike,onesumwasthesameasanothertothefatherofthisyounglady.Hehadgreatconcernsconcernssogreatthatthepaymentoftenortwenty thousandpoundsuponanytriflewasthesamethingtohim,astomenwhoarecomfortableintheircircumstancesitmatters

littlewhethertheypaysixpenceorninepencefortheirmuttonchops.Suchamanmayberuinedatanytimebuttherewasnodoubtthattoanyonemarryinghisdaughterduringthepresentseasonofhisoutrageousprosperityhecouldgiveaverylargefortuneindeed.LadyCarbury,whohadknowntherockonwhichhersonhadbeenoncewrecked,wasveryanxiousthatSirFelixshouldatoncemakeaproperuseoftheintimacywhichhehadeffectedinthehouseofthistoppingCroesusoftheday.

AndnowtheremustbeafewwordssaidaboutHenriettaCarbury.Ofcourseshewasofinfinitelylessimportancethanherbrother,whowasabaronet, theheadofthatbranchoftheCarburys,andhermother'sdarlingand,therefore,afewwordsshouldsuffice.Shealsowasverylovely,beinglikeherbrotherbutsomewhatlessdarkandwithfeatureslessabsolutelyregular.Butshehadinhercountenanceafullmeasureofthatsweetnessofexpressionwhichseemstoimplythatconsiderationofselfissubordinatedtoconsiderationforothers.Thissweetnesswasaltogetherlackingtoherbrother.Andherfacewasatrueindexofhercharacter.Again,whoshallsaywhythebrotherandsisterhadbecomesooppositetoeachotherwhethertheywouldhavebeenthusdifferenthadbothbeentakenawayasinfantsfromtheirfather'sandmother'straining,orwhetherthegirl'svirtueswereowingaltogethertothelowerplacewhichshehadheldinherparent'sheart?She,atanyrate,hadnotbeenspoiltbyatitle,bythecommandofmoney,andbythetemptationsoftooearlyacquaintancewiththeworld.Atthepresenttimeshewasbarelytwentyoneyearsold,andhadnotseenmuchofLondonsociety.Hermotherdidnotfrequentballs,andduringthelasttwoyearstherehadgrownuponthemanecessityforeconomywhichwasinimicaltomanyglovesandcostlydresses.SirFelixwentoutofcourse,butHettaCarburyspentmostofhertimeathomewithhermotherinWelbeckStreet.Occasionallytheworldsawher,andwhentheworlddidseehertheworlddeclaredthatshewasacharminggirl.Theworldwassofarright.

ButforHenriettaCarburytheromanceoflifehadalreadycommencedinrealearnest.TherewasanotherbranchoftheCarburys,theheadbranch,whichwasnowrepresentedbyoneRogerCarbury,ofCarburyHall.RogerCarburywasagentlemanofwhommuchwillhavetobesaid,buthere,atthismoment,itneedonlybetoldthathewaspassionatelyinlovewithhiscousinHenrietta.Hewas,however,nearlyfortyyearsold,andtherewasonePaulMontaguewhomHenriettahadseen.

CHAPTERIII.TheBeargarden

LadyCarbury'shouseinWelbeckStreetwasamodesthouseenough,withnopretensionstobeamansion,hardlyassumingeventobearesidencebut,havingsomemoneyinherhandswhenshefirsttookit,shehadmadeitprettyandpleasant,andwasstillproudtofeelthatinspiteofthehardnessofherpositionshehadcomfortablebelongingsaroundherwhenherliteraryfriendscametoseeheronherTuesdayevenings.Hereshewasnowlivingwithhersonanddaughter.Thebackdrawingroomwasdividedfromthefrontbydoorsthatwerepermanentlyclosed,andinthisshecarriedonhergreatwork.Hereshewroteherbooksandcontrivedhersystemfortheinveiglingofeditorsandcritics.Hereshewasrarelydisturbedbyherdaughter,andadmittednovisitorsexcepteditorsandcritics.Buthersonwascontrolledbynohouseholdlaws,andwouldbreakinuponherprivacywithoutremorse.ShehadhardlyfinishedtwogallopingnotesaftercompletingherlettertoMrFerdinandAlf,whenFelixenteredtheroomwithacigarinhismouthandthrewhimselfuponthesofa.

"Mydearboy,"shesaid,"prayleaveyourtobaccobelowwhenyoucomeinhere."

"Whataffectationitis,mother,"hesaid,throwing,however,thehalfsmokedcigarintothefireplace."Somewomensweartheylikesmoke,otherssaytheyhateitlikethedevil.Itdependsaltogetheronwhethertheywishtoflatterorsnubafellow."

"Youdon'tsupposethatIwishtosnubyou?"

"UponmywordIdon'tknow.Iwonderwhetheryoucanletmehavetwentypounds?"

"MydearFelix!"

"Justso,motherbuthowaboutthetwentypounds?"

"Whatisitfor,Felix?"

"Welltotellthetruth,tocarryonthegameforthenoncetillsomethingissettled.Afellowcan'tlivewithoutsomemoneyinhispocket.Idowithaslittleasmostfellows.IpayfornothingthatI canhelp.Ievengetmyhaircutoncredit,andaslongasitwaspossibleIhadabrougham,tosavecabs."

"Whatistobetheendofit,Felix?"

"Inevercouldseetheendofanything,mother.Inevercouldnurseahorsewhenthehoundsweregoingwellinordertobeinatthefinish.InevercouldpassadishthatIlikedinfavourofthosethatweretofollow.What'stheuse?"Theyoungmandidnotsay"carpediem,"butthatwasthephilosophywhichheintendedtopreach.

"HaveyoubeenattheMelmottes'today?"Itwasnowfiveo'clockonawinterafternoon,thehouratwhichladiesaredrinkingtea,andidlemenplayingwhistattheclubs,atwhichyoungidlemenaresometimesallowedtoflirt,andatwhich,asLadyCarburythought,hersonmighthavebeenpayinghiscourttoMarieMelmottethegreatheiress.

"Ihavejustcomeaway."

"Andwhatdoyouthinkofher?"

"Totellthetruth,mother,Ihavethoughtverylittleabouther.Sheisnotpretty,sheisnotplainsheisnotclever,sheisnotstupidsheisneithersaintnorsinner."

"Themorelikelytomakeagoodwife."

"Perhapsso.Iamatanyratequitewillingtobelievethataswifeshewouldbe'goodenoughforme.'"

"Whatdoesthemothersay?"

"Themotherisacaution.Icannothelpspeculatingwhether,ifImarrythedaughter,Ishalleverfindoutwherethemothercamefrom.DollyLongestaffesaysthatsomebodysaysthatshewasaBohemianJewessbutIthinkshe'stoofatforthat."

"Whatdoesitmatter,Felix?"

"Notintheleast"

"Issheciviltoyou?"

"Yes,civilenough."

"Andthefather?"

"Well,hedoesnotturnmeout,oranythingofthatsort.Ofcoursetherearehalfadozenafterher,andIthinktheoldfellowisbewilderedamongthemall.He'sthinkingmoreofgettingdukestodinewithhimthanofhisdaughter'slovers.Anyfellowmightpickherupwhohappenedtohitherfancy."

"Andwhynotyou?"

"Whynot,mother?Iamdoingmybest,andit'snogoodfloggingawillinghorse.Canyouletmehavethemoney?"

"Oh,Felix,Ithinkyouhardlyknowhowpoorweare.Youhavestillgotyourhuntersdownattheplace!"

