Thensomeobjectionstotheplanroseupbeforehim：
　　theydealtalmostexclusivelywiththesocialnuisancethethingwouldentail。Therewastobeahouse-party，withthatDukeandDuchessinit，ofwhomhiswifetalkedsomuch，anditwouldbeamiserablekindofboretohaveasuffocatedgardenerforceduponthemasaprincipaltopicofconversation。Ofcourse，too，itwouldmoreorlessthrowthewholehouseholdintoconfusion。Anditseffectuponhiswife！——theprogressofhisthoughtswascheckedabruptlybythissuggestion。Avisionoftheshocksuchacatastrophemightinvolvetoher——oratthebest，ofthegrossunpleasantnessshewouldfindinit——flashedoverhismind，andthenyieldedtoasoftening，radiantconsciousnessofhowmuchthismeanttohim。
　　Itseemedtoeffaceeverythingelseupontheinstant。
　　Aprofoundlytenderdesireforherhappinesswasincompletepossession。Alreadythenotionofdoinganythingtowoundorgrieveherappearedincredibletohim。
　　"Well，Gafferson，"heheardhimselfsaying，inoneofthemorereservedtonesofhispatriarchalmanner。
　　Hehadhaltedclosetotheinattentiveman，andstoodlookingdownuponhim。Hisglancewasatoncetolerantandwatchful。
　　Gaffersonslowlyrosefromhisslouchingposture，surveyedtheotherwhilehisfacultiesinleisurelyfashionworkedouttheproblemofrecognition，audthenraisedhisfingertohiscap-brim。"Good-evening，sir，"
　　hesaid。
　　Thisgestureofdeferencewaseloquentlyconvincing。
　　Thorpe，afteraninstant'salertscrutiny，smileduponhim。
　　"Iwasgladtohearthatyouhadcometous，"hesaidwithbenevolentaffability。"Weshallexpectgreatthingsofamanofyourreputation。"
　　"It'llbeafaircomfort，sir，"theotherreplied，"tobeinaplacewherewhatonedoesisappreciated。
　　WhatuseisittosucceedinhybridizingaHippeastrumprocerawithaPancratiumAmancaes，afteroversixhundredattemptsintenyears，andthenspendthreeyearsa-hand-nursingtheseedlings，andthenyourmasterwon'ttakeenoughinterestinthethingtopayyourfareuptoLondontotheexhibitionwith'em？That'swhat'udbreakanyman'sheart。"
　　"Quitetrue，"Thorpeassented，withpatriciankindliness。
　　"Youneedfearnothingofthatsorthere，Gafferson。Wegiveyouafreehand。Whateveryouwant，youhaveonlytoletusknow。Andyoucan'tdothingstoowelltopleaseus。"
　　"Thankyou，sir，"saidGafferson，andreally，asThorpethoughtaboutit，theinterviewseemedatanend。
　　Themasterturneduponhisheel，withabrief，obliquenodoverhisshoulder，andmadehiswayoutintotheopenair。Here，ashewalked，hedrewasuccessionoflongconsolatorybreaths。Itwasalmostasifhehademergedfromthelethalpresenceofthefumigatoritself。
　　Hetookthelargestcigarfromhiscase，lightedit，andsighedsmoke-ladennewreliefashestrolledbacktowardtheterrace。
　　Butafewminutesbeforehehadbeenstrugglinghelplesslyinthecoilsofanevilnightmare。
　　Theseterrorsseemedinfinitelyfarbehindhimnow。
　　Hegaveanindifferentpartingglancebackwardatthem，asonemightoverhisafter-breakfastcigarattheconfusedalarmsofanearlyawakeninghoursbefore。
　　Therewasnothingworthremembering——onlytheshapelessandfoolishburdenofabaddream。
　　Theassurancerosewithinhimthathewasnottohaveanymoresuchtrouble。Withasingularclearnessofmentalvisionheperceivedthatthepartofhimwhichbroughtbaddreamshadbeensloughedoff，likeaserpent'sskin。
　　TherehadbeentwoThorpes，andoneofthem——theThorpewhohadalwaysbeenwillingtoprofitbyknavery，andatlastinasplendidcoupasamasterthiefhadstolennearlyamillion，andwouldhaveshrunknotatallfromaddingmurdertotherest，toprotectthatplunder——thisviciousThorpehadgoneawayaltogether。Therewasnolongeraplaceforhiminlife；hewouldneverbeseenagainbymortaleye……ThereremainedonlythegoodThorpe，thepleasant，well-intentionedopulentgentleman；
　　theexcellentcitizen；thebeneficentmaster，towhom，evenGaffersonliketheothers，touchedarespectfulforelock。
　　ItpassedintheprocessionofhisreverieasakindoftriumphofvirtuethatthegoodThorperetainedthefortunewhichthebadThorpehadstolen。Itwasinallsensesafortunatefact，becausenowitwouldbeputtoworthyuses。
　　Consideringthathehadbutdimlydriftedaboutheretoforeontheoutskirtsofthealtruisticimpulse，itwassurprisinglyplaintohimnowthatheintendedtobeaphilanthropist。
