Hewroteouttwoletters，acceptingthewordingwhichSemplesuggestedfromhisperchonthedesk，andthenthelatter，hoppingdown，tookthechairinturnandwroteacheque。
　　"Doyouwantitopen？"heaskedoverhisshoulder。
　　"Areyougoingtogetitcashedatonce？"
　　"No——crossit，"saidtheother。"Iwantittogothroughmybankers。It'llwarmtheirheartstowardme。
　　Ishan'tbegoingtilltheendoftheweek，inanyevent。
　　IsupposeyouknowtheContinentbyheart。"
　　"Onthecontrary，verylittleindeed。I'vehadbusinessinFrankfortonce，andinRotterdamonce，andinParistwice。
　　Thatisall。"
　　"Butdon'tyoueverdoanythingforpleasure？"
　　Thorpeaskedhim，ashefoldedthechequeinhispocket-book。
　　"Ohyes——manythings，"respondedthebroker，lightly。
　　"It'sapleasure，forexample，tobuyRubberConsolsatpar。"
　　"Oh，ifyoucallitbuying，"saidThorpe，andthensoftenedhiswordswithanapologeticlaugh。"Ididn'ttellyou，didI？I'vebeenspendingSaturdayandSundaywithPlowden——youknow，theLordPlowdenonmyBoard。"
　　"Iknowofhimverywell，"observedtheScotchman。
　　"Hasheaplacethatheaskspeopledownto，then？Thatisn'ttheusualformwithguinea-pigs。"
　　"Ah，but，heisn'ttheguinea-pigvarietyatall，"
　　Thorpeasserted，warmly。"He'sreallyasplendidfellow——withhislittleoddities，liketherestofus，ofcourse，butadecentchapallthrough。Place？IshouldthinkheHADgotaplace！It'soneoftheswellestoldcountry-housesyoueversaw——olderthanhell，youknow——andit'skeptupasiftheyhadfiftythousandayear。
　　Doyouhappentoknowwhathisrealincomeissupposedtobe？"
　　Sempleshookhishead。Hehadtakenhishat，andwassmoothingitdeftlywiththepalmofhishand。
　　"Iasked，"Thorpewenton，"becausehehadsomuchtosayabouthispoverty。Tohearhimtalk，you'dthinkthebailiffsweresittingonhisdoorstep。Thatdoesn'tpreventhishavingfasthorses，andservantsallovertheplace，andaboutthebestshootingI'veseenintheSouthofEngland。Asluckwouldhaveit，Iwasinwonderfulform。
　　God！howIknockedthepheasants！"Aclerkshowedhisheadatthedoor，withameaninggesture。"Imustgonow，"
　　saidSemple，briskly，andledthewayouttoanotherroom。
　　Hehaltedhere，anddismissedhiscallerwiththebriefinjunction，"Don'tgoawaywithoutseeingme。"
　　Itwasthenoon-hour，andtheleast-consideredgradesoftheCity'sslaveswereinthestreetsonthequestforcheapluncheons。Thorpenotedthemannerinwhichsomeofthemstudiedthelargebilloffareplacardedbesidearestaurantdoor；thespectaclepromptedhimluxuriouslytorattlethegoldcoinsremaininginhispocket。
　　Hehadbeenasanxiousaboutpenceasthehungriestofthosepoordevils，onlyaweekbefore。Andnow！Hethrustupthedoorintheroofofthecab，andbadethedriverstopathisbank。Thence，aftersomebriefbutveryagreeablebusiness，andahurriedinspectionofthe"Court"sectionofaLondonDirectory，hedrovetoatelegraphstationanddespatchedtwomessages。
　　Theywereidenticalinterms。OnesoughtGeneralKervickathisresidence——hewasinlodgingssomewhereintheHanoverSquarecountry——andtheotherlookedforhimathisclub。
　　BothbeggedhimtolunchattheSavoyattwoo'clock。
　　Therewastimeandtospare，now。Thorpedismissedthecabathishotel——anunpretentioushouseinCravenStreet，andsenthisluggagetohisrooms。Therewerenolettersforhimontheboardinthehallway，andhesauntereduptotheStrand。Asbyforceofhabit，heturnedpresentlyintoaside-street，andstoppedoppositetheancientbook-shopofhisfamily。
　　Inthebrightyetmellowlightofthesunnyautumnnoontide，theblacksandroansandsmokeddrabsofthelowoldbrickfrontlookedmoredingytohiseyethanever。
　　Itspokeofantiquity，nodoubt，butitwasadismalandgracelessantiquityofnarrowpurposesandnigglingthrift。
　　Itwassolittleliketheantiquity，forexample，ofHadlowHouse，thatthetwomighthavecomputedtheiragebythechronologicalsystemsofdifferentplanets。
　　Althoughhissister'smarriednamewasDabney，andshehadbeensoleproprietorfornearlyadozenyears，thesignoverthedoorwayborestillitscentury-oldlegend，"Thorpe，Bookseller。"
　　Hecrossedthestreet，andpausedforamomenttorunaneyeoverthebooksandplacardsexposedoneithersideoftheentrance。Asmallboyguardedthesewares，andThorpeconsideredhimbriefly，withcuriousrecollectionsofhowmuchofhisownboyhoodhadbeenspentonthatveryspot。Theladunderobservationhadaloutishandsullenface；itsexpressioncouldnothavebeenmoredevoidofintellectualsuggestionsifhehadbeenpostedinaWiltshirefieldtofrightencrowswitharattle，insteadofbeingsethereinthehighwayoftheworld'sbrain-movement，anagentofstudentsandphilosophers。
　　Thorpewonderedifinhistimehecouldhavelookedsuchavacantandsouryoungfool。No——no。Thatcouldnotbe。
　　Boysweredifferentinhisday——andespeciallyboysinbook-shops。Theyreadsomethingandknewsomethingofwhattheyhandled。Theyhadsomesortofaspirations，fitfulandvagueasthesemightbe，tobecomeintheirtimebookmenalso。Andinthosedaystherestillwerebookmen——widely-informed，observant，devotedoldbookmen——wholovedtheirtrade，andadornedit。
　　Thorpereflectedthat，ashegrewolder，hewasthebetterabletoapprehendtheadmirablequalitiesofthatdepartedraceofliterature'sservants。Indeed，itseemedthathehadneveradequatelyrealizedbeforehowproudamanmightwellbeofdescendingfromalineofsuchmen。Thethoughtstruckhimthatverylikelyatthisidenticaldoorway，twogenerationsback，apoor，out-at-the-elbows，younglaw-studentnamedPlowdenhadstoodandturnedoverpagesofbookshecouldnotdreamofbuying。Perhaps，even，hehadventuredinside，anddeferentiallypickedacquaintancewiththeThorpeoftheperiod，andgotbookishadviceandfriendlycounselfornothing。Itwasofnorealsignificancethatthelaw-studentgrewtobeLordChancellor，andthebooksellerremainedabook-seller；intherealmofactualvalues，theThorpeswereasgoodasthePlowdens。
　　Acustomercameoutoftheshop，andThorpewentin，squeezinghiswayalongthenarrowpassagebetweenthetallrowsofbooks，tothesmallopenspaceattheend。
　　Hissisterstoodhere，momentarilyoccupiedatahighdesk。
　　Shedidnotlookup。
　　"Well——IvisitedhisLordshipallright。"Heannouncedhispresencethusgenially。
　　"Ihopeyou'rethebetterforit，"sheremarked，turningtohim，afterapause，heremotionless，plainface。
　　"Oh，immensely，"heaffirmed，withrobustjocularity。
　　"Youshouldhaveseenthewaytheytooktome。