"Ihavegottwohorses,ifyoumeanthatandIhaven'tpaidashillingfortheirkeepsincetheseasonbegan.Lookhere,motherthisisariskysortofgame,Igrant,butIamplayingitbyyouradvice.IfIcanmarryMissMelmotte,Isupposeallwillberight.ButIdon'tthinkthewaytogetherwouldbetothrowupeverythingandletalltheworldknowthatIhaven'tgotacopper.Todothatkindofthingamanmustlivealittleuptothemark.I'vebroughtmyhuntingdowntoaminimum,butifIgaveitupaltogethertherewouldbelotsoffellowstotelltheminGrosvenorSquarewhyIhaddoneso."

Therewasanapparenttruthinthisargumentwhichthepoorwomanwasunabletoanswer.Beforetheinterviewwasoverthemoneydemandedwasforthcoming,thoughatthetimeitcouldbebutillafforded,andtheyouthwentawayapparentlywithalightheart,hardlylisteningtohismother'sentreatiesthattheaffairwithMarieMelmottemight,ifpossible,bebroughttoaspeedyconclusion.

Felix,whenhelefthismother,wentdowntotheonlyclubtowhichhenowbelonged.Clubsarepleasantresortsinallrespectsbutone.Theyrequirereadymoneyorevenworsethanthatinrespecttoannualpayments,moneyinadvanceandtheyoungbaronethadbeenabsolutelyforcedtorestricthimself.He,asamatterofcourse,outofthosetowhichhehadpossessedtherightofentrance,chosetheworst.ItwascalledtheBeargarden,andhadbeenlatelyopenedwiththeexpressviewofcombiningparsimonywithprofligacy.Clubswereruined,sosaidcertainyoungparsimoniousprofligates,byprovidingcomfortsforoldfogieswhopaidlittleornothingbuttheirsubscriptions,andtookoutbytheirmerepresencethreetimesasmuchastheygave.Thisclubwasnottobeopenedtillthreeo'clockintheafternoon,beforewhichhourthepromotersoftheBeargardenthoughtitimprobablethattheyandtheirfellowswouldwantaclub.Thereweretobenomorningpaperstaken,nolibrary,nomorningroom.Diningrooms,billiardrooms,andcardroomswouldsufficefortheBeargarden.Everythingwastobeprovidedbyapurveyor,sothattheclubshouldbecheatedonlybyoneman.Everythingwastobeluxurious,buttheluxuriesweretobeachievedatfirstcost.Ithadbeenahappythought,andtheclubwassaidtoprosper.HerrVossner,thepurveyor,wasajewel,andsocarriedonaffairsthattherewasnotroubleaboutanything.Hewouldassisteveninsmoothinglittledifficultiesastothesettlingofcardaccounts,andhadbehavedwiththegreatesttendernesstothedrawersofchequeswhosebankershadharshlydeclaredthemtohave"noeffects."HerrVossnerwasajewel,andtheBeargardenwasasuccess.PerhapsnoyoungmanabouttownenjoyedtheBeargardenmorethoroughlythandidSirFelixCarbury.Theclubwasintheclosevicinityofotherclubs,inasmallstreetturningoutofSt.James'sStreet,andpiqueditselfonitsoutwardquietnessandsobriety.Whypayforstoneworkforotherpeopletolookatwhylayoutmoneyinmarblepillarsandcornices,seeingthatyoucanneithereatsuchthings,nordrinkthem,norgamblewiththem?ButtheBeargardenhadthebestwinesorthoughtthatithadandtheeasiestchairs,andtwobilliardtablesthanwhichnothingmoreperfecthadeverbeenmadetostanduponlegs.HitherSirFelixwendedonthatJanuaryafternoonassoonashehadhismother'schequefor20inhispocket.

Hefoundhisspecialfriend,DollyLongestaffe,standingonthestepswithacigarinhismouth,andgazingvacantlyatthedullbrickhouseopposite."Goingtodinehere,Dolly?"saidSirFelix.

"IsupposeIshall,becauseit'ssuchalotoftroubletogoanywhereelse.I'mengagedsomewhere,IknowbutI'mnotuptogettinghomeanddressing.ByGeorge!Idon'tknowhowfellowsdothatkindofthing.Ican't."

"Goingtohunttomorrow?"

"Well,yesbutIdon'tsupposeIshall.Iwasgoingtohunteverydaylastweek,butmyfellowneverwouldgetmeupintime.Ican'ttellwhyitisthatthingsaredoneinsuchabeastlyway.Whyshouldn'tfellowsbegintohuntattwoorthree,sothatafellowneedn'tgetupinthemiddleofthenight?"

"Becauseonecan'tridebymoonlight,Dolly."

"Itisn'tmoonlightatthree.AtanyrateIcan'tgetmyselftoEustonSquarebynine.Idon'tthinkthatfellowofminelikesgettinguphimself.Hesayshecomesinandwakesme,butIneverrememberit."

"HowmanyhorseshaveyougotatLeighton,Dolly?"

"Howmany?Therewerefive,butIthinkthatfellowdowntheresoldonebutthenIthinkheboughtanother.Iknowhedidsomething."

"Whoridesthem?"

"Hedoes,Isuppose.Thatis,ofcourse,Iridethemmyself,onlyIsoseldomgetdown.SomebodytoldmethatGrassloughwasridingtwoofthemlastweek.Idon'tthinkIevertoldhimhemight.IthinkhetippedthatfellowofmineandIcallthatalowkindofthingtodo.I'daskhim,onlyIknowhe'dsaythatIhadlentthem.PerhapsIdidwhenIwastight,youknow."

"YouandGrassloughwereneverpals."

"Idon'tlikehimabit.Hegiveshimselfairsbecauseheisalord,andisdevilishillnatured.Idon'tknowwhyheshouldwanttoridemyhorses."

"Tosavehisown."

"Heisn'thardup.Whydoesn'thehavehisownhorses?I'lltellyouwhat,Carbury,I'vemadeupmymindtoonething,and,byJove,I'llsticktoit.Ineverwilllendahorseagaintoanybody.Iffellowswanthorsesletthembuythem."

"Butsomefellowshaven'tgotanymoney,Dolly."

"Thentheyoughttogotick.Idon'tthinkI'vepaidforanyofmineI'veboughtthisseason.Therewassomebodyhereyesterday"

"What!hereattheclub?"

"Yesfollowedmeheretosayhewantedtobepaidforsomething!Itwashorses,Ithinkbecauseofthefellow'strousers."

"Whatdidyousay?"

"Me!Oh,Ididn'tsayanything."

"Andhowdiditend?"

"Whenhe'ddonetalkingIofferedhimacigar,andwhilehewasbitingofftheendwentupstairs.Isupposehewentawaywhenhewastiredofwaiting."

"I'lltellyouwhat,DollyIwishyou'dletmeridetwoofyoursforacoupleofdays,thatis,ofcourse,ifyoudon'twantthemyourself.Youain'ttightnow,atanyrate."

"NoIain'ttight,"saidDolly,withmelancholyacquiescence.

"ImeanthatIwouldn'tliketoborrowyourhorseswithoutyourrememberingallaboutit.NobodyknowsaswellasyoudohowawfullydoneupIam.Ishallpullthroughatlast,butit'sanawfulsqueezeinthemeantime.There'snobodyI'dasksuchafavourofexceptyou."

"Well,youmayhavethemthatis,fortwodays.Idon'tknowwhetherthatfellowofminewillbelieveyou.Hewouldn'tbelieveGrasslough,andtoldhimso.ButGrassloughtookthemoutofthestables.That'swhatsomebodytoldme."

"Youcouldwritealinetoyourgroom."

"Ohmydearfellow,thatissuchaboreIdon'tthinkIcoulddothat.Myfellowwillbelieveyou,becauseyouandIhavebeenpals.IthinkI'llhavealittledropofcuracoabeforedinner.Comealongandtryit.It'llgiveusanappetite."

