CHAPTERVI
　　THORPE'Slife-longhabitofearlyrisingbroughthimdownstairsnextmorningbeforeanybodyelseinthehouse，apparently，wasastir。Atallevents，hesawnooneineitherthehallortheglassvestibule，ashewanderedabout。Bothdoorswerewideopen，however，tothemild，dampmorningair。
　　Hefoundononeoftheracksacapthatwaslessuncomfortablethantheothers，andsaunteredforthtolookabouthim。
　　Hisnerveswerebynomeansinsosereneastateashisreasontoldhimtheyoughttobe。Thedisquietingimpressionofbaddreamshungabouthim。Thewakinghour——alwaysaneviltimeforhimintheselatterdaysofanxiety——hadbeenthismorningapeculiarlydepressingaffair。Ithadseemedtohim，inthefirstminutesofrevivingconsciousness，thathewasahopelesslyruinedanddiscreditedman；
　　theillusionofdisasterhadbeen，indeed，socompleteandvividthat，evennow，morethananhourlater，hehadnotshakenoffitseffects。
　　Heappliedhismentalenergies，ashestrolledalongthegravelpaths，tothetaskofreassuringhimself。
　　Therewerestillelementsofchanceinthegame，ofcourse，butitwaseasyenough，hereinthedaylight，todemonstratethattheyhadbeencutdowntoaminimum——thatitwasnonsensetoborrowtroubleaboutthem。Hereviewedthesituationinpainstakingdetail，andateverypointitwasallright，orasnearlyallrightasanyhumanbusinesscouldbe。Hescoldedhimselfsharplyforthisfoolishsusceptibilitytotheintimidationofnightmares。
　　"LookatPlowden！"hebadehisdolorousspirit。
　　"Seehoweasyhetakesthings。"
　　ItwasundeniablethatLordPlowdentookthingsveryeasilyindeed。Hehadtalkedwitheloquenceandfeelingaboutthemiseriesandhumiliationsofapeerageinadequatelyendowedwithmoney，butnotracesofhissufferingswerevisibletoThorpe'sobservanteye。Thenoblemanhimselflookedtheveryimageofcontentedprosperity——handsome，buoyant，light-hearted，and，withal，thebest-groomedmaninLondon。
　　Andthisancestralhomeofhis——orofhismother's，sinceheseemedtoinsistuponthedistinction——wherewereitssignsofastintedincome？Theplacewasoverrunwithservants。
　　Therewasahorsewhichcoveredadistanceofsomethingliketwomilesineightminutes。Insideandout，HadlowHousesuggestednothingbutassuredplenty。
　　Yetitsmastertoldthemostunvaryingtalesofpoverty，andnodoubttheywereinonesensetrue。Whathewishedtofixhismindupon，andtodrawstrengthforhimselffrom，wasthegaycouragewithwhichthesePlowdensbehavedasiftheywererich。
　　Thegroundsatthefrontofthehouse，hemmedinbyhighhedgesandtreesfromwhatseemedtobeapublicroadbeyond，werefairlyspacious，butthesleekdecorumoftheirarrangement，whileitpleasedhim，wasscarcelyinteresting。Helikedbettertostudythehouseitself，whichinthedaylightrevealeditselfashisidealofwhatahistoricEnglishcountry-houseoftheminorclassshouldbe。
　　Therehadbeenaperiodinhisyouthwhenarchitecturehadattractedhimgreatlyasofferingacongenialandlucrativecareer。Notmuchremainedtohimnowoftheclassificationsandphraseologywhichhehadgonetothetroubleofmemorizing，inthatfar-offtime，buthestilllookedatbuildingswithakindofprofessionalconsciousness。
　　HadlowHousesaidintelligiblethingstohim，andhewaspleasedwithhimselfforunderstandingthem。
　　Itwasnotnewinanypart，apparently，buttherewasnothingpretentiousinitsantiquity。Ithadneverbeenacastle，orafortifiedresidence。Noviolentalterationinhabitsorneedsdistinguisheditspresentoccupantsfromitsoriginalbuilders。Ithadbeenplannedandrearedasahomeforgentlepeople，atsomenot-too-remotedatewhenitwasalreadypossibleforgentlepeopletohavehomes，withoutfightingtodefendthem。
　　Onecouldfancythatitscalmandinfinitelycomfortablehistoryhadneverbeenruffledfromthatdaytothis。
　　Herecalledhavinghearditmentionedthepreviouseveningthatthehousestooduponthesiteofanoldmonastery。
　　Nodoubtthataccountedforitsbeingbuiltinahollow，withtheground-floorontheabsoluteleveloftheearthoutside。Themonkshadalwayschosentheselow-lyingshelteredspotsfortheircloisters。Whyshouldtheyhavedoneso？hewondered——andthencametoasuddenmentalstop，absorbedinasomewhatsurprisedcontemplationofanewversionofhimself。Hewasbecomingliterary，historical，bookish！Hismindhadbeguntothrowopenagain，toabstractthoughtsandmusings，itslong-closeddoors。
　　Hehadreadanddreamedsomuchasalad，intheoldbook-shop！Formanyyearsthatboyhoodofeagerconcernintheprintedpagehadseemedtohimtobelongtosomebodyelse。Now，allatonce，itcamebacktohimashisownpossession；hefeltthathecouldtakeupbooksagainwherehehaddroppedthem，perhapsevenwiththeoldrapt，intentzest。
　　Visionsrosebeforehimofthemagnificentlibraryhewouldgatherforhimself。Anditshouldbeinnowiseforshow——thegrossostentationoftheunletteredparvenu——butagenuinelibrary，whichshouldministertohisownindividualculture。Thethoughttookinstantholduponhisinterest。Bythatroad，hisprogresstothegoalofgentilitywouldbesmoothandsimple。Heseemednottohavereasoneditouttohimselfindetailbefore，butnow，atallevents，hesawhiswayclearlyenough。
　　Whyshouldhebetormentedwithdoubtsandmisgivingsabouthimself，asifhehadcomeoutofthegutter？
　　Whyindeed？Hehadpassedthrough——andwithcredit，too——oneofthegreatpublicschoolsofEngland。
　　Hehadbeenthereonafootingofperfectequality，sofarashesaw，withthesonsofaristocraticfamiliesorofgreatCitypotentates。Andastobirth，hehadbehindhimthreegenerationsatleastofscholarlymen，menwhoknewthecontents，aswellasthecommercialvalue，ofthebookstheyhandled。
　　Hisgrandfatherhadbeenamanofnoteinhiscalling。
　　ThetraditionofLordAlthorp'sconfidenceinhim，andofhowherequiteditbysecuringCaxton's"GoldenLegend"
　　forthelibraryofthatdistinguishedcollector，undertheverynoseofhishotrival，theDukeofMarlborough，wastenderlycherishedasanheirloomintheoldshop。
　　AndThorpe'sfather，too，thoughnosuchsingleachievementcrownedhismemory，hadbeentheadviserand，asonemightsay，thefriendofmanynotablewritersandpatronsofliterature。
　　Thesonofsuchforbearsneededonlymoneytoberecognizedbyeverybodyasagentleman。
　　Onhismother'sside，nowthathethoughtofit，therewassomethingperhapsbetterstillthanaheritageoflibrarians'craftandtastes。Hismother'smaidennamewasStormont，andherememberedwellenoughthesolemnitywithwhichshehadalwaysalludedtothefact，inthecourseofdomesticdiscussions。WhotheStormontswerehecouldnotrecallthathehadeverlearned，buthismotherhadbeenveryclearindeedabouttheirsuperioritytotheusualruckofpeople。Hewouldaskhissisterwhethersheknewanythingaboutthem。
　　InthemeantimetherewasnodenyingthatStormontwasafine-soundingname。Hereflectedthatitwashisownmiddlename——and，ontheinstant，fancyengravedforhimacard-plateonwhichappearedthelegend——"Mr。StormontThorpe。"
　　Itwasaninspiration！"Joel"hehadnotusedforsomanyyearsthatnow，aftersixmonths'familiaritywithitonhissister'slips，hecouldnotgetaccustomedtoit。
　　Thecolourlessandnon-committalstyleof"J。S。Thorpe，"
