Ifthereeverwasamanwithnostomachforthemarketitwasme。Butthensomeoneroaredout：
"'Atseven-eighths，sellRubberConsols！SellfivehundredRubberatseven-eighths！Sellfivehundredatthree-quarters！Atthree-quartersyouhave'em！
RubberConsols！Sellathou。atthree-quarters！'
"Thisthingwentintomybrainlikealivecoal。Istoppedandlookedupatthefellow——andbyGod，itwasoneofthemenI'vebeentalkingabout——oneofthoseKaffirscoundrels。
IwishIwasbetteratrememberingnames——butIknewhisface。
Thereweresomeoftheothersaroundhim，andtheylaughedatme，andhelaughedatme。Oh，theyhadaheapoffunoutofme——foraminuteortwo。Prettygoodfun，too！Iguessthey'llrememberitquiteawhile。"
"Goon！"Louisaadjuredhim。Theobviousproximityofthedramaticclimaxdrewherforwardinherchair，andbroughtaglowofexpectationtohereyes。
"Igotmyselfawayfromthatcrowdsomehow——lthinkI
wasafraidifIstayedI'dstrangletheonewhowasshoutingonthesteps——andIwenttowardmyoffice。
ButwhenIgottothedoor，Ididn'thavethecouragetogoin。I'dfurnisheditbetter，Isuppose，thananyotherofficeinAustinFriars，andIhadakindoffeelingthatthesightofthosecarpets，andoak-tablesanddesks，andbrass-railingsandsoonwouldmakemesick。
Iowedfor'emall，bearinmind——"
"But——Joel，"thesisterinterposed。"OnethingIdon'tunderstand。Howmanypeoplehadappliedforshares？Youhaven'tmentionedthat。"
Afleetingsmilelightedupthesaturninegloomofhispresentmood。"Itwashardlyworthmentioning，"
heanswered，withbittermirth。"Betweenfiveandsixthousandsharesweresubscribed，alltold。
Ithinkthewithdrawalsbytelegraphbroughtitdowntopracticallyfivethousand。Weofferedahundredthousand，youknow——Butletmegoonwithmystory。Istoodthere，infrontofourstreet-door，inakindoftrance。
ThewordsofthatJew——'SellRubberConsolsatthree-
quarters！'——buzzedinsidemyheadasiftheywouldburstitopen。Iturned——andIhappenedtoseemyBroker——theScotchman，Semple，youknow——comingalongtowardme。
Rightatthatminute，likeaflash，somethingdawnedonme。
Inlessthanasecond，Isawthewholedamnedrottenoutfitturnedupsidedown，withmeontop。Imadeajump，andrantomeetSemple。
"'Howmanysharesofourshaveyoubought？'Iaskedhim，withagriptightonhisarm。
"Thelittlechapwaslookingmightysick。Hefiguredupinhismind。'I'mafraidit'seightthousandfivehundred，alltold，'hesaid，inasortofPresbyterianwhimper。
"'Well——howwouldthesegentlemengoaboutittodelivertheirgoods——thatis，supposingwegotasettlement？'
"Iaskedhimthis，andkeptmyeyeonhisface。
Helookedpuzzledforaminute。Thenheputouthislip。
Thenheshotmeaglanceassharpasarazor，andwelookedintooneanother'seyes。
"'Theywereshoutingthemouttomeatthree-quarters，aminuteago，'Itoldhim。
"Hewasontothegamelikelightning。'Waitformeintheoffice，'hewhispered。'We'llgonaponthis！'
"Withthathewasofflikeastreak。Hestoppedrunningjustbeforehegottothecorner，though，andbeganwalkingslowly，saunteringalong，youknow，asifhismindwasonnothingbutsecond-handbooks。
Iwatchedhimoutofsight——andthenIwentback，anduptotheoffices。Thefurnituredidn'tscaremeabitthistime。Why，Istoppedandfeltofthebrass-railingjustoutsidetheBoardRoom，andIsaidtomyself——'Pshaw！
Wecouldhaveyouofsolidgold，ifwewantedto。'"
Hepausedhere，andregardedhissisterwithwhatshefeltwasintendedtobeasignificantlook。SheshrankfromtheconfessionthatitsmeaningwasGreektoher。
"Well——andwhatnext？"sheasked，guardedly。
"Semplecamebackintwentyminutesorso——andthenextmorninghewasatitagain——andwhatwithhimandhisjobber，byGeorge，onthequiet，theypickedupnearlyeighteenthousandofourshares。Sometheypaidfifteenshillingsfor，sometheygotattwelve-and-sixandeventen。Thatdoesn'tmatter；it'sofnomoreimportancethanthecoppersyougivetocrossing-sweepers。
Thethingwastogettheshares——andbyGodwe'vegotthem！Twenty-sixthousandtwohundredshares，that'swhatwe'vegot。Now，doyouseewhatthatmeans？"
"Whyyes，"sheanswered，withafaint-heartedassumptionofconfidence。"Ofcourse，youknowthepropertyissogoodthatyou'llmakeaprofitonthesharesyou'veboughtfarbelowtheirvalue。ButIdon'tthinkIquitesee——"
Heinterruptedherwithanoutburstofloudlaughter。
"Don'tthinkyouquitesee？"hegurgledather，withtearsofpleasureinhiseye。"Why，youdummy，youhaven'tgotthefaintestglimmerofanotionofwhatit'sallabout。
Thevalueoftheproperty'sgotnothingintheworldtodowithit。That'sneitherherenorthere。Iftherewasn'tanysuchpropertyinexistence，itwouldbejustthesame。"
Hehadcompassionuponherblankcountenance，atthis，andexplainedmoregently："Why，don'tyousee，Lou，it'sthisway。Thisiswhathashappened。We'vegotwhat'scalledacorneronthebears。They'recaughtshort，andwecansqueezethemtoourhearts'content。
What——youdon'tunderstandnow？Why，seehere！Thesefellowswho'vesoldtwenty-sixthousandofourshares——
theyhaven'tgotthemtosell，andtheycan'tgetthem。
Thatisthepoint——theycan'tgetthemforlovenormoney——theymustpaymemyownpriceforthem，orberuinedmen。Themomenttheyrealizethesituation，theywillbeginofferingapremiumforRubberConsols。
Thepriceofaone-poundsharewillbetwopounds，thenfour——six——ten——twenty——thirty——whateverIwanttodriveitto。"
Louisastaredupathimwithwideopeneyes。Itseemedtoherthatsheunderstoodnow。Itwasveryexciting。
"Yousee，"hewenton，takingapprovingnoteofthenewlightofcomprehensioninherglance，"wedidsomethingthatTuesdayafternoonbesidebuyuptheseshares。
Semplerushedofftohisoffice，andheandhisclerksgotupalotofdummyapplicationsforshares，madeoutinallthedifferentnamestheycouldbesafeinusing，andtheyputtheseintothebankwiththeapplicationmoney——Semplefoundthat——andnextdayhewentandsawtheadvertisingagentandthesolicitorandtheauditors——andgotthemtopoolthesharesthatI'vepromisedtogivethem。Apool？Thatmeanstheyagreetotransfertheirsharestomeastrustee，andletmedealwiththemasIlike——ofcoursetotheiradvantage。
Inanycase，theirsharesarevendor'sshares，andcouldn'tbedealtwithinthistransaction。Soyouseethethingishermeticallysealed。Nobodycangetashareexceptfromme，andatmyprice。Butthesefellowsthathavesoldthem——they'vegottohavethem，don'tyousee。
Theyhadtheirlittletemporaryjokewithmeonthestreetthatafternoon——andnowtheymustwalkuptothecaptain'sofficeandsettle。They'vegottopaymeatleasthalfamillionpoundsforthatfewminutes'funoftheirs。
Imaymakeitagooddealmore；Idon'tknowyet。"
"Oh，Joel！"shegroanedathim，inawedstupefaction。
Hisratherlanguidindecisionastowhetherhalfamillionwasgoingtobeenough，impressedhermorepowerfullythanhadanydetailofhisnarrative。
Inafewcomprehensivesentenceshefinishedupforherwhattherewastotell。"ThisafternoonmyBoardmettoallottheshares。Theysawtheapplications，amountinginalltooverninetythousandshares。
Ittooktheirbreathaway——theyhadheardthatthingsweregoingquitetheotherwaywithus。TheyweresotickledthattheyaskednoquestionsTheallotmentwentthroughlikeagreasedpig。About5，000shareswenttothosewhohadactuallyappliedforthem，and88，000weresolemnlygiventothedummyapplicants。
Ofcourse，therewasn'tawhisperaboutthesedummies。
Nobodywinkedsomuchasaneyelash。ButI'vefoundsincethatoneofthedirectors——thatLordPlowdenI
toldyouabout——wasontothethingallthewhile。
Buthe'sallright。Everybody'sallright。Ofcoursethedummies'sharesstillstandintheirnames——onpaper——