Itwasthennearlyseveno'clock.Ninehoursafterwardsthesametwomen,withtwoothersofwhomyoungLordGrasslough,DollyLongestaffe'speculiaraversion,wasonewerejustrisingfromacardtablein oneoftheupstairsroomsoftheclub.Foritwasunderstoodthat,thoughtheBeargardenwasnottobeopenbeforethreeo'clockintheafternoon,theaccommodationdeniedduringthedaywastobegivenfreelyduringthenight.NomancouldgetabreakfastattheBeargarden,butsuppersatthreeo'clockinthemorningwerequitewithintherule.Suchasupper,orrathersuccessionofsuppering,therehadbeentonight,variousdevilsandbroilsandhottoastshavingbeenbroughtup

fromtimetotimefirstforoneandthenforanother.Buttherehadbeennocessationofgamblingsincethecardshadfirstbeenopenedaboutteno'clock.AtfourinthemorningDollyLongestaffewascertainlyinaconditiontolendhishorsesandtoremembernothingaboutit.He wasquiteaffectionatewithLordGrasslough,ashewasalsowithhisothercompanions,affectionbeingthenormalstateofhismindwheninthatcondition.Hewasbynomeanshelplesslydrunk,andwas,perhaps,hardlymoresillythanwhenhewassoberbuthewaswillingtoplayatanygamewhetherheunderstooditornot,andforanystakes.WhenSirFelixgotupandsaidhewouldplaynomore,Dollyalsogotup,apparentlyquitecontented.WhenLordGrasslough,withadarkscowlonhisface,expressedhisopinionthatitwasnotjustthethingformentobreakuplikethatwhensomuchmoneyhadbeenlost,Dollyaswillinglysatdownagain.ButDolly'ssittingdownwasnotsufficient."I'mgoingtohunttomorrow,"saidSirFelixmeaningthatday,"andIshallplaynomore.Amanmustgotobedatsometime."

"Idon'tseeitatall,"saidLordGrasslough."It'sanunderstoodthingthatwhenamanhaswonasmuchasyouhaveheshouldstay."

"Stayhowlong?"saidSirFelix,withanangrylook."That'snonsensetheremustbeanendofeverything,andthere'sanendofthisformetonight."

"Oh,ifyouchoose,"saidhislordship.

"Idochoose.Goodnight,Dollywe'llsettlethisnexttimewemeet.I'vegotitallentered."

ThenighthadbeenoneveryseriousinitsresultstoSirFelix.Hehadsatdowntothecardtablewiththeproceedsofhismother'scheque,apoor20,andnowhehad,hedidn'tatallknowhowmuchinhispockets.Healsohaddrunk,butnotsoastoobscurehismind.HeknewthatLongestaffeowedhimover300,andheknewalsothathehadreceivedmorethanthatinreadymoneyandchequesfromLordGrassloughandtheotherplayer.DollyLongestaffe'smoney,too,wouldcertainlybepaid,thoughDollydidcomplainoftheimportunityof histradesmen.AshewalkedupSt.James'sStreet,lookingforacab,hepresumedhimselftobeworthover700.WhenbeggingforasmallsumfromLadyCarbury,hehadsaidthathecouldnotcarryonthegamewithoutsomereadymoney,andhadconsideredhimselffortunateinfleecinghismotherashehaddone.Nowhewasinthepossessionofwealth,ofwealththatmight,atanyrate,besufficienttoaidhimmateriallyintheobjecthehadinhand.Heneverforamomentthoughtofpayinghisbills.Eventhelargesumofwhichhehadbecomesounexpectedlypossessedwouldnothavegonefarwithhiminsuchaquixoticobjectasthatbuthecouldnowlookbright,andbuypresents,andbeseenwithmoneyinhishands.Itishardeventomakeloveinthesedayswithoutsomethinginyourpurse.

Hefoundnocab,butinhispresentframeofmindwasindifferenttothetroubleofwalkinghome.Therewassomethingsojoyousinthefeelingofthepossessionofallthismoneythatitmadethenightairpleasanttohim.Then,ofasudden,herememberedthelowwailwithwhichhismotherhadspokenofherpovertywhenhedemandedassistance

fromher.Nowhecouldgiveherbackthe20.Butitoccurredtohimsharply,withanamountofcarefulnessquitenewtohim,thatitwouldbefoolishtodoso.Howsoonmighthewantitagain?And,moreover,hecouldnotrepaythemoneywithoutexplainingtoherhowhehadgottenit.Itwouldbepreferabletosaynothingabouthismoney.Ashelethimselfintothehouseandwentuptohisroomheresolvedthathewouldnotsayanythingaboutit.

Onthatmorninghewasatthestationatnine,andhunteddowninBuckinghamshire,ridingtwoofDollyLongestaffe'shorsesfortheuseofwhichhepaidDollyLongestaffe's"fellow"thirtyshilling.

CHAPTERIV.MadameMelmotte'sBall

ThenextnightbutoneafterthatofthegamblingtransactionattheBeargarden,agreatballwasgiveninGrosvenorSquare.ItwasaballonascalesomagnificentthatithadbeentalkedabouteversinceParliamentmet,nowaboutafortnightsince.SomepeoplehadexpressedanopinionthatsuchaballasthiswasintendedtobecouldnotbegivensuccessfullyinFebruary.Othersdeclaredthatthemoneywhichwastobespent,anamountwhichwouldmakethisaffairquitenewintheannalsofballgiving,wouldgivethethingsuchacharacterthatitwouldcertainlybesuccessful.Andmuchmorethanmoneyhadbeenexpended.Almostincredibleeffortshadbeenmadetoobtainthecooperationofgreatpeople,andtheseeffortshadatlastbeengrandlysuccessful.TheDuchessofStevenagehadcomeupfromCastleAlburyherselftobepresentatitandtobringherdaughters,thoughithasneverbeenherGrace'swonttobeinLondonatthisinclementseason.NodoubtthepersuasionusedwiththeDuchesshadbeenverystrong.Herbrother,LordAlfredGrendall,wasknowntobeingreatdifficulties,which,sopeoplesaid,hadbeenconsiderablymodifiedbyopportunepecuniaryassistance.AndthenitwascertainthatoneoftheyoungGrendalls,LordAlfred'ssecondson,hadbeenappointedtosomemercantileposition,forwhichhereceivedasalarywhichhismostintimatefriendsthoughtthathewashardlyqualifiedtoearn.ItwascertainlyafactthathewenttoAbchurchLane,intheCity,fourorfivedaysaweek,andthathedidnotoccupyhistimeinsounaccustomedamannerfornothing.WheretheDuchessofStevenagewentalltheworldwouldgo.Anditbecameknownatthelastmoment,thatistosayonlythedaybeforetheparty,thataprinceofthebloodroyalwastobethere.Howthishadbeenachievednobodyquiteunderstoodbuttherewererumoursthatacertainlady'sjewelshadbeenrescuedfromthepawnbroker's.Everythingwasdoneonthesamescale.ThePrimeMinisterhadindeeddeclinedtoallowhisnametoappearonthelistbutoneCabinetMinisterandtwoorthreeundersecretarieshadagreedtocomebecauseitwasfeltthatthegiveroftheballmightbeforelongbethemasterofconsiderableparliamentaryinterest.Itwasbelievedthathehadaneyetopolitics,anditisalwayswisetohavegreatwealthonone'sownside.Therehadatonetimebeenmuchsolicitudeabouttheball.Manyanxiousthoughtshadbeengiven.Whengreatattemptsfail,thefailureisdisastrous,andmayberuinous.Butthisballhadnowbeenputbeyondthechanceoffailure.