　　underwhichhehadlivedsolong，hadbeenwellenoughforthetermofhisexile——thewearytimeofobscuretoilandsuspense。Butnow，inthissunburstofsmilingfortune，whenhehadachievedtherighttoanameofdistinction——hereitwasreadytohishand。Afleetingquestionastowhetherheshouldcarrythe"J"alongasaninitialputitselftohismind。Hedecidedvigorouslyagainstit。
　　Hehadalwayshadaprejudiceagainstmenwho，inthetransatlanticphrase，partedeithertheirhairortheirnamesinthemiddle。
　　Hehadmadehisunheedingwaypastthehousetothebeginningoftheavenueoftrees，whichherememberedfromthepreviousevening'sdrive。Tohisright，anopenspaceofroadwayledoffinthedirectionofthestables。
　　Ashehesitated，inmomentarydoubtwhichcoursetotake，thesoundofhoofsintheavenuecaughthisear，andhestoodstill。Inamomenttherecameintoview，roundacurveintheleafydistance，twohorseswithriders，advancingatabriskcanter。Soonheperceivedthattheriderswereladies；theydrewreinastheyapproachedhim，andthenitwastobeseenthattheywerethepairhehadjudgedtobesuchclosefriendslastnight——LadyCressageandthedaughterofthehouse。
　　Theysmiledandnoddeddownathim，asheliftedhiscapandbowed。Theircheekswereglowingandtheireyessparklingwiththeexhilarationoftheirride。
　　EventheHon。Winifredlookedcomelyanddistinguishedinhiseyes，underthecharmofthisheightenedvivacity。
　　Sheseemedtocarryherselfbetterinthesaddlethanshedidoutofit；thesweepofherhabitbelowthestirruplentdignitytoherfigure。
　　Buthercompanion，whosebigchestnutmountwaspacingslowlytowardthestepping-block——howshouldhebringwithinthecompassofthoughttheimpressionshehadhadofherasshepassed？Thereseemedtohavebeennomemoryinhismindtopreparehimforthebeautyofthepictureshehadmade。
　　Slender，erect，exquisitely-tailored，shehadgonebylikesomequeeninapageant，graciousyetunapproachable。
　　Hestaredafterher，mutelybewilderedattheeffectsheproduceduponhim——untilhesawthatagroomhadrunfromthestable-yard，andwashelpingthedivinitytodismount。
　　Theangrythoughtthathemighthavedonethishimselfrosewithinhim——buttherefollowedswiftlyenoughtheansweringconvictionthathelackedthecourage。
　　Hedidnotevenadvancetoprofferhisservicestotheotheryounglady，whiletherewasstilltime。Thetruthwas，headmittedruefullytohimself，theyunnervedhim。
　　Hehadtalkedfreelyenoughtothem，orrathertothecompanyofwhichtheymadepart，thepreviousevening。Therehadbeenanhourormore，indeed，beforethepartybrokeup，inwhichhehadbornethelion'sshareofthetalk——andtheyhadappearedasfranklyentertainedastheothers。
　　Infact，whenherecalledthecircleoffacestowhichhehadaddressedhismonologueofreminiscences——curiousexperiencesandadventuresinJavaandtheArgentine，inBrazilandtheAntillesandMexicoandthefarWest——itwasinthefaceofLadyCressagethatheseemedtodiscernthemostgenuineinterest。
　　Whyshouldshefrightenhim，then，bydaylight？Thewhimsicaltheorythatthewineatdinnerhadgivenhimaspuriouscourageoccurredtohim。Heshruggedhisshouldersatit，and，withhishandsinhispockets，turnedtowardthestables。
　　Thestable-yardis，fromsomepointsofview，theprettiestthingaboutHadlow。Thereisabig，uneven，grass-grownspace，inthecentreofwhich，fromaslightmound，springsanagedoakoftremendousgirthandheight。Allaroundthisenclosurearebuildingsofthesamepaleyellowishbrickasthemansionitself，butquaintlydifferingonefromanotherindesignandsize。
　　Stables，carriage-houses，kennels，alaundry，abrewery，andhalfadozenstructurestheintentionofwhichisnowsomewhatuncertain——someflat-topped，somegabled，otherswithturrets，ormassivegroupedchimneys，oroverhangingtimberedupperstories——formroundthisunkempt，shadowedgreenasortofvillage，withacommunalindividualityofitsown。
　　Aglanceshowsitsfeudalrelationto，anddependenceupon，thegreathousebehindwhichitnestles；
　　someoftheback-kitchensandofficesofthisgreathouse，indeed，straggleouttilltheymeetandmergethemselvesintothisquadrangle。Nonetheless，itpresentstotheenquiringgazeaspecificcharacter，ofasoldagrowth，onemightthink，astheoakitself。
　　Hereservantshavelived，itmaybe，sincemanfirstlearnedthetrickofsettinghisfootonhisbrother'sneck。
　　Plainlyenough，themonks'servantslivedandworkedhere；
　　halfthebuildingsonthesidenearestthehousebelongtotheirtime，andoneofthemstillbearsapartially-defacedcoatofarmsthatmusthavebelongedtoanAbbot。
　　Andwhenlaylordsucceededcleric，onlythegarbandvocabularyofservitudewerealteredinthissquare。
　　Itspopulationcrossedthemselvesless，andworkedmuchharder，buttheyremainedinaworldoftheirown，adjacentaudsubjecttotheworldoftheirmasters，yetseparatedfromitbyoh！suchcountlessandunthinkabledistances。
　　Thorpesaunteredalongthesideofthestables。
　　Hecountedthreemenandaboywhovisiblybelongedtothisdepartment。Thedog-cartofthepreviouseveninghadbeenrunoutuponthebrick-pavementwhichdrainedthestables，andglistenedwithexpensivesmartnessnowbeneaththespongeofoneofthehostlers。Undercover，hediscernedtwoothercarriages，andthereseemedtobeatleasthalfadozenhorses。Themenwho，inthehalfgloomoftheloose-boxes，werebusygroomingtheseanimalsmadeacuriouswhistlingnoiseastheyworked。
　　Everybodyintheyardtouchedaforelocktohimashepassed。
　　Fromthisquaint，old-worldenclosurehewanderedathisleisure，throughanopengateinthewallattheback，intothegardensbehindthehouse。Therewasnotmuchinthewayofflowerstolookat，buthemovedaboutquiteunconsciousofanydeprivation。Aclusterofgreenhouses，massedagainstthesouthernsideofthemansion，attractedhislistlessfancy，andhewalkedtowardwhatappearedtobeanentrancetothem。Thedoorwaslocked，buthefoundanotherfurtheronwhichopenedtohishand。
　　Theairwasveryhotandmoistinside，andtheplacewassofilledwithbroad-leaved，umbrageoustropicalplantsthathehadtostooptomakehiswaythroughtotheend。
　　Thenexthousehadamoretolerableatmosphere，andcontainedsomeblossomstowhichhegavemomentaryattention。
　　Inthethirdhouse，throughtheglass-door，hecouldseeaman——evidentlyagardener——liftingsomepotstoashelfoverhead。
　　Thethoughtoccurredtohimthatbyenteringintoconversationwiththisman，hemightindirectlyobtainahintastotheusualbreakfast-houratHadlow。Itwasnownearlyteno'clock，andhewasgettingveryhungry。
　　Wouldtheynotringabell，orsoundagong，orsomething？
　　hewondered。Perhapstherehadbeensomesuchsummons，andhehadnotheardit。Itmightbetheintelligentthingforhimtoreturntothehouse，atallevents，andsitinthehallwheretheservantscouldseehim，incasethemealwasinprogress。
　　Lookingidlythroughtheglassatthegardener，meanwhile，itsuddenlydawneduponhimthatthefaceandfigurewerefamiliar。Hestaredmoreintentlyattheman，castingaboutinhismemoryforacluetohisidentity。
　　ItcametohimthatthepersonhehadinmindwasafellownamedGafferson，whohadkeptanimpoverishedanddown-at-the-heelssortofhotelandgeneralstoreontheroadfromBelizetoBoonTown，inBritishHonduras。