　　Itwas'Mr。Thorpe'hereand'Mr。Thorpe'there，allovertheplace。Ladiesoftitle，mindyou——alltomyselfatbreakfasttwodaysrunning。Andsuchladies——finerthansilk。Oh，it'sclearasdaylight——Iwasintendedforafashionablecareer。"
　　Shesmiledinafaint，passiveway。"Well——theysay'betterlatethannever，'youknow。""Andafterall，ISitsoverylate？"hesaid，adoptingherphraseasanexpressionofhisthought。"I'mjustturnedforty，andI
　　feellikeaboy。Iwaslookingatthat'Peerage'there，theotherday——anddoyouknow，I'msixteenyearsyoungerthanthefirstLordPlowdenwaswhentheymadehimapeer？
　　Whyhedidn'tevengetintotheHouseofCommonsuntilhewasseven-and-forty。"
　　"YouseemtohavethePlowdenfamilyonthebrain，"
　　shecommented。
　　"Imighthaveworsethings。You'venoidea，Lou，howniceitallis。Themother，LadyPlowden——whyshemademefeelasifIwasattheveryleastanephewofhers。
　　Andsosimpleandnatural！Shesmiledatme，andlistenedtome，andsaidfriendlythingstome——why，justasanybodymighthavedone。You'lljustloveher，whenyouknowher。"
　　Louisalaughedinhisface。"Don'tbeafool，Joel，"
　　sheadjuredhim，withaflashofscornfulmirth。
　　Hemingledacertainfrowningimpatiencewiththebuoyancyofhissmile。"Why，ofcourse，you'llknowher，"
　　heprotested。"Whatnonsenseyou'rethinkingof！DoyousupposeI'mgoingtoallowyoutomessaboutherewithsecond-handalmanacs，andasigninyourwindowof'threepenceintheshillingdiscountforcash，'
　　whileI'mamillionaire？It'stoofoolish，Lou。Youannoymebysupposingsuchathing！"
　　"There'snogoodtalkingaboutitatall，"sheobserved，afteralittlepause。"Ithasn'tcomeoffyet，foronething。AndasIsaidtheothernight，ifyouwanttodothingsforthechildren，that'sanothermatter。
　　They'reofanagewhentheycanlearnwhateveranybodychoosestoteachthem。"
　　"Wherearetheynow？"heasked。Upontheinstantanotherplanbegantounfolditselfinthebackgroundofhismind。
　　"They'rebothatCheltenham，thoughthey'reatdifferentplaces，ofcourse。IwasrecommendedtosendJuliathere——oneofouroldcustomersisaGovernor，orwhateverit'scalled——andhegotspecialtermsforher。
　　Shewasratherold，youknow，togotoschool，buthearrangeditverynicelyforher——andthereissuchagoodboys'
　　collegethere，itseemedthewisestthingtosendAlfredtoo。
　　JuliaistofinishatChristmas-time——andwhatI'mgoingtodowithherafterwardismorethanIknow。"
　　"Isshepretty？"theuncleofJuliaenquired。
　　"She'sverynice，"themotheranswered，withvagueextenuationinhertone。"Idon'tknowaboutherlooks——shevariessomuch。SometimesIthinkshe'spretty——andthenagainIcan'tthinkit。She'sgotgoodfeatures，andsheholdsherselfwell，andshe'sverymuchthelady——rathertoomuch，Ithink，sometimes——butitalldependsuponwhatyoucallpretty。She'snottall，youknow。Shetakesafterherfather'sfamily。TheDabneysarealllittlepeople。"
　　ThorpeseemednottocareabouttheDabneys。"Andwhat'sAlfredlike？"heasked。
　　"Hewantstobeanartist！"Therewasaperceptiblenoteofapprehensioninthemother'sconfession。
　　"Well——whyshouldn'the——ifhe'sgotabentthatway？"
　　demandedThorpe，withreproofinhistone。"Didyouwanthimtobeashop-keeper？"
　　"Ishouldliketoseehimadoctor，"sherepliedwithdignity。
　　"Itwasalwaysmyideaforhim。"
　　"Well，it'snogood——evenasanidea，"hetoldher。
　　"Doctorsarelikeparsons——theycan'tkeepupwiththetimes。
　　Theageisoutgrowingthem。Onlythefakirsineitherprofessiongetanythingoutofit，nowadays。It'sallmysteryandsleight-of-handandtheconfidencetrick——medicineis——andifyouhaven'tgotjusttherighttwistofthewrist，you'renotinit。Butanartiststandsonhismerits。
　　Thereishiswork——donebyhisownhands。Itspeaksforitself。There'snodeception——it'seasyenoughtotellwhetherit'sgoodorbad。Ifthepicturesaregood，peoplebuythem。Ifthey'rebad，peopledon'tbuythem。
　　Ofcourse，itwon'tmattertoAlfred，financiallyspeaking，whetherhispicturessellwellornot。Butprobablyhe'dgiveitup，ifhedidn'tmakeahitofit。
　　"Idon'tknowthatthere'sanycryingneedthatheshoulddoanything。Myownideaforhim，perhaps，wouldbetheArmy，butIwouldn'tdreamofforcingitonhimagainsthiswill。
　　Ihadabitterenoughdoseofthat，myself，withfather。
　　I'dtrytoguideayoungster，yes，andperhapsarguewithhim，ifIthoughthewasmakingajackofhimself——butIwouldn'tdictate。IfAlfredthinkshewantstobeanartist，inGod'snamelethimgoahead。
　　Itcanbemadeagentlemanlytrade——andthemainthingisthatheshouldbeagentleman。"
　　Louisahadlistenedtothisdiscoursewithapatheticpatience。"Ifyoudon'tmind，Idon'tknowthatIdo，"
　　shesaidwhenitwasfinished。"Perhapshewouldn'thavemadeagooddoctor；he'sgotaveryquicktemper。
　　Heremindsmeoffather——oh，eversomuchmorethanyoudo。
　　Hecontradictseverythingeverybodysays。Hequiteknowsitall。"
　　"Buthe'sagoodfellow，isn'the？"urgedThorpe。"Imean，he'sgothislikablepoints？I'mgoingtobeabletogetalongwithhim？"
　　"Ididn'tgetalongwithhimverywell，"themotheradmitted，reluctantly，"butIdaresaywithamanitwouldbedifferent。Yousee，hisfatherwasillallthosefouryears，andAlfredhatedtheshopasbadasyoudid，andperhapsinmyworryIblamedhimmorethanwasfair。
　　Iwanttobefairtohim，youknow。"
　　"Butisheagentleman？Thatputsitinaword，"
　　Thorpeinsisted。
　　"Oh，mercyyes，"Louisamadereadyanswer。"Myonlyfearis——whetheryouwon'tfindhimtoomuchofagentleman。"
　　Thorpeknittedhisbrows。"Ionlyhopewe'retalkingaboutthesamething，"hesaid，inadoubtfultone。
　　Beforeshecouldspeak，heliftedhishand。
　　"Nevermind——Icanseeformyselfintenminutesmorethanyoucouldtellmeinalifetime。I'vegotaplan。
　　I'mgoingontheContinentinafewdays'time，tostayforthreeorfourmonths。I'vegotnothingspecialtodo——justtotravelaboutandseethingsandkilltime——IshallprobablygotoItalyandSwitzerlandandParisandtheRhineandallsortsofplaces——anditoccurredtomethatI'dtakethetwoyoungsterswithme。
　　Icouldgetacquaintedwiththem，thatway，andthey'dbecompanyforme。I'vebeenlonesomesolong，itwouldfeelgoodtohavesomeofmyownfleshandbloodaboutme——andIsupposethey'dbetickledtodeathtogo。"
　　"TheirschoolingandboardarepaidforuptoChristmas，"
　　Mrs。Dabneyobjected，blankly。
　　"Bah！"Thorpeprolongedtheemphaticexclamationintosomethinggood-natured，andendeditwithanabruptlaugh。