　　Evenashementionedthewordtohimself，thepossibilitiessuggestedbyitexpandedinhisthoughts。Hisolddormant，formlesslustforpowerstirredagaininhispulses。
　　Whatotherphaseofpowercarriedwithitsuchrewards，suchgratitudes，suchhumblesubservienceonallsidesasfarastheeyecouldreach——asthatexercisedbytheintelligentlymunificentphilanthropist？
　　Intelligence！thatwasthenoteofitall。Manyrichpeopledabbledatthegivingofmoney，buttheydiditsostupidly，insuchaslip-shodfashion，thattheygotnocreditforit。Evenmillionairesmoreorlessinpubliclife，greatnewspaper-owners，greatbrewer-peers，andthelike，menwhoshouldknowhowtodothingswell，gavehugesumsinbulkforpubliccharities，suchasthehousingofthepoor，andyetcontrivedsomehowtoletthekudosthatshouldhavebeentheirsevaporate。Hewouldmakenosuchmistakeasthat。
　　Itwaseasyenoughtoseewhereintheyerred。
　　Theygavesuperciliously，handingdowntheiralmsfromatoploftyaltitudeofTorysuperiority，andtheRadicalsdownbelowsniffedorgrowledevenwhiletheygrudginglytookthesegifts——thatwasallnonsense。Thesearistocraticortuft-huntingphilanthropistsweretheveriestduffers。
　　Theylaidoutmillionsofpoundsinthevainattempttosecurewhatmighteasilybehadformerethousands，iftheywentsensiblytowork。Theirvastbenefactionsyieldedthematthemostbarethanks，ormoreoftennothanksatall，becausetheylackedthewittolayasidecertainlittletrivialbutannoyingpretensions，andwaiveafewemptyprejudices。Theywenton，yearafteryear，tossingtheirfortunesintoasinkofcontemptuousingratitude，wonderingfeeblywhytheywerenotbelovedinreturn。
　　Itwasbecausetheywerefools。Theycouldnot，ortheywouldnot，understandthepeopletheysoughttomanipulate。
　　Whatcouldnotamanofrealbrain，ofrealbreadthandenergyandforceofcharacter，doinLondonwithtwohundredthousandpounds？Why，hecouldmakehimselfmasterofthetown！Hecouldbreakintofragmentsthepoliticalascendencyofthesnob，"semi-detached"villaclasses，inhalftheParliamentarydivisionstheynowcontrolled。
　　HecouldreversethepartisancomplexionoftheMetropolitandelegation，andleadtoWestminsterapartyofhisown，asolidphalanxofdisciplinedmen，standingfortheimplacableDemocracyofreawakenedLondon。
　　Withsuchabacking，hecouldcoerceministriesatwill，andremakethepoliticsofEngland。TheroleofGreatOliverhimselfwasnottoohopelesslybeyondthescopeofsuchavision。
　　Thorpethrewhiscigar-endaside，andthennotedthatitwasalmostdark。Hestrodeuptotheterracetwostepsatatime，andswungalongitslengthwithavigourandexhilarationofmovementhehadnotknown，itseemedtohim，foryears。Hefelttheexcitementofanewincentivebubblinginhisveins。
　　"HerLadyshipisinhersitting-room，sir，"adomesticrepliedtohisenquiryinthehall。Thetitlearrestedhisattentionfromsomefreshpointofview，andheponderedit，ashemadehiswayalongthecorridor，andknockedatadoor。Atthesoundofavoicehepushedopenthedoor，andwentin。
　　LadyCressage，lookingup，noted，witharousedinterest，amarkedchangeinhiscarriage。Hestoodaggressivelyerect，hisbigshoulderssquared，andhisheadheldhigh。
　　Onhismassivefacetherewasthesmile，atoncebuoyantandcontained，ofastrongmansatisfiedwithhimself。
　　Somethingimpelledhertorise，andtoputacertainwistfulnessofenquiryintoheransweringsmile。
　　"Yourheadacheisbetterthen？"sheaskedhim。
　　Helookedpuzzledforamoment，thenlaughedlightly。
　　"Oh——yes，"heanswered。Advancing，hecaughthersuddenly，almostvehemently，inhisarms，audcoveredthefacethatwasperforceupturnedwithkisses。Whenshewasreleasedfromthisoverwhelmingembrace，andstoodpantingandflushed，regardinghimwithnarrowed，intenteyes，inwhichmystificationwasmellowedbythegleamofnot-displeasedcuriosity，hepreferredarequestwhichcompletedherbewilderment。
　　"Mrs。Thorpe，"hebegan，withsignificantdeliberation，butsmilingwithhiseyestoshowthetendernessunderlyinghiswords——"wouldyoumindifwedidn'tdressfordinnerthisevening，andifwedinedinthelittlebreakfast-room——orhere，forthatmatter——insteadofthebigplace？"
