CHAPTERXV
We'vegotaspareroomhere，haven'twe？"Thorpeaskedhisniece，whenshecameouttogreethiminthehalloftheirnewhomeinOvingtonSquare。Hespokewithpalpableeagernessbeforeevenunbuttoninghisdampgreat-coat，orputtingoffhishat。"Imeanit'sallinworkingorderreadyforuse？"
"Whyyes，uncle，"Juliaanswered，afteramoment'sthought。
"Issomeonecoming？"
"Ithinkso，"hereplied，withagruntofrelief。
Heseemedincreasinglypleasedwiththeprojecthehadinmind，asshehelpedhimoffwithhisthings。
Thesmilehegaveher，whensheplayfullytookhisarmtoleadhimintotheadjoininglibrary，wasclearlybutapartofthesatisfiedgrinwithwhichhewasconsideringsomedevelopmentinhisownaffairs。
Hegotintohisslippersandintotheeasy-chairbeforethebrightfireandlitacigarwithacontentedair。
"Well，mylittlegirl？"hesaid，withgenialinconsequence，andsmiledagainather，whereshestoodbesidethemantel。
"Itwillbesuchalarktoplaythehostesstoastranger！"
sheexclaimed。"Whenishecoming？——Isupposeitisa'he，'"sheadded，lessbuoyantly。
"Oh——thatfellow，"Thorpesaid，asifhehadbeenthinkingofsomethingelse。"Well——Ican'ttelljustwhenhewillturnup。Ionlylearnedhewasintown——orinEngland——acoupleofhoursago。Ihaven'tseenhimyetatall。
Idroveroundtohislodgings，neartheBritishMuseum，buthewasn'tthere。Heonlycomestheretosleep，buttheytoldmeheturnedinearly——bynineo'clockorso。
ThenIwentroundtoahotelandwroteanoteforhim，andtookitbacktohislodgings，andleftitforhim。
Itoldhimtopackuphisthingsassoonashegotit，anddrivehere，andmakethishishome——forthetimebeingatleast。"
"Thenit'ssomeoldfriendofyours？"saidthegirl。
"IknowIshalllikehim。"
Thorpelaughedsomewhatuneasily。"Well——yes——he'sakindofafriendofmine，"hesaid，withanoteofhesitationinhisvoice。"Idon'tknow，though，thatyou'llthinkmuchofhim。Heaintwhatyou'dcallaladies'man。"
Helaughedagainatsomethoughtthewordsconjuredup。
"He'sacurious，simpleoldparty，who'djustlikeacomfortablecornersomewherebyhimself，andwouldn'texpecttobetalkedtoorentertainedatall。Ifhedoescome，he'llkeeptohimselfprettywell。Hewouldn'tbeanycompanyforyou。Imean，——foryouorAlfredeither。
Ithinkhe'saCanadianorWestIndian，——Britishsubject，atallevents，——buthe'slivedallhislifeintheWest，andhewouldn'tknowwhattodoinadrawing-room，orthatsortofthing。You'dbetterjustnotpayanyattentiontohim。Passthetimeofday，ofcourse，butthat'sall。"
Julia'salert，small-featuredfaceexpressedsomevaguedisappointmentatwhatsheheard，butherwordswerecheerfulenough。"Ohofcourse——whateverhelikesbest，"
shesaid。"IwilltellPottertomakeeverythingready。
Isupposethere'snochanceofhisbeinghereintimefordinner？"
Thorpeshookhishead，andthenliftedhisbrowsoversomenewperplexity。"Iguesshe'dwanttoeathismealsout，anyway，"hesaid，aftersomethought。
"Idon'tseemtoremembermuchabouthiminthatrespect——
ofcourse，everythingwassodifferentincampoutinMexico——butIdaresayhewouldn'tbemuchofanornamentatthetable。However，that'llbeallright。He'saseasytomanageasarabbit。IfItoldhimtoeatontheroof，he'ddoitwithoutamurmur。Youseeit'sthisway，Julia：he'sascientificman——akindofgeologist，andminingexpertandrubberexpert——andchemicalexpertandallsortofthings。Isupposehemusthavegonethroughcollege——verylikelyhe'llturnouttohavebettermannersthanIwasgivinghimcreditfor。
I'veonlyseenhimintherough，sotospeak。Weweren'tatallintimatethen，——butwehaddealingstogether，andtherearecertainimportantreasonswhyIshouldkeepcloseintouchwithhimwhilehe'shereinLondon。
ButI'lltryanddothatwithoutlettingyoubebothered。"
"Whatanidea！"criedJulia。"Asifthatwasn'twhatwehadthehousefor——toseethepeopleyouwanttosee。"
Herunclesmiledratherruefully，andlookedinaratherdubiouswayathiscigar。"Betweenyouandmeandthelamp-post，Jule，"hesaid，withaslow，whimsicaldrawl，"thereisn'tafellowintheworldthatIwantedtoseelessthanIdidhim。Butsincehe'shere——why，we'vegottomakethebestofit。"
Afterdinner，Thorpesufferedtheyoungsterstogouptothedrawing-roominthetacitunderstandingthatheshouldprobablynotseethemagainthatnight。
Hebetookhimselfthenoncemoretothelibrary，asitwascalled——thelittle，cozy，dark-panelledroomoffthehall，wheretheownerofthehousehadlefttwolockedbookcases，andwhereThorpehimselfhadinstalledawriting-deskandadiminutivesafeforhispapers。Thechiefpurposeofthesmallapartment，however，wasindicatedbythetwobig，round，low-seatedeasy-chairsbeforethehearth，andbythecigarboxesandspirit-standandtumblersvisiblebehindtheglassofthecabinetagainstthewall。
Thorpehimselfcalledtheroomhis"snuggery，"andspentmanyhoursthereinslipperedcomfort，smokingandgazingcontentedlyintothefire。SometimesJuliareadtohim，ashesatthusathisease，butthenhealmostinvariablywenttosleep。
Now，whenhehadpouredoutsomewhiskeyandwaterandlitacigar，theloungingchairssomehowdidnotattracthim。
Hemovedaboutaimlesslyinthecircumscribedspace，hishandsinhispockets，hisburlyshouldersrounded，hisfacedulledandheavyaswithadepressionofdoubt。
Thesoundofthepianoupstairscameintermittentlytohisears。Oftenheascendedtothedrawing-roomtohearJuliaplay——andmoreoftenstill，withallthedoorsopen，heenjoyedthemellowedmurmurofhermusichereathiseaseinthebigchair。Buttonighthehadnojoyinthenoise。
morethanonce，asheslouchedrestlesslyroundtheroom，thenotionofaskinghertostopsuggesteditself，butheforboretoputitintoaction。Oncehebusiedhimselfforatimeinkneelingbeforehissafe，andscrutinizingindetailthepapersinoneofthebundlesitcontained。
Atlast——itwasafterteno'clock，andthemusicabovehadceased——thewelcomesoundsofcab-wheelswithout，andthenofthedoor-bell，cametodispelhisfidgetingsuspense。
Ontheinstanthestraightenedhimself，andhisfacerearrangeditsexpression。Hefasteneduponthedooroftheroomthecontrolled，calmglanceofonewhoiseasilyconfidentaboutwhatistohappen。
"Quaker-looking"wasnotaninaptphraseforthepersonwhomthemaidusheredintotheroomthroughthisdoor。
Hewasasmall，thin，elderlyman，bowedoffigureandshufflingingait。Hiscoatandlarge，low-crownedhat，thoughwornalmosttoshabbiness，conveyedanindefinablesenseofsometheologicalstandard，orpretencetosuchastandard。
Hismeagreface，too，withitsinfinityofanxiousyetmeaninglesslines，anditsdimspectacledeyes，soplainlyovertaxedbytheefforttodiscernanythingclearly，mighthavebelongedtoanyoldvillagepriestgrownchildishandblear-eyedinthesolitudeofstupidbooks。