　　"Whatonearthdifferencedoesthatmake？Icouldgoandbuytheirdamnedcolleges，andletthekidswearthemforbreastpinsifIwantedto。YousaidthegirlwasgoingtoquitatChristmasinanycase。Won'tshelearnmoreinfourmonthstravellingaboutontheContinent，thanshewouldtrottingaroundinherowntracksthereatCheltenham？
　　"Andit'sevenmoreimportantfortheboy。He'sofanagewhenheoughttoseesomethingoftheworld，andIoughttoseesomethingofhim。Whateverhe'sgoingtodo，it'stimethathebegangettinghisspecialstartforit。"
　　Headded，uponaluminousafterthought："PerhapshisseeingtheoldItalianpicturegalleriesandsoonwillcurehimofwantingtobeanartist。"
　　Themother'sairdisplayedresignedacquiescenceratherthanconviction。"Well——ifyoureallythinkit'sbest，"
　　shebegan，"Idon'tknowthatIoughttoobject。
　　Goodnessknows，Idon'twanttostandintheirway。
　　Eversinceyousentthatfourhundredpounds，ithasn'tseemedasiftheyweremychildrenatall。
　　They'vescarcelylistenedtome。Andnowyoucome，andproposetotakethemoutofmyhandsaltogether——andallIcansayis——Ihopeyoufeelentirelyjustified。
　　Andso，shallIwritethemtocomehome？Whendoyouthinkofstarting？Juliaoughttohavesometravellingclothes。"
　　"Icanwaittillyougetherready——onlyyoumusthurryupaboutit。"
　　Rememberingsomething，hetookouthischeque-book，andspreaditonthedesk。"Iwillgiveyoubackthatthirty，"hesaid，ashewrote，"andhere'sahundredtogettheyoungstersready。Youwon'twasteanytime，willyou？andifyouwantmoretellme。"
　　Acustomerhadenteredtheshop，andThorpemadeittheoccasionforleaving。
　　Hissister，lookingafterherbrotherwiththechequeinherhand，wasconsciousofathoughtwhichseemedtospellitselfoutinvisiblelettersbeforehermentalvision。
　　"EvennowIdon'tbelieveinhim，"theimpalpablelegendran。
　　CHAPTERIX
　　GENERALKERVICKwasbyhabitapunctualman，andThorpefoundhimhovering，carefullyglovedandfur-coated，intheneighbourhoodoftheluncheon-roomwhenhearrived。
　　Itindeedstilllackedafewminutesoftheappointedhourwhentheythusmetandwentintogether。Theywerefortunateenoughtofindasmalltableoutonthebalcony，sufficientlyremovedfromanyothertogiveprivacytotheirconversation。
　　Bytacitagreement，theGeneralorderedtheluncheon，speakingFrenchtothewaiterthroughout。Divestedofhisimposinggreat-coat，hewasseentobeagentlemanofmeagrefleshaswellasofsmallstature。HehadtheRomannose，narrowforehead，bushingbrows，andsharply-cutmouthandchinofasoldiergrownoldinthecontemplationofportraitsoftheDukeofWellington。Hisfaceandneckwereofadullreddishtint，whichseemedatfirstsightuniformlydistributed：onesawafterwardthatitapproachedpallorattheveinedtemples，andripenedintopurpleinminutepatchesonthecheeksandthetipofthepointednose。
　　Againstthisflushedskin，theclosely-croppedhairandsmall，neatly-waxedmoustachewereverywhiteindeed。
　　Itwasathin，lined，care-wornface，withal，whichinrepose，andparticularlyinprofile，producedaneffectofdignifiedandphilosophicalmelancholy。TheGeneral'sover-prominentlightblueeyesuponoccasionmarredthiseffect，however，byglancesofabold，harshcharacter，whichseemedtodiscloseunpleasantdepthsbelowthecorrectsurface。
　　Hismannerwiththewaiterswasabruptandsharp，butundoubtedlytheyservedhimverywell——muchbetter，intruth，thanThorpehadeverseenthemserveanybodybefore。
　　Thorpeobservedhisguestagooddealduringtherepast，andformednumerousconclusionsabouthim。Heatewithpalpablerelishofeverydish，andheemptiedhisglassaspromptlyashishostcouldfillit。Therewashardlyawordofexplanationastothepurposeoftheirmeeting，untilthecoffeewasbrought，andtheypushedbacktheirchairs，crossedtheirlegs，andlightedcigars。
　　"Iwasluckytocatchyouwithmywire，atsuchshortnotice，"
　　Thorpesaidthen。"Isenttwo，youknow——toyourchambersandyourclub。Whichofthemfoundyou？"
　　"Chambers，"saidtheGeneral。"Irarelydresstillluncheontime。Ireadinbed。There'sreallynothingelsetodo。Idlenessisthecurseofmylife。"
　　"I'vebeenwonderingifyou'dlikealittleoccupation——
　　ofawell-paidsort，"saidThorpeslowly。HerealizedthatitwashightimetoinventsomepretextforhishurriedsummonsoftheGeneral。
　　"Mydearsir，"respondedtheother，"Ishouldlikeanythingthathadmoneyinit。AndIshouldverymuchlikeoccupation，too——ifitwere，ofcourse，somethingthatwas——wassuitabletome。"
　　"Yes，"saidThorpe，meditatively。"I'vesomethinginmymind——notatalldefiniteyet——infact，Idon'tthinkI
　　canevenoutlineittoyouyet。ButI'msureitwillsuityou——thatis，ifIdecidetogoonwithit——andthereoughttobesevenoreighthundredayearforyouinit——forlife，mindyou。"
　　TheGeneral'sgaze，fastenedstrenuouslyuponThorpe，shookalittle。"Thatwillsuitmeverywell，"hedeclared，withfeeling。"WhateverIcandoforit"——heletthesentenceenditselfwithasignificantgesture。
　　"Ithoughtso，"commentedtheother，triflingwiththespooninhiscup。"ButIwantyoutobeopenwithme。
　　I'minterestedinyou，andIwanttobeofusetoyou。
　　AllthatI'vesaid，Icandoforyou。Butfirst，I'mcurioustoknoweverythingthatyoucantellmeaboutyourcircumstances。I'mrightinassuming，Isuppose，thatyou're——thatyou'renotanytoowell-fixed。"
　　TheGeneralhelpedhimselftoanotherlittleglassofbrandy。
　　Hismoodseemedtoabsorbthespiritoftheliqueur。
　　"Fixed！"herepeatedwithapeevishsnapinhistone。
　　"I'mnot'fixed'atall，asyoucallit。GoodGod，sir！Theynomorecarewhatbecomesofmethantheydoabouttheiroldgloves。Igavethemnameandbreedingandposition——andeverything——andtheyroundonmelike——likecuckoos。"
　　Hispale，bulgingeyesliftedtheirpassionlessveilforaninstantashespoke，andflashedwiththepredatoryfiercenessofahawk。
　　IntuitionhelpedThorpetoguesswhom"they"mightmean。
　　Thetempervisiblyrisingintheoldman'smindwaswhathehadhopedfor。Heproceededwithaninformedcaution。
　　"Don'tbeannoyedifItouchuponfamilymatters，"hesaid。
　　"It'sapartofwhatImustknow，inordertohelpyou。
　　Ibelieveyou'reawidower，aren'tyou，General？"
　　Theother，afteraquickupwardglance，shookhisheadresentfully。"Mrs。KervicklivesinItalywithHER
　　son-in-law——andherdaughter。Heisamanofproperty——
　　andalso，apparently，amanofremarkablecredulityandpatience。"Hepaused，toscanhiscompanion'sface。