ThegiveroftheballwasAugustusMelmotte,Esq.,thefatherofthegirlwhomSirFelixCarburydesiredtomarry,andthehusbandoftheladywhowassaidtohavebeenaBohemianJewess.Itwasthusthatthegentlemanchosetohavehimselfdesignated,thoughwithinthelasttwoyearshehadarrivedinLondonfromParis,andhadatfirstbeenknownasM.Melmotte.ButhehaddeclaredofhimselfthathehadbeenborninEngland,andthathewasanEnglishman.Headmittedthathiswifewasaforeigner,anadmissionthatwasnecessaryasshespokeverylittleEnglish.Melmottehimselfspokehis"native"languagefluently,butwithanaccentwhichbetrayedatleastalongexpatriation.MissMelmotte,whoaveryshorttimesincehadbeenknownasMademoiselleMarie,spokeEnglishwell,butasaforeigner.InregardtoheritwasacknowledgedthatshehadbeenbornoutofEngland,somesaidinNewYorkbut

MadameMelmotte,whomusthaveknown,haddeclaredthatthegreateventhadtakenplaceinParis.

ItwasatanyrateanestablishedfactthatMrMelmottehadmadehiswealthinFrance.Henodoubthadhadenormousdealingsinothercountries,astowhichstoriesweretoldwhichmustsurelyhavebeenexaggerated.ItwassaidthathehadmadearailwayacrossRussia,thatheprovisionedtheSouthernarmyintheAmericancivilwar,thathehadsuppliedAustriawitharms,andhadatonetimeboughtupalltheironinEngland.Hecouldmakeormaranycompanybybuyingorsellingstock,andcouldmakemoneydearorcheapashepleased.Allthiswassaidofhiminhispraise,butitwasalsosaidthathewasregardedinParisasthemostgiganticswindlerthathadeverlivedthathehadmadethatCitytoohottoholdhimthathehadendeavouredtoestablishhimselfinVienna,buthadbeenwarnedawaybythepoliceandthathehadatlengthfoundthatBritishfreedomwouldaloneallowhimtoenjoy,withoutpersecution,thefruitsofhisindustry.HewasnowestablishedprivatelyinGrosvenorSquareandofficiallyinAbchurchLaneanditwasknowntoalltheworldthataRoyalPrince,aCabinetMinister,andtheverycreamofduchessesweregoingtohiswife'sball.Allthishadbeendonewithintwelvemonths.

Therewasbutonechildinthefamily,oneheiressforallthiswealth.Melmottehimselfwasalargeman,withbushywhiskersandroughthickhair,withheavyeyebrows,andawonderfullookofpowerabouthismouthandchin.Thiswassostrongastoredeemhisfacefromvulgaritybutthecountenanceandappearanceofthemanwereonthewholeunpleasant,and,Imaysay,untrustworthy.Helookedasthoughhewerepurseproudandabully.Shewasfatandfair,unlikeincolour toourtraditionalJewessesbutshehadtheJewishnoseandtheJewishcontractionoftheeyes.TherewascertainlyverylittleinMadameMelmottetorecommendher,unlessitwasareadinesstospendmoneyonanyobjectthatmightbesuggestedtoherbyhernewacquaintances.Itsometimesseemedthatshehadacommissionfromherhusbandtogiveawaypresentstoanywhowouldacceptthem.TheworldhadreceivedthemanasAugustusMelmotte,Esq.Theworldsoaddressedhimontheverynumerousletterswhich reachedhim,andsoinscribedhimamongthedirectorsofthreedozencompaniestowhichhebelonged.ButhiswifewasstillMadameMelmotte.ThedaughterhadbeenallowedtotakeherrankwithanEnglishtitle.ShewasnowMissMelmotteonalloccasions.

MarieMelmottehadbeenaccuratelydescribedbyFelixCarburytohismother.Shewasnotbeautiful,shewasnotclever,andshewasnotasaint.Butthenneitherwassheplain,norstupid,nor,especially,asinner.Shewasalittlething,hardlyovertwentyyearsofage,veryunlikeherfatherormother,havingnotraceoftheJewessinhercountenance,whoseemedtobeoverwhelmedbythesenseofherownposition.WithsuchpeopleastheMelmottesthingsgofast,anditwasverywellknownthatMissMelmottehadalreadyhadoneloverwhohadbeennearlyaccepted.Theaffair,however,hadgoneoff.Inthis"goingoff"nooneimputedtotheyoungladyblameorevenmisfortune.Itwasnotsupposedthatshehadeitherjiltedorbeenjilted.AsinroyalespousalsinterestsofStateregulatetheirexpediencewithanacknowledgedabsence,withevenaproclaimedimpossibility,ofpersonalpredilections,sointhiscasewasmoneyallowedtohavethesameweight.Suchamarriagewouldorwouldnotbesanctionedinaccordancewithgreat

pecuniaryarrangements.TheyoungLordNidderdale,theeldestsonoftheMarquisofAuldReekie,hadofferedtotakethegirlandmakeherMarchionessintheprocessoftimeforhalfamilliondown.Melmottehadnotobjectedtothesum,soitwassaid,buthadproposedtotieitup.Nidderdalehaddesiredtohaveitfreeinhisowngrasp,andwouldnotmoveonanyotherterms.MelmottehadbeenanxioustosecuretheMarquis,veryanxioustosecuretheMarchionessforatthattimetermshadnotbeenmadewiththeDuchessbutatlasthehadlosthistemper,andhadaskedhislordship'slawyerwhetheritwaslikelythathewouldentrustsuchasumofmoneytosuchaman."Youarewillingtotrustyouronlychildtohim,"saidthelawyer.Melmottescowledatthemanforafewsecondsfromunderhisbushyeyebrowsthentoldhimthathisanswerhadnothinginit,andmarchedoutoftheroom.Sothataffairwasover.IdoubtwhetherLordNidderdalehadeversaidawordoflovetoMarieMelmotte,orwhetherthepoorgirlhadexpectedit.Herdestinyhadnodoubtbeenexplainedtoher.

Othershadtriedandhadbrokendownsomewhatinthesamefashion.Eachhadtreatedthegirlasanencumbrancehewastoundertake,ataverygreatprice.ButasaffairsprosperedwiththeMelmottes,asprincesandduchesseswereobtainedbyothermeans,costlynodoubt,butnotsoruinouslycostly,theimmediatedispositionofMariebecamelessnecessary,andMelmottereducedhisoffers.Thegirlherself,too,begantohaveanopinion.ItwassaidthatshehadabsolutelyrejectedLordGrasslough,whosefatherindeedwasinastateofbankruptcy,whohadnoincomeofhisown,whowasugly,vicious,illtempered,andwithoutanypowerofrecommendinghimselftoagirl.ShehadhadexperiencesinceLordNidderdale,withahalflaugh,hadtoldherthathemightjustaswelltakeherforhiswife,andwasnowtemptedfromtimetotimetocontemplateherownhappinessandherowncondition.PeoplearoundwerebeginningtosaythatifSirFelixCarburymanagedhisaffairswellhemightbethehappyman.

TherewasaconsiderabledoubtwhetherMariewasthedaughterofthatJewishlookingwoman.Enquirieshadbeenmade,butnotsuccessfully,astothedateoftheMelmottemarriage.TherewasanideaabroadthatMelmottehadgothisfirstmoneywithhiswife,andhadgottenitnotverylongago.ThenotherpeoplesaidthatMariewasnothisdaughteratall.Altogetherthemysterywasratherpleasantasthemoneywascertain.Ofthecertaintyofthemoneyindailyusetherecouldbenodoubt.Therewasthehouse.Therewasthefurniture.Therewerethecarriages,thehorses,theservantswiththeliverycoatsandpowderedheads,andtheservantswiththeblackcoatsandunpowderedheads.Therewerethegems,andthepresents,andallthenicethingsthatmoneycanbuy.Thereweretwodinnerpartieseveryday,oneattwoo'clockcalledlunch,andtheotherateight.Thetradesmenhadlearnedenoughtobequitefreeofdoubt,andintheCityMrMelmotte'snamewasworthanymoney,thoughhischaracterwasperhapsworthbutlittle.