　　"Why，notatall，ifyouwishit，"sheansweredreadilyenough，butviewinghimstillwithapuzzledglance。
　　"I'mfullofnewideas，"heexplained，impulsivelyimpatientofthenecessitytoarrangeasequenceamonghisthoughts。
　　"Iseegreatthingsahead。It'sallcometomeinaminute，butIcouldn'tseeitclearerifI'dthoughtitoutforayear。PerhapsIwasthinkingofitallthetimeanddidn'tknowit。Butanyhow，Iseemywaystraightahead。
　　Youdon'tknowwhatitmeanstometohavesomethingtodo。
　　Itmakesanothermanofme，justtothinkaboutit。
　　Anotherman？——yes，twentymen！It'sathingthatcanbedone，andbyGod！I'mgoingtodoit！"
　　Shebeheldinhisface，asshescrutinizedit，astormyglowoftheman'snative，coarse，imperiousvirility，reassertingitselfthroughthemaskoftorporwhichthisvacuousyearhadsuperimposed。Thelargefeaturesweresomehowgrownlargerstill；theydominatedthecountenanceasroughboldheadlandsdominateashore。
　　Itwasthevisageofaconqueror——ofamangatheringwithinhimself，toexpenduponhisfellows，theappetites，energies，insensibilities，audacitiesofabeastofprey。
　　Herglanceflutteredalittle，andalmostquailed，beforethefrankbarbarismofpowerinthelookhebentuponher。Thenitcametoherthatsomethingmorewastobereadinthislook；therewasinitareservationofmagnanimity，ofprotection，ofentreatinginvitation，forherspecialself。Hemightteardownwithhisclaws，andpulltopiecesanddevourothers；buthismatehewouldshelteranddefendandlovewithallhisstrength。
　　Aninvoluntarytremblingthrillranthroughher——andthenshesmiledupathim。
　　"Whatisityou'regoingtodo？"sheaskedhim，mechanically。
　　Hermindrovedfarafield。
　　"RuleEngland！"hetoldherwithgravity。
　　Forthemomentthereseemedtohernothingpositivelyincongruousinthestatement。Tolookathim，asheloomedbeforeher，upliftedbyhisrefreshedandsoaringself-confidence，itappearednoteasytosaywhatwouldbeimpossibletohim。
　　Shelaughed，afterafleetingpause，withaplainernoteofgood-fellowshipthanhehadeverheardinhervoicebefore。
　　"Delightful，"shesaidgayly。"ButI'mnotsurethatIquiteunderstandthe——thepreciseconnectionofmorning-dressanddinnerinasmallroomwiththeproject。"Henoddedpleasedcomprehensionofthespiritinwhichshetookhim。
　　"Justawhim，"heexplained。"ThethingsI'vegotinminddon'tfitatallwithceremony，andthatbigbarnofaroom，andmenstandingabout。WhatIwantmorethananythingelseisaquietsnuglittleeveningwithyoualone，whereI
　　cantalktoyouand——andwecanbetogetherbyourselves。
　　You'dlikeit，wouldn'tyou？"
　　Shehesitated，andtherewasanovelconfessionofembarrassmentinhermantlingcolouranddown-spreadlashes。
　　Ithadalwaystohiseyesbeen，fromthemomenthefirstbeheldit，themostbeautifulfaceintheworld——exquisitelymatchlessinitsformanddelicacyoflineandsereneyetsensitivegrace。Buthehadnotseeninitbefore，orguessedthattherecouldcometoit，thiscrowningaddedlovelinessoffeminineconfusion。
　　"Youwouldlikeit，wouldn'tyou？"herepeatedinalower，morestrenuoustone。
　　Sheliftedhereyesslowly，andlooked，notintohis，butoverhisshoulder，asinareverie，halfmeditation，halflanguorousdreaming。Sheswayedratherthansteppedtowardhim。
　　"Ithink，"sheanswered，inamusingmurmur，——"IthinkIshalllike——everything。"
　　CHAPTERXXVII
　　THORPEfoundtheDukeofGlastonburyamuchmoreinterestingpersontowatchandtotalkwith，bothduringthedinnerSaturdayeveningandlater，thanhehadanticipated。
　　Hewasyoung，andslightofframe，andnotatallimposinginstature，butheborehimselfwithacertainshycourtlinessofcarriagewhichhadadistinctionofitsown。Hisface，withitslittleblackmoustacheandlargedarkeyes，wasfineuponexamination，butinsomeelusivelyforeignway。
　　Therelingeredaforeignnote，too，inthewayhetalked。
　　HisspeechwasEnglishenoughtotheear，itwastrue，butitwastheconsideredEnglishofabook，anditsphraseshadadeftnesswhichwashardlynative。Helooked，ifnotasadyoungman，thenoneconsciousalwaysofsufficientreasonsforsadness，butonecame，afteratime，toseethatthemoodbeneathwasnotmelancholy。Ithadevenitssprightlyside，whichshoneoutirregularlyinhisglanceandtalk，fromasobermeanofamiableweariness。