Eventheblotchesoftell-talecolouronhislongnosewerenotaltogetherunclericalintheirsuggestion。
Apooroldmanheseemed，ashestoodblinkingintheelectriclightofthestrange，warmapartment——ahelpless，wornoldcreature，inuredthroughlongyearstobleakadversewinds，hopingnowfornothingbetterinthisworldthanpresentshelter。
"Howdoyoudo，Mr。Thorpe，"hesaid，afteramoment，withnervousformality。"Thisisunexpectedlykindofyou，sir。"
"Why——notatall！"saidThorpe，shakinghimcordiallybythehand。"Whathavewegothousesfor，buttoputupouroldfriends？Andhowareyou，anyway？You'vebroughtyourbelongings，haveyou？That'sright！"Heglancedintothehall，tomakesurethattheywerebeingtakenupstairs，andthenclosedthedoor。"Isupposeyou'vedined。
Takeoffyourhatandcoat！Makeyourselfathome。
That'sit——takethebigchair，there——so！Andnowlet'shavealookatyou。Well，Tavender，myman，youhaven'tgrownanyyounger。ButIsupposenoneofusdo。
Andwhat'llyouhavetodrink？Itakeplainwaterinmine，butthere'ssodaifyoupreferit。Andwhichshallitbe——IrishorScotch？"
Mr。Tavender'scountenancerevealedtheextremityofhissurpriseandconfusionatthewarmthofthiswelcome。
Itapparentlyawedhimaswell，forthoughheshrankintoacornerofthehugechair，hepainstakinglyabstainedfromrestinghisheadagainstitsback。Uncovered，thisheadgainedacertaindignityofeffectfromthefashioninwhichthethin，iron-greyhair，partedinthemiddle，fellawayfromthefull，intellectualtemples，andcurledinmeeklocksuponhiscollar。AvagueresemblancetothetypeofWesley——orwasitFroebel？——mighthavehinteditselftotheobserver'smind。
Thorpe'sthoughts，however，werenotupontypes。
"Well"——hesaid，fromtheoppositechair，inhisroundest，heartiestvoice，whentheotherhadwithdiffidencesufferedhimselftobeserved，andhaddeferentiallylightedononesidethebigcigarpresseduponhim——"Well——andhow'stheworldbeenusingyou？"
"Notveryhandsomely，Mr。Thorpe，"theotherresponded，inahushed，constrainedtone。
"Oh，chucktheMisters！"Thorpebadehim。"Aren'tweoldpals，man？You'replainTavender，andI'mplainThorpe。"
"You'reverykind，"murmuredTavender，stillabashed。
Forsomeminuteshecontinuedtoreplydolefully，andwithakindofshamefacedreluctance，tothequestionspileduponhim。Hewasinevilluck：nothinghadgonewellwithhim；ithadbeenwiththegreatestdifficultythathehadscrapedtogetherenoughtogetbacktoLondononthechanceofobtainingsomeexpertcommission；
practicallyhepossessednothingintheworldbeyondtheclothesonhisback，andthecontentsoftwooldcarpet-bags——theseadmissions，bydegrees，werewormedfromhim。
"Buthaveyoupartedwiththeconcession，then，thatyouboughtfromme？"Thorpesuddenlyaskedhim。"Helpyourselftosomemorewhiskey！"
Tavendersighedashetippedthedecanter。"Itisn'tanygood，"heanswered，sadly。"TheGovernmentrepudiatesit——thatis，theCentralGovernmentatMexico。Ofcourse，Ineverblamedyou。Iboughtitwithmyeyesopen，andyousolditinperfectgoodfaith。Ineverdoubtedthatatall。Butit'snotworththepaperit'swrittenon——that'scertain。It'sthatthatbustedme——that，andsomeotherthings。"
"Well——well！"saidThorpe，blankly。Hisastonishmentwasobviouslygenuine，andforalittleitkepthimsilent，whileheponderedthenovelaspectsofthesituationthusdisclosed。Thenhiseyesbrightened，asanewpathoutlineditself。
"Isupposeyou'vegotthepapers？——theconcessionandmytransfertoyouandallthat？"heasked，casually。
"Oh，yes，"repliedTavender。Headded，withagleamofreturningself-command——"That'sallIhavegot。"
"Let'ssee——whatwasityoupaidme？——Threethousandeighthundredpounds，wasn'tit？"
Tavendermadeacalculationinmentalarithmetic。
"Yes，somethinglikethat。Justundernineteenthousanddollars，"hesaid。
"Well，"remarkedThorpe，withslowemphasis，"Iwon'tallowyoutosufferthatwaybyme。I'llbuyitbackfromyouatthesamepriceyoupaidforit。"
Tavender，beginningtotremble，jerkedhimselfuprightinhischair，andstaredthroughhisspectaclesathisastoundinghost。"Yousay"——hegasped——"yousayyou'llbuyitback！"
"Certainly，"saidThorpe。"That'swhatIsaid。"
"I——Ineverheardofsuchathing！"theotherfalteredwithincreasingagitation。"No——youcan'tmeanit。
Itisn'tcommonsense！"
"It'scommondecency，"repliedthebigman，inhismostcommandingmanner。"It'slifeanddeathtoyou——anditdoesn'tmatteraflea-bitetome。So，sinceyoucametogriefthroughme，whyshouldn'tIdothefairthing，andputyoubackonyourlegsagain？"
Tavender，staringnowatthoseshrunkenlegsofhis，breathedheavily。Thethingoverwhelmedhim。
Onceortwiceheliftedhisheadandessayedtospeak，butnospeechcametohisthinlips。Hemoistenedthemeventuallywithalongdeliberatepullathisglass。
"Thismuchoughttobeunderstood，however，"Thorperesumed，reflectinguponhiswordsashewentalong。"IfI'mtobuybackadeadhorse，likethat，it'sonlyreasonablethatthereshouldbeconditions。Isupposeyou'veseenbythistimethatevenifthisconcessionofourswasrecognizedbytheGovernmenttherewouldn'tbeanymoneyinittospeakof。Ididn'trealizethattwoyearsago，anymorethanyoudid，butit'splainenoughnow。
Thetradehasprovedit。Apropertyofrubbertreeshasnorealvalue——solongasthere'sawildernessofrubbertreesallroundthat'severybody'sproperty。
Howcanamanpayeventheinterestonhispurchasemoney，supposinghe'sboughtarubberplantation，whenhehastocompetewithpeoplewho'vepaidnopurchasemoneyatall，butjustgetoutasmuchastheylikefromthefreeforest？
Youmustknowthatthatisso。"
Tavendernoddedeloquently。"Ohyes，Iknowthatisso。
Youcanproveitbyme。"
Thorpegrinnedalittle。"Asithappens，thataintwhatI
needtohaveyouprove，"hesaid，dryly。"NowWEknowthatarubberpropertyisnogood——butLondondoesn'tknowit。
Everybodyherethinksthatit'sagreatbusinesstoownrubbertrees。Why，manalive，doyouknow"——theaudacityoftheexampleithadoccurredtohimtocitebroughtagratifiedtwinkletohiseyesashewenton——"doyouknowthatamanherelastyearactuallysoldarubberplantationforfourhundredthousandpounds——twomillionsofdollars！
Notincash，ofcourse，butinsharesthathecoulddosomethingwith——andbeforehe'sdonewithit，I'mtold，he'sgoingtomaketwicethatamountofmoneyoutofit。
That'llshowyouwhatLondonislike。"
"Yes——Isupposetheydothosethings，"remarkedTavender，vaguely。
"Well——mypointisthatperhapsIcandosomethingorotherwiththisconcessionofyourshere。Imayevenbeabletogetmymoneybackonit。AtanyrateI'lltakemychancesonit——sothatatleastyoushan'tloseanythingbyit。Ofcourse，ifyou'drathertryandputitonthemarketyourself，whygoahead！"TherewasawistfulpathosinthewayTavendershookhishead。
"Bigmoneydoesn'tmeananythingtomeanymore，"