ThelargehouseonthesouthsideofGrosvenorSquarewasallablazebyteno'clock.Thebroadverandahhadbeenturnedintoaconservatory,hadbeencoveredwithboardscontrivedtolookliketrelliswork,washeatedwithhotairandfilledwithexoticsatsomefabulousprice.Acoveredwayhadbeenmadefromthedoor,downacrossthepathway,totheroad,andthepolicehad,Ifear,beenbribedtofrightenfootpassengersintoabelief

thattheywereboundtogoround.Thehousehadbeensoarrangedthatitwasimpossibletoknowwhereyouwere,whenonceinit.Thehallwasaparadise.Thestaircasewasfairyland.Thelobbiesweregrottoesrichwithferns.Wallshadbeenknockedawayandarcheshadbeenconstructed.Theleadsbehindhadbeensupportedandwalledin,andcoveredandcarpeted.Theballhadpossessionofthegroundfloorandfirstfloor,andthehouseseemedtobeendless."It'stocostsixtythousandpounds,"saidtheMarchionessofAuldReekietoheroldfriendtheCountessofMidLothian.TheMarchionesshadcomeinspiteofherson'smisfortunewhensheheardthattheDuchessofStevenagewastobethere."Andworsespentmoneyneverwaswasted,"saidtheCountess."Byallaccountsitwasasbadlycomeby,"saidtheMarchioness.Thenthetwooldnoblewomen,oneaftertheother,madegraciouslyflatteringspeechestothemuchwornBohemianJewess,whowasstandinginfairylandtoreceiveherguests,almostfaintingunderthegreatnessoftheoccasion.

Thethreesaloonsonthefirstordrawingroomfloorhadbeenpreparedfordancing,andhereMariewasstationed.TheDuchesshadhoweverundertakentoseethatsomebodyshouldsetthedancinggoing,andshehadcommissionedhernephewMilesGrendall,theyounggentlemanwhonowfrequentedtheCity,togivedirectionstothebandandtomakehimselfgenerallyuseful.Indeed,therehadsprungupaconsiderableintimacybetweentheGrendallfamily,thatisLordAlfred'sbranchoftheGrendalls,andtheMelmotteswhichwasasitshouldbe,aseachcouldgivemuchandeachreceivemuch.ItwasknownthatLordAlfredhadnotashillingbuthisbrotherwasadukeandhissisterwasaduchess,andforthelastthirtyyearstherehadbeenonecontinualanxietyforpoordearAlfred,whohadtumbledintoanunfortunatemarriagewithoutashilling,hadspenthisownmoderatepatrimony,hadthreesonsandthreedaughters,andhadlivednowforaverylongtimeentirelyontheunwillingcontributionsofhisnoblerelatives.Melmottecouldsupportthewholefamilyinaffluencewithoutfeelingtheburdenandwhyshouldhenot?TherehadoncebeenanideathatMilesshouldattempttowintheheiress,butithadsoonbeenfoundexpedienttoabandonit.Mileshadnotitle,nopositionofhisown,andwashardlybigenoughfortheplace.ItwasinallrespectsbetterthatthewatersofthefountainshouldbeallowedtoirrigatemildlythewholeGrendallfamilyandsoMileswentintothecity.

TheballwasopenedbyaquadrilleinwhichLordBuntingford,theeldestsonoftheDuchess,stoodupwithMarie.Variousarrangementshadbeenmade,andthisamongthem.Wemaysaythatithadbeenapartofthebargain.LordBuntingfordhadobjectedmildly,beingayoungmandevotedtobusiness,fondofhisownorder,rathershy,andnotgiventodancing.Buthehadallowedhismothertoprevail."Ofcoursetheyarevulgar,"theDuchesshadsaid,"somuchsoastobenolongerdistastefulbecauseoftheabsurdityofthething.Idaresayhehasn'tbeenveryhonest.Whenmenmakesomuchmoney,Idon'tknowhowtheycanhavebeenhonest.Ofcourseit'sdoneforapurpose.It'sallverywellsayingthatitisn'tright,butwhatarewetodoaboutAlfred'schildren?Milesistohave500ayear.Andthenheisalwaysaboutthehouse.AndbetweenyouandmetheyhavegotupthosebillsofAlfred's,andhavesaidtheycanlieintheirsafetillitsuitsyouruncletopaythem."

"Theywilllietherealongtime,"saidLordBuntingford.

"Ofcoursetheyexpectsomethinginreturndodancewiththegirlonce."LordBuntingforddisapprovedmildly,anddidashismotheraskedhim.

Theaffairwentoffverywell.Therewerethreeorfourcardtablesinoneofthelowerrooms,andatoneofthemsatLordAlfredGrendallandMrMelmotte,withtwoorthreeotherplayers,cuttinginandoutattheendofeachrubber.PlayingwhistwasLordAlfred'sonlyaccomplishment,andalmosttheonly occupationofhislife.Hebeganitdailyathisclubatthreeo'clock,andcontinuedplayingtilltwointhemorningwithanintervalofacoupleofhoursforhisdinner.Thishedidduringtenmonthsoftheyear,andduringtheothertwohefrequentedsomewateringplaceatwhichwhistprevailed.Hedidnotgamble,neverplayingformorethantheclubstakesandbets.Hegavetothematterhiswholemind,andmusthaveexcelledthosewhoweregenerallyopposedtohim.ButsoobduratewasfortunetoLordAlfredthathecouldnotmakemoneyevenofwhist.MelmottewasveryanxioustogetintoLordAlfred'sclub,ThePeripatetics.Itwaspleasanttoseethegracewithwhichhelosthismoney,andthesweetintimacywithwhichhecalledhislordshipAlfred.LordAlfredhadaremnantoffeelingleft,andwouldhavelikedtokickhim.ThoughMelmottewasbyfarthebiggerman,andwasalsotheyounger,LordAlfredwouldnothavelackedtheplucktokickhim.LordAlfred,inspiteofhishabitualidlenessandvapiduselessness,hadstillleftabouthimadashofvigour,andsometimesthoughtthathewouldkickMelmotteandhavedonewithit.Buttherewerehispoorboys,andthosebillsinMelmotte'ssafe.AndthenMelmottelosthispointssoregularly,andpaidhisbetswithsuchabsolutegoodhumour!"Comeandhaveaglassofchampagne,Alfred,"Melmottesaid,asthetwocutouttogether.LordAlfredlikedchampagne,andfollowedhishostbutashewenthealmostmadeuphismindthatonsomefuturedayhewouldkicktheman.

LateintheeveningMarieMelmottewaswaltzingwithFelixCarbury,andHenriettaCarburywasthenstandingbytalkingtooneMrPaulMontague.LadyCarburywasalsothere.ShewasnotwellinclinedeithertoballsortosuchpeopleastheMelmottesnorwasHenrietta.ButFelixhadsuggestedthat,bearinginmindhisprospectsastotheheiress,theyhadbetteraccepttheinvitationwhichhewouldcausetohavesenttothem.TheydidsoandthenPaulMontaguealsogotacard,notaltogether toLadyCarbury'ssatisfaction.LadyCarburywasverygracioustoMadameMelmottefortwominutes,andthenslidintoachairexpectingnothingbutmiseryfortheevening.She,however,wasawomanwhocoulddoherdutyandendurewithoutcomplaint.

"ItisthefirstgreatballIeverwasatinLondon,"saidHettaCarburytoPaulMontague.

"Andhowdoyoulikeit?"

"Notatall.HowshouldIlikeit?Iknownobodyhere.Idon'tunderstandhowitisthatatthesepartiespeopledoknoweachother,orwhethertheyallgodancingaboutwithoutknowing."