butinrealityI'vegotthemallinmysafe——inmypocketyoumightsay。Theyarereallymine，youunderstand。
Sonowthere'snothingforustodobuttoapplytotheStockExchangeforaspecialsettlementdate，andmeanwhileliequietandwatchtheJewsstewintheirownjuice。
Orfryintheirownfat，eh？That'sbetter。"
"But，"shecommentedslowly，"yousaytherearenosharestobebought——andyetasIunderstandit，therearethosefivethousandthatweresentouttothepeoplewhoreallyapplied。"
"Bravo，Lou！"heansweredherjovially。"Youactuallydounderstandthething。You'veputyourfingerstraightonthepoint。Itistruethatthosesharesareoutagainstus——ormightbeturnedagainstusiftheycouldbeboughtup。Butinreality，theydon'tcountatall。
Inthefirstplace，yousee，they'rescatteredaboutamongsmallholders，countryclergymenandoldmaidsonanannuityandsoon——alloverthecountry。Evenifthesepeoplewerealltraced，andhuntedup，supposeitwasworththetroubleandexpense，theywouldn'tsell。
Thebiggerthepricetheywereoffered，themoremulishtheywouldbeaboutholding。That'salwaysthewaywiththem。Buteveniftheydidallsell，theirfivethousandwouldbeameredropinthebucket。Therewouldbeovertwentythousandotherstobeaccountedfor。
Thatwouldbequiteenoughformypurposes。Oh，Ifiguredallthatoutverycarefully。Myownfirstnotionwastohavethedummiesapplyforthewholehundredthousand，andevenalittleover。Then，yousee，wemighthaveallottedeverythingtothedummies，andsentbackthemoneyandapplicationsofthegenuineones。ButthatwouldhavebeenratherhardtomanagewiththeBoard。
TheMarkisswouldhavesaidthatthereturnsoughttobemadeprorata——thatis，givingeverybodyapartofwhattheyappliedfor——andthatwouldhavemixedeverythingup。
Andthen，too，ifanybodysuspectedanything，whytheStockExchangeCommitteewouldrefuseusaspecialsettlement——and，ofcourse，withoutthatthewholetransactionismoonshine。
Itwasfartoorisky，andwedidn'tsendbackapenny。"
"It'sallprettyrisky，Ishouldthink，"shedeclaredassherose。"Ishouldthinkyou'dlieawakemorethanevernow——nowthatyou'vebuiltyourhopessohighandit'dbesoawfultohavethemcometonothing。"
Hesmilinglyshookhishead。"No，itcannomorefailthanthatgascanfailtoburnwhenyouputalighttoit。
It'sallabsolute。Myhalf-millionisasrightasifitwerelyingtomycreditintheBankofEngland。
Oh，thatremindsme，"hewentoninaslightlyalteredtone——"it'sdamnedcomical，butI'vegottoaskyouforalittlemoney。I'veonlygotaboutsevenpoundsatmybank，andjustattheminuteitwouldgivemeawayfearfullytoletSempleknowIwashardup。
Ofcoursehe'dletmehaveanythingIwanted——but，youcansee——Idon'tliketoaskhimjustatthemoment。"
Shehesitatedvisibly，andscannedhisfacewithawistfulgaze。"You'requitesure，Joel？"——shebegan——
"andyouhaven'ttoldme——howlongwillitbebeforeyoucomeintosomeofthismoney？"
"Well，"——heinturnpausedoverhiswords——"well，IsupposethatbynextweekthingswillbeinsuchshapethatmybankwillseeI'mgoodforanoverdraft。Ohheavens，yes！there'llbeahundredwaysoftouchingsomeready。
Butifyou'vegottwentyorthirtypoundshandyjustnow——I
tellyouwhatI'lldo，Lou。I'llgiveyouathreemonthsbill，payingonehundredpoundsforeverysovereignyouletmehavenow。Come，oldlady：youdon'tgetsuchinteresteveryday，I'llbet。"
"Idon'twantanyinterestfromyou，Joel，"
shereplied，simply。"Ifyou'resureIcanhaveitbackbeforeChristmas，IthinkIcanmanagethirtypounds。
Itwilldointhemorning，Isuppose？"
Henoddedanamusedaffirmative。"Why——youdon'timagine，doyou，"hesaid，"thatallthisgoldistoraindown，andnoneofithityou？Interest？Whyofcourseyou'llgetinterest——andcapitalthrownin。Whatdidyousuppose？"
"Idon'taskanythingformyself，"shemadeanswer，withanoteofresolutioninhervoice。"Ofcourseifyouliketodothingsforthechildren，itwon'tbemewho'llstandintheirlight。They'vebeenspoiledformykindoflifeasitis。"
"I'lldothingsforeverybody，"heaffirmedroundly。
"Let'ssee——howoldisAlfred？"
"He'llbetwentyinMay——andJuliaisfourteenmonthsolderthanheis。"
"Gad！"wasThorpe'smeditativecomment。"Howtheyshootup！WhyIwasthinkingshewasalittlegirl。""Sheneverwillbetall，I'mafraid，"saidtheliteralmother。
"Shefavoursherfather'sfamily。ButAlfredismoreofaThorpe。I'msorryyoumissedseeingthemlastsummer——butofcoursetheydidn'tstoplongwithme。
Thiswasnoplaceforthem——andtheyhadagoodmanyinvitationstovisitschoolfellowsandfriendsinthecountry。
Alfredremindsmeverymuchofwhatyouwereathisage：
he'sgotthesamegoodopinionofhimself，too——andhe'snotabitfonderofhardwork。"
"There'sonemightybigdifferencebetweenus，though，"
remarkedThorpe。"Hewon'tstartwithhisnosehelddowntothegrindstonebyanoldfatherhardasnails。
He'llstartlikeagentleman——thenephewofarichman。"
"I'malmostafraidtohavesuchnotionsputinhishead，"
shereplied，withvisibleapprehension。"Youmustn'tencouragehimtobuildtoohighhopes，Joel。It'sspeculation，youknow——andanythingmighthappentoyou。Andthen——youmaymarry，andhavesonsofyourown。"
Heliftedhisbrowsswiftly——asifthethoughtwerenewtohismind。Aslowsmilestoleintothelittlewrinklesabouthiseyes。Heopenedhislipsasiftospeak，andthenclosedthemagain。
"Well，"hesaidatlast，abruptlystraighteninghimself，andcastinganeyeaboutforhiscoatandhat。
"I'llberoundinthemorning——onmywaytotheCity。
Good-byetillthen。"
CHAPTERIV
INCharingCrossstation，thenextafternoon，Mr。Thorpediscoveredbythebigclockoverheadthathehadarrivedfullytenminutestoosoon。Thisdeviationfromhisdeeply-rootedhabitofcatchingtrainsatthelastpossiblemomentdidnottakehimbysurprise。
Hesmileddryly，audnoddedtotheilluminateddial，asiftheysharedthesecretofsomequaintnovelty。
Thisgettingtothestationaheadoftimewasofapiecewithwhathadbeenhappeningallday——merelyonemoretokenofthegeneralupheavalintheroutineofhislife。
Fromearlymorninghehadbeenacutelyconsciousofthefeelingthathisoldmannersandusagesandmethodsofthought——thethousandfamiliarthingsthatmadeuptheThorpehehadbeen——werebecomingstrangetohim。
Theyfittedhimnolonger；theybegantofallawayfromhim。Now，ashestoodhereonthebustlingplatform，itwasasiftheyhadalldisappeared——beenleftsomewherebehindhimoutsidethestation。Withthetwolargebagswhichtheporterwaslookingafter——bothofaquitedisconcertingfreshnessofaspect——andthenewovercoatandshininghat，heseemedtohimselfanewkindofbeing，embarkeduponavoyageofdiscoveryintheunknown。
Evenhisfacewasnew。Asuddenandirresistibleimpulsehadledhimtothebarber-shopinhishotelattheoutset；hecouldnotwaittillafterbreakfasttohavehisbeardremoved。Theresult，whenhebehelditinthemirror，hadnotbeenaltogetherreassuring。
Theover-long，thin，tawnymoustaschewhichsurvivedtherazorassumedanundueprominence；thejawandchin，revealednowforthefirsttimeinperhapsadozenyears，seemedofasicklycolour，and，insomeinexplicableway，misshapen。Manytimesduringtheday，athisoffice，attherestaurantwherehelunched，atvariousoutfitters'
shopswhichhehadvisited，hehadpursuedthetaskofgettingreconciledtothisnovelvisageinthelooking-glass。
Thelittlemirrorsinthehansomcabshadhelpedhimmostinthisendeavour。Eachreturnedtohimanimagesodifferentfromalltheothers——somecadaverous，somebloated，buteachwithaspontaneousdistortionofitsown——thatithadbecomepossibleforhimtostrikeanaveragetolerabletohimself，andtobelieveinit。