hesaid，wearily。"I'mtoooldandI'mtootired。
Why——four——five——yes，halfadozentimesI'vehadenoughmoneytolastmecomfortablyallmylife——andeverytimeI'veuseditasbaittocatchbiggermoneywith，andlostitall。
Idon'tdothatanymore！I'vegotsomethingthematterwithmeinternallythattakesthenervealloutofme。
Thedoctorsdon'tagreeaboutit，butwhateveritsnameisI'vegotitforkeeps。ProbablyIshan'tliveverylong"——Thorperecalledthattheoldmanhadalwaystakenagloomyviewofhishealthafterthethirdglass——"andifyouwanttopaymethenineteenthousanddollars，orwhateveritis，whyIshallsay'Godblessyou，'
andbemorethancontented。"
"Oh，there'ssomethingmoretoitthanthat，"observedThorpe，withanaddedelementofbusiness-likebrisknessinhistone。
"IfIletyououtinthisway——something，ofcourse，youcouldneverhavedreamedwouldhappen——youmustdosomethingsforme。Ishouldwantyou，forexample，togobacktoMexicoatonce。Ofcourse，I'dpayyourexpensesout。Orsay，I'dgiveyouaroundfourthousandpoundstocoverthatandsomeotherthingstoo。
Youwouldn'tobjecttothat，wouldyou？"
Themanwho，twohoursbefore，hadconfrontedexistencewiththechangeofhislastfive-poundnoteinhispocket，didnothesitatenow。"Ohno，thatwouldbeallright，"
withrevivinganimation，hedeclared。Hehelpedhimselfagainfromthecut-glassdecanter。"Whatwouldyouwantmetodothere？"
"Oh，areportontheconcessionforastarter，"Thorpeanswered，withcarefulindifference。"Isupposetheystillknowyournameasanauthority。Icouldmakethatallrightanyway。
ButonethingIoughttospeakof——itmightberatherimportant——Iwouldn'tliketohaveyoumentiontoanybodythattheconcessionhasatanytimebeenyours。
Thatmighttendtoweakenthevalueofyourreport，don'tyousee？Letitbesupposedthattheconcessionhasbeenmypropertyfromthestart。Youcatchmypoint，don'tyou？Thereneverwasanysuchthingasatransferofittoyou。It'salwaysbeenmine！"
Tavendergavehisbenefactorapurblindsortofwink。
"Alwaysbelongedtoyou？Whyofcourseitdid，"
hesaidcheerfully。
Theotherbreathedacautiousprolongedsighofrelief"You'dbetterlightafreshone，hadn'tyou？"heasked，observingwithakindofcontemptuoustolerancetheoldman'seffortstoigniteacigarwhichhadmorethanonceunrolledlikeacarpenter'sshavinginhisunaccustomedfingers，andwasnowshapelesslydefiantofbothdraughtandsuction。
Tavenderlaughedtohimselfsilentlyashetookanewcigar，andpuffedatthematchheldbyhiscompanion。Theairofinnocenceandlong-sufferingmeeknesswasfallingrapidlyawayfromhim。Heputhisshabbybootsoutconfidentlytothefenderandmadegestureswithhisglassashetalked。
"Mymistake，"hedeclared，ininsistenttones，"wasinnotturningdownsciencethirtyyearsagoandgoinginbodilyforbusiness。ThenIshouldhavemademypileasyouseemtohavedone。ButItriedtodosomethingofboth。
HalftheyearIwasassayingcrushings，orrunningalevel，oranalyzingsugars，forasalary，andtheotherhalfI
wastryingtodoagamblewiththatsalaryonthestrengthofwhatI'dlearned。Youcan'tringthebellthatway。
You'vegottobeeitherapigorapup。Youcan'tdoboth。
Now，forinstance，ifI'dcometoLondonwhenyoudid，andbroughtmymoneywithmeinsteadofbuyingyourconcessionwithit——"
"Why，whatgooddoyousupposeyouwouldhavedone？"
Thorpeinterruptedhimwithgood-naturedbrusqueness。
"You'dhavehadittakenfromyouinafortnight！Why，man，doyouknowwhatLondonis？You'dhavehadnomorechanceherethananakedniggerinaswamp-fullofalligators。"
"Youseemtohavehititoff，"theotherobjected。
"ThisisasfineahouseasIwaseverin。"
"Withmeit'sdifferent，"Thorpereplied，carelessly。
"Ihavethetalentformoney-making。I'mamaninarmour。
The'gatorscan'tbiteme，noryettherattle-snakes。"
"Yes——menaremadeupdifferently，"Tavenderassented，withphilosophicalgravity。Thenhelurchedgentlyintheover-largechair，andfixedanintentgazeuponhishost。
"Whatdidyoumakeyourmoneyin？"hedemanded，notwithentiredistinctnessofenunciation。"Itwasn'trubber，wasit？"
Thorpeshookhishead。"There'snomoneyinrubber。
I'mentirelyinfinance——ontheStockExchange——dealingindifferences，"hereplied，withaseriousface。
TheexplanationseemedwhollyacceptabletoTavender。
Hemuseduponitplacidlyforatime，withhisreverendheadpillowedaskewagainstthecornerofthechair。
Thenhelethiscigardrop，andclosedhiseyes。
Themasterofthehousebentforward，andnoiselesslyhelpedhimselftoanotherglassofwhiskeyandwater。
Then，sinkingbackagain，heeyedhisoddguestmeditativelyashesippedthedrink。Hesaidtohimselfthatinallthemiraculousrunofluckwhichtheyearhadbroughthim，thiswasthemostextraordinarymanifestationofthelot。
Ithadbeensoeasytoignoretheexistenceofthistiresomeandfatuousoldman，solongashewasinremoteMexico，thathehadpracticallyforgottenhim。ButheshouldnotsoonforgetthefrightenedshockwithwhichhehadlearnedofhispresenceinLondon，thatafternoon。
Foraminuteortwo，thereinhissister'sbook-shop，ithadseemedasifhewerefallingthroughtheair——asifthesubstantialearthhadcrumbledawayfromunderhim。
Butthenhisnervehadreturnedtohim，hisresourcefulbrainhadreasserteditself。Withreadyshrewdnesshehadgoneout，andmettheemergency，andmadeittheservantofhisownpurposes。
Hecouldbegladnow，unreservedlyglad，thatTavenderhadcometoLondon，thatthingshadturnedoutastheyhad。
Intruth，hestoodnowforthefirsttimeonsolidground。
Whenhethoughtofit，now，theriskhehadbeenrunningallthesemonthsgavehimalittlesinkingoftheheart。
Uponreflection，theperformanceofhavingsoldthesamepropertyfirsttoTavenderinMexicoandthentotheRubberConsolsCompanyinLondonmightbesubjecttoinjuriouscomment，orworse。Thefactthatitwasnotarealpropertytobeginwithhadnoplaceinhisthoughts。
Itwasaconcession——andconcessionswereimmemoriallyworthwhattheywouldfetch。Buttheotherthingmighthavebeensoawkward——andnowitwasallright！
Foranhourandmore，tillthefireburntitselfoutandtheguest'ssnoringbecametooactiveanuisance，Thorpesatlostinthiscongratulatoryreverie。
Thenherose，andsharplyshakingTavenderintoasemblanceofconsciousness，ledhimupstairsandputhimtobed。
ThreedayslaterhepersonallysawTavenderoffatWaterloostationbythesteamer-train，enrouteforSouthamptonandNewYork。Theoldmanwasinchildlikegoodspirits，lookingmoreecclesiasticalthaneverinthenewclotheshehadbeenenabledtobuy。Hevisiblypurredwithcontentwheneverhisdimeyescaughtsightofthenewvaliseandsteamertrunk，whichbelongedtohim，onthebusyplatform。
"You'vebeenverykindtome，Thorpe，"hesaidmorethanonce，astheystoodtogetherbesidetheopendoorofthecompartment。"Iwasneversohospitablytreatedbeforeinmylife。Yourattentiontomehasbeenwonderful。