　　Yes，itundoubtedlywasGafferson。Whatonearthwashedoinghere？Thorpegavebutbriefconsiderationtothisproblem。Itwasofmoreimmediateimportancetorecallthecircumstancesofhiscontactwiththeman。
　　HehadmadeGafferson'spoorshantyofanhotelhisheadquartersforthebetterpartofamonth——thebaseofsuppliesfromwhichhemadenumerousprospectingtoursintothemountainsoftheinterior。Hadhepaidhisbillonleaving？Yes，therewasnodoubtaboutthat。
　　Hecouldevenrecallacertainpityfortheunbusiness-likescaleofcharges，andthelackofperceptionofopportunity，whichcharacterizedthebillinquestion。HerememberednowhisimpressionthatGaffersonwouldneverdoanygood。
　　Itwouldbeinterestingtoknowwhatkindofanimpressionhe，inturn，hadproducedonhisthriftlesshost。Atanyrate，therewasnogoodreasonwhyheshouldnotfindout。
　　Heopenedthedoorandwentin。
　　Thegardenerbarelylookedupfromhisoccupation，anddrewasidetoletthenewcomerpasswithnosignofagesturetowardhiscap。Thorpehalted，andtriedtolookatthepotsonthestagingasifheknewaboutsuchthings。
　　"Whatareyoudoing？"heasked，inthetentativetoneofonewhoisinnoneedofinformation，butdesirestobeaffable。
　　"Dryingoffthefirstlotofgloxinias，"answeredtheother。
　　"Somepeopleput'emontheirsides，butIlike'emupright，closetotheglass。Itstandstoreason，ifyouthinkaboutit。"
　　"Why，certainly，"saidThorpe，withconviction。
　　InhismindhecontrastedtheindependenceofGafferson'smannerwiththepractisedservilityofthestable-yard——
　　andthoughtthathelikedit——andthenwasnotsosure。
　　Heperceivedthattherewasnorecognitionofhim。
　　Thegardener，asfurtherdesultoryconversationabouthisworkprogressed，lookedhisinterlocutorfullintheface，butwithaplacid，sheep-likegazewhichseemedtobeentirelyinsensibletovariationsinthehumanspecies。
　　"HowdidyouevergetbackheretoEngland？"Thorpewasemboldenedtoaskatlast。Incommentupontheother'sstareofpuzzledenquiry，hewenton："You'reGafferson，aren'tyou？Ithoughtso。WhenIlastsawyou，youwererunningasortofhalf-wayhouse，t'othersideofBelize。
　　Thatwasin'90。"
　　Gafferson——athick-set，squatmanofmiddleage，withastragglingreddishbeard——turneduponhimatranquilbutuninformedeye。"IsupposeyouwouldhavebeenstoppingatGovernmentHouse，"heremarked。"ThatwasinSirRogerGoldsworthy'stime。Theyusedtocomeoutoftentoseemyflowers。Andsoyourememberedmyname。
　　IsupposeitwasbecauseoftheGaffersonianahybrids。
　　Therewasagoodbitinthepapersaboutthemlastspring。"
　　Thorpenoddedanassentwhichitseemedbetternottoputintowords。"Well，itbeatsall，"hemusedaloud。
　　"Why，man，there'sgoldinthosemountains！Youhadaninsidetrackonprospecting，placedasyouwere。Andthere'scocoa——andsomedaythey'llcoinmoneyinrubber，too。
　　Allthatcountry'swaitingforisbettercommunications。
　　Andyouwereonthespot，andknewallthelayoftheland——andyethereyouarebackinEngland，gettingsomuchamonthformessingaboutinthemud。"
　　Hesawswiftlythathisreflectionshadcarriedhimbeyondhisearlierlimit，andwithrapiditydecideduponfrankness。
　　"No，Iwasn'tintheGovernor'soutfitatall。Iwaslookingforgoldthen——withoccasionallyaneyeonrubber。
　　Istoppedatyourplace。Don'tyourememberme？Myname'sThorpe。Ihadabeardthen。Why，man，youandoneofyourniggerswerewithmethreeorfourdaysonce，upontheridgebeyondtheBurntHills——why，youremember，theniggerwasfromSanDomingo，andhewasforeverbraggingabouttheSanDomingopeppers，andsayingthoseonthemainlandhadn'tenoughstrengthtomakeababywrinklehisnose，andyoufoundapeppercomingthroughtheswamp，andyoutippedmethewink，andyouhandedthatpeppertothenigger，anditdamnednearkilledhim。
　　Hell！Youmustrememberthat！"
　　"ThatwouldhavebeentheChavicapertusum，"saidGafferson，thoughtfully。Heseemedtorousehimselftoaninterestinthestoryitselfwithsomedifficulty。"Yes——Irememberit，"
　　headmitted，finally。"Ishouldn'thaveknownyouthough。
　　I'mtheworstintheworldaboutrememberingpeople。
　　Itseemstobegrowingonme。InoticethatwhenIgouptoLondontotheshows，Idon'trememberthementhatIhadthelongesttalkswiththetimebefore。
　　Onceyougetwrappedupinyourflowers，you'vegotnoroominyourheadforanythingelse——that'sthewayofit。"
　　Thorpeconsideredhimwitharuminatingeye。"Sothisisthesortofthingyoureallylike，eh？You'dratherbedoingthis，eh？thanmakingyourpileinlogwoodandmahoganyoutthere，orfloatingagoldmine？"Gaffersonansweredquitesimply："Iwasn'tthekindtoevermakeapile。
　　IgotledintogoingouttherewhenIwasayoungster，andtheredidn'tseemtobeanygoodintryingtogetback，butIwasn'tmakingmorethanabarelivingwhenyouwerethere，andafterthatIdidn'tevendothatmuch。
　　Ittookmeagoodmanyyearstofindoutwhatmyrealfancywas。Ihatedmyhotelandmystore，butIwascrazyaboutmygarden。FinallyanAmericangentlemancamealongoneday，andheputupatmyplace，andhesawthatIwasasnearruinedastheymake'em，andhesaystome，'You'renogoodtorunahotel，noryetastore，andthisaintyourcountryforacent。
　　Whatyou'rebornforistogrowflowers。Youcan'taffordtodoithere，becausenobody'llpayyouforit，butyougatherupyourseedsandrootsandsoon，andcomealongwithmetoAtlanta，Georgia，andI'llputfatonyourbones。'
　　"That'swhathesaidtome，andItookhimathisword，andIwaswithhimtwoyears，andthenIthoughtI'dliketocometoEngland，andsincethenI'veworkedmywayuphere，tillnowItakeaRoyalHorticulturalmedalregular，andthere'saclematiswithsalmon-colouredbarsthat'llbeinthemarketnextspringthat'snamedaftermymaster。
　　AndwhatcouldIaskmore'nthat？"
　　"Quiteright，"saidThorpe。"Whattimedotheyhavebreakfasthere？"
　　Thegardener'sround，phlegmatic，floridcountenancehadtakenonamildglowofanimationduringhisnarrative。
　　Itrelapsedintolethargyattheadventofthisnewtopic。
　　"Itseemstometheyeatatallhours，"hesaid。
　　"ButifyouwanttoseehisLordship，"hewenton，considering，"aboutnoonwouldbeyourbesttime。"
　　"SeehisLordship！"repeatedThorpe，withanimpatientgrin。
　　"WhyI'maguesthereinthehouse。AllIwantissomethingtoeat。"
　　"Aguest，"Gaffersonrepeatedinturn，slowly。Therewasnothingunpleasantintheintonation，andThorpe'ssharpglancefailedtodetectanytraceofoffensiveintentioninhiscompanion'sfatuousvisage。YetitseemedtopassbetweenthetwomenthatGaffersonwassurprised，andthattherewereabundantgroundsforhissurprise。
　　"Why，yes，"saidThorpe，withasmuchnonchalanceashecouldsummon，"yourmasterisoneofmydirectors。
　　I'vetakenafancytohim，andI'mgoingtomakearichmanofhim。Hewaskeenaboutmyseeinghisplacehere，andkepturgingmetocome，andsofinallyI'vegotawayoverSundaytoobligehim。Bytheway——Ishallbuyanestateinthecountryassoonastherightthingoffers，andIshallwanttosetupnoendofgardensandgreenhousesandallthat。IseethatIcouldn'tcometoabettermanthanyouforadvice。IdaresayI'llputthewholearrangementofitinyourhands。You'dlikethat，wouldn'tyou？"
　　"WhateverhisLordshipagreesto，"thegardenerreplied，sententiously。Heturnedtothestaging，andtookuponeofthepots。