　　Thorpeknewhisextraordinarystory——thatofapoortutor，earninghislivinginignoranceofthefactthathehadabirthrightofanysort，whohadbeenmiraculouslytranslatedintotheheir，notonlytoanancienttitlebuttovastcollateralwealth。HehadbeenbornandrearedinFrance，anditwastherethattheheraldsofthisstupendouschangeinhisaffairshadfoundhimout。Therewasagooddealmoretothestory，includingnumerousunsavourylegendsaboutpeoplenowmanyyearsdead，anditwasimpossibletoobservetheyoungDukeandnotseemtoperceivesignsthathewasstillnervouslyconsciousoftheselegends。
　　Thestoryofhiswife——aserene，grey-eyed，rathersilentyoungperson，withapalefaceofsomebeauty，andwithmuchpurityandintellect——wasstrangeenoughtomatch。Shealsohadearnedherownliving，asaprivatesecretaryortype-writinggirl，orsomethingofthesort，andherhusbandhaddeliberatelychosenherafterhehadcomeintohistitle。Onemightstudyherveryclosely，however，andcatchnohintthatthesefactsinanydegreedisconcertedher。
　　Thorpestudiedheragooddeal，inafurtiveway，withacuriositybornofhisknowledgethattheDukehadpreferredher，whenhemighthavemarriedhiswidowedcousin，whowasnowThorpe'sownwife。Howhehadcometoknowthis，hecouldneverhavetold。Hehadbreatheditin，somehow，withthegossip-ladenatmosphereofthatoneLondonseasonofhis。Itwaspatentenough，too，thathiswife——hisEdith——hadnotonlylikedthisducalyoungsterverymuch，butstillentertainedtowardhimaconsiderableaffection。
　　Shehadneverdissembledthisfeeling，anditvisiblyinformedherglanceandmannernow，atherowntable，whensheturnedtospeakwithhim，wherehesatatherrighthand。Thorpehadneverdreamedofthinkingillofhiswife'sfriendship，evenwhenherindifferencetowhathethoughthadbeenmosttakenforgranted。
　　Nowthatthiswasallchanged，andtheamazingnewgloryofaloverhadenvelopedhim，hehadadistinctdelightinwatchingthemyriadcharmingphasesofherkindmanner，half-sisterly，half-motherly，towardthegrave-facedyoungman。Itwasallapartofthedeliciouschangewhichthesepastfewdayshadwroughtinher，thiswarmandsupplesoftnessofmien，ofeyeandsmileandvoice。
　　ButhowtheDuke，ifreallyhehadhadachancetomarryEdith，couldhavetakenthetype-writerinstead，baffledspeculation。
　　Thorpegavemoreattentiontothisproblem，duringdinner，thanhedidtotheconversationofthetable。
　　HisexchangeofsporadicremarkswiththeyoungDuchessbesidehimwasindeedanopenlyperfunctoryaffair，whichlefthimabundantleisuretocontemplateherprofileinsilence，whilesheturnedtolistentothegeneraltalk，ofwhichMissMaddenandtheHon。WinifredPlowdenborethechiefburden。Thetalkoftheseladiesinterestedhimbutindifferently，thoughthefrequentlaughtersuggestedthatitwasamusing。HelookedfromhiswifetotheDuchessandbackagain，inever-recurringsurprisethatthecoronethadbeencarriedpastEdith。
　　AndoncehelookedalongtimeathiswifeandtheDuke，andformulatedthetheorythatshemusthaverefusedhim。
　　Nodoubtthatwaswhyshebadbeensympatheticallyfondofhimeversince，andwasbeingsonicetohimnow。
　　Yes——clearlythatwasit。HefeltuponthisthathealsolikedtheDukeverymuch。
　　ItwasbynomeanssoapparentthattheDukelikedhim。
　　BothheandhisDuchess，indeed，werescrupulouslyandevendeferentiallypolite，buttherewasapainstakingeffectaboutit，which，seemingly，theylackedtheartaltogethertoconceal。ItseemedtoThorpethattheotherguestsunconsciouslytooktheircuefromthisaugustcouple，andallexposedsomewhattheefforttheircivilitytohiminvolved。Atanothertimethesuspicionofthiswouldhavestunghim。Hehadonlytoglanceacrossthetabletowherehiswifesatnow，anditwasallright。
　　Whatotherpeoplethoughtofhim——howotherpeoplelikedordislikedhim——wasofnoearthlyimportance。
　　Wheneverhechosetoexerthimself，hecouldcompelfromthemthebehaviourthathedesired。ItwastheirdullinabilitytoreadcharacterwhichpromptedthemtoregardhimasmerelyarichoutsiderwhohadmarriedEdithCressage。
　　Heviewedwithacomfortabletolerancethisinfirmityoftheirs。Whenthetimecame，ifhewantedtodoso，hecouldawakenthemtotheirdelusionasbyforkedlightningandtheburstofthunder。