Icallyouatruefriend。"
"Oh，that'sallright！Gladtodoit，"repliedtheother，lightly。IntruthhehadnotletTavenderstrayonceoutofhissightduringthosethreedays。
HehaddraggedhimtirelesslyaboutLondon，showinghimthesightsfromSouthKensingtonMuseumtotheTower，shoppingwithhim，restinginoldtavernswithhim，breakfasting，lunching，auddiningwithhim——intheindefatigableresolutionthatheshouldstrikeupnodangerousgossipingacquaintancewithstrangers。
Thetaskhadbeentiresomeintheextreme——
butithadbeenverywellworthwhile。
"OnethingI'mrathersorryabout，"Tavenderremarked，inapologeticparenthesis——"Ioughttohavegonedownandseenthatbrother-in-lawofmineinKent。He'sbeenverygoodtome，andI'mnottreatinghimverywell。
IwrotetotellhimIwascoming——butsincethenIhaven'thadaminutetomyself。However，Icanwritetohimandexplainhowithappened。AndprobablyI'llbeoveragainsometime。"
"Why，ofcourse，"saidThorpe，absently。Theallusiontothebrother-in-lawinKenthadescapedhisnotice，sointentwasheuponanewcongeriesofprojectstakingvagueshapeinhismind。
"Thinkofyourselfasmymanoutthere，"hesaidnow，slowly，followingtheclueofhisthoughts。"Theremaybebigthingstodo。Writetomeasoftenasyoucan。
Tellmeeverythingthat'sgoingon。Moneywillbenoobjecttome——youcanhaveasmuchasyoulike——ifthingsturnupouttherethatareworthtakingup。Butmindyousaynothingaboutme——oranyconnectionyou'veeverhadwithme。
You'llgetaletterfromtheSecretaryofaCompanyandtheChairmanaskingforareportonacertainproperty，andnamingafee。Yousimplymakeagoodreport——onitsmerits。Yousaynothingaboutanythingelse——aboutme，orthehistoryoftheconcession，oritsvalidity，oranything。Imustn'tbealludedtoinanyway。
Youquiteunderstandthat？"
"Trustme！"saidtheoldman，andwrunghisbenefactor'shand。
ItwasindeedwithatrustfuleyethatThorpewatchedthetraindrawoutofthestation。
CHAPTERXVI
THEweekfollowingtheAugustBankHolidayisveryrarelyindeedabusyoranxioustimeintheCity。Intheordinarycourseofthings，itservesastheeasy-goingprelude——withbutcasualandinattentivevisitseastward，andwithonlythemostcarelessglancesthroughthefinancialpapers——tothehalcyonperiodoftherealvacation。
MencometotheCityduringthisweek，itistrue，buttheirthoughtsareelsewhere——onthemoors，onthebluesea，ontheglacierorthefiord，orthepleasantGermanpineforests。
TothegreatmassofCitypeople；thisAugustinquestionbeganinanormalenoughfashion。Toonelittlegroupofoperators，however，andtothewideningcircleofbrokers，bankers，andothermenofaffairswhoseinterestsweremoreorlessinvolvedwiththoseofthisgroup，itwasaseasonofkeenperturbation。
Acombatofanextraordinarycharacterwasgoingon——acombatwhichthreatenedtodevelopintoamassacre。
Eventotheoperatorswho，unhappilyforthemselves，wereprincipalsinthisfight，itwasastruggleinthedark。
Theyknewlittleaboutit，beyondthegrimly-patentfactthattheywerebattlingfortheirverylives。Theouterringoftheirfriendsandsupportersanddependentsknewstillless，thoughtheirrageandfearswereperhapsgreater。
The"press"seemedtoknownothingatall。ThisunnaturalsilenceoftheCity'smouthpieces，usuallysoresoundinglyclamorousupontheonesideandtheotherwhenaduelisinprogress，gaveasinisteraspecttothething。
Thepapershadbeengaggedandblindfoldedfortheoccasion。
Thisinitselfwasofbalefulsignificance。Itwasnotaduelwhichtheyhadbeenbribedtoignore。
Itwasanassassination。
Outwardlytherewasnothingtosee，savetheunofficial，baldstatementthatonAugust1st，thelatestoftwelvefortnightlysettlementsinthisstock，RubberConsolshadbeenbidfor，andcarriedover，at15poundsforone-poundshares。
Theinformationconcernedthepublicatlargenotatall。
Nobodyknewofanyfriendorneighbourwhowasfortunateenoughtopossesssomeoftheseshares。Readershereandthere，notingthefigures，musthavesaidtothemselvesthatcertainluckypeoplewerecoiningmoney，butverylittlehappenedtobeprintedastotheidentityofthesepeople。
Straynoteswerebeginningtoappearinthepersonalcolumnsoftheafternoonpapersabouta"RubberKing"
ofthenameofThorpe，butthemodernexploitationoftheworld'sfourcornersmakessomany"kings"thatthenamehadnot，asyet，familiarizeditselftothepopulareye。
Citymen，whohearmorethantheyread，knewinageneralwayaboutthis"RubberKing。"Hewasanoutsiderwhohadcomein，andwasobviouslyfillinghispockets；butitwasacomfortingrulethatoutsiderswhodidthisalwaysgottheirpocketsemptiedforthemagaininthelongrun。
ThereseemednothingaboutThorpetosuggestthathewouldproveanexceptiontotherule。Hewasinvestinghiswinningswithgreatfreedom，sotheCityunderstood，andhisofficewasbesiegeddailybypromotersandtouts。
Theycouldcleanouthisstrong-boxfasterthantheprofitsofhisRubbercornercouldfillit。
Toknowsuchaman，however，couldnotbutbeuseful，andtheymadefurtivenotesofhisnumberinAustinFriarsontheircuffs，afterconversationhaddriftedfromhimtoothertopics。
AstotheRubbercorneritself，theStockExchangeasawholewasapathetic。Whensomeofthesufferersventuredcautioushintsaboutthepossibilityofofficialinterventionontheirbehalf，theywerelaughedatbythosewhodidnotturnawayincoldsilence。
OfthefourteenmenwhohadoriginallybeencaughtinthenetdrawntightbyThorpeandSemple，alltheconspicuousonesbelongedtotheclassof"wreckers，"
aclasswhichdoesnotendearitselftoCapelCourt。
BothRostockerandAronson，who，itwassaid，wereworsthit，weremenofgreatwealth，buttheyhadsystematicallyamassedthesefortunesbystranglingintheircradlesweakenterprises，andbyunderminingandtopplingoverotherenterpriseswhichwouldnothavebeenweakiftheyhadbeengivenalegitimatechancetolive。
Theirsystemwaslegalenough，intheeyesalikeofthelawandoftheStockExchangerules。Theyhadanundoubtedrighttomarkouttheirpreyandpursueit，andbringitdown，andfeedtotheboneuponit。Buttheexerciseofthisrightdidnotmakethembelovedbythebegettersandsponsorsoftheirvictims。Whenwordfirstwentround，onthelastdayofFebruary，thatalambhadunexpectedlyturneduponthesetwopractisedandconfidentwolves，andhadtornanearfromeachofthem，anddriventhempell-mellintoa"corner，"itwasreceivedonallsideswithagratifiedsmile。
Later，byfortnightlystages，thestorygrewatoncemoretragicandmoresatisfactory。NotonlyRostockerandAronson，butadozenotherswereintheculdesacguardedbythissurprisingandbloody-mindedlamb。
Mostofthenameswerewell-knownasthoseof"wreckers。"