　　Thorpeswungonhisheel，andmovedbrisklytowardthefurtherdoor，whichhecouldseeopeneduponthelawn。
　　Hewasconsciousofannoyancewiththismoon-faced，dawdlingGafferson，whohadbeenaffordedsuchasplendidchanceofprofitingbyanoldacquaintanceship——itmightevenbecalled，asthingswentinHonduras，afriendship——andwhohadsoclumsilyfailedtorisetothesituation。
　　Thebitterthoughtofgoingbackandgivinghimahalf-crownroseinThorpe'sinventivemind，andhepausedforaninstant，hishandonthedoor-knob，tothinkitover。
　　ThegratuitywouldcertainlyputGaffersoninhisplace，butthenthespiritinwhichitwasofferedwouldbewhollylostonhisdullbrain。Andmoreover，wasitsocertainthathewouldtakeit？Hehadnotsaid"sir"once，andhehadtalkedaboutmedalswiththeprideofascientist。
　　Theruleswereoverwhelminglyagainstagardenerrejectingatip，ofcourse，butiftherewasnomorethanonechanceintwentyofit，Thorpedecidedthathecouldnotaffordtherisk。
　　Hequittedthegreenhousewithresolution，anddirectedhisstepstowardthefrontofthemansion。Asheenteredthehall，aremarkablytunefulandresonantchimefilledhisearswithnovelmusic。Helookedandsawthatawhite-capped，neatly-claddomestic，standingwithherbacktohimbesidethenewel-postofthestairs，wasbeatingoutthetunewithtwopaddedsticksuponsomestripsofmetalrangedonastandofIndianworkmanship。Thesoundwasdelightful，butevenmoresowastheimplicationthatitbetokenedbreakfast。
　　Withinspiration，hedrewforththehalf-crownwhichhehadbeenfingeringinhispocket，andgaveittothegirlassheturned。"That'sthekindofconcertIlike，"
　　hedeclared，bestowingthepatronageofajovialsmileuponherpleasedandcomelyface。"Showmethewaytothisbreakfastthatyou'vebeenserenadingabout。"
　　Outinthegreenhouse，meanwhile，Gaffersoncontinuedtoregardblanklytheshrivelled，fattyleavesoftheplanthehadtakenup。"Thorpe，"hesaidaloud，asifaddressingthetabidgloxinia——"Thorpe——yes——I
　　rememberhisinitials——J。S。Thorpe。Now，who'sthemanthattoldmeabouthim？andwhatwasithetoldme？"
　　CHAPTERVII
　　THEexperiencesofthebreakfastroomwereveryagreeableindeed。
　　Thorpefoundhimselftheonlymanpresent，and，afterthefirstfewminutesofembarrassmentatthisdiscovery，itfilledhimwithsurpriseddelighttonotehowperfectlyhewasathisease。Hecouldneverhaveimaginedhimselfseatedwithfourladiesatatable——threeofthem，moreover，ladiesoftitle——anddoingitallsowell。
　　Foronething，theladiesthemselveshadamorningmanner，sotospeak，whichdifferedwidelyfromtheimpressionshehadhadoftheirdeportmentthepreviousevening。
　　Theyseemednowtobeassimpleandfreshandnaturalastheunadornedfrockstheywore。Theylistenedwithanairofgood-fellowshiptohimwhenhespoke；theysmiledattherightplaces；theyactedasiftheylikedhim，andweregladofhiscompany。
　　Thesatisfiedconvictionthathewastalkingwell，andbehavingwell，accompaniedhiminhisprogressthroughthemeal。Hisconfessionattheoutsetofhisgreathunger，andofthesinisterapprehensionswhichhadassailedhiminhisloiteringwalkabouttheplace，provedamostfortuitousbeginning；afterthat，theywerereadytoregardeverythinghesaidasamusing。
　　"Oh，whenwe'rebyourselves，"thekindlylittleoldhostessexplainedtohim，"mydaughterandIbreakfastalwaysatnine。Thatwasourhouryesterdaymorning，forexample。Butwhenmysonishere，thenit'sfarewelltoregularity。Weputbreakfastbacktillten，then，asakindofcompromisebetweenourownearlyhabitsandhislackofanysortofhabits。WhywedoitI
　　couldn'tsay——becausehenevercomesdowninanyevent。
　　HesleepssowellatHadlow——andyouknowintownhesleepsveryillindeed——andsowedon'tdreamofcomplaining。
　　We'reonlytooglad——forhissake。"
　　"AndBalder，"commentedthesister，"he'sasbadtheotherway。
　　Hegetsupatsomeunearthlyhour，andhashisteaandasandwichfromthestill-room，andgoesoffwithhisrodorhisgunorthedogs，andweneverseehimtillluncheon。"
　　"I'vebeenonthepointofaskingsomanytimes，"
　　MissMaddeninterposed——"isBalderafamilyname，orisitaftertheVikinginMatthewArnold'spoem？"
　　"Itwashisfather'schoice，"LadyPlowdenmadeanswer。
　　"IthinktheVikingexplanationistherightone——itcertainlyisn'tineitherfamily。Ican'tsaythatitattractedmemuch——atfirst，youknow。"
　　"Oh，butitfitshimsosplendidly，"saidLadyCressage。
　　"Helooksthepart，astheysay。Ialwaysthoughtitwasthebestofallthesoldiernames——andyouhaveonlytolookathimtoseethathewaspredestinedforasoldierfromhiscradle。"
　　"IwishtheSandhurstpeoplewouldhaveagoodlonglookathim，then，"putinthemotherwithearnestnessunderlyingthejestofhertone。"Thepoorboywillneverpassthoseexamsintheworld。ItISridiculous，ashisfatheralwayssaid。Ifthereeverwasamanwhowasmadeforasoldier，it'sBalder。He'sagentleman，andhe'sconnectedbytraditionwiththeArmy，andhe'smadabouteverythingmilitary——andsurelyhe'sascleverasanybodyelseateverythingexceptthatwretchedmatterofbooks，andeventhereit'sonlyadefectofmemory——andyetthatsufficestopreventhisservinghisQueen。
　　AndalloverEnglandthereareyounggentlemenlikethat——theverypickofthehunting-fields，strongandbraveaslions，fittoleadmenanywhere，theverymenEnglandwantstohavefightingherbattles——andtheycan'tgetplacesintheArmybecause——whatwasitBaldercametogriefoverlasttime？——becausetheycan'trememberwhetherit'sIspahanorTeheranthat'sthecapitalofPersia。
　　"Theyarethefineoldsortthatwouldgoandcapturebothplacesatthepointofthebayonet——andfindouttheirnamesafterward——butitseemsthat'snotwhattheArmywantsnowadays。Whatisdesirednowissuperiorclerks，andsecretariesandprofessorsoflanguages——andmuchgoodtheywilldouswhenthetimeoftroublecomes！"
　　"Thenyouthinkthepurchase-systemwasbetter？"
　　askedtheAmericanlady。"Italwaysseemedtomethatthatmusthaveworkedsocuriously。"
　　"Preferit？"saidLadyPlowden。"Athousandtimesyes！Myhusbandmadeoneofthebestspeechesinthedebateonit——onedoIsay？——firstandlasthemusthavemadeadozenofthem。IfanythingcouldhavekepttheHouseofLordsfirm，inthefaceofthewretchedRadicaloutcry，itwouldhavebeenthosespeeches。
　　Hepointedoutalltheevilsthatwouldfollowthechange。
　　Youmighthavecalleditprophetic——thewayheforesawwhatwouldhappentoBalder——ornotBalderinparticular，ofcourse，butthatwholeclassofyounggentlemen。
　　"Ashesaid，youhaveonlytoaskyourselfwhatkindofpeoplethelowerclassesnaturallylookuptoandobeyandfollow。WilltheybeorderedaboutbyamansimplybecauseheknowsGreekandLatinandHebrew？Dotheyrespectthevillageschoolmaster，forexample，onaccountofhislearning？Notintheveryslightest！Onthecontrary，theyregardhimwiththegreatestcontempt。
　　Themantheywillserveisthemanwhosebirthgiveshimtherighttocommandthem，orelsethemanwithmoneyinhispocketstomakeitworththeirwhile。Thesetwoaretheonlyleaderstheyunderstand。Andifthat'struehereinEngland，intimesofpeace，amongourownpeople，howmuchtruermustitbeofoursoldiers，awayfromEngland，inatimeofwar？"