　　Thewhimcametohim，andexpandedswiftlyintoadetermination，tocontrivesomeintimatetalkforthwithwiththeDuke。
　　Theyoungmanseemedbothcleverandsensible，andinawayimpressionableaswell。Thorpethoughtthathewouldprobablyhavesomeinterestingthingstosay，butstillmorehethoughtofhimasalikelylistener。
　　Itwouldbetheeasiertodetachhimfromthecompany，sincetheoccasionwasoneofstudiedinformality。
　　TheDukedidnotgoaboutinsociety，intheordinarysenseoftheword，andhewouldnothavecometoHighThorpetomeetalargeparty。Hewashereasakinsmanandfriendofhishostessforaquietweek；andthefewotherguestsfittedreadilyenoughintothepictureofafamilygathering。
　　Thespiritofdomesticityhadindeedsoobviouslydescendeduponthelittlegroupinthedrawing-room，anhourorsoafterdinner，thatThorpefeltitquitethenaturalthingtoputhisarmthroughthatoftheDukeandleadhimofftohispersonalsmoking-room。HeevenpublishedhisintentionbyaudiblybiddingtheHon。BalderPlowdentoremainwiththeladies。
　　Whenthetwohadseatedthemselvesinsoft，loweasy-chairs，andthehosthadnotedwithpleasurethathisguesthadnoeffeminatequalmsinthematteroflargerichcigars，abriefsilenceensued。
　　"Iamveryanxioustogetyourviewsonacertainsubject，"
　　Thorpewasinspiredtobegin，bluntlypushingpreliminariesaside。"Ifamanoffortunewishestodogenuinegoodwithhismoney，hereinEngland，howshouldhebestgoaboutit？"
　　TheDukelookedupathisquestioner，withasuddenflashofsurpriseonhisdark，mobileface。Hehesitatedamoment，andsmiledalittle。"Youaskofmethesumofhumanwisdom，"hesaid。"Itisthehardestofallproblems；
　　noonesolvesit。"
　　Thorpenoddedhisbigheadcomprehendingly。"That'sallthemorereasonwhyitoughttobesolved，"hedeclared，withslowemphasis。
　　Theotherexpressedbylookandtoneanaugmentedconsciousnessoftheunexpected。"Ididnotknow，"
　　heremarkedcautiously，"thatthiswasamatterinwhichyouwerespeciallyconcerned。Itpleasesmeverymuchtohearit。
　　Evenifthesolutiondoesnotcome，itiswelltohaveasmanyaspossibleturningtheproblemoverintheirminds。"
　　"Oh，butI'mgoingtosolveit！"Thorpetoldhim，withroundconfidence。
　　TheDukepulledcontemplativelyathiscigarforalittle。
　　"Donotthinkmeacynic，"hebeganatlast。
　　"Youareamanofaffairs；youhavemadeyourownway；
　　youshouldbeevenmorefreefromillusionsthanIam。
　　Ifyoutellmethatthesegoodthingscanbedone，Iamthelastonetodisputeyou。ButIhaveseennearathandexperimentsofexceptionalimportance，onaverygrandscale，andtheresultdoesnotencourageme。
　　Icometodoubtindeedifmoneyhasanysuchpowerintheseaffairsaswethinkithas——forthatmatter，ifithasanypoweratall。Theshiftingofmoneycanalwaysdisorganizewhatisgoingonatthemoment——
　　changeitaboutandalteritinmanyways——butitseffectisonlytemporary。Assoonasthepressureisreleased，thehumanatomsrearrangethemselvesastheywerebefore，andtheoldconditionsreturn。Ithinktheonlyforcewhichreallymakesanypermanentdifferenceischaracter——andyetabouteventhatIamnotsure。ThebestmanIhaveeverknown——andinmanyrespectstheablest——devoteduntoldenergyandlabour，andmuchmoney，too，totheserviceofafewthousandpeopleinSomerset，onlandofhisown，uponatheorywonderfullyelaboratedandworkedout。
　　PerhapsyouhaveheardofEmanuelTorrandhiscolony，hisSystem？"
　　Thorpeshookhishead。
　　"Hehadworkedtremendouslyforyearsatit。Hefellillandwentaway——andinadayalltheresultsofhislaboursandoutlaywereflatontheground。Thepropertyisminenow，anditisfarmedandmanagedagainintheordinaryway，andreallythepeoplethereseemalreadytohaveforgottenthattheyhadaprophetamongthem。
　　Themarvelouscharacteroftheman——youlookinvainforanysignofanimpressthatitleftuponthem。
　　Inevergothere。Icannotbearthosepeople。IhavesometimesthefeelingthatifitwerefeasibleIshouldliketooppresstheminsomeway——tohurtthem。"
　　"Oh！'thepeople'arehogs，rightenough，"Thorpecommentedgenially，"buttheyARE'thepeople，'andthey'retheonlytoolswe'vegottoworkwithtomaketheworldgoround。"