Hissisterhadrecognizedhimupontheinstant，whenheenteredtheoldbook-shoptogetthemoneypromisedovernight，butintheCityhisownclerkshadnotknownhimatfirst。
Therewasinthisaninspiringimplicationthathehadnotsomuchchangedhisappearanceasrevivedhisyouth。
Theconsciousnessthathewasinrealitystillayoungmanspreadoverhismindafresh，andthistimehefeltthatitwaseffacingallearlierimpressions。Why，whenhethoughtofit，thedelighthehadhadduringthedayinbuyingnewshirtsandhandkerchiefsandembroideredbraces，inlookingoverthevariousstocksofrazors，toiletarticles，studsandsleeve-links，andthelike，andtellingthegratifiedtradesmentogivehimthebestofeverything——thisdelighthadbeendistinctivelyboyish。
Hedoubted，indeed，ifanymereyouthcouldhaverisentotheheightsoftendersatisfactionfromwhichhereflecteduponthecontentsofhisportmanteaus。
Toapprehendtheirfullvalueonemusthavebeenwithoutthemforsuchawearytime！Hehadthiswonderfuladvantage——thathesupplementedthefresh-heartedjoyoftheyouthinnicethings，withtheadultman'sknowledgeofhowbaldexistencecouldbewithoutthem。Itwasworthhavinglivedallthosefortyobscureandmostlyunpleasantyears，forthisoneprivilegenowofbeingabletoappreciatetotheuttermostthetouchofdouble-silkunderwear。
Itwasanundoubtedpitythattherehadnotbeentimetogotoagoodtailor。Thesuithehadonwasrightenoughforordinarypurposes，andhisevening-clotheswereasgoodasnew，butthethoughtofacostumeforshootingharassedhismind。
Hehadbroughtalongwithhim，forthiseventfulvisit，anoldMexicanoutfitofyellowish-greyclothandleather，muchtheworseforroughwear，butsavedfromthedisreputablebyitssuggestionofpicturesqueexperiencesinastrangeandromanticcountry。Atleastithadseemedtohim，inthemorning，whenhehadpackedit，tobesecureinthissalvation。Uneasydoubtsonthesubjecthadsoonrisen，however，andtheyhadincreasedinvolumeandpoignancyashisconceptionsofawardrobeexpandedinthecourseoftheday'sinvestigationsandpurchases。
Hehadreachedthepointnowofhopingthatitwouldrainbitterlyonthemorrow。
Itwasdoublyimportanttokeepacloselook-outforLordPlowden，sincehedidnotknowthenameofthestationtheyweretobookfor，andtimewasgettingshort。Hedweltwithsomeannoyanceuponhisoversightinthismatter，ashiswatchfulglancerangedfromoneentrancetoanother。
Hewouldhavelikedtobuytheticketshimself，andhaveeverythinginreadinessonthearrivalofhishost。
Asitwas，hecouldnoteventelltheporterhowhisluggagewastobelabelled，andtherewasnowlessthantwominutes！Hemovedforwardbriskly，withthethoughtofinterceptinghisfriendatthefrontofthestation；
thenhalted，andwentback，upontherecollectionthatwhilehewasgoingoutoneway，Plowdenmightcomeinbytheother。Theseconds，astheypassednow，becameseverallypainfultohisnerves。Theringingofabellsomewherebeyondthebarrierprovokedwithinhimanimpulsetotearfulprofanity。
Thensuddenlyeverythingwasallright。Asmooth-faced，civilly-spokenyoungmancameup，touchedhishat，andasked：
"Willyoukindlyshowmewhichisyourluggage，sir？"
Thorpe，evenwhilewonderingwhatbusinessofhisitwas，indicatedtheglaringlynewbags——andthenonlyhalfrepressedacryofpleasureatdiscoveringthatLordPlowdenstoodbesidehim。
"It'sallright；mymanwilllookoutforyourthings，"
saidthelatter，astheyshookhands。"Wewillgoandgetourplaces。"
Thefatpolicemanatthegatetouchedhishelmet。
Alean，elderlymaninasortofguard'suniformhobbledobsequiouslybeforethemdowntheplatform，openedtothemafirst-classcompartmentwithalowbowandadeprecatorywaveofthehand，andthenimpressivelylockedthedooruponthem。"Theenginewillbetheotherway，myLord，afteryouleaveCannonStreet，"heremarkedthroughtheopenwindow，withearnestdeference。"Arethereanyofyourbagsthatyouwantinthecompartmentwithyou？"
Plowdenhadnoddedtothefirstremark。Heshookhisheadatthesecond。Theelderlymanatthis，withstillanotherbow，flappedoutagreenflagwhichhehadbeenholdingfurledbehindhisback，andextendeditatarm'slength。Thetrainbeganslowlytomove。
Mr。Thorpereflectedtohimselfthatthepeeragewasbynomeanssoplayed-outaninstitutionassomepeopleimagined。
"Ho-ho！"theyoungermansighedayawn，ashetossedhishatintotherackabovehishead。"Weshallbothbethebetterforsomepureair。Londonquitedoesmeup。
Andyou——you'vebeenstickingatitmonthsonend，haven'tyou？Youlookratherfagged——oratalleventsyoudidyesterday。You'vesmartenedyourselfso——withoutyourbeard——thatIcan'tsayI'dnoticeitto-day。
ButItakeiteverysensiblepersonisgladtogetawayfromLondon。"
"ExceptforanoddSunday，nowandthen，Ihaven'tputmynoseoutsideLondonsinceIlandedhere。"Thorperoseashespoke，todeposithishatalsointherack。
Henotedwithakindofchagrinthathiscompanion'swasanordinarylowblackbowler。"Icantellyou，ISHALL
begladofthechange。Iwouldhaveboughtthetickets，"
hewenton，givingwordsatrandomtothethoughtwhichhefoundfixedonthesurfaceofhismind，"ifI'donlyknownwhatourstationwas。"
Plowdenwavedhishand，andthegestureseemedtodismissthesubject。Hetookacigarcasefromhispocket，andofferedittoThorpe。
"Itwaslucky，mynotmissingthetrainaltogether，"
hesaid，astheylightedtheircigars。"Iwasuplatelastnight——turnedoutlatethismorning，beenlateallday，somehow——couldn'tcatchupwiththeclockforthelifeofme。
Yourstatementtomelastnight——youknowitratherupsetme。"
Theothersmiled。"Well，IguessIknowsomethingaboutthatfeelingmyself。Why，I'vebeenbuzzingabouttodaylikeahenwithherheadcutoff。Butit'sfun，though，aintit，eh？Justtohappentoremembereveryonceinawhile，youknow，thatit'salltrue！Butofcourseitmeansathousandtimesmoretomethanitdoestoyou。"
Thetrainhadcometoastopinsidethegloomy，domedcavernofCannonStreet。Manymeninsilkhatscrowdedtoandfroontheplatform，andanumberofthemshookthehandleofthelockeddoor。Therewasaneffectofcursesinthesoundoftheirremarkswhichcamethroughtheclosedwindow。
Mr。Thorpecouldnotquiterestraintheimpulsetogrinatthem。
"Ah，that'swhereyoumistake，"saidPlowden，contemplatingthemouthfulofsmokeheslowlyblewforth。
"Mydearman，youcan'timagineanybodytowhomitwouldmeanmorethanitdoestome——Ihopenoneofthosefellowshaveakey。They'reanawfulboreonthistrain。
Ialmostnevergobyit，forthatreason。Ah，thankGodwe'reoff！——ButasIwassaying，thisthingmakesagreaterdifferencetomethanyoucanthinkof。Icouldn'tsleeplastnight——Igiveyoumyword——thethingupsetmeso。
Itakeityou——youhaveneverhadmuchmoneybefore；
thatis，youknowfromexperiencewhatpovertyis？"
Thorpenoddedwitheloquentgravity。
"Well——butyou"——theotherbegan，andthenpaused。
"WhatImeanis，"heresumed，"youwerenever，atanyrate，responsibletoanybodybutyourself。Ifyouhadonlyasovereignaday，orasovereignaweek，forthatmatter，youcouldaccommodateyourselftotherequirementsofthesituation。Idon'tmeanthatyouwouldenjoyitanymorethanIshould——butatleastitwasopentoyoutodoit，withoutattractingmuchattention。
Butwithmeplacedinmyridiculousposition——povertyhasbeenthemostunbearabletortureonecanimagine。
Yousee，thereisnowayinwhichIcanearnapenny。
IhadtoleavetheArmywhenIwastwenty-three——theotherfellowsallhadplentyofmoneytospend，anditwasimpossibleformetodragalongwithatitleandanemptypocket。IdaresaythatIoughttohavestucktoit，becauseitisn'tnearlysobadnow，buttwelveyearsagoitwastoocruelforanyyoungsterwhohadanyprideabouthim——and，ofcourse，myfatherhavingmaderatheranameintheArmy，thatmadeitsomuchharderforme。