　　"But，mamma，"theHon。Winifredintervened，"don'tyouseehowbadlythatmightworknowadays？nowthatthegoodfamilieshavesolittlemoney，andallthefortunesareinthehandsofstockjobbingpeople——andsoon？ItwouldbeTHEIRsonswhowouldbuyallthecommissions——andI'msureBalderwouldn'tgetonatallwiththatlot。"
　　LadyPlowdenansweredwithdecisionandgreatpromptness。
　　"Youseesolittleoftheworld，Winniedear，thatyoudon'tgetveryclearideasofitsmovements。
　　ThepeoplewhomakefortunesinEnglandareeverywhitasimportanttoitswelfareasthosewhoinheritnames，andindividuallyI'msuretheyareoftenmuchmoredeserving。
　　Everygenerationsniffsatitsnouveauxriches，butbythenexttheyhavebecomemergedinthearistocracy。
　　Itisn'tanewthinginEnglandatall。Ithasalwaysbeenthatway。Two-thirdsofthepeeragehavetheirstartfromawealthymerchant，orsomeotherpersonwhomadeafortune。Theyarereallytheback-boneofEngland。
　　Youshouldkeepthatalwaysinmind。"
　　"Ofcourse——Iseewhatyoumean"——Winniereplied，herdarkcheekflushingfaintlyunderthetacitreproof。
　　Shehadpassedhertwenty-fifthbirthday，buthervoicehadinitthedocileself-repressionofaschool-girl。Shespokewithdiffidentslowness，hergazefasteneduponherplate。
　　"Ofcourse——mygrandfatherwasalawyer——andyourpointisthatmerchants——andotherswhomakefortunes——wouldbethesame。"
　　"Precisely，"saidLadyPlowden。"Anddotellus，Mr。Thorpe"——sheturnedtowardwherehesatatherrightandbeamedathimoverherspectacles，withtheairofhavingbeenweariedwithaconversationinwhichheborenopart——"isitreallytruethatsocialdiscontentisbecomingmoremarkedinAmerica，even，thanitiswithusinEngland？"
　　"I'mnotanAmerican，youknow，"heremindedher。
　　"Ionlyknowoneortwosectionsofthecountry——andthoseonlyasastranger。YoushouldaskMissMadden。"
　　"Me？"saidCelia。"Oh，Ihaven'tcomeupformyexaminationsyet。I'mlikeBalder——I'mpreparing。"
　　"WhatIshouldlikeMr。Thorpetotellus，"
　　suggestedLadyCressage，mildly，"isabouttheflowersinthetropics——inJava，forexample，orsomeoftheWestIndies。Onehearssuchmarveloustalesaboutthem。"
　　"Speakingofflowers，"Thorpesuddenlydecidedtomentionthefact；
　　"Imetoutinoneofthegreenhousesherethismorning，anoldacquaintanceofmine，thegardener，Gafferson。
　　ThelasttimeIsawhim，hewasrunningtheworsthotelintheworldintheworstcountryintheworld——
　　outinBritishHonduras。"
　　"Buthe'sawonderfulgardener，"saidLadyCressage。
　　"He'samagician；hecandowhathelikeswithplants。
　　It'sratherahobbyofmine——orusedtobe——andIneversawhisequal。"
　　ThorpetoldthemaboutGafferson，inthatforlornenvironmentontheBelizeroad，andhissuccessinmakingthemlaughdrewhimontootherpicturesofthedrollsideoflifeamongthemisfitsofadventure。
　　Theladiesvisiblydalliedovertheirtea-cupstolistentohim；thecharmofhavingthemalltohimself，andofholdingthemininterestedentertainmentbyhisdiscourse——theseladiesofsupremelyrefinedassociationsandposition——seemedtoprovideaninspirationofitsown。
　　Hecouldhearthathisvoicewasautomaticallymodulatingitselftotheircriticalears。Hislanguagewasproducingitselfwithasmuchdelicacyofselectionasifitcameoutofabook——andyetpreservingthesavourofquaint，outlandishidiomwhichhislistenersclearlyliked。
　　UpontheinstantwhenLadyPlowden'sgatheringofskirts，andglanceacrossthetable，warnedhimthattheyweretorise，hesaiddeliberatelytohimselfthatthishadbeenthemostenjoyableepisodeofhiswholelife。
　　Therewerecigarboxesonthefineoldoakmantel，outinthehall，andWinnieindicatedthemtohimwiththeobvioussuggestionthathewasexpectedtosmoke。
　　Helookedheroverashelithiscigar——whereshestoodspreadingherhandsabovetheblazeofthelogs，andconcludedthatshewasmuchniceruponacquaintancethanhehadthought。Herslightfiguremightnotbebeautiful，butbeyonddoubtitslineswereladylike。
　　Thesameextenuatingwordapplieditselfinhismindtoherthinandswarthy，thoughdistinguished，features。
　　Theyborethestampofcaste，andsodidthewayshelookedatonethroughhereye-glasses，fromunderthoseover-heavyblackeyebrows，holdingherheadalittletooneside。
　　Thoughitwaseasyenoughtoguessthatshehadaspiritofherown，hergentle，almostanxious，deferencetohermotherhadshownthatshehaditunderadmirablecontrol。
　　Hehadreadaboutherinapeerageathissister'sbook-shopthepreviousday。Unfortunatelyitdidnotgiveherage，butthatwasnotsoimportant，afterall。
　　ShewasstyledHonourable。ShewasthedaughterofoneViscountandthesisterofanother。HergrandfatherhadbeenanEarl，andthebookhadshownhertopossessabewilderingnumberofrelationshipsamongtitledfolks。
　　Allthiswasveryinterestingtohim——andsomewhatsuggestive。
　　Vague，shapelesshintsatprojectsroseinhisbrainashelookedather。
　　"I'mafraidyouthinkmybrotherhasoddnotionsofentertaininghisguests，"sheremarkedtohim，overhershoulder。Theotherladieshadnotjoinedthem。
　　"Oh，I'mallright，"heprotestedcordially。"Ishouldhatetohavehimputhimselfoutintheslightest。"
　　Uponconsiderationheadded："Isupposehehasgivenuptheideaofshootingto-day。"
　　"Ithinknot，"sheanswered。"Thekeeperwasaboutthismorning，thatis——andhedoesn'toftencomeunlesstheyaretogooutwiththeguns。Isupposeyouareveryfondofshooting。"
　　"Well——I'vedonesome——inmytime，"Thorpereplied，cautiously。
　　ItdidnotseemnecessarytoexplainthathehadyettofirehisfirstgunonEnglishsoil。"It'sagoodmanyyears，"
　　hewenton，"sinceIhadthetimeandopportunitytodomuchatit。IthinkthelastshootingIdidwasalligators。
　　Youhit'emintheeye，youknow。ButwhatkindofahandIshallmakeofitwithashot-gun，Ihaven'ttheleastidea。IstheshootingroundIhereprettygood？"
　　"Idon'tthinkit'sanythingremarkable。PlowdensaysmybrotherBalderkillsallthebirdsoffeveryseason。
　　Balder'sbywayofbeingacrack-shot，youknow。
　　Therearesomepheasants，though。Wesawthemflyingwhenwewereoutthismorning。"
　　Thorpewonderedifitwouldbepossibletoconsultheruponthequestionofapparel。Clearly，heoughttomakesomedifferenceinhisgarb，yetthementalvisionofhim-selfinthoseoldMexicanclothesrevealeditselfnowasridiculouslyimpossible。Hemusthavebeenoutofhismindtohaveconceivedanythingsopreposterousasrigginghimselfout，amongthesepolishedpeople，likeacow-puncherdownonhisluck。
　　"Iwonderwhenyourbrotherwillexpecttostart，"
　　hebegan，uneasily。"PerhapsIoughttogoandgetready。"
　　"Ah，herecomeshisman，"remarkedthesister。
　　Around-faced，smooth-manneredyoungster——whomThorpediscoveredtobewearingcord-breechesandleatherleggingsashedescendedthestairs——advancedtowardhimandprefacedhismessagebytheinvariablesalutation。
　　"HisLordshipwillbedown，sir，intenminutes——andhehopesyou'llbeready，sir，"thevaletsaid。
　　"SendPangbourntothisgentleman'sroom，"MissWinniebadehim，andwithagestureofcomprehensivesubmissionhewentaway。
　　ThecalmreadinesswithwhichshehadprovidedasolutionforhisdifficultiesimpressedThorpegreatly。