"JustthatIsupposewhentheyareusedtoittheygetintroducedbackwardsandforwards,andthentheycanknoweachotherasfastastheylike.Ifyouwouldwishtodancewhydon'tyoudancewithme?"

"Ihavedancedwithyou,twicealready."

"Isthereanylawagainstdancingthreetimes?"

"ButIdon'tespeciallywanttodance,"saidHenrietta."IthinkI'llgoandconsolepoormamma,whohasgotnobodytospeaktoher."Justatthismoment,however,LadyCarburywasnotinthatwretchedcondition,asanunexpectedfriendhadcometoherrelief.

SirFelixandMarieMelmottehadbeenspinningroundandroundthroughoutalongwaltz,thoroughlyenjoyingtheexcitementofthemusicandthemovement.TogiveFelixCarburywhatlittlepraisemightbehisdue,itisnecessarytosaythathedidnotlackphysicalactivity.Hewoulddance,andride,andshooteagerly,withananimationthatmadehimhappyforthemoment.Itwasanaffairnotofthoughtorcalculation,butofphysicalorganisation.AndMarieMelmottehadbeenthoroughlyhappy.Sheloveddancingwithallherheartifshecouldonlydanceinamannerpleasanttoherself.

Shehadbeenwarnedespeciallyastosomemen,thatsheshouldnotdancewiththem.ShehadbeenalmostthrownintoLordNidderdale'sarms,andhadbeenpreparedtotakehimatherfather'sbidding.Butshehadneverhadtheslightestpleasureinhissociety,andhadonlynotbeenwretchedbecauseshehadnotasyetrecognisedthatshehadanidentityofherowninthedispositionofwhichsheherselfshouldhaveavoice.ShecertainlyhadnevercaredtodancewithLordNidderdale.LordGrassloughshehadabsolutelyhated,thoughatfirstshehadhardlydaredtosayso.Oneortwoothershadbeenobnoxioustoherindifferentways,buttheyhadpassedon,orwerepassingon,outofherway.Therewasnooneatthepresentmomentwhomshehadbeencommandedbyherfathertoacceptshouldanofferbemade.ButshedidlikedancingwithSirFelixCarbury.Itwasnotonlythatthemanwashandsomebutthathehadapowerofchangingtheexpressionofhiscountenance,aplayofface,whichbeliedaltogetherhisrealdisposition.Hecouldseemtobeheartyandtruetillthemomentcameinwhichhehadreallytoexposehisheart,ortotrytoexposeit.Thenhefailed,knowingnothingaboutit.Butintheapproachestointimacywithagirlhecouldbeverysuccessful.HehadalreadynearlygotbeyondthiswithMarieMelmottebutMariewasbynomeansquickindiscoveringhisdeficiencies.Toherhehadseemedlikeagod.IfshemightbeallowedtobewooedbySirFelixCarbury,andtogiveherselftohim,shethoughtthatshewouldbecontented.

"Howwellyoudance,"saidSirFelix,assoonashehadbreathforspeaking.

"DoI?"Shespokewithaslightlyforeignaccent,whichgavealittleprettinesstoherspeech."Iwasnevertoldso.Butnobodyevertoldmeanythingaboutmyself."

"Ishouldliketotellyoueverythingaboutyourself,fromthebeginningtotheend."

"Ah,butyoudon'tknow."

"Iwouldfindout.IthinkIcouldmakesomegoodguesses.I'lltellyouwhatyouwouldlikebestinalltheworld."

"Whatisthat?"

"Somebodythatlikedyoubestinalltheworld."

"Ah,yesifoneknewwho?"

"Howcanyouknow,MissMelmotte,butbybelieving?"

"Thatisnotthewaytoknow.Ifagirltoldmethatshelikedmebetterthananyothergirl,Ishouldnotknowit,justbecauseshesaidso.Ishouldhavetofinditout."

"Andifagentlemantoldyouso?"

"Ishouldn'tbelievehimabit,andIshouldnotcaretofindout.ButIshouldliketohavesomegirlforafriendwhomIcouldlove,oh,tentimesbetterthanmyself."

"SoshouldI."

"Haveyounoparticularfriend?"

"ImeanagirlwhomIcouldlove,oh,tentimesbetterthanmyself."

"Nowyouarelaughingatme,SirFelix,"saidMissMelmotte.

"Iwonderwhetherthatwillcometoanything?"saidPaulMontaguetoMissCarbury.Theyhadcomebackintothedrawingroom,andhadbeenwatchingtheapproachestolovemakingwhichthebaronetwasopening.

"YoumeanFelixandMissMelmotte.Ihatetothinkofsuchthings,MrMontague."

"Itwouldbeamagnificentchanceforhim."

"Tomarryagirl,thedaughterofvulgarpeople,justbecauseshewillhaveagreatdealofmoney?Hecan'tcareforherreally,becausesheisrich."

"Buthewantsmoneysodreadfully!ItseemstomethatthereisnootherconditionofthingsunderwhichFelixcanfacetheworld,butbybeingthehusbandofanheiress."

"Whatadreadfulthingtosay!"

"Butisn'tittrue?Hehasbeggaredhimself."

"Oh,MrMontague."

"Andhewillbeggaryouandyourmother."

"Idon'tcareaboutmyself."

"Othersdothough."Ashesaidthishedidnotlookather,butspokethroughhisteeth,asifhewereangrybothwithhimselfandher.

"IdidnotthinkyouwouldhavespokensoharshlyofFelix."

"Idon'tspeakharshlyofhim,MissCarbury.Ihaven'tsaidthatitwashisownfault.Heseemstobeoneofthosewhohavebeenborntospendmoneyandasthisgirlwillhaveplentyofmoneytospend,Ithinkitwouldbeagoodthingifheweretomarryher.IfFelixhad20,000ayear,everybodywouldthinkhimthefinestfellowintheworld."Insayingthis,however,MrPaulMontagueshowedhimselfunfittogaugetheopinionoftheworld.WhetherSirFelixberichorpoor,theworld,evilheartedasitis,willneverthinkhimafinefellow.

LadyCarburyhadbeenseatedfornearlyhalfanhourinuncomplainingsolitudeunderabust,whenshewasdelightedbytheappearanceofMrFerdinandAlf."Youhere?"shesaid.

"Whynot?MelmotteandIarebrotheradventurers."

"Ishouldhavethoughtyouwouldfindsolittleheretoamuseyou."

"Ihavefoundyouand,inadditiontothat,duchessesandtheirdaughterswithoutnumber.TheyexpectPrinceGeorge!"

"Dothey?"

"AndLeggeWilsonfromtheIndiaOfficeisherealready.IspoketohiminsomejewelledbowerasImademywayhere,notfiveminutessince.It'squiteasuccess.Don'tyouthinkitverynice,LadyCarbury?"

"Idon'tknowwhetheryouarejokingorinearnest."

"Ineverjoke.Isayitisverynice.Thesepeoplearespendingthousandsuponthousandstogratifyyouandmeandothers,andalltheywantinreturnisalittlecountenance."

"Doyoumeantogiveitthen?"

"Iamgivingitthem."

"Ah,butthecountenanceofthe'EveningPulpit.'Doyoumeantogivethemthat?"

"Wellitisnotinourlineexactlytogiveacatalogueofnamesandtorecordladies'dresses.Perhapsitmaybebetterforourhosthimselfthatheshouldbekeptoutofthenewspapers."

"Areyougoingtobeverysevereuponpoorme,MrAlf?"saidtheladyafterapause.

"Weareneversevereuponanybody,LadyCarbury.Here'sthePrince.Whatwilltheydowithhimnowthey'vecaughthim!Oh,they'regoingtomakehimdancewiththeheiress.Poorheiress!"