InthiscategorybelongedBlaustein，Ganz，Rothfoere，Lewis，Ascher，andMendel，andifHarding，Carpenter，andVeseycouldnotbesoconfidentlyclassified，atleasttheirmisfortuneexcitednoparticularsympathy。
Twoothernamesmentioned，thoseofNorfellandPinney，werepracticallyunknown。
Therewassomesurprise，however，atthestatementthattheoldandrespectedandextremelyconservativefirmofFromentinBros。wasentangledinthething。Egyptianbonds，minorLevantineloans，discountsintheArabianandPersiantrades——thesehadbeenspecialtiesoftheFromentinsformanyyears。Whocouldhaveexpectedtofindthemcaughtamongthe"shorts"inMexicanrubber？ItwasMexico，wasn'tit，thattheseRubberConsolspurportedtobeconnectedwith？
Thorpe'sCompany，uponitscommercialmerits，hadnotbeenconsideredatallbythegentlemenoftheStockExchange，atthetimeofitsflotation。Menvaguelyandwithdifficultyrecalledthefactofitsprospectus，whenthe"corner"initsshareswasfirsttalkedabout。
Theylookeditupintheirlistsandfiles，lateron，butitstermssaidnothingtothem。NobodydiscussedthevalueoftheassetsownedbythisCompany，ortheprobabilityofitspayingadividend——evenwhenthepricebidforitsshareswasmakingthemostsensationalupwardleaps。HowThorpestoodwithhisshareholders，orwhetherhehadanygenuineshareholdersbehindhimatall，wasseenbythekeeneyesofCapelCourttobebesidethequestion。Verylikelyitwasaqueeraffair，ifthetruthwereknown——butatleastithadsubstanceenoughinittobegivingthe"wreckers"alivelytime。
BytheendofJulyitwasunderstoodthatthefightwasbetterworthwatchingthananythingthathadbeenseeninalongtime。Theonlytroublewasthattherewassolittletosee。Thepaperssaidnothing。
Thesuffererswerethereverseofgarrulous。ThelittleredScotchman，Semple，whowasthevisibleavengingswordofthe"corner，"wasmoreimperturbablysilentthananybodyelse。Hisfellow-membersinthe"House"watchedhimnow，however，withanewrespect。Theydiscoveredunsuspectedelementsofpowerinhisthin，tightmouth，inthedirect，coldglancesofhisbrown-greyeyes，intheverywayhecarriedhisheadandworehishat。
Hecametobepointedout，andnoddedaboutbehindhisback，morethananyoneelseinthe"House，"andimportantmensoughthisacquaintance，withanawkwardshowofcivility，whowerenotoriousfortheirrudeexclusiveness。
Itmightbe，ofcourse，thathis"corner"wouldbreakunderhimatanyfortnightlysettlement，butalreadyhehadcarrieditmuchfurtherthansuchthingsoftenwent，andtheplanningofthecouphadbeenbeyonddoubtNapoleonic。
HadthissmallsandyScotplannedit，orwashemerelytheweaponinThorpe'shand？BothviewshadtheirsupportersontheExchange，butafterthewrenchofAugust1st，whenwithanabrupteighty-shillingrisethepriceofRubberConsolsstoodat15pounds，anditwastobecomputedthatSemplehadreceivedonthatsingledaynearly75，000poundsindifferencesand"backwardation，"astorywassetafloatwhichgaveThorpetheundividedcreditoftheinvention。
ItwasrelatedascomingfromhisownlipsthathehadschemeditallouttoberevengeduponagroupofJewishoperators，againstwhomhehadagrievance。
Inconfirmationofthistale，itwaspointedoutthat，ofthesevenmenstillheldpinnedinthefatal"corner，"sixwereJews——andthisdid，uponfirstglance，looksignificant。
Butthenitwasobjected，uponreflection，thatBlausteinandAscherhadbothbeenpermittedtomaketheirescape，andthishardlyjustifiedthetheoryofanimplacableanti-Semiticvendetta。Theobjectionseemedreasonable，butitwasmetinturnbythepointthatBlausteinandAscherhadbeenbledwhite，asBismarck'sphrasewent，beforetheywerereleased，whereasthefiveChristianshadbeenliberatedwithrelativelymoderatefines。
Uponthewhole，acertainodouroftheJudenhetzeclungthereafteraboutthe"corner"inRubberConsols。
Onanafternoonofthefollowingweek，Mr。StormontThorpewasaloneintheBoardRoomoftheofficesinAustinFriars。
Hehadrisenfromthegreatroller-toppeddeskoverbetweenthewindows，andwalkednowwithalethargic，tiredsteptoandfrobeforetheemptyfireplace，yawningmorethanonce，andstretchingouthisarmsinthesupremegestureoffatigue。Afteradozenlistlessrounds，somethingoccurredtohim。Hemovedwithacertaindirectnessofpurposetothecabinetinthecorner，unlockedit，andpouredoutforhimselfatumblerofbrandyandsoda。
Hedrankitwithoutapause，thenturnedagain，andbeganpacingupanddownasbefore，hishandsclaspedbehindhim，hisheadbentinthought。
Theinterveningsixmonthshadeffectedvisiblechangesintheouterman。Onenotedmostreadilythatthefacehadgrownfullerinitslowerparts，andwasfarlessbrownedthanformerly。Thelarge，heavycountenance，withitssquarejawsmaskednowunderincreasedflesh，itsbeginningsofadouble-chin，anditsslightlyflabbyeffectofpallor，wasnolongerlackinginindividualdistinction。
Itwaspalpablythevisageofadictator。Themoustachehadbeencutdowntomilitarybrevity，andthelineofmouthbelowitwaseloquentofroughpower。Thesteadygreyeyes，seeminglysmalleryetmoreconspicuousthanbefore，revealedintheirglancenewelementsofsecretiveness，ofstrategysupportedbyabundantandconfidentpersonalforce。
Themanhimselfseemedscarcelytohavegrownstouter。
Heheldhimselfmorecompactly，asitwere；seemedmorethemasterofallhisphysicalexpressions。Hewasdressedlikeamagnatewhowasalsoapersonoftaste。
Therewasaflowerinthelapelofhiswell-shapedfrock-coat，andtherustleofhisstarchedandspotlesswhitewaistcoatmurmuredpleasantlyofrefinedtoilets。
"TheMarquisofChaldon——andagentleman，withhim。"
Theannouncement，fromaclerkwhohadnoiselesslyopenedthedoor，imposeditselfwithdecorumuponThorpe'sreverie。
"Whoisthegentlemanwithhim？"Thorpebeganausterelytoask，afteraninstant'shesitation。Butthisbriefestofdelayshadbroughtthecallersintoplainviewbehindtheclerk，andwithaslightgesturethemasterassentedtotheirentrance。
ThislargeapartmentwasnolongercalledtheBoardRoombyanybody。Bytacitprocesses，ithadbecomeMr。Thorpe'sroom。NoteventhetitularChairmanoftheCompany，therenownedandeminentLordChaldon，ex-Ambassadorandex-Viceroy，enteredthischambernowwithanyassumptionofproprietorshipinit。
NohintofarecollectionthatthereweresuchthingsastheCompanyandtheBoard，orthathewasnominallytheheadofboth，expresseditselfinhisLordship'sdemeanourasheadvanced，hishandalittleextended。
ThenobleChairmanwaswhiteofbeardandhair，andextremelycourteousofmanner——asmall，carefully-clad，graciousoldgentleman，whosemildpinkcountenancehad，withyearsofanxietyaboutwaysandmeans，disposeditselfinlineswhichproducedachronicexpressionofsolicitude。