　　ItwouldneverhaveoccurredtohimthatPangbournwastheanswertotheproblemofhisclothes，yethowobviousithadbeentoher。Theseoldfamiliesdidsomethingmorethanfilltheirhouseswithservants；
　　theymasteredtheartofmakingtheseservantsanintegralpartofthemachineryofexistence。Fancyhavingamantodoallyourthinkingaboutclothesforyou，andthendressyou，intothebargain。Oh，itwasallsplendid。
　　"Itseemsthatwe'regoingshooting，"Thorpefoundhimselfexplaining，afewmomentslaterinhisbedroom，totheattentivePangbourn。Hedecidedtothrowhimselfwithfranknessuponthedomestic'sresourcefulgood-feeling。
　　"Ihaven'tbroughtanythingforshootingatall。SomehowI
　　gottheideaweweregoingtodoroughridinginstead——andsoIfetchedalongsomeoldMexicanriding-clothesthatmakemefeelmoreathomeinthesaddlethananythingelsewould。
　　Youknowhowfondamangetsofold，loosethingslikethat。
　　Butaboutthisshooting——Iwantyoutofixmeout。
　　WhatdoIneed？Justsomebreechesandleggings，eh？Youcanmanagethemforme，can'tyou？"
　　Pangbourncouldanddid——anditwasuponhisadvicethattheMexicanjacketwasutilizedtocompletetheout-fit。Itsshapewasbeyonddoubtuncommon，butithadbigpockets，anditlookedlikebusiness。Thorpe，asheglancedupanddownhisimageinthetallmirrorofthewardrobe，feltthathemustkillalargenumberofbirdstojustifytheeffectofpitilessproficiencywhichthisjacketlenttohisappearance。
　　"Wewillfindacapbelow，sir，"Pangbournannounced，withserenity，andThorpe，whohadbeententativelyfingeringthebig，flaringsombrero，thrustitbackuponitspegasifithadprovedtoohottohandle。
　　Downstairsinthehalltherewasmorewaitingtobedone，andtherewasnobodynowtobearhimcompany。Helitanothercigar，triedonvariouscapstillhefoundaleathernonetosuithim，andthendawdledabouttheroomandtheadjoiningconservatoryforwhatseemedtohimmorethanhalfanhour。Thisphaseofthearistocraticroutine，hefelt，didnotcommenditselfsowarmlytohimasdidsomeothers。
　　Everybodyelse，however，seemedtoregarditassowhollyamatterofcoursethatPlowdenshoulddoasheliked，thatheforboreformulatingacomplainteventohimself。
　　Atlast，thisnobleman'svaletdescendedthestairsoncemore。"HisLordshipwillbedownveryshortlynow，sir，"hedeclared——"andwillyoubegoodenoughtocomeintothegun-room，sir，andseethekeeper？"
　　Thorpefollowedhimthroughadoorwayunderthestaircase——theexistenceofwhichhehadnotsuspected——intoabare-lookingapartmentfittedlikeapantrywithshelves。
　　Afterthesemi-gloomofthehall，itwasalmostglaringlylighted。Thewindowsandanotherdooropened，hesaw，uponacourtconnectedwiththestable-yard。
　　Bythisentrance，nodoubt，hadcomethekeeper，asmall，brown-faced，brown-clothedmanofmatureyears，withthestrapofapouchoverhisshoulder，whostoodlookingatthecontentsoftheshelves。HemechanicallysalutedThorpeinturn，andthenresumedhisoccupation。
　　Therewerenumerousguncasesonthelowershelf，andmanyboxesandbagsabove。
　　"DidhisLordshipsaywhatgun？"thekeeperdemandedofthevalet。Hehadabright-eyed，intentglance，andhistoneconveyedasenseofsomebroad，impersonal，out-of-doorsdisdainforliveriedhouse-men。
　　Thevalet，standingbehindThorpe，shruggedhisshouldersandeloquentlyshookhishead。
　　"Doyoulikean'ammerless，sir？"thekeeperturnedtoThorpe。
　　Tohisintensehumiliation，Thorpecouldnotmakeoutthemeaningofthequery。"Oh，anything'lldoforme，"
　　hesaid，awkwardlysmiling。"It'syearssinceI'veshot——I
　　daresayonegun'llbequitethesameasanothertome。"
　　Hefelttheknowingbrighteyesofthekeepertakingallhismeasurementsasasportsman。"You'ddobestwith'B，'sir，Ifancy，"thefunctionarydecidedatlast，andhiswayofsayingitgaveThorpethenotionthat"B"
　　mustbetheweaponthatwasreservedforschool-boys。
　　Hewatchedtheoperationofputtingtheguntogether，andthentookit，andlaiditoverhisarm，andfollowedthevaletoutintothehallagain，indignifiedsilence。
　　Tothekeeper'sremark——"Mr。Balderhasitsmatewithhimtoday，sir，"hegaveonlyarestrainednod。
　　TherewereevennowwholeminutestowaitbeforeLordPlowdenappeared。Hecamedownthestairsthenwiththebrisk，ratherimpatientairofabusymanwhoseplansareembarrassedbytheunpunctualityofothers。Hewasfullyattired，hob-nailedshoes，leggings，leathercoatandcap，gloves，scarfroundhisthroatandall——andhebehavedasiftherewasnotaminutetolose。HehadbarelytimetoshakeperfunctorilythehandThorpeofferedhim，andutteranabsent-minded"Howareyouthismorning？"
　　Tothevalet，whohurriedforwardtoopentheouterdoor，bearinghismaster'sgunandacamp-stool，hesaidreproachfully，"Weareverylatetoday，Barnes。"Theywentout，andbeganstridingdowntheavenueoftreesatsuchapacethatthekeeperandhisfollowingofsmallboysanddogs，whojoinedthemneartheroad，wereforcedintoatrottokeepupwithit。
　　Thorpehadfancied，somehow，thataday'sshootingwouldaffordexceptionalopportunitiesforquietandintimatetalkwithhishost，butheperceivedverysoonthatthiswasnottobethecase。Theywalkedtogetherforhalfamile，itistrue，alongaruralbye-roadfirstandthenacrosssomefields，butthepartywascloseattheirheels，andPlowdenwalkedsofastthatconversationofanysort，saveanoccasionalremarkaboutthebirdsandthecoversbetweenhimandthekeeper，wasimpracticable。
　　TheHon。Baldersuddenlyturnedupinthelandscape，leaningagainstagatesetinahedgerow，andtheircoursewasdeflectedtowardhim，butevenwhentheycameuptohim，theexpeditionseemedtogainnothingofasocialcharacter。
　　Thefewcurtwordsthatwereexchanged，astheyhaltedheretodistributecartridgesandholdbriefconsultation，boreexclusivelyuponthesubjectinhand。
　　ThekeeperassumednowanauthoritywhichThorpe，breathingheavilyovertheunwontedexerciseandhopingfornothingsomuchasthattheywouldhenceforthtakethingseasy，thoughtintolerable。Hewasamazedthatthetwobrothersshouldtakewithoutcavilthearbitraryordersofthiselderlypeasant。HebadeLordPlowdenproceedtoacertainpointinonedirection，andthatnobleman，followedbyhisvaletwiththegunandthestool，setmeeklyoffwithoutaword。Balder，withequaldocility，vaultedthegate，andmovedawaydownthelaneatthebiddingofthekeeper。Neitherofthemhadintervenedtomitigatethedestinyoftheirguest，ordisplayedanyinterestastowhatwasgoingtobecomeofhim。
　　Thorpesaidtohimselfthathedidnotlikethis——andthoughafterward，whenhehadalsoclimbedthegateandtakenuphisstationunderaclumpoftreesattheautocrat'sbehest，hestrovetosoothehisruffledfeelingsbytheargumentthatitwasprobablytheabsolutelycorrectdeportmentforashootingparty，hismindremainedunconvinced。
　　Moreover，inpartingfromhim，thekeeperhaddroppedabluntinjunctionaboutfiringupordownthelane，thetoneevenmorethanthematterofwhichnettledhim。
　　Tocapall，whenhepresentlyventuredtostrollaboutalittlefromthespotonwhichhehadbeenplanted，hecaughtaglimpseagainsttheskylineofthedistantLordPlowden，comfortablyseatedonthestoolwhichhisvalethadbeencarrying。ItseemedtoThorpeatthatmomentthathehadneverwantedtositdownsomuchbeforeinhislife——andheturnedonhisheelinthewetgrasswithagruntofdispleasure。