Andafterthat，whatwasthere？Ofcourse，thebarandmedicineandengineeringandthosethingswereoutofthequestion，inthosedaysatleast。TheChurch？——thatwasmoresostill。
Ihadatryatpolitics——butyouneedmoneythereasmuchasanywhereelse——moneyorbigfamilyconnections。
Ivotedinpracticallyeverydivisionforfouryears，andImadetherottenestspeechesyoueverheardofatPrimroseLeaguemeetingsinsmallplaces，andafterallthatthebestthingthewhipscouldoffermewasabilletinIndiaatfourhundredayear，andeventhatyoutookindepreciatedrupees。WhenItriedtotalkaboutsomethingathome，theypracticallylaughedinmyface。
Ihadnoleverageuponthemwhatever。Theydidn'tcareintheleastwhetherIcameupandvotedorstoppedathome。
Theirmajoritywastentoonejustthesame——yes，twentytoone。Sothatdoorwasshutinmyface。I'veneverbeeninsidetheHousesince——exceptoncetoshowittoanAmericanladylastsummer——butwhenIdogoagainIratherfancy"——hestoppedforaninstant，andnoddedhishandsomeheadsignificantly——"IratherfancyIshallturnupontheotherside。"
"I'maLiberalmyself，inEnglishpolitics，"interposedThorpe。
Plowdenseemednottoperceivetheconnection。TheyhadleftLondonBridgebehind，andheputhisfeetuponthecushions，andleantbackcomfortably。"OfcoursetherewastheCity，"
hewenton，speakingdiagonallyacrosstohiscompanion，betweenleisurelyintervalsofabsorptioninhiscigar。
"Therehavebeensomedirectors'fees，nodoubt，andonceortwiceI'vecomeveryneartowhatpromisedtobeabigthing——butIneverquitepulleditoff。
Really，withoutcapitalwhatcanonedo？——I'mcurioustoknow——didyoubringmuchreadymoneywithyoutoEngland？"
"Betweensixandseventhousandpounds。"
"Andifit'safairquestion——howmuchofithaveyougotleft？"
Thorpehadsomemomentarydoubtsastowhetherthiswasafairquestion，buthesmotheredthemunderthesmilewithwhichhefeltimpelledtoanswerthetwinkleinPlowden'seyes。"Oh，lessthanahundred，"hesaid，andlaughedaloud。
Plowdenalsolaughed。"ByGeorge，that'sfine！"
hecried。"It'ssplendid。There'sdramainit。
Ifeltitwaslikethat，youknow。Somethingtoldmeitwasyourlastcartridgethatrangthebell。ItwasthatthatmademecometoyouasIdid——andtellyouthatyouwereagreatman，andthatIwantedtoenlistunderyou。
Ah，thatkindofcourageissorare！Whenamanhasit，hecanstandtheworldonitshead。""ButIwasplumbscared，allthewhile，myself，"Thorpeprotested，genially。
"Courage？Icouldfeelitrunningoutofmyboots。"
"Ah，yes，butthat'sthegreatthing，"insistedtheother。
"Youdidn'tlookasifyouwerefrightened。Fromallonecouldsee，yournervewassublime。Andnothingelsematters——itwassublime。"
"Curious——thatthinghappenedtomeoncebefore，"
commentedThorpe，withruminatingslowness。"Itwasoutontheplains，yearsago，andIwasinprettyhardluck，andwasmakingmywayalonefromTucsonnorth，andsomecowboysheldmeup，andweregoingtomakekindlingwoodofme，theybeingundertheimpressionthatIwasahorse-thieftheywerelookingafter。
Therewasfiveorsixminutestherewhenmylifewasn'tworthalastyear'sbird's-nest——andItellyou，sir，Iwasthescaredestmanthateverdrewthebreathoflife。
Andthensomethinghappenedtobesaidthatputthematterright——theysawIwasthewrongman——andthen——whythentheycouldn'tbepoliteenoughtome。
Theyhalfemptiedtheirflasksdownmythroat，andtheyrodewithmeallthewaytothenexttown，andtheretheywantedtobuyeverythingliquidintheplaceforme。
ButwhatIwasspeakingof——doyouknow，thosefellowsgotatremendousnotionofmynerve。Itwasn'tsomuchthattheytoldmeso，buttheytoldothersaboutit。
TheyreallythoughtIwasgametothecore——wheninreality，asItellyou，Iwasinthedeadliestfunkyoueverheardof"
"That'sjustit，"saidPlowden，"thepartofyouwhichwasengagedinmakingmentalnotesoftheoccasionthoughtyouwerefrightened；wewillsaythatitwasitselffrightened。
Buttheotherpartofyou，thepartthatwastransactingbusiness，sotospeak——thatwasn'tintheleastalarmed。
Ifancyallborncommandersarebuiltlikethat。
DidyoueverseeGeneralGrant？"
Thorpeshookhishead。
"Whatremindedmeofhim——thereisanaccountinhisMemoirsofhowhefeltwhenhefirstwasgivenacommand，atthebeginningoftheCivilWar。Hewaslookingaboutfortheenemy，whowasknowntobeinthevicinity，andthenearerhegottowherethisenemyprobablywas，themorehegottimidandunnerved，hesays，untilitseemedasifcowardiceweregettingcompletemasteryofhim。
Andthensuddenlyitoccurredtohimthatverylikelytheenemywasjustasafraidofhimashewasoftheenemy，andthatmomenthisbraveryallreturnedtohim。
Hewentinandgavetheothermanaterriblethrashing。
Itdoesn'tapplytoyourcase，particularly——butIfancythatallreallybravemenhavethoseinnerconvictionsofweakness，evenwhiletheyarebehavinglikelions。
Thosemusthavebeenextraordinarilyinterestingexperiencesofyours——ontheplains。IwishIcouldhaveseensomethingofthatpartofAmericawhenI
wastherelastyear。Unfortunately，itdidn'tcomemyway。"
"IthoughtIrememberedyoursayingyou'dbeenWest。"
Plowdensmiled。"I'mafraidIdidthinkitwasWestatthetime。ButsincemyreturnI'vebeenwarnedthatImustn'tcallChicagoWest。ThatwasasfarasIwent。Ihadsomebusinessthere，orthoughtIhad。
Whenmyfatherdied，thatwasin1884，wefoundamonghispapersalotofbondsofsomecorporationpurportingtobecharteredbytheStateofIllinois。
Oursolicitorswroteseveralletters，buttheycouldfindoutnothingaboutthem，andtherethematterrested。
Finally，lastyear，whenIdecidedtomakethetrip，Irecollectedtheseoldbonds，andtookthemwithme。
Ithoughttheymightatleastpaymyexpenses。Butitwasn'ttheleastgood。Nobodyknewanythingaboutthem。
ItseemstheyrelatedtosomethingthatwasburnedupintheGreatFire——eitherthat，orhaddisappearedbeforethattime。
ThatfireseemstohaveoperatedliketheDeluge——itcancelledeverythingthathadhappenedpreviously。
Myunhappyfatherhadageniusforthatkindofinvestment。
Ishallhavegreatpleasureinshowingyoutomorrow，averypicturesqueandcomprehensivecollectionofConfederateBonds。Theirfacevalueis，asIrememberit，eightythousanddollars——thatis，sixteenthousandpounds。
Iwouldentertainwithjoyanofferofsixteenshillingsforthelot。Mydearfatherboughtthem——Ishouldnotbesurprisedtolearnthatheboughtthematapremium。
Iftheyevertouchedapremiumforaday，thatiscertainlythedaythathewouldhavehitupontobuy。
Oh，itwastoorare！Tooinspired！Heleftnearlyahundredthousandpounds'worthofpaper——thatis，onitsface——uponwhichthesolicitorsrealized，Ithinkitwasthirteenhundredpounds。It'shardtoimaginehowhegotthem——buttherewereactuallybondsamongthemissuedbyKossuth'sHungarianRepublicin1848。
Well——nowyoucanseethekindofinheritanceIcameinto，andIhaveabrotherandsistermoreorlesstolookafter，too。"
Thorpehadbeenlisteningtothesedetailswithanalmostexaggeratedexpressionofsympathyuponhisface。
Thevoiceinwhichhespokenowbetrayed，however，acertainnoteofincredulity。
"Yes，Iseethatwellenough，"heremarked。"ButwhatI
don'tperhapsquiteunderstand——well，thisisit。
Youhavethisplaceofyoursinthecountry，andpreservegameandsoon——butofcourseIseewhatyoumean。
It'swhatyou'vebeensaying。Whatanothermanwouldthinkacomfortableliving，ispovertytoamaninyourposition。"
"Oh，theplace，"saidPlowden。"Itisn'tmineatall。