　　"Theydividehimbetweenthem，"hesaidthen，fromclenchedteeth——"andI——mindyou——Imadethematch！HewasayoungfellowthatIfound——andIbroughthimhomeandintroducedhim——andIhaven'tsomuchasanItalianpostage-stamptoshowforit。Butwhatinterestcanyoupossiblytakeinallthis？"Theunamiableglanceofhiseyeswasontheinstantsurchargedwithsuspicion。
　　"Howmanydaughtershaveyou？"Thorpeventuredtheenquirywithinwarddoubtsastoitssagacity。
　　"Three，"answeredtheGeneral，briefly。Itwasevidentthathewasalsobusythinking。
　　"IaskbecauseImetoneoftheminthecountryoverSunday，"
　　Thorpedecidedtoexplain。
　　Theoldsoldier'seyesaskedmanyquestionsinthemomentofsilence。"Whichone——Edith？——thatis，LadyCressage？"
　　heenquired。"Ofcourse——itwouldhavebeenher。"
　　Thorpenodded。"Shemadeatremendousimpressionuponme，"
　　heobserved，watchingthefatherwithintentnessashelettheslowwordsfall。
　　"Wellshemight，"theotherreplied，simply。"She'ssupposedtobethemostbeautifulwomaninEngland。"
　　"Well——Iguesssheis，"Thorpeassented，whilethetwomeneyedeachother。
　　"Isthethirdsisterunmarried？"itoccurredtohimtoask。
　　Thetoneofthequestionrevealeditsperfunctorycharacter。
　　"Oh——Beatrice——she'sofnoimportance，"thefatherreplied。
　　"Shegoesinforwriting，andallthat——she'snotabeauty，youknow——sheliveswithanoldladyinScotland。
　　Theoldestdaughter——Blanche——shehassomegoodlooksofherown，butshe'sacat。AndsoyoumetEdith！MayIaskwhereitwas？"
　　"AtHadlowHouse——LordPlowden'splace，youknow。"
　　TheGeneral'ssurpriseattheannouncementwasundoubted。
　　"AtPlowden's！"herepeated，andadded，asifhalftohimself，"Ithoughtthatwasalloverwith，longago。"
　　"Iwishyou'dtellmeaboutit，"saidThorpe，daringly。
　　"I'vemadeitplaintoyou，haven'tI？I'mgoingtolookoutforyou。AndIwantyoutopostmeup，here，onsomeofthethingsthatIdon'tunderstand。
　　YourememberthatitwasPlowdenwhointroducedyoutome，don'tyou？ItwasthroughhimthatyougotontheBoard。
　　Well，certainthingsthatI'veseenleadmetosupposethathedidthatinordertopleaseyourdaughter。
　　Didyouunderstanditthatway？"
　　"It'squitelikely，inonesense，"returnedtheGeneral。
　　Hespokewithmuchdeliberationnow，weighingallhiswords。
　　"Hemayhavethoughtitwouldpleaseher；hemaynothaveknownhowlittlemypooraffairsconcernedher。"
　　"Well，then，"pursuedThorpe，argumentatively，"hehadanobjectinpleasingher。Letmeaskthequestion——
　　didhewanttomarryher？"
　　"Mostmenwanttomarryher，"wasthefather'snon-
　　committalresponse。Hismoustachelifteditselfinthesemblanceofasmile，buttheblueeyesaboveremainedcoldlyvigilant。
　　"Well——Iguessthat'ssotoo，"Thorperemarked。
　　HemadeafleetingmentalnotethattherewassomethingabouttheGeneralwhichimpelledhimtothinkandtalkmorelikeanAmericanthanever。"ButwasHEspeciallyaffectedthatway？"
　　"Ithink，"saidKervick，judicially，"Ithinkitwasunderstoodthatifhehadbeenfreetomarryapennilesswife，hewouldhavewishedtomarryher。"
　　"Doyouknow，"Thorpebeganagain，withakindofdiffidenthesitation——"doyouhappentohaveformedanidea——supposingthathadbeenthecase——wouldshehaveacceptedhim？"
　　"Ah，thereyouhaveme，"repliedtheother。"Whocantellwhatwomenwillaccept，andwhattheywillrefuse？MydaughterrefusedLordLingfield——andheisanUnder-Secretary，andwillbeEarlChobham，andaCabinetMinister，andarichman。Afterthat，whatareyoutosay？"
　　"Youspeakofheraspenniless，"Thorperemarked，withacasualair。
　　"Sixhundredayear，"thefatheranswered。
　　"Wecouldhaverubbedalongafterafashiononit，ifshehadhadanynotionsatalloftakingmyadvice。
　　I'mamanoftheworld，andIcouldhavemanagedheraffairsforhertoheradvantage，butsheinsistedupongoingoffbyherself。Sheshowednottheslightestconsiderationforme——butthenIamaccustomedtothat。"
　　Thorpesmiledreflectively，andtheoldgentlemanreadinthisanencouragementtoexpandhisgrievances。
　　"Inmyposition，"hecontinued，helpinghimselftostillanothertinyglass，"Inaturallysayverylittle。
　　Itisnotmyformtomakecomplaintsandadvertisemymisfortunes。Idaresayit'safault。IknowitkeptmebackinIndia——whileeversomanywhipper-snapperswerepromotedovermyhead——becauseIwasoftheproudandsilentsort。Itwasamistake，butitwasmynature。
　　Imighthaveputbyacomfortableprovisionformyoldage，inthosedays，ifIhadbeenwillingtopushmyclaims，andworrytheStaffintogivingmewhatwasmydue。
　　ButthatIdeclinedtodo——andwhenIwasretired，therewasnothingformebuttherationofbreadandsaltwhichtheyserveouttotheoldsoldierwhohasbeentoomodest。
　　IservedmyQueen，sir，forfortyyears——andIshouldbeashamedtotellyoutheallowanceshemakesmeinmyoldage。ButIdonotcomplain。Mymouthisclosed。
　　IamanEnglishgentlemanandoneofHerMajesty'ssoldiers。
　　That'senoughsaid，eh？Doyoufollowme？Andaboutmyfamilyaffairs，I'mnotlikelytotalktothefirstcomer，eh？ButtoyouIsayitfrankly——they'vebehavedbadly，damnedbadly，sir。
　　"Mrs。KervicklivesinItaly，atthecostofHER
　　son-in-law。Hehaslargeestatesinoneofthehealthiestandmostbeautifulparts；hehasapalace，andmoremoneythanheknowswhattodowith——butitseemsthathe'snotmyson-in-law。IcoulddowithItalyverywell——butthatdoesn'tenterintoanyone'scalculations。No！lettheworn-outoldsoldiersellboot-lacesonthekerb！
　　That'sthespiritofwoman-kind。AndmydaughterEdith——doesshecarewhatbecomesofme？Listentome——I
　　securedforhertheverygreatestmarriageinEngland。
　　ShewouldhavebeenDuchessofGlastonburytodayifherhusbandhadnotplayedthefoolanddrownedhimself。"
　　"What'sthatyousay？"putinThorpe，swiftly。
　　"Itwasasgoodassuicide，"insistedtheGeneral，withdoggedness。Hisfacehadbecomeadeeperred。
　　"Theydidn'thititofftogether，andheleftinahuff，andwentyachtingwithhisfather，whowashisownsailing-
　　master——and，asmightbeexpected，theywerebothdrowned。
　　Thetitlewouldhavegonetoherson——butno，ofcourse，shehadnoson——andsoitpassedtoastranger——anoutsiderthathadbeenanusherinaschool，orsomethingofthatsort。Youcanfancywhatablowthiswastome。
　　InsteadofbeingthegrandfatherofaDuke，Ihaveachildlesswidowthrustbackuponmyhands！Fineluck，eh？Andthen，tocapall，shetakeshersixhundredayearandgoesoffbyherself，andgivesmethecoldshouldercompletely。
　　WhatisitShakespearesays？'Howsharperthanaserpent'steeth'——"