　　Thismoodvanishedutterlyafewmomentslater。
　　Theremotesoundshadbeguntocometohim，ofboysshoutinganddogsbarking，intherecessesofthestripofwoodlandwhichthelaneskirted，andatthesehehastenedbacktohispost。Itdidnotseemtohimagoodplace，andwhenheheardthereportsofgunstorightandleftofhim，andnothingcamehisway，helikeditlessthanever；ithadbecomeamatterofoffendedpridewithhim，however，torelievethekeeperofnoatomoftheresponsibilityhehadtakenuponhimself。
　　IfLordPlowden'sguesthadnosport，theblameforitshouldrestuponLordPlowden'sover-arrogantkeeper。
　　Thenanoiseofadifferentcharacterassailedhisears，punctuatedasitwerebydistantboyishcriesof"mark！"
　　Thesecries，andthebuzzingsoundasofclockworkgonewrongwhichtheyaccompaniedandheralded，becameallatonceamosturgentaffairofhisown。Hestrainedhiseyesuponthehorizonofthethicket——and，asifbyinstinct，thegunspranguptoadjustitssighttothiseagergaze，andfollowedautomaticallythethunderingcourseofthebigbird，andthen，takingthoughttoitself，leapedaheadofitandfired。Thorpe'sfirstpheasantreeledintheair，describedasomersault，andfelllikeaplummet。
　　Hestirrednotastep，butreloadedthebarrelwithahandshakingforjoy。Fromwherehestoodhecouldseethedeadbird；therecouldneverhavebeenacleaner"kill。"
　　Inthewarmingglowofhissatisfactioninhimself，therekindledanewlikingofadifferentsortforPlowdenandBalder。Heowedtothem，atthisbelatedhourofhislife，anoveldelightofindescribablecharm。
　　Therecametohim，fromthewoods，theshrillbucolicvoiceofthekeeper，admonishingawaywarddog。Hewasconsciousofevenacertaintendernessforthiskeeper——andagainthecryof"mark！"rose，strenuouslyaddressedtohim。
　　Halfanhourlaterthewoodhadbeencleared，andThorpesawtherestofthepartyassemblingbythegate。Hedidnothurrytojointhem，butwhenLordPlowdenappearedhesaunteredslowlyover，gunoverarm，withasindifferentanairashecouldsimulate。Itpleasedhimtremendouslythatnoonehadthoughtitworthwhiletoapproachtherendezvousbywayofthespothehadcovered。Hiseyetookinstantstockofthegamecarriedbytwooftheboys；
　　theircombinedprizeswereeightbirdsandarabbit，andhisheartleapedwithinhimatthecount。
　　"Well，Thorpe？"askedPlowden，pleasantly。Thesmellofgunpowderandthesightofstainedfeathershadco-
　　operatedtobrightenandcheerhismood。"Iheardyoublazingawayingreatform。Didyougetanything？"
　　Thorpestrovehardtogivehisvoiceacarelessnote。
　　"Letsomeoftheboysrunover，"hesaidslowly。
　　"Thereareninebirdswithinsight，andtherearetwoorthreeinthebushes——buttheymayhavegotaway。"
　　"Gad！"saidBalder。
　　"Magnificent！"washisbrother'scomment——andThorpepermittedhimselftheluxuryofalong-drawn，beamingsighoftriumph。
　　TheroseatecolouringofthistriumphseemedreallytotinteverythingthatremainedofThorpe'svisit。
　　Hesetdowntoitwithouthesitationthevisibleaugmentationofdeferencetohimamongtheservants。
　　Thetemptationwasverygreattobelievethatithadaffectedtheladiesofthehouseaswell。Hecouldnotsaythattheyweremoregracioustohim，butcertainlytheyappearedtotakehimmoreforgranted。Inahundredlittleways，heseemedtoperceivethathewasnolongerheldmentallyatarm'slengthasastrangertotheircaste。
　　Ofcourse，hisownrestoredself-confidencecouldaccountformuchofthis，butheclungtothewhimsicalconceitthatmuchwasalsoduetothefactthathewasthemanofthepheasants。
　　Sundaywasbleakandstormy，andnoonestirredoutofthehouse。Hewasaloneagainwiththeladiesatbreakfast，andduringthelongdayhewasmuchintheircompany。
　　Itwaslikenootherdayhehadeverimaginedtohimself。
　　Onthemorrow，inthemorningtrainbywhichhereturnedalonetotown，hismindrovedluxuriouslyamongthefragrantmemoriesofthatday。Hehadbeensoperfectlyathome——andinsuchahome！Thereweresomethingswhichcameuppermostagainandagain——butofthemallhedweltmostfixedlyupontherecollectionofmovingaboutinthegreenhousesandconservatories，withthattall，stately，fairLadyCressageforhisguide，andwatchingherinsteadoftheflowersthatshepointedout。
　　Ofwhatshehadtoldhim，notasyllablestuckinhismind，butthemusicofthevoicelingeredinhisears。
　　"AndsheisoldKervick'sdaughter！"hesaidtohimselfmorethanonce。
　　CHAPTERVIII
　　ITmaybethateveryotherpassengerinthatmorningtraintoLondonnursedeitherasilentrage，ordeclaimedaloudtofellow-sufferersinindignation，atthetimeconsumedinmakingwhat，bythemap，shouldbesobriefajourney。
　　InThorpe'sowncompartment，menspokewithsavageironyofcyclistsallegedtobepassingthemontheroad，andexchangeddarkpropheciesastothenoveltiesinimbecilityandhelplessnesswhichthelinewouldbepreparingfortheChristmasholidays。Theoldjokeaboutpeoplewhohadgonetravellingyearsbefore，andwerebelievedtobestilllostsomewhereintherecessesofKent，reviveditselfamidgloomyapprobation。ThestillolderdiscussionastowhethertheSouthEasternortheBrightonwasreallytheworstfollowednaturallyinitswake，andoccupieditsaccustomedhalf-hour——complicated，however，uponthisoccasion，bythechancepresenceofaloquaciousstrangerwhosaidhelivedontheChatham-and-Dover，andwhorejectedboisterouslytheideathatanyotherrailwaycouldbehalfsobad。
　　Theintrusionofthisoutsiderarousedinstantresentment，andthechampionsoftheSouthEasternandtheBrighton，havingpiledupadditionaldefensesintheshapeofpersonalrecollectionsofdelayandmismanagementquitebeyondbelief，madeacombinedattackuponthenewcomer。
　　Hewasevidentlyincapable，theirremarksimplied，ofknowingabadrailwaywhenhesawone。TosuggestthatthecharacterlessandinoffensiveChatham-and-Dover，socommonplaceinitstamevirtues，wastobementionedinthesamebreathwiththedaringlyinventiveandresourcefulmalefactorswhoserendezvouswasLondonBridge，showedeitheraweakmindoracorruptheart。DidthismanreallyliveontheDoverlineatall？Angrycountenancesplainlyreflectedthedoubt。
　　ButtoThorpethejourneyseemedshortenough——almosttooshort。Theconversationinterestedhimnotatall；
　　ifhehadeverknowntheSouthernlinesapart，theywereallonetohimnow。Helookedoutofthewindow，andcouldhaveswornthathethoughtofnothingbutthevisitfromwhichhewasreturning。
　　WhenhealightedatCannonStreet，however，itwastodiscoverthathismindwasfullofalarge，new，carefully-preparedproject。Itcametohim，ready-madeandpracticallycomplete，ashestoodontheplatform，superintendingtheporter'seffortstofindhisbags。
　　Heturneditoverandoverinhisthoughts，inthehansom，moretofamiliarizehimselfwithitsdetailsthantoaddtothem。HeleftthecabtowaitforhimatthemouthofalittlealleywhichdelvesitswayintoOldBroadStreetthroughtoweringwallsofcommercialbuildings，oldandnew。
　　ColinSemplewashappilyinhisoffice——acongeriesofsmall，huddledrooms，dryanddirtywithage，whichhadadoorwayofitsowninacornerofthecourt——andThorpepushedontohisroomattheendlikeonewhoisassuredofbothhiswayandhiswelcome。