　　"Butifyouleavetheworldalone，"objectedtheDuke，"itgoesroundofitself。Andifyoudon'tleaveitalone，itgoesroundjustthesame，withoutanyreferencewhatevertoyourexertions。Somefewmenarealwaysclevererornoisierormorerestlessthantheothers，andtheiractivityproducescertaindeviationsandpeculiaritiesintheirgeneration。Therecordofthese——generallyaveryfaultyandfoolishrecord——wecallhistory。
　　Wesayofthesemovementsinthepastthatsomeofthemweregoodandsomewerebad。Oursonsverylikelywilldiffertotallyfromusaboutwhichweregoodandwhichwerebad；
　　quitepossibly，inturn，theirsonsmayagreewithus。
　　Idonotseethatitmatters。Wecannottreatanythingasfinal——exceptthattheworldgoesround。Weappearoutofthedarknessatoneedgeofit；wearecarriedacrossandpitchedoffintothedarknessattheotheredgeofit。
　　Wearecertainaboutnothingelse。"
　　"Exceptthatsomeofushavetopayforourride，andothersdon't，"putinThorpe。ThetoneinwhichhespokemadehismeaningsoclearthathisGracesatup。
　　"Ah，youthinkwedonotpay？"hequeried，hiscountenancebrighteningwiththeanimationofdebate。"Mydearsir，wepaymorethananyoneelse。Ourfaresaregraduated，justasourdeath-dutiesare。Nodoubttherearesomeidleandstupid，thick-skinnedrichfellows，whoescapetheticket-collector。Butforeachofthemthereareathousandidlepoorfellowswhodothesame。You，forexample，areamanoflargewealth。I，formysins，carryuponmybacktheburdenofaprodigiousfortune。Couldwenotgooutnow，andwalkdowntheroadtoyournearestvillage，andfindinthepub。thereadozenday-labourershappierthanweare？Why——itisSaturdaynight。ThenIwillnotsayadozen，butasmanyasthetapwillhold。Itisnotthebeeralonethatmakesthemhappy。Donotthinkthat。
　　Itistheabilitytorestuntroubled，thesensethattillMondaytheyhavenomoreresponsibilitythanatree-toad。
　　DoesthecomingofSundaymakethatdifferencetoyouortome？Whennightcomes，doesitmeantousthatwearetosleepoffintooblivionallwehavedonethatday，andbeginlifeafreshnextmorning？No-o！Wearethetiredpeople；theloadisneverliftedfromourbacks。
　　Ah，dowenotpayindeed！"
　　"Oh-ho！"ejaculatedThorpe。Hehadbeenlisteningwithgrowingastonishmenttotheother'sconfession。
　　Hewasstillsurprisedashespoke，butanoteofsatisfactionmountedintohisvoiceashewenton。"Youareunhappy，too！Youareayoungman，inexcellenthealth；
　　youhavethewifeyouwant；youunderstandgoodtobacco；
　　youhaveason。Thatisagreatdeal——butmyGod！thinkwhatelseyou'vegot。You'retheDukeofGlastonbury——oneoftheoldesttitlesinEngland。You'reoneoftherichestmeninthecountry——therichestintheoldpeerage，atanyrate，I'mtold。AndYOU'REnothappy！"
　　Theothersmiled。"Ah，thetermsandformssurvive，"
　　hesaid，withakindofpedagogicaffability，"afterthesubstancehasdisappeared。Thenobleman，theprince，wasagreatpersoninthetimeswhenhemonopolizedwealth。
　　Itenabledhimtomonopolizealmosteverythingelsethatwaspleasantorsuperb。Hehadtheartsandthebooksandthemusiciansandthesilksandvelvets，andthebath-tubs——everythingthatmadeexistencegorgeous——alltohimself。Hehadwartoamusehimselfwith，andthesevendeadlysins。Thebarriersaredownnow。
　　Everythingwhichusedtobeexclusivelythenobleman'sisnowwithineverybody'sreach，includingthesins。
　　Anditisnotonlythatothershavelevelleduptohim；
　　theyhavelevelledhimdown。Hecannotdressnowmoreexpensivelythanotherpeople。Gamblingusedtoberecognizedasoneofhisnormalrelaxations，butnow，thehigherhisrank，themoresharplyheisscoldedforit。
　　Naturallyhedoesnotknowwhattodowithhimself。
　　Asaninstitution，hedescendsfromaperiodwhentheonlyimaginableuseforwealthwastobemagnificentwithit。
　　Butnowinthisbusinessage，wheretherecognizeduseofwealthistomakemorewealth，heissomuchoutofplacethathehasevenforgottenhowtobemagnificent。
　　Therearesomeillustratedarticlesinoneofthemagazines，givingphotographsofthegreathistoriccountry-housesofEngland。Youshouldseethepicturesoftheinteriors。
　　ThefurnitureanddecorationsarepreciselywhataBrixtondressmakerwouldbuy，ifshesuddenlycameintosomemoney。"
　　"Allthesame，"Thorpestucktohispoint，"youarenothappy。"
　　TheDukefrownedfaintly，asifattheother'spersistency。
　　Thenheshruggedhisshouldersandansweredinalightertone。"Ithardlyamountstothat，Ithink。