Icouldneverhavekeptitup。Itbelongstomymother。
Itwasherfather'splace；ithasbeenintheirfamilyforhundredsofyears。Herfather，Idaresayyouknow，wasthelastEarlofHever。Thetitlediedwithhim。
Heleftthreedaughters，whoinheritedhisestates，andmymother，beingtheeldest，gottheKentishproperties。
OfcourseHadlowHousewillcometomeeventually，butitishersduringherlifetime。Imayspeakofitasmyplace，butthatismerelyafacondeparler；itisn'tnecessarytoexplaintoeverybodythatit'smymother's。
It'smyhome，andthat'senough。It'sadearoldplace。
Ican'ttellyouhowgladIamthatyou'regoingtoseeit。"
"I'mveryglad，too，"saidtheother，withunaffectedsincerity。
"AlltheambitionsIhaveintheworld，"thenoblemanwenton，sittinguprightnow，andspeakingwithaconfidentialseriousness，"centreroundHadlow。
ThatisthepartofmethatI'mkeenabout。ThePlowdensarethingsofyesterday。Mygrandfather，theChancellor，beganinaverysmallway，andwasneveranythingmorethanacleverlawyer，withaloudvoiceandahardheart，andatalentformoney-makingandpolitics。Hegotapeerageandheleftafortune。Myfather，forallhewasasoldier，hadamildvoiceandasoftheart。
Hegaveacertainmilitarydistinctiontothepeerage，butheplayedhell-and-tommywiththefortune。AndthenIcome：Ican'tbeeitheraChancellororaGeneral，andIhaven'tapennytoblessmyselfwith。Youcan'tthinkofamoreidioticboxforamantobein。Butnow——thankstoyou——therecomesthisprospectofanimmensechange。
IfIhavemoneyatmyback——atonceeverythingisdifferentwithme。PeoplewillrememberthenpromptlyenoughthatI
amaHadlow，aswellasaPlowden。Iwillmakethepartywhipsrememberit，too。Itwon'tbeaSecretary'sbilletinIndiaatfourhundredayearthatthey'llofferme，butaGovernorshipatsixthousand——thatis，ifIwishtoleaveEnglandatall。Andwe'llseewhichsetofwhipsaretohavethehonourofofferingmeanything。
Butallthatisintheair。It'senough，forthemoment，torealizethatthingshavereallycomemyway。Andaboutthat——aboutthesuccessoftheaffair——Isupposetherecanbenoquestionwhatever？"
"Nottheslightest，"Thorpeassuredhim。"RubberConsolscangouptoanyfigurewechoosetoname。"
LordPlowdenprofferedthecigarcaseagain，andoncemorehelpedhimselfafterhehadgivenhiscompanionalight。
Thenhethrewhimselfbackagainstthecushions，withalongsighofcontent。"I'mnotgoingtosayanotherwordaboutmyself，"heannounced，pleasantly。
"I'vehadmorethanmylegitimateinnings。Youmustn'tthinkthatIforgetforamomentthereverseofthemedal。
You'redoingwonderfulthingsforme。IonlywishitwereclearertomewhatthewonderfulthingsarethatI
candoforyou。"
"Oh，that'llbeallright，"saidtheother，rathervaguely。
"Perhapsit'salittleearlyforyoutohavemappedoutinyourmindjustwhatyouwanttodo，"Plowdenreflectedaloud。
"Ofcourseithascomesuddenlyuponyou——justasithasuponme。Therearethingsinplentythatwe'vedreamedofdoing，whilethepowertodothemwasalongwayoff。
Itdoesn'tatallfollowthatthesearethethingsweshallproceedtodo，whenthepowerisactuallyinourhands。
Buthaveyouanyplansatall？DoyoufancygoingintoParliament，forexample？"
"Yes，"answeredThorpe，meditatively。"IthinkIshouldliketogointoParliament。Butthatwouldbesomewayahead。IguessI'vegotmyplansworkedoutatriflemorethanyouthink。Theymaynotbeverydefinite，asregardsdetails，buttheirmaindirectionIknowwellenough。I'mgoingtobeanEnglishcountrygentleman。"
LordPlowdenvisiblywincedalittleatthisannouncement。
Heseemedannoyedattheconsciousnessthathehaddoneso，turningabruptlyfirsttostareoutofthewindow，thenshiftinghispositionontheseat，andatlaststealinganuneasyglancetowardhiscompanion。Apparentlyhistonguewasatalossforanappropriatecomment。
Thorpehadlostnoneoftheseunwillingtokensofembarrassment。
Plowdensawthatatonce，butitrelievedevenmorethanitsurprisedhimtoseealsothatThorpeappearednottomind。Theolderman，indeed，smiledingood-naturedifsomewhatironicalcomprehensionofthedumb-show。
"Oh，that'llbeallright，too，"hesaid，withtheevidentintentionofreassurance。"Icandoitrightenough，sofarasthebigthingsareconcerned。It'llbeinthelittlethingsthatI'llwantsomesteering。"
"I'vealreadytoldyou——youmaycommandmetotheutmostofmypower，"theotherdeclared。Uponreflection，hewasdisposedtobeashamedofhimself。Hisnervesandfacialmuscleshadbeenguiltyofanunpardonablelapseintosnobbishness——andtowardaman，too，whohadbeencapableofbehaviourmoredistinguishedinitscourtesyandgenerositythananyhehadencounteredinallthe"uppercircles"puttogether。Herecalledallatonce，moreover，thatThorpe's"h's"wereperfect——aud，forsomeoccultreason，thiscompletedhisconfusion。
"Mydearfellow"——hebeganagain，confrontingwithverbalawkwardnesstheother'squizzicalsmile——"don'tthinkI
doubtanythingaboutyou。Iknowwellenoughthatyoucandoanything——beanything——youlike。"
Thorpelaughedsoftly。
"Idon'tthinkyouknow，though，thatI'mapublic-
schoolman，"hesaid。
Plowdenliftedhisbrowsinunfeignedsurprise。
"No——Ididn'tknowthat，"headmitted，frankly。
"Yes，I'maPaul'sPigeon，"Thorpewenton，"astheycalledtheminmyday。That'sgoneoutnow，I'mtold，sincethey'vemovedtothebigbuildingsinHammersmith。
Ididverywellatschool，too；cameoutinthefirstfourteen。
Butmyfatherwouldn'tcarrythethinganyfurther。
HeinsistedonmygoingintotheshopwhenIleftSt。Paul'sandlearningthebook-business。Hehadpreciselythesamekindofdynasticidea，youknow，thatyoufellowshave。
Hisfatherandhisgrand-fatherhadbeenbooksellers，andhewasgoingtohandonthetraditiontome，andmysonafterme。Thatwashisidea。AndhethoughtthatPaul'swouldhelpthis——butthatOxfordwouldkillit。
"Ofcourse，hewasrightthere——buthewaswronginsupposingtherewasabooksellerinme。Ilikedthebookswellenough，mindyou——butdamnthepeoplethatcametobuythem，Icouldn'tstandit。Youstoodtwohourswatchingtoseethatmendidn'tputvolumesintheirpockets，andattheendofthattimeyou'dmadeaprofitofninepence。
Whileyouweredoinguptheparcel，somefellowwalkedoffwithabookwortheighteen-pence。Itwastooslowforme。
Ididn'thititoffwiththeoldman，either。Wedidn'tpreciselyquarrel，butIwentoffonmyownhook。
IhungaboutLondonforsomeyears，tryingthisthingandthat。OnceIstartedabook-shopofmyown——butI
didnogoodhere。FinallyIturneditupaltogether，andwenttoAustralia。Thatwasin1882。I'vebeeninalmosteveryquarteroftheglobesince；I'veknownwhatitwastobeshipwreckedinamonsoon，andI'velaindowninadesertnotexpectingtogetupagain，withmybelttightenedtoitslastholeforhunger——butIcan'trememberthatIeverwishedmyselfbackinmyfather'sbook-shop。"
Plowden'sfineeyessparkledhisappreciationoftheother'smood。Hewassilentforamoment，thenliftedhisheadasifsomethinghadoccurredtohim。
"Youwerespeakingoftheplanthatyoushouldsucceedtoyourfather'sbusiness——andyoursonafteryou——you'renotmarried，areyou？"
Thorpeslowlyshookhishead。
"Ourstationisthenext，"saidtheyoungerman。
"It'sadriveofsomethingundertwomiles。You'dbetterlightanothercigar。"Headded，asifuponacasualafterthought："Wecanbothofusthinkofmarryingnow。"
CHAPTERV