"PoorPrince!"saidLadyCarbury.

"Notatall.She'sanicelittlegirlenough,andhe'llhavenothingtotroublehim.Buthowisshe,poorthing,totalktoroyalblood?"

Poorthingindeed!ThePrincewasbroughtintothebigroomwhereMariewasstillbeingtalkedtobyFelixCarbury,andwasatoncemadetounderstandthatshewastostandupanddancewithroyalty.Theintroductionwasmanagedinaverybusinesslikemanner.MilesGrendallfirstcameinandfoundthefemalevictimtheDuchessfollowedwiththemalevictim.MadameMelmotte,whohadbeenonherlegstillshewasreadytosink,waddledbehind,butwasnotallowedtotakeanypartintheaffair.Thebandwereplayingagalop,butthatwasstoppedatonce,tothegreatconfusionofthedancers.IntwominutesMilesGrendallhadmadeupaset.Hestoodupwithhisaunt,theDuchess,asvisvistoMarieandthePrince,till,aboutthemiddleofthequadrille,LeggeWilsonwasfoundandmadetotakehisplace.LordBuntingfordhadgoneawaybutthentherewerestillpresenttwodaughtersoftheDuchesswhowererapidlycaught.SirFelixCarbury,beinggoodlookingandhavinganame,wasmadetodancewithoneofthem,andLordGrassloughwiththeother.Therewerefourothercouples,allmadeupoftitledpeople,asitwasintendedthatthisspecialdanceshouldbechronicled,ifnotinthe"EveningPulpit,"insomelessseriousdailyjournal.Apaidreporterwaspresentinthehousereadytorushoffwiththelistassoonasthedanceshouldbearealizedfact.ThePrincehimselfdidnotquiteunderstandwhyhewasthere,buttheywhomarshalledhislifeforhimhadsomarshalleditfor thepresentmoment.Hehimselfprobablyknewnothingaboutthelady'sdiamondswhichhadbeenrescued,ortheconsiderablesubscriptiontoSt.George'sHospitalwhichhadbeenextractedfromMrMelmotteasamakeweight.PoorMariefeltasthoughtheburdenofthehourwouldbegreaterthanshecouldbear,andlookedasthoughshewouldhavefledhadflightbeenpossible.Butthetroublepassedquickly,andwasnotreallysevere.ThePrincesaidawordortwobetweeneachfigure,anddidnotseemtoexpectareply.Hemadeafewwordsgoalongway,andwaswelltrainedintheworkofeasingtheburdenofhisowngreatnessforthosewhowereforthemomentinflictedwithit.Whenthedancewasoverhewasallowedtoescapeaftertheceremonyofasingleglassofchampagnedrunkinthepresenceofthehostess.

ConsiderableskillwasshowninkeepingthepresenceofhisroyalguestasecretfromthehosthimselftillthePrincewasgone.Melmottewouldhavedesiredtopouroutthatglassofwinewithhisownhands,tosolacehistonguebyRoyalHighnesses,andwouldprobablyhavebeentroublesomeanddisagreeable.MilesGrendallhadunderstoodallthisandhadmanagedtheaffairverywell."BlessmysoulhisRoyalHighnesscomeandgone!"exclaimedMelmotte."Youandmyfatherweresofastatyourwhistthatitwasimpossibletogetyouaway,"saidMiles.Melmottewasnotafool,andunderstooditallunderstoodnotonlythatithadbeenthoughtbetterthatheshouldnotspeaktothePrince,butalsothatitmightbebetterthatitshouldbeso.Hecouldnothaveeverythingatonce.MilesGrendallwasveryusefultohim,andhewouldnotquarrelwithMiles,atanyrateasyet.

"Haveanotherrubber,Alfred?"hesaidtoMiles'sfatherasthecarriagesweretakingawaytheguests.

LordAlfredhadtakensundryglassesofchampagne,andforamomentforgotthebillsinthesafe,andthegoodthingswhichhisboyswerereceiving."Damnthatkindofnonsense,"hesaid."Callpeoplebytheirpropernames."Thenheleftthehousewithoutafurtherwordtothemasterofit.ThatnightbeforetheywenttosleepMelmotterequiredfromhiswearywifeanaccountoftheball,andespeciallyofMarie'sconduct."Marie,"MadameMelmottesaid,"hadbehavedwell,buthadcertainlypreferred'SirCarbury'toanyotheroftheyoungmen."HithertoMrMelmottehadheardverylittleofSirCarbury,exceptthathewasabaronet.Thoughhiseyesandearswerealwaysopen,thoughheattendedtoeverything,andwasamanofsharpintelligence,hedidnotyetquiteunderstandthebearingandsequenceofEnglishtitles.Heknewthathemustgetforhisdaughtereitheraneldestson,oroneabsolutelyinpossessionhimself.SirFelix,hehadlearned,wasonlyabaronetbutthenhewasinpossession.HehaddiscoveredalsothatSirFelix'ssonwouldincourseoftimealsobecomeSirFelix.Hewasnotthereforeatthepresentmomentdisposedtogiveanypositiveordersastohisdaughter'sconducttotheyoungbaronet.Hedidnot,however,conceivethattheyoungbaronethadasyetaddressedhisgirlinsuchwordsasFelixhadintruthusedwhentheyparted."Youknowwhoitis,"hewhispered,"likesyoubetterthananyoneelseintheworld."

"Nobodydoesdon't,SirFelix."

"Ido,"hesaidasheheldherhandforaminute.Helookedintoherfaceandshethoughtitverysweet.Hehadstudiedthewordsasalesson,and,repeatingthemasalesson,hediditfairlywell.Hediditwellenoughatanyratetosendthepoorgirltobedwithasweetconvictionthatatlastamanhadspokentoherwhomshecouldlove.

CHAPTERV.AftertheBall

"It'swearywork,"saidSirFelixashegotintothebroughamwithhismotherandsister.

"Whatmustithavebeentomethen,whohadnothingtodo?"saidhismother.

"It'sthehavingsomethingtodothatmakesmecallitwearywork.Bythebye,nowIthinkofit,I'llrundowntotheclubbeforeIgohome."Sosayingheputhisheadoutofthebrougham,andstoppedthedriver.

"Itistwoo'clock,Felix,"saidhismother.

"I'mafraiditis,butyouseeI'mhungry.Youhadsupper,perhapsIhadnone."

"Areyougoingdowntotheclubforsupperatthistimeinthemorning?"

"ImustgotobedhungryifIdon't.Goodnight."Thenhejumpedoutofthebrougham,calledacab,andhadhimselfdriventotheBeargarden.Hedeclaredtohimselfthatthementherewouldthinkitmeanofhimifhedidnotgivethemtheirrevenge.Hehadrenewedhisplayontheprecedingnight,andhadagainwon.DollyLongestaffeowedhimnowaconsiderablesumofmoney,andLordGrassloughwasalsoinhisdebt.HewassurethatGrassloughwouldgototheclubaftertheball,andhewasdeterminedthattheyshouldnotthinkthathehadsubmittedtobecarriedhomebyhismotherandsister.Sohearguedwithhimselfbutintruththedevilofgamblingwashotwithinhisbosomandthoughhefearedthatinlosinghemightloserealmoney,andthatifhewonitwouldbelongbeforehewaspaid,yethecouldnotkeephimselffromthecardtable.

Neithermotherordaughtersaidawordtilltheyreachedhomeandhadgotupstairs.Thentheelderspokeofthetroublethatwasnearesttoherheartatthemoment."Doyouthinkhegambles?"

"Hehasgotnomoney,mamma."

"Ifearthatmightnothinderhim.Andhehasmoneywithhim,though,forhimandsuchfriendsashehas,itisnotmuch.Ifhegambleseverythingislost."

"Isupposetheyalldoplaymoreorless."