Anervousaffectionoftheeyelidslenttothislook，atintervals，abeseechingqualitywhichembarrassedthebeholder。Allmenhadlikedhim，andspokenwellofhimthroughouthislongandhard-workedcareer。
Thorpewasveryfondofhimindeed，andputarespectfulcordialityintohisgraspoftheprofferedhand。
Thenhelooked，withacertainthinly-veiledbluntnessofenquiry，pasttheMarquistohiscompanion。
"Youwereverykindtogivemetheappointment，"
saidLordChaldon，withalittlepurringglossofaffabilityupontheearnestnessofhistone。"Iwishverymuchtointroducetoyoumyfriend，myoldfriendImaysay，MonsieurAlexandreFromentin。Weslepttogetherunderthesametent，inthePersiancountrybeyondBagdad——oh，itmusthavebeenquitefortyyearsago。Wewereyoungsterslookingtowinourfirstspursthen——Iinmyline，heinhis。
Andoftensincewehaverenewedthatoldfriendship——atmanydifferentplaces——India，andConstantinople，andEgypt。
Iwishheartilytocommendhimtoyour——yourkindness。"
Thorpehadperfunctorilyshakenhandswiththestranger——atall，slender，sharp-faced，clean-shaven，narrow-shoulderedman，whobytheseaccountsofhisyearsoughtnottohavesuchexcessivelyblackhair。Hebowedinaforeignfashion，andutteredsomewordswhichThorpe，thoughherecognizedthemasEnglishinintent，failedtofollow。Thevoicewasthatofanelderlyman，andatasecondglancetherewereplentyofproofsthathemighthavebeenolderthantheMarquis，outthereinPersia，fortyyearsago。
ButThorpedidnotlikeoldmenwhodyedtheirhair，andheofferedhisvisitorschairs，drawnupfromthetabletowardhisdesk，withacertainreserveofmanner。
Seatinghimselfintherevolvingchairatthedeskitself，heputthetipsofhisfingerstogether，andlookedthisgentlemanwiththeContinentalnameandexperienceintheface。
"Istheresomethingyouwishmetodo？"heasked，passivelyfacilitatingtheopeningofconversation。
"Ah，myGod！'Something'！"——repeatedtheother，withaflutteringgestureofhishandsoverhisthin，pointedknees——"everything，Mr。Thorpe！"
"That'satolerablylargeorder，isn'tit？"
Thorpeasked，calmly，movingaslow，inscrutableglancefromonetotheotherofhiscallers。
"Icouldaskfornothingthatwouldbeagreaterpersonalfavour——andkindness"——LordChaldoninterposed。
Histoneborethestressofsincerity。
"Thatmeansagreatdealtome，asyouknow，myLord，"
repliedThorpe，"butIdon'tintheleastunderstand——
whatisitthatyourfriendwants？"
"OnlythatIshallnotbeburiedinabankrupt'sgrave，"
thesuppliantanswered，withakindofembitteredeagernessofutterance。"ThatIshallnotseedisgracedthehonourednamethatmyfatherandhisfatherbequeathedtomycare！"
Thorpe'slarge，composedcountenancebetrayedacertainperplexity。"Theremustbeamistake，"
heobserved。"Idon'tevenknowthisnameofyours。
Ineverhearditbefore。"
Theother'smobilefacetwisteditselfinagrimaceofincredulity。Hehadaconspicuouslywidemouth，anditstrickofsidelongextensionatthismomentwasveryunpleasant。"Ah，HerrJe！Heneverheardit，"
heejaculated，turningnervouslytotheMarquis。
"WouldtothegoodGodyouneverhad！"hetoldThorpe，withsuppressedexcitement。
LordChaldon，hisownvoiceshakenalittle，interposedwithanexplanation。"Myfriendisthehead——therespectedhead——ofthefirmofFromentinBrothers。
Ithinkyouhave——havedealingswiththem。"
Thorpe，afterafurtiveinstantofbewilderment，openedhismouth。"Oh！Isee，"hesaid。"Iknowwhatyoumeannow。WiththeFrenchpronunciation，Ididn'trecognizethename。I'vealwayshearditcalled'Fromen'-tin'
hereinLondon。Oh，yes，ofcourse——Fromen'tinBrothers。"
Hislipsshuttightagainatthis。Thelistenershadcaughtnohelpfulcluefromthetoneofhiswords。
Theyexchangedaglance，andthenM。Fromentinspoke。
"Mr。Thorpe，"hebegan，slowly，withanobviouseffortatself-repression。"Itisaverysimplestory。Ourhouseisanoldone。Myfather'sgrandfatherorganizedthefinanceofthecommissariatofGeneralBonaparteinEgypt。
HecreatedthesmallbeginningsofthecarpetandrugimportationfromAsiaMinor。Hisson，andinturnhisson，followedhim。Theybecamebankersaswellasimporters。
TheyhelpedverygreatlytodevelopthetradeoftheLevant。Theywerenotavariciousmen，orusurers。
Itisnotinourblood。YourChairman，LordChaldon，whohonoursmesohighlybycallingmehisfriend——hewillassureyouthatwehaveagoodnameintheEast。
Ourbankshavebefriendedthepeople，andneveroppressedorinjuredthem。Forthatreason——Iwillsayperhapsforthatreason——wehaveneverbecomeaveryrichhouse。
ItispossibletonamebankerswhohavemadelargefortunesoutofEgypt。Itwasdifferentwithus。LordChaldonwilltellyouthatofourownfreewill——mytwobrothersandI——ofourownchoiceweconsentedtoloseafifthofallourpossessions，ratherthancoinintogoldbyforcethetearsandbloodofthewretchedfellaheen。"
"Yes——Ihaveneverknownamorehonourableorhumaneaction，"
putintheMarquis，fervently。
"Andthenmybrothersdie——Polydor，wholivedmostlyatSmyrna，andwhoseestatewaswithdrawnfromthebusinessbyhiswidow，andAugustin，wholivedhereinLondonafter1870，anddied——itisnowsixyearsago。
Heleftason，Robert，whoismynephew，andmypartner。
Heisnowofanage——perhapsthirtyyears。HewasasmallchildwhenhecametoLondon——hehasbecomemoreEnglishthantheEnglishthemselves。Hisactivityandindustryareverygreat；heformsplansofsuchmagnitudeandnumbersthattheywouldcompelhisgrandfathertoturninhiscoffin。Iaminindifferenthealth。
IlivemuchatHomburgandMarienbadandatCairo。
Practicallyspeaking，Ihaveretiredfrombusiness。
Thereremainbranchesofourhouse——inseveralplaces——buttheLondonhousehasbecomethecentreofallthings——andRoberthasbecometheLondonhouse。ThisImakeplaintoyourmind，doI，Mr。Thorpe？"
Theother，withhischinsunkwithinthecollarofhiswhitewaistcoat，andscrutinizingthenarratorwithasteadfastthoughimpassiveglance，madethefaintestpossiblenodofassent。
"IhadgreatconfidenceinRobert，"theoldmanwenton。
Hiseyesweredimmingwithtears，andhisvoicequavereduncertainly。"Hisplansseemedwise，eveniftheyriskedmorethanformerly。Theconditionsofbusinessarewhollyalteredsincemyyouth——anditwasbest，Ithought，tomakeRobertfreetoactundertheseconditions，whichheunderstoodmuchbetterthanIcouldpretendtodo。ThusitwasthatwhenhesaiditwasnecessaryforFromentinBrotherstobelongtotheStockExchange，Ididnotobject。Hewasactiveandboldandclever，andhewasinthethickofthefight。Thereforeheshouldbethejudgeinallthings。Andthatisourruin。
InthetimeoftheSouthAfricanexcitement，hewonagreatdealofmoney。Thenhelostitallandmore。
Thengamblingbegan，andhisfortuneswentnowup，nowdown，butalways，ashisbooksshowtomenow——sinkingalittleontheaverage。Hegrewmoreadventurous——morecareless。