FORthenexttwohours，Thorpe'sthoughtswerealmostwhollyoccupiedwithvariousphasesofthelargesubjectofdomesticservice。Heseemedsuddenlytohavebeentransportedtosomeregionpopulatedexclusivelybyclean-shavenmeninbrownlivery。Oneofthesewasholdingaspiritedhorseoutsidethestation，andwhenLordPlowdenhadtakenthereins，andThorpehadgatheredtherugsabouthiskneesandfeet，thismenialsilentlyassociatedhimselfwiththeyoungmanwhohadaccompaniedthemfromtown，onthebackseatofthetrap。Withthesepeoplesoclosebehindhim，Thorpefeltthatanyintimateconversationwasoutofthequestion。Indeed，talkofanysortwasnotinvited；thebighorseburstforthwithhigh，sprawlingstridesuponacareerthroughthetwilight，oncethemainroadwasreached，whichittaxedallPlowden'senergiestoregulate。Hekeptupacontinualmurmuringmonologuetotheanimal——"So——so——quiet，mypet，——so——
so——easy，mybeauty——so——so"——andhiswristsandglovedhandswerevisiblyunderatremendoustensionofstrain，astheyheldtheirownagainsttherigidarchedneckandmouthofsteel。Thorpekeptagriponthesideofthetrap，andhadonlyamodifiedpleasureinthedrive。
Theroadalongwhichtheyspedseemed，inthegatheringdusk，uncomfortablynarrow，andhespeculatedagooddealastohowfrightenedthetwomutesbehindhimmustbe。
Butsilencewassuchalawoftheirlifethat，thoughhestrainedhisears，hecouldnotsomuchashearthemsighorgasp。
Itseemedbutaveryfewminutesbeforetheyturnedoff，withbutthemostfleetingdiminutionofpace，uponaprivateroad，whichspeedilydevelopedintoanavenueoftrees，quitedarkandapparentlynarrowerthanever。
Downthistheyracedprecipitately，andthen，comingoutallatonceuponanopenspace，swungsmartlyroundthecrescentofagravelroad，andhaltedbeforewhatseemedtobethedoorofagreenhouse。Thorpe，ashestoodupinthetrap，gotanuncertain，generalideaofalow，pale-colouredmansioninthebackground，withlightsshowingbehindcurtainsinseveralwidelyseparatedwindows；
whathehadtakentobeaconservatoryrevealeditselfnowtobeaglassgallery，builtalongthefrontofthecentralportionofthishouse。
Aprofusionofhospitablelights——tallwax-candlesinbracketsamongthevinesagainstthetrellisedwall——
gavetothisoutlyingentrancewhatthestrangerfelttobeadelightfuleffect。Itssmoothtiledfloor，comfortablybestrewnwithrugs，wasonalevelwiththepathoutside。Therewereloweasy-chairshere，andalittlewickertablebearingbooksandalady'swork-basket。
Furtheron，giantchrysanthemumbloomsweremassedbeneaththeclustersofpaleplumbago-flowersonthetrellis。
Directlyinfront，acrossthedozenfeetofthisglazedvestibule，thebroaddoorwayofthehouseproperstoodopen——withwarmlightsglowingrichlyupondarkwoodsintheluxuriousobscuritywithin。
WhatThorpenotedmostofall，however，wastheservantswhoseemedtoswarmeverywhere。Thetwowhohadalightedfromthetraphadcontrivedsomehowmysteriouslytomultiplythemselvesinthedarkness。Allatoncetherewereanumberofyoungmen——atthehorse'shead，atthebackandsidesofthetrap，atthefirstdoorway，andthesecond，andbeyond——eachpresentingsuchasmooth-faced，pallid，brown-cladreplicaofalltheothersthatThorpeknewheshouldneverbeabletotellthemapart。
LordPlowdenpausedforamomentunderthecandle-lighttolookathiswatch。"Wediditinabitovereightminutes，"
heremarked，withobvioussatisfaction。"Withfourpeopleandheavyroadsthat'snotsobad——notsobad。
Butcomeinside。"
TheymovedforwardthroughthewidedoorwayintoanapartmentthelikeofwhichThorpehadnotseenbefore。
Itwasalarge，squareroom，withabigstaircaseattheend，whichseparatedandwentofftorightandleft，half-wayupitsvisiblecourse。Itsfloorwasofinlaidwoods，oldandunevenfromlonguse，andcarpetedhereandtherebytheskinsoftigersandleopards。
Thereweremanyothersuggestionsofthechaseabouttheroom：ridingboots，whips，spurs，andsomestandsofarchaicweaponscaughttheeyeatvariouspoints；
theheadsoffoxesanddeerpeepedoutontheblackenedpanelsofthewalls，fromamongclustersofhookscrowdedwithcoats，hats，andmackintoshes。Attheright，whereafireglowedandblazedunderahugeopenchimney-place，therewerelowchairsanddivansdrawnuptomarkoffaspacefororderlydomesticoccupation。
Theirregularityofeverythingoutside——thegreattableinthecentreofthehallstrewnwithanincongruouslitterofcaps，books，flasks，newspapers，gloves，tobacco-pouches；
theshoes，slippers，andleggingsscatteredunderthebenchesatthesides——allthisself-renewingdisorderofacarelesshouseholdstruckThorpewithaprofoundsurprise。
ItwaslikenothingsomuchasaMexicanranch——andtofinditintheancestralhomeofanEnglishnobleman，filledtooverflowingwithservants，amazedhim。
Theglancesthathecastabouthim，however，wereimpassiveenough。Hismindwaschargedwiththeceaselessresponsibilityofbeingastonishedatnothing。
Amantookhishat，andhelpedhimoffwithhiscoat。
Anothermovedtowardthestaircasewithhistwobags。
"IfyouwillfollowPangbourn，"saidhishost，indicatingthisseconddomestic，"hewilllookafteryou。
Youwouldliketogoupandchangenow，wouldn'tyou？
There'safireinyourroom。"
Thusdismissed，hewentupthestairsinthewakeofhisportmanteaus，takingtheturningtotheleft，andthenproceedingbyalong，lowpassage，roundmorethanonecorner，towhatheconceivedtobeawingofthehouse。
Theservantusheredhimintoaroom——and，indespiteofhimself，hesighedwithpleasureatthesightofit。
Theprettiestandmostcharmingofroomsitseemedtohimtobe——spaciousandquaintlyramblinginshape，withadelicately-figuredchintzrepeatingthedaintyeffectsofthewallsuponthecurtainsandcarpetandbed-hangingsandchair-covers，andwithabrightfireinthegratethrowingitswarm，cozyglowovereverything。
Helookedatthepicturesonthewalls，atthephotographsandlittleornamentsonthewritingdesk，andthehighpostsandsilkencoverletofthebigbed，and，secureintheavertedfaceoftheservant，smiledrichlytohimself。
Thisservant，kneeling，hadunstrappedandopenedthenewbags。Thorpelookedtoseehimquittheroom，thistaskaccomplished，andwasconsciousofsomethinglikedismayatthediscoverythatheintendedtounpackthemaswell。Pangbournbegangravelytounwraponepaperparcelafteranotherandtoassorttheircontentsinlittleheapsonthesofabesidehim。Hediditdeftly，imperturbably，asifallthegentlemenhehadeverseencarriedtheirbelongingsinpackagesdoneupbytradesmen。
Thorpe'simpulsetobidhimdesistframeditselfinwordsonthetipofhistongue——buthedidnotutterthesewords。
Aftercirclingidly，handsinpockets，aboutthemanandthebagsforalittletime，heinventedsomethingwhichitseemedbetterforhimtosay。
"Idon'tknowwhatyou'llbeabletomakeofthosethings，"
heremarked，casually。"Mymanhasbeenbuyingthemtoday——andIdon'tknowwhathemayn'thaveforgotten。
Mywholeoutfitofthatsortofthingwentastrayorwasstolenatsomestationorother——thefirstpartoftheweek——IthinkitmusthavebeenLeeds。"
"Yes，sir，"saidPangbourn，withoutemotion。
"They'reverycareless，sir。"
Hewentonimpassively，shakingouttheblackgarmentsandspreadingthemonthebed，layingoutashirtandtiebesidethem，andarrangingtherazors，strop，andbrushesonthedressing-table。Heseemedtoforeseeeverything——fortherewasnotaninstant'shesitationintheclock-likeassiduityofhismovements，ashebestowedhandkerchiefs，inonedrawer，socksinanother，hungpyjamasbeforethefire，andsetthepatent-leatherpumpsagainstthefender。
EventheoldMexicanshooting-suitseemedinnowaytodisconcerthim。Hedrewforthitsconstituentelementsaswithapractisedhand；whenhehadhungthemup，sombreroandall，inthewardrobeagainstthewall，theyhadthetrickofmakingthatvenerableoakenreceptaclelookasifithadbeenfashionedexpresslyforthem。