　　Thebrokerwasstandingbesideadesk，dictatingalettertoaclerkwhosatatit，andwithonlyanodtoThorpeheproceededtofinishthistask。Helookedmorethanonceathisvisitorashedidso，inapreoccupied，impersonalway。Totheother'snotion，heseemedthepersonificationofbusiness——withoutanounceofdistractingsuperfluousfleshuponhiswiry，toughlittleframe，withoutatraceofunnecessarypoliteness，orhumour，orsensibilityofanysort。Hewasthemachineperfectedandfineddowntoabsoluteessentials。Hecouldunderstandajokeifitwasusefultohimtodoso。Hecoulddrink，andevensmokecigarettes，withanaturalair，iftheseexercisesseemedproperlytobelongtothetaskhehadinhand。Thorpedidnotconceivehimdoinganythingforthemerehumanreasonthathelikedtodoit。
　　Therewasmorethanatouchofwhattherusticcalls"ginger"
　　inhishairandclosely-cropped，pointedbeard，andhehadthecomplementaryfloridskin。Hiseyes——notablydirect，confidenteyes——wereofagreywhichhadinitmorebrownthanblue。Heworeablackfrock-coat，buttonedclose，andhislinenproducedtheeffectofaconspicuouswhiteness。
　　Heturnedastheclerklefttheroom，andlethisserious，thinlipsrelaxforaninstantasadeferredgreeting。
　　"Well？"heasked，impassively。
　　"Haveyougotaquarter-of-an-hour？"askedThorpeinturn。
　　"Iwantatalkwithyou。"
　　Foranswer，Semplelefttheroom。Returningafteraminuteortwo，heremarked，"Goaheadtillwe'restopped，"
　　andseatedhimselfonthecornerofthedeskwiththelightinconsequenceofabirdonatwig。Thorpeunbuttonedhisovercoat，laidasidehishat，andseatedhimself。
　　"I'veworkedoutthewholescheme，"hebegan，asifintroducingtheproductofmanysleeplessnights'cogitations。
　　"I'mgoingtoleaveEnglandalmostimmediately——goontheContinentandloafabout——I'veneverseentheContinent。"
　　Sempleregardedhiminsilence。"Well？"heobservedatlast。
　　"Youseetheidea，don'tyou？"Thorpedemanded。
　　Thebrokertwitchedhisshouldersslightly。"Goon，"
　　hesaid。
　　"Buttheideaiseverything，"protestedtheother。
　　"We'vebeenthinkingofbeginningthecampaignstraightaway——butthetruegamenowistolielow——silentasthegrave。
　　Igoawaynow，d'yesee？Nothingparticularissaidaboutit，ofcourse，butinamonthortwosomebodynoticesthatI'mnotabout，andhehappenstomentionittosomebodyelse——andsotheregetstobetheimpressionthatthingshaven'tgonewellwithme，d'yesee？Onthesameplan，Iletalltheclerksatmyofficego。TheSecretary'llcomeroundeveryonceinawhiletogetletters，ofcourse，andperhapshe'llkeepaboyinthefrontofficeforshow，butpracticallytheplace'llbeshutup。That'llhelpoutthegeneralimpressionthatI'vegonetopieces。
　　Nowd'yesee？"
　　"It'stheSpecialSettlementyou'rethinkingof，"
　　commentedSemple。
　　"Ofcourse。Thefellowsthatwe'regoingtosqueezewouldmoveheavenandhelltopreventourgettingthatSettlement，iftheygotwindofwhatwasgoingon。Theonlyweakpointinourgameisjustthere。AbsolutelyeverythinghangsontheSettlementbeinggranted。Naturally，then，ourplayistoconcentrateeverythingongettingitgranted。
　　Wedon'twanttoraisetheremotestshadowofasuspicionofwhatwe'reupto，tillafterwe'resafepastthatrock。
　　Sowegooninthewaytoattracttheleastpossibleattention。
　　YouoryourjobbermakestheordinaryapplicationforaSpecialSettlement，withyoursixsignaturesandsoon；
　　andIgoabroadquietly，andtheofficeisasgoodasshutup，andnobodymakesapeepaboutRubberConsols——
　　andthethingworksitself。Youdoseeit，don'tyou？"
　　"Iseewellenoughthethingsthataretobeseen，"
　　repliedSemple，withacertainbrevityofmanner。
　　"Therewasasermonofmyfather'sthatIremember，andithadforitstext，'Welooknotatthethingswhichareseen，butatthethingswhicharenotseen。'"
　　Thorpe，ponderingthisforamoment，noddedhishead。
　　"Semple，"hesaid，bringinghischairforwardtothedesk，"that'swhatI'vecomefor。Iwanttospreadmycardsonthetableforyou。Iknowthesumyou'velaidoutalready，inworkingthisthing。We'llsaythatthatistobepaidbacktoyou，asaseparatetransaction，andwe'llputthattooneside。Nowthen，leavingthatoutofconsideration，whatdoyouthinkyououghttohaveoutofthewinnings，whenwepullthethingoff？Mind，I'mnotthinkingofyour2，000vendor'sshares——"
　　"No——I'mnotthinkingmuchofthem，either，"interposedSemple，withakindofdrysignificance。
　　"Oh，they'llbeallright，"Thorpeaffirmed。Helaughedunconsciouslyashedidso。"No，whatIwanttogetatisyourideaofwhatshouldcometoyou，asabonus，whenIscooptheboard。"
　　"Twentythousandpounds，"saidSemple，readily。
　　Thorpe'sslowglancebrightenedatrifle。"Ihadthoughtthirtywouldbeafairerfigure，"heremarked，withaneffortatsimplicity。
　　Thebrokerputouthisunder-lip。"Youwillfindpeopleratherdisposedtodistrustamanwhopromisesmorethanhe'sasked，"heremarkedcoldly。
　　"Yes——Iknowwhatyoumean，"Thorpehurriedtosay，flushingawkwardly，eventhoughtheremarkwassoundeserved；
　　"butit'sinmynature。I'mfullofthenotionofdoingthingsforpeoplethathavedonethingsforme。
　　That'sthewayI'mbuilt。Why"——hehaltedtoconsidertheadvisabilityofdisclosingwhathehadpromisedtodoforLordPlowden，anddecidedagainstit——"why，withoutyou，whatwouldthewholethinghavebeenworthtome？Takeonethingalone——themoneyfortheapplications——IcouldhavenomoregotatitthanIcouldattheCrownJewelsintheTower。I'vewonderedsince，morethanonce——ifyoudon'tmindthequestion——howdidyouhappentohavesomuchreadymoneylyingabout。"
　　"TherearesomeGlasgowandAberdeenfolkwhotrustmetoinvestforthem，"thebrokerexplained。"Iftheygetfivepercent。forthefourmonths，they'llbeverypleased。
　　AndsoIshallbeverypleasedtotakethirtythousandinsteadoftwenty——ifitpresentsitselftoyourmindinthatway。Youwillgivemealettertothateffect，ofcourse。"
　　"Ofcourse，"assentedThorpe。"Writeitnow，ifyoulike。"
　　Hepushedhischairforward，closertothedesk，anddippedapenintheink。"WhatIwanttodoisthis，"hesaid，lookingup。"I'llmakethepromiseforthirty-twothousand，andI'llgetyoutoletmehavetwothousandincashnow——apersonaladvance。Ishallneedit，ifI'mtohangaboutontheContinentforfourmonths。Ijudgeyouthinkit'llbefourmonthsbeforethingsmaterialize，eh？"
　　"TheSpecialSettlement，inthenaturalorderofevents，wouldcomeshortlyaftertheChristmasholidays。
　　Thatisnearlythreemonths。Thentheworkoftakingfort-nightlyprofitswillbegin——anditisforyoutosayhowlongyouallowthattogoon。"
　　"Butaboutthetwothousandpoundsnow，"Thorperemindedhim。
　　"IthinkIwilldothatinthisway，"saidSemple，kickinghissmalllegsnonchalantly。"Iwillbuytwothousandfully-paidsharesofyou，forcashdown，NOTvendor'sshares，youobserve——andthenIwilltakeyouracknowledgmentthatyouholdthemformeintrustuptoagivendate。
　　Inthatway，Iwouldnotatallweakenyourmarket，andIwouldhaveastakeinthegame。""Yourstake'sprettybig，already，"commentedThorpe，tentatively。
　　"It'sjustafancyofmine，"saidtheother，withhisfirstsmile。"Iliketoholdsharesthataremakingsensationaladvances。Itisveryexciting。"
　　"Allright，"saidThorpe，inaccentsofresignation。