"Ihavenotknownthatheplayed.Iamweariedtoo,outofallheart,byhiswantofconsiderationtome.Itisnotthathewillnotobeyme.Amotherperhapsshouldnotexpectobediencefromagrownupson.Butmywordisnothingtohim.Hehasnorespectforme.Hewouldassoondowhatiswrongbeforemeasbeforethemereststranger."

"Hehasbeensolonghisownmaster,mamma."

"Yes,hisownmaster!AndyetImustprovideforhimasthoughhewerebutachild.Hetta,youspentthewholeeveningtalkingtoPaulMontague."

"No,mammathatisunjust."

"Hewasalwayswithyou."

"Iknewnobodyelse.Icouldnottellhimnottospeaktome.Idancedwithhimtwice."Hermotherwasseated,withbothherhandsuptoherforehead,andshookherhead."IfyoudidnotwantmetospeaktoPaulyoushouldnothavetakenmethere."

"Idon'twishtopreventyourspeakingtohim.YouknowwhatIwant."Henriettacameupandkissedher,andbadehergoodnight."IthinkIamtheunhappiestwomaninallLondon,"shesaid,sobbinghysterically.

"Isitmyfault,mamma?"

"Youcouldsavemefrom muchifyouwould.Iworklikeahorse,andIneverspendashillingthatIcanhelp.Iwantnothingformyself,nothingformyself.NobodyhassufferedasIhave.ButFelixneverthinksofmeforamoment."

"Ithinkofyou,mamma."

"Ifyoudidyouwouldacceptyourcousin'soffer.Whatrighthaveyoutorefusehim?Ibelieveitisallbecauseofthatyoungman."

"No,mammaitisnotbecauseofthatyoungman.Ilikemycousinverymuchbutthatisall.Goodnight,mamma."LadyCarburyjustallowedherselftobekissed,andthenwasleftalone.

Ateighto'clockthenextmorningdaybreakfoundfouryoungmenwhohadjustrisenfromacardtableattheBeargarden.TheBeargardenwassopleasantaclubthattherewasnorulewhatsoeverastoitsbeingclosed,theonlylawbeingthatitshouldnotbeopenedbeforethreeintheafternoon.Asortofsanctionhad,however,beengiventotheservantstodemurtoproducingsupperordrinksaftersixinthemorning,sothat,abouteight,unrelievedtobaccobegan tobetooheavyevenforjuvenileconstitutions.ThepartyconsistedofDollyLongestaffe,LordGrasslough,MilesGrendall,andFelixCarbury,andthefourhadamusedthemselvesduringthelastsixhourswithvariousinnocentgames.Theyhadcommencedwithwhist,andhadculminatedduringthelasthalfhourwithblindhookey.ButduringthewholenightFelixhadwon.MilesGrendallhatedhim,andtherehadbeenanexpressedopinionbetweenMilesandtheyounglordthatitwouldbebothprofitableandpropertorelieveSirFelixofthewinningsofthelasttwonights.Thetwomenhadplayedwiththesameobject,andbeingyounghadshowntheirintention,sothatacertainfeelingofhostilityhadbeenengendered.Thereaderisnottounderstandthateitherofthemhadcheated,orthatthebaronethadentertainedanysuspicionoffoul

play.ButFelixhadfeltthatGrendallandGrassloughwerehisenemies,andhadthrownhimselfonDollyforsympathyandfriendship.Dolly,however,wasverytipsy.

Ateighto'clockinthemorningtherecameasortofsettling,thoughnomoneythenpassed.Thereadymoneytransactionshadnotlastedlongthroughthenight.Grassloughwasthechiefloser,andthefiguresandscrapsofpaperwhichhadbeenpassedovertoCarbury,whencountedup,amountedtonearly2,000.Hislordshipcontestedthefactbitterly,butcontesteditinvain.Therewerehisowninitialsandhisownfigures,andevenMilesGrendall,whowassupposedtobequitewideawake,couldnotreducetheamount.ThenGrendallhadlostover400toCarbury,anamount,indeed,thatmatteredlittle,asMilescould,atpresent,aseasilyhaveraised40,000.However,hegavehisI.O.U.tohisopponentwithaneasyair.Grasslough,also,wasimpecuniousbuthehadafather,alsoimpecunious,indeedbutwiththemthematterwouldnotbehopeless.DollyLongestaffewassotipsythathecouldnotevenassistinmakinguphisownaccount.ThatwastobeleftbetweenhimandCarburyforsomefutureoccasion.

"Isupposeyou'llbeheretomorrow,thatistonight,"saidMiles."Certainly,onlyonething,"answeredFelix.

"Whatonething?"

"Ithinkthesethingsshouldbesquaredbeforeweplayanymore!"

"Whatdoyoumeanbythat?"saidGrassloughangrily."Doyoumeantohintanything?"

"Ineverhintanything,myGrassy,"saidFelix."Ibelievewhenpeopleplaycards,it'sintendedtobereadymoney,that'sall.ButI'mnotgoingtostandonP'sandQ'swithyou.I'llgiveyouyourrevengetonight."

"That'sallright,"saidMiles.

"IwasspeakingtoLordGrasslough,"saidFelix."Heisanoldfriend,andweknoweachother.Youhavebeenratherroughtonight,MrGrendall."

"Roughwhatthedevildoyoumeanbythat?"

"AndIthinkitwillbeaswellthatouraccountshouldbesettledbeforewebeginagain."

"AsettlementonceaweekisthekindofthingI'musedto,"saidGrendall.

Therewasnothingmoresaidbuttheyoungmendidnotpartongoodterms.Felix,ashegothimselftakenhome,calculatedthatifhecouldrealizehisspoil,hemightbeginthecampaignagainwithhorses,servants,andallluxuriesasbefore.Ifallwerepaid,hewouldhaveover3,000!

CHAPTERVI.RogerCarburyandPaulMontague

RogerCarbury,ofCarburyHall,theownerofasmallpropertyinSuffolk,wastheheadoftheCarburyfamily.TheCarburyshadbeeninSuffolkagreatmanyyears,certainlyfromthetimeoftheWaroftheRoses,andhadalwayshelduptheirheads.Buttheyhadneverheldthemveryhigh.Itwasnotknownthatany hadrisenevertothehonourofknighthoodbeforeSirPatrick,goinghigherthanthat,hadbeenmadeabaronet.Theyhad,however,beentruetotheiracresandtheiracrestruetothemthroughtheperilsofcivilwars,Reformation,Commonwealth,andRevolution,andtheheadCarburyofthedayhadalwaysowned,andhadalwayslivedat,CarburyHall.AtthebeginningofthepresentcenturythesquireofCarburyhadbeenaconsiderableman,ifnotinhiscounty,atanyrateinhispartofthecounty.Theincomeoftheestatehadsufficedtoenablehimtoliveplenteouslyandhospitably,todrinkportwine,torideastouthunter,andtokeepanoldlumberingcoachforhiswife'susewhenshewentavisiting.Hehadanoldbutlerwhohadneverlivedanywhereelse,andaboyfromthevillagewhowasinawayapprenticedtothebutler.Therewasacook,nottooproudtowashupherowndishes,andacoupleofyoungwomenwhilethehousewaskeptbyMrsCarburyherself,whomarkedandgaveoutherownlinen,madeherownpreserves,andlookedtothecuringofherownhams.Intheyear1800theCarburypropertywassufficientfortheCarburyhouse.SincethattimetheCarburypropertyhasconsiderablyincreasedinvalue,andtherentshavebeenraised.Eventheacreagehasbeenextendedbytheenclosureofcommons.ButtheincomeisnolongercomfortablyadequatetothewantsofanEnglishgentleman'shousehold.Ifamoderateestateinlandbelefttoamannow,therearisesthequestionwhetherheis