Thorpe'searlieruneasinessquitelostitselfinhisadmirationforPangbourn'sresourcefuldexterity。
Thedelightedthoughtthatnowhewouldbeneedingamanlikethisforhimselfcrossedhismind。ConceivablyhemightevengetthisidenticalPangbourn——treasurethoughhewere。
Moneycouldcommandeverythingonthisbroadglobe——andwhynotPangbourn？Hetentativelyfeltofthecoinsinhispocket，asitbecameapparentthattheman'staskwasnearingcompletion——andthenfrownedathimselfforforgettingthatthesethingswerealwaysreservedfortheendofavisit。
"Willyoudressnow，sir？"askedPangbourn。Hissoft，distinctenunciationconveyedthesuggestionofcenturiesoftraining。
"Eh？"saidThorpe，findinghimselfforthemomentbehindtheother'sthought。
"Shallyourequiremeanyfurther，sir？"themanreframedthequestion，deferentially。
"Oh！Oh——no，"repliedThorpe。"No——I'llgetalongallright。"
Lefttohimself，hebeganhurriedlythetaskofshavinganddressing。Thecandlesoneithersideofthethick，bevelledswingingmirrorpresentedasomewhatembarrassingcontrasttotheelectriclighthewasusedto——butuponsecondthoughthepreferredthisrestrainedaristocraticglimmer。
Hehadcompletedhistoilet，andwasstandingatthebay-window，withhisshoulderholdingbacktheedgeofthecurtain，lookingoutuponthedarkenedlawnandwonderingwhetherheoughttogodownstairsorwaitforsomeonetosummonhim，whenheheardaknockathisdoor。
Beforehecouldanswer，thedooropened，andhemadeoutinthecandle-andfirelightthatitwasLordPlowdenwhohadcomein。Hesteppedforwardtomeethishostwho，cladnowinevening-clothes，wassmokingacigarette。
"Havetheylookedafteryouallright？"saidPlowden，nonchalantly。"Haveacigarettebeforewegodown？Lightitbythecandle。Theyneverwillkeepmatchesinabedroom。"
Heseatedhimselfinaneasy-chairbeforethefire，ashespoke，andstretchedouthisshiningslipperstowardthegrate。"IthoughtI'dtellyoubeforewewentdown"——hewenton，asThorpe，withanelbowonthemantel，lookeddownathishandsomehead——"mysisterhasacoupleofladiesvisitingher。OneofthemIthinkyouknow。
DoyourememberonshipboardaMissMadden——anAmerican，youknow——verytallandfine，withbrightredhair——ratherremarkablehairitwas？"
"Irememberthelady，"saidThorpe，uponreflection，"butwedidn'tmeet。"Hecouldnotwhollydivesthistoneofthehintthatinthosedaysitbynomeansfollowedthatbecausehesawladiesitwasopentohimtoknowthem。
LordPlowdensmiledalittle。"Oh，you'lllikeher。
She'sgreatfun——ifshe'sinthemood。Mymotherandsister——I
hadthemcallonherinLondonlastspring——andtheytookagreatfancytoher。She'sgotnoendofmoney，youknow——atleastamillionandahalf——dollars，unfortunately。
HerparentswereIrish——herfathermadehispileinthewaggonbusiness，Ibelieve——butshe'sasAmericanasifthey'dcrossedoverin——whatwasit，the'Sunflower'？——no，the'Mayflower。'Marvelouscountryforassimilation，thatAmericais！YourememberwhatItoldyou——it'sputsuchamarkonyouthatIshouldneverhavedreamtyouwereEnglish。"
Thorpeobservedhiscompanion，throughabluehazeofsmoke，insilence。Thisinsistenceupontheun-Englishnatureoftheeffectheproducedwasnotaltogethergratefultohisears。
"Theotherone，"continuedPlowden，"isLadyCressage。
You'llbeinterestedinher——becauseafewyearsagoshewassupposedtobethemostbeautifulwomaninLondon。
Shemarriedashockingbounder——hewouldhavebeenDukeofGlastonbury，though，ifhehadlived——buthewasdrowned，andshewasleftpoorasachurchmouse。
Oh！bytheway！"hestartedup，withagleamofarousedinterestonhisface——"itdidn'tintheleastoccurtome。Why，she'sadaughterofourGeneralKervick。
HowdidhegetontheBoard，bytheway？Wheredidyoupickhimup？"
Thorpebenthisbrowsinpuzzledlines。"Why，youintroducedmetohimyourself，didn'tyou？"heasked，slowly。
Plowdenseemedunaffectedlysurprisedatthesuggestion，asheturneditoverinhismind。"ByGeorge！Ithinkyou'reright，"hesaid。"I'dquiteforgottenit。
OfcourseIdid。Letmesee——ohyes，Ireconstructitreadilyenoughnow。Pooroldchappie——heneedsallhecanget。Hewasbotheringheraboutmoney——thatwasit，Iremembernow——butwhatanidiotIwastoforgetit。
ButwhatIwassaying——there'snooneelsebutmymotherandsister，andmybrotherBalder。He'sayoungster——twentyorthereabouts——andhepurportstobereadingforhisexamsfortheArmy。Iftheyopenedhishead，though，Idoubtifthey'dfindanythingbutcricketandfootball，unlessitmightbeabitofgolf。Well——that'stheparty。
Ithoughtyoumightliketohaveanotionoftheminadvance。
Ifyou'vefinishedyourcigarette"——hethrewhisownintothegrate，androseashespoke——"wemayaswellbemovingalong。Bytheway，"heconcluded，astheywalkedtowardthedoor，"I'veanideathatwewon'tsayanything，justatthemoment，aboutourgreatcoup。Ishouldliketokeepitasalittlesurprise——formymotherandsister，youknow。"
Sometwohourslater，Thorpefoundtheleisureandtherestoredequanimityneedfulforadispassionatesurveyofhissurroundings。Hehadbecometemporarilydetachedfromthegroupoverbythefireplaceinthebigdrawing-roomandwasforthefirsttimethateveningverymuchathisease。Itwasallmuchsimpler，uponexperiment，thanhehadfeared。Hestoodnowinacorneroftheornateapartment，whitherhehadwanderedinexaminingthepicturesonthewalls，andcontemplatedwithserenitythefivepeoplewhomhehadleftbehindhim。Hewasconsciousoftheconvictionthatwhenherejoinedthem，itwouldbeonanewfootingofassuredequality。
Heknewnowtheexactmeasureofeverything。
TheHon。BalderPlowden——atall，heavily-builtyouth，withenormousshouldersandthick，hardhands，andpalestraw-colouredhairandbrowsandeyelashes——hadamiablysaunteredbesidehim，andwaselucidatingforhisbenefitnow，inslow，haltingundertones，someunfathomablemysteryconnectedwiththevaryingattitudeoftwodistinctbreedsofterrierstowardrats。Acrosstheroom，justwithinreachoftheflickeringruddyfirelightfromthehearth，theAmericanguest，MissMadden，wasseatedatthepiano，playingsomelowandratherdolefulmusic。Thorpebenthishead，andassumedanairofattention，butintruthhelistenedtoneithertheHonourableBaldernorthepiano。
Histhoughtswereconcentratedjealouslyuponhisownpositioninthisnovelsetting。Hesaidtohimselfthatitwasallright。OldLadyPlowdenhadseemedtolikehimfromthestart。Thegenial，ifsomewhatabstracted，motherlinessofherwelcomehadbeen，indeed，hissheetanchorthroughouttheevening。Shehadnotoncefailedtonodherheadandsmileandtwinkleherlittlekindeyesthroughtheirspectaclesathim，wheneverbywordorlookhehadaddressedher。Nordidhisoriginalhalf-suspicion，thatthiswashermannertopeopleingeneral，justifyitselfuponobservation。Shewascivil，evenexcessivelycivil，totheothertwoguests，buttheseladiesdidnotgetthesameeagerandintentsmilethathecouldcommand。
HereasoneditoutthatPlowdenmusthavesaidsomethingpleasanttohismotherabouthim——perhapseventothepointofexplainingthathewastobethearchitectoftheirfortunes——buthedidnotliketoascribeallherhospitablewarmthtothat。Itwasdeartohimtobelievethatshelikedhimonhisownmerits——andhedidbelieveit，ashissoftenedglanceresteduponherwhereshesatalmostfacinghiminherpadded，wickerchair——small，white-haired，rosy-cheeked，herintelligentfaceradiatingakindofalertplaciditywhichsomehowmadehimfeelathome。
Hehadnotbeenasmuchathomewiththeothers。
TheHonourableBalder，ofcourse，didn'tcount；nobodypaidattentiontohim，andleastofallabusyRubberKing。