　　Thorpebroughthisfistdownuponthetablewithanemphasiswhichabruptlybrokethequotationinhalf。
　　Hehadbeenfrowningmoodilyathisguestforsomeminutes，relightinghiscigarmorethanoncemeanwhile。Hehadmadeamentalcalculationofwhattheoldmanhadhadtodrink，andhadreassuredhimselfastohiscondition。
　　Hisgarrulitymighthaveanalcoholicbasis，buthiswitswereclearenough。Itwastimetotakeanewlinewithhim。
　　"Idon'twanttohearyouabuseyourdaughter，"headmonishedhimnow，withapurposeglowingsteadilyinhisfirmglance。
　　"Damnitall，whyshouldn'tshegooffbyherself，andtakecareofherownmoneyherownway？It'slittleenough，Godknows，forsuchaladyassheis。Whyshouldyouexpecthertosupportyououtofit？No——sitstill！
　　Listentome！"——hestretchedouthishand，andlaiditwithrestrainingheavinessupontheGeneral'sarm——"youdon'twanttohaveanyrowwithme。Youcan'taffordit。
　　Justthinkthatovertoyourself——you——can't——afford——it。"
　　Major-GeneralKervick'sprominentblueeyeshadbulgedforthinragetilltheirappearancehaddisconcertedtheother'sgaze。Theyremainedstilltoomuchintheforeground，asitwere，andtheangryscarletsandvioletsofthecheeksbeneaththemcarriedanunabatedthreatofapoplexy——buttheirowner，afteramoment'ssilence，madeasignwithhisstiffwhitebrowsthatthecrisiswasover。
　　"Youmustrememberthat——thatIhaveafather'sfeelings，"
　　hegaspedthen，huskily。
　　Thorpenodded，withanonchalancewhichwasnotwhollyaffected。
　　Hehadlearnedwhathewantedtoknowaboutthisveteran。
　　Ifhehadthefiercemeannessesofafamishedolddog，hehadalsoadog'saweofastick。Itwasalmosttooeasytoterrorizehim。
　　"Oh，Imakeallowancesforallthat，"Thorpebegan，vaguely。
　　"Butit'simportantthatyoushouldunderstandme。
　　I'mthissortofaman：whateverIsetouttodo，andputmystrengthintoit，thatIdo！IkilleverypheasantI
　　fireat；Plowdenwilltellyouthat！It'sawayIhave。
　　Tothosethathelpme，andareloyaltome，I'mthebestfriendintheworld。Tothosethatgetinmyway，ortrytotripmeup，I'mthedevil——justplaindevil。
　　Nowthen——you'regettingthreehundredayearfrommyCompany，thatistosayfromme，simplytoobligemyfriendPlowden。Youdon'tdoanythingtoearnthismoney；
　　you'reofnoearthlyuseontheBoard。IfIchose，IcouldputyouoffattheendoftheyearaseasilyasI
　　canblowoutthismatch。ButIproposenotonlytokeepyouon，buttomakeyouindependent。WhydoIdothat？
　　Youshouldaskyourselfthatquestion。Itcan'tbeonaccountofanythingyoucandofortheCompany。Whatelsethen？Why，firstandforemost，becauseyouarethefatherofyourdaughter。"
　　"LetmetellyouthekindofmanIam，"saidtheGeneral，inflatinghischest，andspeakingwithsolemnity。
　　"Oh，Iknowthekindofmanyouare，"Thorpeinterruptedhim，coolly。"Iwanttotalknow。"
　　"Itwasmerely，"Kervickventured，inaninjuredtone，"thatIcanbeasloyalasanymanalivetoatruefriend。"
　　"Well，I'llbethetruefriend，then，"saidThorpe，withimpatientfinality。"AndnowthisiswhatIwanttosay。
　　I'mgoingtobeaveryrichman。You'renottosaysotoanybody，mindyou，untilthethingspeaksforitself。
　　We'rekeepingdarkforafewmonths，d'yesee？——lyinglow。
　　Then，asIsay，Ishallbeaveryrichman。Wellnow，Iwouldn'tgiveadamntoberich，unlessIdidwithmymoneythethingsthatIwantedtodo，andgotthethingswithitthatIwantedtoget。Whatevertakesmyfancy，that'swhatI'lldo。"
　　Hepausedforamoment，mentallytoscrutinizeabrand-
　　newprojectwhichseemed，bysomesurreptitiousagency，tohavealreadytakenhisfancy。Itwasacuriousproject；
　　therewereattractivethingsaboutit，andobjectionstoitsuggestedthemselvesaswell。
　　"Imaydecide，"hebeganspeakingagain，stillrevolvingthishypotheticalschemeinhisthoughts——"Imaywantto——well，here'swhatoccurstomeasanoff-chance。
　　Itakeaninterestinyourdaughter，d'yesee？anditseemsalow-downsortofthingtomethatsheshouldbesopoor。Well，then——Imightsaytoyou，here'stwothousandayear，say，madeovertoyouinyourname，ontheunderstandingthatyouturnoverhalfofit，say，toher。
　　Shecouldtakeitfromyou，ofcourse，asherfather。
　　YoucouldsayyoumadeitoutoftheCompany。Ofcourseitmighthappen，lateron，thatImightliketohaveagentlehintdroppedtoher，d'yesee，astowhereitreallycamefrom。Mind，Idon'tsaythisiswhatisgoingtobedone。Itmerelyoccurredtome。"
　　Afterwaitingforamomentforsomecomment，headdedasecondthought："You'dhavetosetaboutmakingfriendswithher，youknow。Inanycase，you'dbetterbeginatthatatonce。"
　　TheGeneralremainedburiedinreflection。Helightedacigarette，andpouredoutforhimselfstillanotherpetitverre。Hispursedlipsandknittedbrowswereeloquentofintensementalactivity。
　　"Well，doyouseeanyobjectionstoit？"demandedThorpe，atlast。
　　"Idonotquiteseethereasonsforit，"
　　answeredtheother，slowly。"Whatwouldyougainbyit？"
　　"Howdoyoumean——gain？"putintheother，withperemptoryintoleranceoftone。
　　GeneralKervickspreadhishandsinaquicklittlegesture。
　　Thesehandswerewithered，butremarkablywell-kept。"I
　　supposeonedoesn'tdosomethingfornothing，"hesaid。
　　"IseewhatIwouldgain，andwhatshewouldgain，butIconfessIdon'tseewhatadvantageyouwouldgetoutofit。"
　　"No-o，Idaresayyoudon't，"assentedThorpe，withsneeringserenity。"Butwhatdoesthatmatter？Youadmitthatyouseewhatyouwouldgain。That'senough，isn'tit？"
　　Theolderman'sveinedtemplestwitchedforaninstant。
　　Hestraightenedhimselfinhischair，andlookedhardathiscompanion。Therewasaglisteningofmoistureabouthisstaringeyes。
　　"Itsurelyisn'tnecessary——amonggentlemen"——hebegan，cautiouslypickinghisphrases——"tohavequitesomuchthat'sunpleasant，isit？"
　　"No——you'reright——Ididn'tmeantobesorough，"
　　Thorpedeclared，withspontaneouscontrition。
　　Upontheinstant，however，heperceivedthedangerthatadvantagemightbetakenofhissoftness。"I'maplain-spokenman，"hewenton，withahardeningvoice，"andpeoplemusttakemeastheyfindme。AllIsaidwas，insubstance，thatIintendedtobeofservicetoyou——andthatthatoughttointerestyou。"
　　TheGeneralseemedtohavedigestedhispique。
　　"AndwhatIwastryingtosay，"hecommenteddeferentially，"wasthatIthoughtIsawwaysofbeingofservicetoyou。
　　Butthatdidnotseemtointerestyouatall。"
　　"How——service？"Thorpe，uponconsideration，consentedtoask。