Heputmanysmallcountersupondifferentnumbersonthetable。YouknowwhatImean？Andinanaccursedmoment，becauseothergamblersweredoingthesame，hesoldtwothousandofyourshares，withouthavingtheminhishands。
Voila！Hewishesnowtoputabulletthroughhisbrain。
HeproposesthatasthefittingendofFromentinFreres。"
Thorpe，hischinonhisbreast，continuedtoregardthemelancholyfigureoppositewithamoodyeye。Itseemedalongminutebeforehebrokethetensesilencebyasighofdiscomfort。"Idonotdiscussthesethingswithanybody，"
hesaidthen，coldly。"IfIhadknownwhoyouwere，Idon'tthinkyou'dhavegotin。"
TheMarquisofChaldonintuitivelystraightenedhimselfinhischair，andturnedtowardthespeakeraglanceofdistressedsurprise。
"Orno——Ibegyourpardon，"Thorpehastenedtoadd，upontheinstanthintofthislook——"thatdoesn'tconveymymeaning。Ofcourse，ourChairmanbringswhomhepleases。
Hisfriends——asamatterofcourse——areourfriends。
WhatIshouldhavesaidwasthatifthishadbeenmentionedbeforehandtome，Ishouldhaveexplainedthatitwasn'tpossibletodiscussthatparticularbusiness。"
"But——pardonme"——saidLordChaldon，inaquiet，verygentle，yetinsistentvoice，whichseemednowtorecalltoitslistenersthefactthatsovereignsandchancellorshadintheirdayhadattentiveearsforitstones——"pardonme，butwhyshoulditnotbepossible？"
Thorpefrowneddoubtfully，andshiftedhispositioninhischair。"WhatcouldIsay，ifitwerediscussed？"
hemadevagueretort。"I'mmerelyoneoftheDirectors。
YouareourChairman，butyouseehehasn'tfounditofanyusetodiscussitwithyou。Therearehardandfastrulesaboutthesethings。Theyruntheirnaturalcourse。
Youarenotabusinessman，myLord——"
"Oh，IthinkImaybecalleda'businessman，'"
interposedthenobleman，suavely。"TheywouldtellyousoinCalcutta，Ithink，andinCairotoo。
Whenoneconsidersit，Ihavetransactedagreatdealofbusiness——onthebehalfofotherpeople。
Andifyouwillpermitme——Idonotimputeindirection，ofcourse——butyourremarkseemstorequireafootnote。
ItistruethatIamChairmanoftheBoardonwhichyouareaDirector——butitisnotquitethewholetruth。
IasChairmanknowabsolutelynothingaboutthismatter。
AsIunderstandthesituation，itisnotinyourcapacityasaDirectorthatyouknowanythingaboutiteither。
Yet——"
Hepaused，asifsuddenlyconsciousofsomeimproprietyinthisdomesticfranknessbeforeathirdparty，andThorpepouncedthroughhiswell-manneredhesitationwiththeswiftnessofabirdofprey。
"Letmesuggest，"hesaidroundly，liftinghisheadandpoisingahandtoholdattention，whilehethoughtuponwhatitwasheshouldsuggest——"thisiswhatIwouldsay。
Itseemsratherirregular，doesn'tit？todebatethematterinthepresenceofanoutsider。Youseeityourself。
ThatispartlywhatImeant。NowIhavemetMr。Fromentin，"
hegavethenameitsEnglishvowelswithanobstinateemphasis，"andIhaveheardhisstatement。Youhaveheardittoo。
Ifhewishestolaymorefactsbeforeus，why，wellandgood。
ButthenIwouldsuggestthatheleavethematterinourhands，todiscussandlookintobetweenourselves。
Thatseemstoyouthepropercourse，doesn'tit，LordChaldon？"
TheFrenchbankerhadbeenstudyingwithstrainedacutenessthebiglymphaticmaskoftheDirector，withsundrysharpglancesasideattheChairman。
Thenervouschangesonhisalert，meagreoldfaceshowedhowintentlyhefollowedeveryphaseoftheirtalk。
AcertainsardonicperceptionofevilintheaircurledonhislipwhenhesawtheMarquisaccedewithabowandwaveofthehandtoThorpe'sproposition。Thenhemadehisbowinturn，andputthebestfacepossibleuponthematter。
"NaturallyIconsultyourconvenience——andtheproprieties，"hesaid，withaneffectofproudhumility。"Therearebutafewotherfactstosubmit。Mynephewhasalreadypaid，indifferencesuponthoseaccursedtwothousandshares，asumofnearly30，000pounds。Ihavethefiguresinmypocket——buttheyarefixedinmyheadaswell。
Twenty-eightthousandfivehundred，thosedifferencesalreadyamountto，nottospeakofinterest。
Atthelastsettlement，August1st，thepricepersharewas15pounds。Thatwouldmake30，000poundsmore，ifweboughtnow——oratotalofpractically60，000pounds。
Ehbien！Ibegfortheprivilegeofbeingallowedtobuythesesharesnow。Itisanunpleasantconfessiontomake，butthefirmofFromentinFrereswillbemadeverypoorbythislossof60，000pounds。Itwasnotalwaysso，butitissonow。MynephewRoberthasbroughtitintothatcondition。Youseemyshameatthisadmission。
Withallmyownmeans，andwithhissister'smarriageportion，wecanmakeupthissumof30，000pounds，andstillenablethefirmtoremaininexistence。Ihavegoneoverthebooksverypainstakingly，sinceIarrivedinLondon。
Itcanbekeptafloat，anditcanbebroughtbacktosafeandmoderatelyprofitablecourses——ifnothingworsehappens。Withanothersixweekslikethelast，thiswillnotbeatallpossible。Weshallhavethecupofdishonourthrustbetweenourteeth。Thatwillbetheendofeverything。"
M。Fromentinfinishedintremulous，gravetones。
AfterlookingwithblurredeyesforamomentintoThorpe'sface，hebowedhishead，andsoftlyswayedthekneesuponwhichhisthin，darkhandsmaintainedtheirclutch。
Noteventherevelationofhairquitewhiteattheroots，undulywideningthetrackofpartingonthetopofhisdyedhead，couldrobthismovementofitsmournfuldignity。
Thorpe，afteramoment'spause，tookapencilandpaperfromthedesk，andmadeacalculation。Hebithislipsandfrownedatthesightofthesefigures，andsetdownsomeothers，whichseemedtopleasehimnomore。
Then，withasuddengestureasofimpatience，herosetohisfeet。
"Howmuchisthatsister'smarriageportionyouspokeof？"
heasked，ratherbrusquely。
TheFrenchgentlemanhadalsorisen。Helookedwithanairofastonishmentathisquestioner，andthenhardenedhisface。
"Iapologizeformentioningit，"hesaid，withbrevity。
"Onedoesnotspeakoffamilyaffairs。"
"Iaskedyouhowmuchitwas，"pursuedThorpe，inamasterfultone。
"Amandoesn'twanttorobagirlofhermarriageportion。"
"IthinkImustnotansweryou，"theotherreplied，hesitatingly。"Itwasthefaultofmyemotiontointroducethesubject。Prayleavetheyoungladyoutofaccount。"
"ThenI'venothingmoretosay，"Thorpedeclared，andseatedhimselfagainwithsuperfluousenergy。
Hescowledforalittleatthedisorderofhisdesk，andthenflungforthanangryexplanation。"Ifyouevadefairquestionslikethat，howcanyouexpectthatIwillgooutofmywaytohelpyou？"
"Oh，permitme，Mr。Thorpe"——theMarquisintervenedsoothingly——"Ithinkyoumisapprehend。Myfriend，Iamsure，wishedtoevadenothing。Hehadtheideathathewasatfaultin——inalludingtoapurelydomesticmatteras——asa——whatshallIsay？——asapleaforyourconsideration。"Heturnedtotheoldbanker。