　　Iconfessthattherearealleviationstomylot。
　　IntheopinionoftheworldIamoneofitsmostfortunatecitizens——anditisnotformetosaythattheworldisaltogetherwrong。Thechiefpointis——Idon'tknowifyouwillquitefollowme——therearelimitstowhatpositionandfortunecangiveaman。Andsoeasilytheymaydeprivehimofpleasureswhichpoorermenenjoy！Imaybewrong，butitseemsimpossibletomethatanyrichmanwhohasacresofgardensandvineriesandglasscangetupthesameaffectionforitallthatthecottagerwillhaveforhislittleflower-plot，thathetendswithhisownhands。
　　Oneseemsoutsidetherealitiesoflife——amerespectatorattheshow。"
　　"Ah，butwhynotDOthings？"Thorpedemandedofhim。
　　"Whymerelystand，asyousay，andlookon？"
　　Theotherleanthisheadbackagain。"Praywhatdoyourecommend？"heaskedalmostlistlessly。
　　"Why——politics，forexample。"
　　TheDukenodded，withanairofaccordingtothesuggestionacertainrespect。"UnhappilyIamtoomuchofaforeigner，"
　　hecommented。"IknowEnglishmenandtheiraffairstooimperfectly。Sometime——perhaps。"
　　"Andphilanthropicwork——youdon'tcareaboutthat，"
　　pursuedtheother。
　　"Oh——wegonotsofarasthat，"saidhisGrace，withadeprecatorywaveofthehands。"Mywifefindsmanyinterestsinit，onlyshewouldnotliketohaveyoucallitphilanthropical。SheisLondon-born，anditisagreatpleasuretohertobeofassistancetopooreryoungwomeninLondon，whohavesolittledoneforthembythecommunity，andcandosolittleforthemselves。
　　Iammuchlessskepticalaboutthatparticularwork，Imaytellyou，thanaboutphilanthropyingeneral。
　　Infact，Iamquiteclearthatitisdoinggood。Atleastitisdoingakindness，andthatisapleasantoccupation。
　　Wearereallynotsoidleasonemightthink。Weworkatitagooddeal，mywifeandI。"
　　"SoamILondon-born，"Thorperemarked，withacertainirrelevancy。
　　Afteramoment'spauseheturnedasharplyenquiringglanceuponhisguest。"Thisthingthatyou'redoinginLondon——doesitgiveyouany'pull'there？""Pull？"repeatedtheotherhelplessly。
　　"IftherewassomethingyouwantedthepeopleofLondontodo，wouldtheydoitforyoubecauseofwhatyou'vebeendoingforthem——orfortheirgirls？"
　　TheDukelookedpuzzledforamoment。"Butitisn'tconceivablethatIshouldwantLondontodoanything——
　　unlessitmightbetoconsumeitsownsmoke，"heobserved。
　　"Quiteso！"saidThorpe，risingbulkilytohisfeet，butsignifyingbyagesturethathiscompanionwastoremainseated。Hepuffedathiscigartillitstipgleamedangrilythroughthesmokeabouthim，andmovedafewstepswithhishandsinhispockets。"ThatiswhatIwantedtogetat。NowI'mLondon-born，I'vegotthetowninmyblood。TheThorpeshavebeenbooksellersthereforgenerations。Theoldnameisovertheoldshopstill。IthinkIknowwhatLondonersarelike；
　　Ioughtto。It'smybeliefthattheydon'twantgifts。
　　They'lltake'em，butitisn'twhattheywant。
　　They'reatradingpeople——oneoftheoldestintheworld。
　　Commercialtraditions，themerchant'spride——thesearebredintheirbones。Theydon'twantsomethingfornothing。
　　Theylikeanhonestbargain——faironbothsides。'YouhelpmeandI'llhelpyou。'Andit'stheonlywayyoucandoanythingworthdoing。"
　　"Well，"saidtheDuke，passively。
　　Thorpehalted，andstillwiththecigarbetweenhisteeth，lookeddownathim。
　　"IcangointoLondon，andstudyoutthethingsthataretobedone——thatneedtobedone——anddividetheseintotwoparts，thosethatbelongtoprivateenterpriseandthosethatoughttobedonepublicly。
　　AndIcansaytoLondoners——notinsomanywords，mindyou，butinawaythesharperoneswillunderstand：'Here，youfellows。I'llbegindoingoutofmyownpocketonesetofthesethings，andyouinturnmustputyourselvesatmyback，andstandbyme，andputmeinapositionwhereI
　　canmaketheGovernmentdothisothersetofthings。'
　　Thatwillappealtothem。Apoormancouldn'tleadthemanydistance，becausehecouldalwaysbekilledbythecrythathewasfillinghispockets。Theywillbelieveinamanwhoseambitionistowinanearldomandfivethousandayearoutofpolitics，buttheywillstonetodeaththemanwhomerelytriestogetafewhundredsayearoutofitforhiswifeandchildren。Andamanlikeyoucan'tdoanythinginLondon，becausetheycan'tseethatthere'sanythingyouwantinreturn——andbesides，intheirhearts，theydon'tlikeyourclass。Don'tforgetit！Thisisthecitythatchoppedofftheking'shead！"