　　"Iknowmydaughtersomuchbetterthanyoudo，"
　　explainedtheother；"IknowPlowdensomuchbetter；Iamsomuchmorefamiliarwiththewholesituationthanyoucanpossiblybe——Iwonderthatyouwon'tlistentomyopinion。
　　Idon'tsuggestthatyoushouldbeguidedbyit，butI
　　thinkyoushouldhearit。"
　　"Ithinkso，too，"Thorpedeclared，readilyenough。
　　"WhatISyouropinion？"
　　GeneralKervicksippeddaintilyathisglass，andthengaveanembarrassedlittlelaugh。"ButIcan'tformwhatyoumightcallanopinion，"heprotested，apologetically，"tillIunderstandabitmoreclearlywhatitisyouproposetoyourself。Youmustn'tbeannoyedifIreturntothat——'stillharpingonmydaughter，'youknow。
　　IfIMUSTaskthequestion——isityourwishtomarryher？"
　　Thorpelookedblanklyathiscompanion，asifhewerethinkingofsomethingelse。Whenhespoke，itwaswithnotraceofconsciousnessthatthequestionhadbeenundulyintimate。
　　"Ican'tintheleastbesurethatIshallevermarry，"
　　hereplied，thoughtfully。"Imay，andImaynot。
　　But——startingwiththatproviso——IsupposeIhaven'tseenanyotherwomanthatI'dratherthinkaboutmarryingthan——thantheladywe'respeakingof。However，youseeit'sallintheair，sofarasmyplansgo。"
　　"Intheairbeit，"thesoldieracquiesced，plausibly。
　　"Letusconsideritasifitwereintheair——apossiblecontingency。ThisiswhatIwouldsay——My——
　　'theladywearespeakingof'isbywayofbeingadifficultlady——'uncertain，coy，andhardtoplease'
　　asScottsays，youknow——anditmustbeaveryskilfully-
　　dressedflyindeedwhichbringshertothesurface。
　　She'sbeenhookedonce，mind，andshehasahorrorofit。
　　Herhusbandwasthemostfrightfulbruteandruffian，youknow。Iwasstronglyopposedtothemarriage，buthermothercarrieditthrough。But——yes——abouther——Ithinksheisafraidtomarryagain。Ifshedoeseverconsent，itwillbebecausepovertyhasbrokenhernerve。
　　Ifsheiskeptonsixhundredayear，shemaybestarved，sotospeak，intotakingahusband。Ifshehadsixteenhundred——eithershewouldnevermarryatall，orshewouldbefreetomarrysomehandsomeyoungpauperwhocaughtherfancy。Thatwouldbeparticularlylikeher。Youwouldbesimplyendowingsomeneedyfellow，besidelosingherforyourself。D'yefollowme？Ifyou'llleaveittome，Icanfindamuchbetterwaythanthat——betterforallofus。"
　　"Hm！"saidThorpe，andponderedthepaternalstatement。
　　"Iseewhatyoumean，"heremarkedatlast。"Yes——Isee。"
　　TheGeneralpreservedsilenceforwhatseemedalongtime，deferringtothereverieofhishost。Whenfinallyheofferedadiversion，intheformofaremarkaboutthehour，Thorpeshookhimself，andthenponderouslyrosetohisfeet。
　　Hetookhishatandcoatfromthewaiter，andmadehiswayoutwithoutaword。
　　Atthestreetdoor，confrontingthewaningfoliageoftheEmbankmentgarden，Kervickwasemboldenedtorecalltohimthefactofhispresence。"Whichwayareyougoing？"
　　heasked。
　　"Idon'tknow，"Thorpeansweredabsently。"Ithink——I
　　thinkI'lltakeawalkontheEmbankment——bymyself。"
　　TheGeneralcouldnotrepressallsymptomsofuneasiness。
　　"ButwhenamItoseeyouagain？"heenquired，withaneffectofsolicitudethatdefiedcontrol。
　　"Seeme？"Thorpespokeasifthesuggestiontookhimbysurprise。
　　"Therearethingstobesettled，aretherenot？"
　　theotherfaltered，indistresseddoubtastothejudicioustonetotake。"Youspoke，youknow，of——ofsomeemploymentthat——thatwouldsuitme。"
　　Thorpeshookhimselfagain，andseemedbyanefforttorecallhiswanderingattention。"Ohyes，"hesaid，withlethargicvagueness——"Ihaven'tthoughtitoutyet。
　　I'llletyouknow——withintheweek，probably。"
　　Withthebriefestofnods，heturnedandcrossedtheroad。
　　Walkingheavily，withroundedshouldersandhandsplungeddeepinhisovercoatpockets，hewentthroughthegateway，andchoseapathatrandom。Totheidlersonthegardenbencheswhotooknoteofhimashepassed，hegavetheimpressionofonestrugglingwithnausea。
　　Tohisownblurredconsciousness，hecouldnotsaywhichstirredmostvehementlywithinhim，hisloathingforthecreaturehehadfedandbought，orhisbitterself-disgust。
　　TheGeneral，standingwithexaggeratedexactnessuponthedoorstep，hadfollowedwithhisbulgingeyestherecedingfigure。
　　Hestoodstillregardingthegateway，mentallysummarizingtheeventsoftheday，aftertheotherhadvanished。
　　Atlast，nestlinghischincomfortablyintothefurofhiscollar，hesmiledwithself-satisfaction。"Afterall，"
　　hesaidtohimself，"therearealwayswaysofmakingacadfeelthatheisacad，inthepresenceofagentleman。"
　　CHAPTERX
　　ONaSundayafternoon，earlyinFebruary，ThorpejourneyedwithhisnieceandnephewfromBerntoMontreux。
　　Theyoungpeople，withmapsandaguide-bookopen，satclosetogetherattheleftsideofthecompartment。
　　Thegirlfromtimetotimerubbedthesteamfromthewindowwithanapkinoutofthelunch-basket。Theybothstaredagooddealthroughthiswindow，withfrequentexclamationsofpetulance。
　　"Isn'tittooprovoking！"criedthegirl，turningtoheruncleatlast。"Thisiswherewearenow——accordingtoBaedeker：'AsthetrainproceedsweenjoyaviewoftheSimmen-ThalandFreiburgmountainstotheleft，theMolesonbeingconspicuous。'Andlookatit！Forallonecansee，wemightaswellbeatRedhill。"
　　"Itisprettyhardluck，"Thorpeassented，passivelyglancingpastheratthepale，neutral-tintedwallofmistwhichobscuredtheview。"Buthangitall——itmustclearupsometime。
　　Justyouhavepatience，andyou'llseesomeAlpsyet。"
　　"Wherewe'regoing，"theyoungmaninterposed，"thehead-portertoldmeitwasalwayscloudierthananywhereelse。"
　　"Idon'tthinkthatcanbeso，"Thorpereasoned，languidly，fromhiscorner。"It'sagreatwinterresort，I'mtold，anditratherstandstoreason，doesn'tit？thatpeoplewouldn'tflockthereifitwassobadasallthat。"
　　"Thekindofpeoplewe'veseentravellinginSwitzerland，"
　　saidthegirl——"theywoulddoanything。"
　　Thorpesmiled，withtolerantgoodhumour。"Well，youcancomfortyourselfwiththenotionthatyou'llbecomingagain。
　　Themountains'llstayhere，allright，"heassuredher。
　　Theyoungpeoplesmiledbackathim，andwiththisherearrangedhisfeetinanewpostureontheoppositeseat，lightedanothercigar，andpillowedhisheadoncemoreagainstthehard，red-plushcushion。Personally，hedidnotintheleastresentthefailureofthescenery。