"Youwillnotrefusetomentionthesumtome，willyou，myfriend？"
M。Fromentinshruggedhisshoulders。"Itistenthousandpounds，"hereplied，almostcurtly。
Thorpewasseeminglymollified。"Verywell，then，"hesaid。
"Iwillsellyou2，000sharesattenpounds。"
Theothersexchangedawonderinglook。
"Monsieur，"thebankerstammered——"Iseeyourmeaning。
Youwillforgiveme——itisverywellmeantindeedbyyou——butitwasnotmyproposition。Themarket-priceisfifteenpounds——andwewerepreparedtopayit。"
Thorpelaughedinaperemptory，gustyway。"Butyoucan'tpaymorethanIask！"hetoldhim，withroughgeniality。
"Come，ifIletyouandyournephewinoutofthecold，whatkindofmen-folkwouldyoubetoinsistthatyournieceshouldbeleftoutside？AsIsaid，Idon'twanthermoney。
Idon'twantanywoman'smoney。IfI'mgoingtobenicetotherestofthefamily，what'stheobjectiontomybeingnicetoher？"
"Monsieur，"saidtheFrenchman，afteraninstant'sreflection，"Ioffernone。Ididnotatthemomentperceivethespiritofyourwords，butIrecognizenowthatitwasdelicacyitself。
Itenderyouthemostprofoundthanks——forALLthefamily。"
AftersomefurtherconversationtheelderFromentintookhisdeparture。LordChaldonapparentlyproposedtoaccompanyhim，butThorpebeggedhimtoremain，andheputasidehishatoncemoreandresumedhisseat。
Thorpewalkedaboutalittle，withhishandsinhispockets，inarestlessway。"Ifitisn'tunpleasanttoyou，IthinkI'lllightacigar，"hesaidsuddenly，andmovedovertothecabinet。Hepouredoutadrinkofneatbrandy，aswell，andfurtivelyswallowedit。Thenhecameback，precededbyacloudofsmoke。
"Itwentterriblyagainstthegrain，"hesaid，witharuefullaugh。"I'dsworntoletnoJewoffwithaninchofhideleftonhim——andherethreeofthemhavebeenwheedledoutofmygripalready。"
"Jews？"exclaimedtheMarquis，muchpuzzled。
"Didyou——didyouthinkFromentinwasaJew？Godblessme！he'snomoreonethanIam！Why，notevensomuch，forthereISaHerschellinmypedigree。Why，dearman，theywereCrusaders！"
Thorpesmiledsomewhatsheepishly。"Inevernoticedmuch，"
hesaid。"Itwasaforeign-lookingname。Itookitforgranted。"
LordChaldonbenthisbrowsalittle。"Yes-s"——hemurmured，meditatively。"I'vehearditmentionedthatyourenterprisewassuspectedofananti-Semitictwist。
Doyoumindmytalkingalittlewithyouaboutthat？"
"Oh，notatall，"theotheransweredwithlanguidacquiescence，asheseatedhimself。
CHAPTERXVII
LORDCHALDON'SinstructivelittlemonologueonthesubjectoftheHebrewinfinanceaffordedThorpeacertainpleasure，whichwasinitscharacter，perhaps，moresocialthanintellectual。
Itwasbothaflatteringandstrikingexperiencetohavesoeminentamanatthesideofone'sdesk，revealingforone'sguidancethesecretsofsovereignsandcabinets。
Greatnameswerementionedinthecourseofthisdissertation——mentionedwiththeauthoritativeeaseofonewhodinedwithprincesandprimeministers——andThorpefeltthathesharedinthedistinctionofthisfamiliaritywiththeaugust。Hewasinthepositionofpayingasalarytothiscourtlyoldnoblemanandstatesman，whocouldtellhimofhisownintimateknowledgehowEmperorsconversedwithoneanother；howthePopefidgetedinhisornate-carvedchairwhenthevisitortalkedonunwelcometopics；
howaQueenandanopera-bouffedancerwagedanobscureandenvenomedbattleforthepossessionofacounting-housestrongbox，andintheoutcomeanationwasarmedwithinferioroldmusketsinsteadofmodernweapons，andthegirlgotthedifferenceexpressedinblackpearls。
Thesereminiscencesseemedtoaltertheatmosphere，andeventheappearance，oftheBoardRoom。Itwasalmostasiftheapartmentitselfwasbecominghistoric，likethosechamberstheypointedouttothetouristwhereincrownedheadshadslept。ThemanneroftheMarquislentitselfcharminglytothisillusion。Hespokeinafacile，mellifluousvoice，andasfluentlyasifhehadbeenatworkforalongtimepreparingadissertationonthissubject，insteadoftakingitupnowbychance。
Inhistone，inhisgestures，inthesustainedfriendlinessofhisfacialexpressions，therewasapalpabledesiretopleasehisauditor——andThorpegavemoreheedtothisthantothethreadofthediscourse。ThefactsthatheheardnowabouttheJewishmastersofinternationalfinanceweredoubtlesssurprisingandsuggestivetoadegree，butsomehowtheyfailedtostimulatehisimagination。
LordChaldon'sstatesmanlikediscussionoftheusestowhichtheyputthisvastpoweroftheirs；hisconvictionthatonthewholetheywerebeneficent；hisdreadoftheconsequencesofanyorganizedattempttotakethispowerawayfromthem，andputitintootherandlesscapablehands——nodoubtitwasallverycleverandwise，butThorpedidnotcareforit。
Attheendhenodded，and，withalumberingmovement，alteredhispositioninhischair。ThefixedideaofdespoilingRostocker，Aronson，Ganz，Rothfoere，Lewis，andMendeloftheirlastsixpencehadbeeninnowiseaffectedbythisentertaininghomily。
Thereappearedtobenoneedofpretendingthatithadbeen。Ifheknewanythingofmenandtheirmanners，histitledfriendwouldnotobjecttoachangeoftopic。
"LordChaldon，"hesaidabruptly，"we'vetalkedenoughaboutgeneralmatters。Whileyou'rehere，wemightaswellgointothesubjectoftheCompany。
Ourannualmeetingisprettynearlydue——butIthinkitwouldbebettertohaveitpostponed。Yousee，thisextraordinarydevelopmentofdealinginoursharesontheStockExchangehasoccupiedmyentireattention。
TherehasbeennotimeforarrangingthemachineryofoperationsonourpropertyinMexico。It'sstillthere；
it'sallright。Butforthetimebeing，theoperationsinLondonaresomuchmoreimportant。Weshouldhavenothingtotellourshareholders，ifwebroughtthemtogether，exceptthattheirone-poundsharesareworthfifteenpounds，andtheyknowthatalready。"
TheMarquishadlistenedwithashrewdlyattentiveeyeuponthespeaker'sface。Thenervousaffectionofhiseyelidsgavehimnowaminuteofblinkingleisureinwhichtoframehiscomment。"Ihavenotheardthatmysharesareworthfifteenpounds，"hesaidthen，withadirect，meaninglittlesmile。
"No，"Thorpelaughed，leaningcomfortablybackinhischair。
"That'swhatIwanttotalktoyouabout。Yousee，whentheCompanywasstarted，itwasimpossibletoforeseethatthisdealinginourordinaryshareswouldswampeverythingelse。Ifthingshadtakentheirusualcourse，andwehadpaidourattentiontoMexicoinsteadoftotheLondonStockExchange，mydeferredvendor'sshares，twothousandofwhichyouhold，wouldbythistimebeworthagoodbit。Asitis，unfortunately，theyareoutsideofthedeal。Theyhavenothingtodowiththemovementoftheordinaryshares。Butofcourseyouunderstandallthat。"
LordChaldonassentedbyaneloquentnod，atonceresignedandhopeful。
"Well——thatiscontrarytoallmyexpectations——andintentions，"