HegavenotmuchmoreheedtotheAmerican——thetallyoungwomanwiththeredhairandthemillionandahalfofdollars。Shewasplainlyavisitorlikehimself，notatallidentifiedwiththeinnerlifeofthehousehold。
Hefancied，moreover，thatsheinnowaydesiredtobethusidentified。Sheseemedtocarryherselfwithadeliberatealoofnessunderlyinghersurfaceamiability。
Thenhehadspokenhisfewwordswithher，onceortwice，hehadgotthiseffectofstonyreserveclosebeneathhersmileandsmoothwords。True，thismightmeanonlythatshefeltherselfoutofherelement，justashedid——buttohim，reallyitdidnotmatterwhatshefelt。
Ayearago——why，yes，evenafortnightago——thegoldenrumourofmillionswouldhaveshoneroundherauburnhairinhiseyeslikeahalo。Butallthatwaschanged。
Calculatedinasolidifiedcurrency，herreportedfortuneshranktoamerethreehundredthousandpounds。Itwasarespectablesumforawomantohave，nodoubt，butitdidnothingtoquickenthecoolindifferencewithwhichheconsideredher。
Thetwootheryoungwomenweredifferent。Theywereseatedtogetheronasofa，soplacedasregardedhispointofview，thathesawonlyinparttheshadowedprofilesofthefacestheyturnedtowardthepiano。Althoughitwasnotvisibletohim，thepostureoftheirshoulderstoldhimthattheywerelisteningtothemusiceachholdingtheother'shand。
Thistacitembracewastypicalinhismindofthewaytheyhungtogether，thesetwoyoungwomen。Ithadbeenforceduponhisperceptionsalltheevening，thatthisfair-haired，beautiful，ratherstatelyLadyCressage，andthesmall，swarthy，round-shouldereddaughterofthehouse，peeringthroughherpince-nezfromunderundulythickblackbrows，formedapartyoftheirown。
Theirpolitenesstowardhimhadbeenasidenticalinallitslittleshadesofdistanceandreservationasiftheyhadbeengovernedfromasinglebrain-centre。Itwouldbeunfairtothemtoassumefromtheirmannerthattheydislikedhim，orwereevenunfavourablyimpressedbyhim。
Thefinesseofthatmannerwasfartoodelicateathingtocallintousesuchroughcharacterizations。Itwasrathertheiractionasaunitwhichpiquedhisinterest。
HethoughthecouldseethattheyuniteduponacommondemeanourtowardtheAmericangirl，althoughofcoursetheyknewhermuchbetterthantheyknewhim。ItwasnotevencleartohimthattherewerenottracesofthiscombinationintheirtonetowardPlowdenandtheHonourableBalder。
Thebondbetweenthemhadtwistedinitstrandsofsocialexclusiveness，andstrandsofsexsympathy。
Hedidnotanalyzeallthiswithmuchclosenessinhisthoughts，buttheimpressionsofitweredistinctenoughtohim。
Heratherenjoyedtheseimpressionsthanotherwise。
Womenhadnotofteninterestedhimconsecutivelytoanylargedegree，eitherindetailorasawhole。
Hehadformulated，amongotherloosegeneralnotionsofthem，however，theideathattheirfailuretostandbyoneanotherwasoneoftheirgravestweaknesses。
Thispropositionrosesuddenlynowinhismind，andclaimedhisattention。Itbecameapparenttohim，allatonce，thathisopinionsaboutwomenwouldbehenceforthinvestedwithanewimportance。Hehadscarcelybeforeinhislifeworneveningdressinadomesticcirclewhichincludedladies——certainlyneverinthepresenceofsuchcertificatedandhall-markedladiesasthese。
Hisfuture，however，wastobefilledwithexperiencesofthisnature。Already，afterthisbriefestofventuresintothenewlife，hefoundfreshconceptionsofthegreatsubjectspringingupinhisthoughts。Inthismatterofwomenstickingtogether，forexample——herebeforehiseyeswasoneoftheprettiestinstancesofitimaginable。
Ashelookedagainatthetwofiguresonthesofa，somarkedlyunlikeinoutwardaspect，yetknittoeachotherinsuchasisterlybond，hefoundthespectaclereallytouching。
LadyCressagehadinclinedherclassicprofileevenmoretowardthepiano。Thorpewasnotstirredatallbythemusic，butthespiritofitasitwasreflecteduponthisbeautifulfacialoutline——sensitive，high-spirited，somewhatsadwithal——appealedtosomethinginhim。
Hemovedforwardcautiously，noiselessly，adozenrestrictedpaces，andhaltedagainatthecornerofatable。
ItwasareliefthattheHonourableBalder，thoughhefollowedalong，respectednowhisobviouswishforsilence。
ButneitherBaldernoranyoneelsecouldguessthatthemusicsaidlessthannothingtohisears——thatitwasthefacethathadbeckonedhimtoadvance。
Covertly，withmomentaryassurancesthatnooneobservedhim，hestudiedthisfaceandmuseduponit。Thewhitecandle-lightontheshiningwallbeyondthreweverythingintoasoft，uniformshadow，thissideofthethreadofdarktracerywhichoutlinedforeheadandnoseandlipsandchin。
Itseemedtohimthattheeyeswereclosed，asinreverie；
hecouldnotbesure。
SoshewouldhavebeenaDuchessifherhusbandhadlived！Hesaidtohimselfthathehadneverseenbefore，orimagined，afacewhichbelongedsoindubitablybeneathatiaraofstrawberryleavesindiamonds。
Theprideandgraceandcomposure，yes，andmelancholy，ofthegreatlady——theywereallthereintheirsupremeexpression。Andyet——why，shewasnogreatladyatall。
ShewasthedaughterofhisoldGeneralKervick——thenecessitousandhaughtily-humbleoldmilitarygentleman，withthegreymoustacheandtheprematurefurcoat，whodidwhathewastoldontheBoardwithoutaquestion，forapitifulthreehundredayear。Yes——shewashisdaughter，andshealsowaspoor。Plowdenhadsaidso。
WhyhadPlowden，bytheway，beensokeenaboutrelievingherfromherfather'simportunities？Hemusthavehaditverymuchatheart，tohaveinventedtheroundaboutplanofgettingtheoldgentlemanadirectorship。
Butno——therewasnothinginthat。Why，PlowdenhadevenforgottenthatitwashewhosuggestedKervick'sname。
Itwouldhavebeenhissister，ofcourse，whowasevidentlysuchchumswithLadyCressage，whogavehimthehinttohelptheGeneraltosomethingifhecould。
Andwhenyoucametothinkofit，thesearistocratsandmilitarymenandsoon，hadnoothernotionofmakingmoneysavebydirectorships。Clearly，thatwasthewayofit。
PlowdenhadrememberedKervick'sname，whenthechancearosetogivetheoldboyalegup，andthenhadcleanforgottenthecircumstance。TheepisoderatherincreasedhislikingforPlowden。
Heglancedbriefly，undertheimpulseofhisthought，towherethepeersat，orrathersprawled，inabiglowchairbeforethefire。Hewassonearlyrecumbentinit，indeed，thattherewasnothingtobeseenofhimbutanelbow，andtwoverytrimlegsextendedtothebrassfender。
Thorpe'sgazerevertedautomaticallytothefaceofGeneralKervick'sdaughter。HewonderedifsheknewabouttheCompany，andabouthim，andabouthisabilitytosolidifytoanyextentherfather'sfinancialposition。
Evenmore，uponreflection，hewonderedwhethershewasveryfondofherfather；wouldshebeextremelygratefultoonewhoshouldrenderhimsecurelycomfortableforlife？MissMaddenrosefromthepianobeforeThorpenotedthatthemusichadceased。Therecamefromtheothersasoftbutferventchorusofexclamations，thesincerityandenthusiasmofwhichmadehimalittleashamed。
Hehadevidentlybeendeaftosomethingthatdeeplymovedtherest。EvenBaldermaderemarkswhichseemedtoberegardedasapposite。
"WhatISit？"askedLadyCressage，withobviousfeeling。
"Idon'tknowwhenanythinghastouchedmesomuch。"
"OldDanishsongsthatIpickeduponthequaiinParisforafrancortwo，"repliedMissMadden。
"Iarrangedandharmonizedthem——and，oddlyenough，theresultisratherKeltic，don'tyouthink？"
"WeareallofusKeltsinourwelcometomusic——andmusicians——likethis，"affirmedLordPlowden，whohadscrambledtohisfeet。
Withsuddenresolution，Thorpemovedforwardandjoinedtheconversation。