　　"Ah，butthisisalsothecity，"retortedtheother，withplacidpleasureinhisargument，"whichdeckeditselfinbannersandribbonstowelcomebackthesonofthatsameking。Andifyouthinkofit，hewasratheraquaintthinginsons，too。"
　　"Itwasthewomendidthat，"Thorpeaffirmedwithreadiness。
　　"Theygettheirownwayonceinawhile，whenthemenaretiredout，andtheyhavetheirlittlespellofnonsenseandmonkey-shines，butitneverlastslong。CharlesII。
　　doesn'tmatteratall——buttakemywordforit，hisfathermattersagreatdeal。TherewasaThorpeamongthejudgeswhovotedtobeheadhim。Iamdescendedinastraightlinefromhim。"
　　HisGraceshruggedhisslightshouldersagain。
　　"Ithappensthatmyancestorshadextremelylargefacilitiesfordoingunpleasantthings，and，Godknows，theydidthem——butIdon'tquiteseewhatthatgoestoprove，now。"
　　"No，youdon'tgrasptheidea，"saidThorpe，resignedly。
　　Afteramoment'spausehetookthecigarfromhislips，andstraightenedhimself"Allthesame，"hedeclaredroundly，"Iamgoingtodothetrick。Londonhasbeenwaitingforanorganizer——aleader——forahundredyears。Therightkindofaman，goingtherightwaytowork，canstandLondononitshead，assurelyasIcanburnthiscigar。
　　AndI'mgoingtohaveatryatit。"
　　"Itisveryinteresting，"remarkedtheDuke，withvagueness。
　　"But——aretheladieswaitingforus？Andifso，aren'twekeepingthemupunconscionably？"
　　Asifincommentuponhiswords，therewasthesoundofafaintrapatthedoor。Thenitopened，andthroughthedensebluehazeoftheroomtheysawsomeshadowedformssoftlyindistinctsavewherethelightfromtheceilingoutsideshonedownuponagroupofcoiffuredheads。
　　Anoiseofmingledcoughingandlaughterspecificallycompletedtheintroduction。
　　"Oh，I'm——it'sunendurableinthere，"spokethevoiceofthehostess。"WeWEREcomingintosmokewithyou，"
　　shecalledoutthroughthecloud，"sinceyouwouldn'tstopwithus。"
　　"Comealong！"answeredThorpe，cheerily。Hestrodetotheendoftheroomandraisedawindow。Fromthesamecornerheturnedonsomeaddedlights。
　　Underthismoreeffectiveillumination，theladyofthehouseadvanced，withMissMaddenandtheHon。Winifredclosebehindher。"Frankhasgonetobed，"sheexplainedtotheDuke，whohadrisen。Thensheturnedtoherhusbandabright-eyedglance："Youdon'tmind——ourcoming？"
　　sheasked。
　　"Mind！"hecalledout，withrobustimpressiveness。
　　"Mind！"Asiftocompletetheexpressionofhismeaning，hethrewhisarmlooselyabouther，whereshestood，andbroughthertohisside。Theyremainedstandingthus，beforethefireplace，aftertheotherswereallseated。
　　"Mr。Thorpehasbeenoutliningtomethemostwonderfulplans，"
　　saidtheDuke，lookingfromonefacetoanother，withareservedsmile。"Itseemsthatphilanthropyfailsunlessitiscombinedwithveryadvancedpolitics。Itisanewideatome——buthecertainlystatesitwithvigour。
　　Doyouunderstandit，Edith？"
　　"Oh，perfectly，"repliedthewife，smilingly。"Iamhisfirstconvert。Beholdinmetheoriginaldisciple。"
　　"Theworstofthatis，"commentedThorpe，withradiantjoviality，"shewouldsubscribetoanyothernewdoctrineofminejustasreadily。"Hetightenedthearmencirclingherbyaperceptibletrifle。"Wouldn'tyou，sweetheart？"hedemanded。
　　Sheseemedinnowiseembarrassedbytheseovertendearments。
　　Therewasindeedthedimmestsuggestioninherfaceandvoiceofaresponsivemood。"Really，"shebegan，withasoftglance，half-deprecation，half-pride，bentupontheothers，andwiththoughtfuldeliberation，——"reallytheimportantthingisthatheshouldpursuesomeobject——haveinviewsomethingthatheisdeterminedtomaster。Withoutthat，heisnotcontented——notathisbest。Heshouldhavebeenasoldier。Hehasapassionforbattleinhisblood。
　　Andnowthatheseessomethingheiseagertodo——Iamveryglad。Itmakesitnonethelessacceptablethatgoodistocomefromit。"
　　"Istillmaintain，"saidMissMadden，interpolatingherwordsthroughthetaskoflightingacigarette，andcontrivingforthemaneffectofdrollerywhichappealedtoThorpemostofall——"Ishallalwaysinsist，justthesame，thatcrimewashistruevocation。"
　　End