　　Forsomethingmorethanthreemonths，thispurposelesspleasure-tourhadbeendragginghimaboutfrompointtopoint，sleepinginstrangebeds，eatingextraordinarilystrangefood，transactingtheaffairsofasight-seeramongpeoplewhospokestrangelanguages，untilhewassurfeitedwiththeunusual。Ithadallbeenextremelyinteresting，ofcourse，anddeeplyimproving——buthewasgettingtiredoftalkingtonobodybutwaiters，andstillmoresoofhavingnothingtodowhichhecouldnotaswellleaveundoneifhechose。AfterafewdaysmoreofSwitzerland——fortheyhadalreadygazedwithblankfacesatthisuniversalcurtainofmistfromsuchdifferentpointsofviewasLucerne，Interlaken，andThun——itwascleartohimthattheywould，ashephrasedit，tohimself，makeabreakforhome。Unless，indeed，somethinghappenedatMontreux。Ah，wouldanythinghappenatMontreux？
　　Forfourdayshismindhadbeenautomaticallyrevertingtothatquestion；itlurkedcontinuallyinthebackgroundofhisthoughts，now，ashesmokedandidlyruminated，onhiswaysouthwardthroughthefog。
　　Alltherestoftheprolongedtriphadbeenwithoutanyspecificmotive，sofarashewasconcerned。
　　Theyoungstershadplannedallitsroutesandhaltsanddetailsoftimeandconnections，andhehadgonealong，withcheerfulplacidity，tolookatthethingstheybadehimobserve，andtopaythebills。Perhapsinallthingstheirtasteshadnotbeenhistastes。HewouldhavelikedmoreofParis，hefancied，andlessofthesmallDutchandNorthGermantownswhichtheyseemedtofancysomuch。
　　Still，thebeerwasgood——andreallytheirhappiness，asaspectacle，hadgivenhimmoresatisfactionthanathousandmilesofboulevardscouldhavedone。
　　Helikedthisnieceandnephewofhismorethanhecouldeverhaveimaginedhimselflikinganyyoungpeople。
　　Theyhadbeenshywithhimattheoutset——andforthefirstweekhisexperimenthadbeendarkenedbythebeliefthat，betweenthemselves，theydidnotdeemhimquitegoodenough。
　　Hehadbeenwiseenough，then，tohaveitoutwiththegirl——shewastheonetowhomhefeltiteasiesttotalkfrankly——andhaddiscovered，tohisimmenserelief，thattheyconceivedhimtoberegardingthemasencumbrances。
　　Atbreakfastnextmorning，withtactfulgeniality，heseteverythingright，andthereaftertheywereallextremelyhappytogether。
　　Sofarashecouldjudge，theywereverysuperioryoungpeople，bothintellectuallyandspiritually。
　　ThegirlspokeFrench，andherbrotherGerman，withwhatseemedtohimremarkableproficiency。
　　Theiryoungmindsweretherepositoriesofanastoundingamountofinformation：theyknewwhoCharlestheBoldwas；
　　theypointedouttotheirunclethedistinctionbetweenGothicandRomanesquearches；theyexplainedwhatwasthematterwiththeAnabaptists；theytoldhimthatthestoryoftheBishopandtheratsatBingenwasabaselessmyth，andthatprobablytherehadneverbeenanysuchmanasWilliamTell。Nordidtheygetallthisoutoftheguide-bookswhichtheyporedoverwithsuchzest。
　　Itwasimpossiblenottoseethattheywerefamiliarwithlargenumbersofthesubjectsthatthesebooksdiscussed，andthattheitinerarywhichtheymarkedouthadreferencetodesiresandintereststhattheyhadcultivatedforthemselves。
　　Julia，uponevenfirstsight，madeamuchpleasanterimpressionthanhermother'shesitatingdescriptionhadpreparedhimfor。Ashecametoknowherwell，heceasedtorememberthattherewasaquestioninanymindastoherbeingaprettygirl。Therewaslesscolourinherfacethanhecouldhavewished。Hersmooth，pallidskin，almostwaxenintexture，hadasuggestionofdelicatehealthwhichsometimestroubledhimalittle，butwhichappealedtothetendernessinhisnatureallthetime。Thefacewasundulythin，perhaps，butthis，andthewistfulglanceofthelargegreyeyesinrepose，madeupaneffectthatThorpefoundtouchedhimagooddeal。
　　Evenwhenshewasinvisiblyhighspirits，thelookintheseeyesseemedtohimtobelayingclaimtohisprotection。
　　Shecouldbemerryuponoccasion，inagentleandtranquilway，andasherself-confidenceexpandedundertheshelteroftheirgrowingintimacy，shedisclosedtoheruncleplentyofinitiativeandindividuality——butwhathefeltinhermostwasapeculiarlysweetandgirlishtrustfulness，whichmadehimlikehimselfmorethanhehadeverdonebefore。Hecouldfeelthathewasathisverybest——ahithertounsuspectedbest——whenJuliawasabout。
　　Hewantedtobuyforhereverythinginthewindowsuponwhichshebestowedthemostcasualapprovingglance。
　　Itwasadelightmerelytolookather，andtomeditateuponthefelicityofbeingabletodothingsforsocharmingagirl。
　　Alfredmadealessdirectdemanduponhisuncle'sadmiration，buthewasaverygoodfellowallround。Hewasbigandfairandmuscular，andnothingabouthimbuthisspectaclesseemedinThorpe'smindtoberelatedtohischoiceofartasaprofession。Thatsorobustandheartyayoungfellowshouldwishtoputpaintonacanvaswithsmallbrushes，wastotheuncleanunaccountablething。Itwasalmostasifhehadwantedtoknit，ordoembroidery。Oftheidlenessandimpatienceofdisciplinewhichhismotherhadseemedtoallegeagainsthim，Thorpefailedtodetectanysigns。
　　Theyoungmanwasneververylateinthemorning，and，besidehistirelessdevotiontothetaskofhuntingupoldpicturesinout-of-the-wayplaces，didmostofthesteward'sworkofthepartywithintelligenceandprecision。
　　Hestudiedthetime-tables，auditedthehotel-bills，lookedaftertheluggage，gotupthestreet-mapsoftownsandthelike，tosuchgoodpurposethattheyneverlostatrain，orabag，orthemselves。Truly，anexcellentyoungman。
　　Thorpenotedwithespecialsatisfactionhisfine，kindlybig-brotherattitudetowardhissisterJulia——anditwasimpossibleforhimtoavoidtheconvictionthatLouisawasasimpletonnottoappreciatesuchchildren。
　　Theydidnotoftenalludetotheirmother；whentheydid，itwasinlanguagethetermsofwhichseemedmoreaffectionatethanthetone——andThorpesaidoftentohimselfthathedidnotblamethem。Itwasnotsomuchthattheyhadoutgrowntheirmother'spointofview。
　　Theyhadneveroccupiedit。
　　Thejourney，sofarasThorpecomprehendeditscharacter，hadbeenshapedwithaboutequalregardforJulia'sinterestintheromanceofhistory，andAlfred'smoretechnicalandpracticalinterestinart。Eachhadsufficientsympathywiththetastesoftheother，however，topreventanytendencytoseparation。TheytooktheiruncleonedaytoseewhereWilliamtheSilentwasassassinated，andthenexttoobservehowRembrandt'stheoryofguildportrait-paintingdifferedfromVanderHelst's，withacommonenthusiasm。Hescrutinizedwithpatientloyaltyeverythingthattheyindicatedtohim，andnotinfrequentlytheyappearedtolikeverymuchthecommentsheoffered。
　　Thesewerechieflyofasprightlynature，andwhenJulialaughedoverthemhefeltthatshewasveryneartohimindeed。
　　ThustheysawParistogether——whereThorpedidrelinquishsomeofthemultipliedgloriesoftheLouvretositinfrontofacafebytheOperaHouseandseethefunnypeoplegopast——andthence，byBrugesandAntwerp，toHolland，wherenobodycouldhaveimaginedtherewereasmanypicturesasThorpesawwithhisownwearyeyes。
　　TherewerewonderfuloldbuildingsatLubeckforJulia'seyestoglistenover，andpicturesatBerlin，Dresden，andDusseldorfforAlfred。
　　TheassumptionexistedthattheexcursionintotheThuringenwaldtoseethememorialsofLutherwasespeciallyfortheuncle'sbenefit，andhetriedsolicitouslytosayorlooknothingwhichmightinvalidateit。
　　TherewereotherplacesinGermany，fromMainztoMunich，whichherememberedbestbytheirdifferentbeers。
　　TheyspentChristmasatVienna，whereJuliahadheardthatitsobservancewaspeculiarlyinsistedupon，andthentheysawtheTyrolinitsheaviestvestureofwintersnows，andbeautifuloldBasle，whereAlfredwascrazieraboutHolbeinthanhehadbeenatMunichoverBrouwer。
　　Thorpelookedverycarefullyatthepaintingsofbothmen，andfeltstrengthenedinhishopesthatwhenAlfredgotalittleolderhewouldseethatthispicturebusinesswasnotthethingforayounggentlemanwithprospectstogointo。
　　ItwasatBaslethatThorpereceivedaletterfromLondonwhichdirectlyalteredtheplansoftheparty。HehadhadseveralotherlettersfromLondonwhichhadproducednosucheffect。ThroughSemple，hehadfollowedinoutlinetheunobtrusivecampaigntosecureaSpecialSettlement，andhadlearnedthattheStockExchangeCommittee，apparentlywithoutopposition，hadgrantedoneforthefirstweekinFebruary。
　　Eventhisnews，tremendouslyimportantasitwas，didnotpromptThorpetointerferewiththechildren'sprojects。
　　TherewasnolongeranypointinremainingawayfromLondon；
　　therewere，indeed，numerousreasonsforapromptreturn。
　　Buthewaslothtodeprivetheyoungstersofthatdescentintosmiling，sunlitItalyuponwhichtheyhadsofondlydweltinfancy，andafterallSemplecoulddoallthatwasneedfultobedoneforanothermonth。
　　SotheywenttoBasle，andhereitwasthatanotherkindoflettercame。Itwasinastrangehand，atoncecrampedandfluttering，whichpuzzledtherecipientagooddeal；
　　itwasalongtimebeforeeventhesignatureunravelleditself。
　　Thenheforcedhimselftodecipherit，sentencebysentence，withafierceavidity。ItwasfromGeneralKervick。
　　ThenextmorningThorpeastonishedhisyoungcompanionsbysuggestinganalterationintheirroute。Inaroundaboutandtentativefashion——inwhichmoresuspiciousobserversmusthavedetectedsomethingshamefaced——hementionedthathehadalwaysheardagreatdealaboutMontreuxasawinter-resort。ThefactthathecalleditMontrooxraisedinJulia'smindafleetingwonderfromwhomitcouldbethathehadheardsomuchaboutit，butitoccurredtoneitherhernorherbrothertoquestionhisentiregoodfaith。
　　Theirunclehaddisplayed，hitherto，amostcomfortingfreedomfromdiscriminationamongEuropeantowns；
　　hehad，indeed，assuredthemmanytimesthattheywereallonetohim。Thatheshouldsuddenlyturnupnowwithafavouritewinter-resortofhisownselectionsurprisedthemconsiderably，but，uponreflection，italsopleasedthem。
　　Hehadhumouredalltheirwisheswithsuchunfailingandbountifulkindness，thatitwasadelighttolearnthattherewassomethinghewantedtodo。Theycouldnotfinishtheirbreakfasttilltheguide-bookhadbeenbroughttothetable。
　　"Oh！Howsplendid！"Juliahadcriedthen。"TheCastleofChillonisthere！"
　　"Whyofcourse！"saidThorpe，complacently。
　　Theylaughedgaylyathimforpretendingthathehadknownthis，andheasgood-humouredlyacceptedtheirbanter。Hedrewaseriouslongbreathofrelief，however，whentheirbackswereturned。Ithadgoneoffmuchbetterthanhehadfeared。
　　Now，onthisSundayafternoon，asthetrainmadeitssure-footedwayacrossthemountains，thethoughtthathewasactuallytoalightatMontreuxatoncefascinatedanddepressedhim。
　　Hewasannoyedwithhimselfforsufferingittogetsuchaholduponhismind。Whatwasthereinit，anyway？Therewasabighotelthere，andheandhisyoungstersweretostopatit，andifheaccidentallyencounteredacertainladywhowasalsostoppingthere——andofcoursethemeetingwouldbearuponitsfacethestampofpurechance——whatofit？
　　Andifhedidmeether，thusfortuitously——whatwouldhappenthen？Nodoubtaladyofhersocialpositionmetabroadgreatnumbersofpeoplethatshehadmetathome。
　　Itwouldnotinanywaysurpriseher——thischanceencounterofwhichhethoughtsomuch。Weretheresufficientgroundsforimaginingthatitwouldeveninteresther？Heforcedhisminduptothisquestion，asitwere，manytimes，andinvariablyitshiedandevadedtheleap。
　　Therehadbeentimes，atHadlowHouse，whenLadyCressagehadseemedsupremelyindifferenttothefactofhisexistence，andtherehadbeenothertimeswhenithadappearedmanifestthathepleasedher——orbetter，perhaps，thatshewaswillingtotakenoteofhowmuchshepleasedhim。
　　Itmusthavebeenapparenttoher——thisfactthatsheproducedsuchanimpressionuponhim。Hereasonedthisoutsatisfactorilytohimself。Thesebeautifulwomen，trainedfromchildhoodfortheconquestofarichhusband，musthavecultivatedanextraordinarydelicacyofconsciousness，insuchmatters。Theymusthavedevelopedforthemselveswhatmightbecalledasixthsense——apoweroffeelingintheairwhatthemenaboutwerethinkingofthem。
　　Morethanoncehehadcaughtaglimmerofwhathefelttobetheoperationofthissense，inthecompanyofLadyCressage。
　　Hecouldnotsaythatithadbeendiscernibleinherglance，orhervoice，orhermanner，precisely，buthewassurethathehadseenit，somehow。
　　Butevenassumingallthis——admittingthatinOctober，onawetSunday，inthetediumofasmallcountry-houseparty，shehadshownsomemomentarysatisfactionintheideathathewasprofoundlyimpressedbyher——diditatallfollowthatinFebruary，amidthedistractionsofafashionablewinter-resort，andprobablysurroundedbyhostsoffriends，shewouldpayanyattentiontohimwhatever？Theabjectfearthatshemightnotevenrememberhim——mightnotknowhimfromAdamwhenhestoodbeforeher——skulkedaboutinthelabyrinthsofhismind，buthedroveitbackwheneveritshoweditself。Thatwouldbetooignominious。