CHAPTERVI
HORTENSIA\'SRETURN
Mr。Caryllneedsexplainingashewalksthereinthemoonlight；thatis，ifweareatalltounderstandhim-amatterbynomeanseasy，consideringthathehasconfessedhedidnotunderstandhimself。Didevermanmakeasinceredeclarationofsuddenpassionasflippantlyashehaddone，orinterms-bettercalculatedtoalienatetheregardhesoughttowin？Didevermanchoosehistimewithlessdiscrimination，orhiswordswithlessdiscretion？Assuredlynot。TosupposethatMr。Caryllwasunawareofthis，wouldbetosupposehimafool，andthathemostcertainlywasnot。
Hismoodwasextremelycomplex；itsanalysis，Ifear，maybaffleus。Itmusthaveseemedtoyou-asitcertainlyseemedtoMistressWinthrop-thathemadeamockofher；thatintruthhewastheimpudent，fleeringcoxcombshepronouncedhim，andnothingmore。Notso。Mockhemostcertainlydid；
buthismockerywasallaimedtostrikehimselfontherecoil-himselfandthesentimentswhichhadsprungtobeinginhissoul，andtowhich-namelessashewas，pledgedashewastoataskthatwouldmostlikelyinvolvehisruin-heconceivedthathehadnoright。Hegaveexpressiontohisfeelings，yetchoseforthemtheexpressionbestcalculatedtorenderthembarrenofallconsequencewhereMistressWinthropwasconcerned。Whereanotherwouldhavehiddenthoseemotions，Mr。Caryllelectedtoflauntthemhalf-derisively，thatHortensiamighttramplethemunderfootinsheerdisgust。
Itwas，perhaps，theknowledgethatdidhewait，andcometoherasanhonest，devoutlover，hemustinhonestytellheralltherewastoknowofhisoddhistoryandofhisbastardy，andthussetupbetweenthemabarrierinsurmountable。
Better，hemayhavethought，tomakefromtheoutsetamockeryofapassionforwhichtherecouldbenohope。Andso，underthatmocking，impertinentexterior，Ihopeyoucatchsomeglimpseofthereal，sufferingman-themanwhoboastedthathehadthegiftoflaughter。
Hecontinuedawhiletopacethedewylawnaftershehadlefthim，andadeepdespondencydescendeduponthespiritofthismanwhoaccountedseriousnessafolly。Hithertohisrancoragainsthisfatherhadbeenatheoreticalrancor，athingeducatedintohimbyEverard，andacceptedbyhimasweacceptapropositioninEuclidthatisprovedtous。Initswayithadbeenamake-believerancor，arancoronprinciple，forhehadbeenmadetoseethatunlesshewasinflamedbyit，hewasnotworthytobehismother\'sson。Tonighthadchangedallthis。Nolongerwashisgrievancesentimental，theoreticalorabstract。Itwassuddenlybecomerealandverybitter。Itwasnolongeraquestionofthewrongdonehismotherthirtyyearsago；itbecamethequestionofawrongdonehimselfincastinghimnamelessupontheworld，athingofscorntocruel，unjusthumanity。CouldMistressWinthrophaveguessedthebitterself-derisionwithwhichhehad，inapparentlevity，offeredherhisname，shemighthavefeltsomepityforhimwhohadnopityforhimself。
Andso，to-nighthefelt-asonceforamomentEverardhadmadehimfeel-thathehadaveryrealwrongofhisowntoavengeuponhisfather；andthetaskbeforehimlostmuchoftherepugnancethatithadheldforhimhitherto。
AllthisbecausefourhoursagohehadlookedintothebrowndepthsofMistressWinthrop\'seyes。Hesighed，anddeclaimedalineofCongreve\'s：
\"`Womanisafairimageinapool；wholeapsatitissunk。\'\"
Thelandlordcametobidhimintosupper。Heexcusedhimself。Senthislordshipwordthathewasover-tired，andwentofftobed。
Theymetatbreakfast，atanearlyhouruponthemorrow，MistressWinthropcoolanddistant；hislordshipgrumpyandmute；Mr。Caryllairyandtalkativeaswashishabit。Theysetoutsoonafterwards。Butmatterswerenowiseimproved。
Hislordshipdozedinacornerofthecarriage，whileMistressWinthropfoundmoreinterestinthefloweringhedgerowsthaninMr。Caryll，ignoredhimwhenhetalked，anddidnotanswerhimwhenhesetquestions；till，intheend，he，too，lapsedintosilence，andasasolatiumforhissorenessassuredhimselfbylengthy，wordlessargumentsthatmatterswerebestso。
TheyenteredtheoutlyingpartsofLondonsometwohourslater，anditstillwantedonhourorsotonoonwhenthechaisebroughtupinsidetherailingsbeforetheearl\'shouseinLincoln\'sInnFields。
Therecamearushoffootmen，abustleofservice，amidwhichtheyalightedandenteredthesplendidresidencethatwaspartofthelittlethatremainedLordOstermorefromthewreckhisfortuneshadsufferedontheshoalsoftheSouthSea。
Mr。CaryllpausedamomenttodismissLeductotheaddressinOldPalaceYardwherehehadhiredalodging。Thatdone，hefollowedhislordshipandHortensiawithindoors。
>Fromtheinnerhallafootmanusheredhimacrossanante-chambertoaroomontheright，whichprovedtobethelibrary，andwashislordship\'shabitualretreat。Itwasaspacious，pillaredchamber，veryrichlypanelledindamasksilk，andveryrichlyfurnished，havinglongFrenchwindowsthatopenedonaterraceabovethegarden。
Astheyenteredtherecameaswiftrustleofpetticoatsattheirheels，andMr。Caryllstoodaside，bowing，togivepassagetoatallladywhosweptbywithnomoreregardforhimthanhadhebeenoneofthehouse\'slackeys。Shewas，heobserved，ofmiddle-age，leanandaquiline-featured，withanexaggeratedchin，thatendedsquarelyasboot。Hersallowcheekswereraddledtoahecticcolor，amonstroushead-dress-likethatofsomehorseinalordmayor\'sshow-coiffedher，andherdresswasamixtureofextravaganceandincongruity，thepetticoatabsurdlyhooped。
Shesweptintotheroomlikeabattleshipintoaction，andletflyherfirstbroadsideatMistressWinthropfromthethreshold。
\"Codso！\"sheshrilled。\"Youhavecomeback！Andforwhathaveyoucomeback？AmItoliveinthesamehousewithyou，youshamelessmadam-thathavenomorethoughtforyourreputationthanaslutinasmock-race？\"
Hortensiaraisedindignanteyesfromoutofafacethatwasverypale。Herlipsweretightlypressed-inresolution，thoughtMr。Caryll，whowasveryobservantofher-nottoanswerherladyship；forMr。Caryllhadlittledoubtastotheidentityofthisdragon。
\"Mylove-mydear-\"beganhislordship，advancingastep，histoneaverysalve。Then，seekingtocreateadiversion，hewavedahandtowardsMr。Caryll。\"Letmepresent-\"
\"DidIspeaktoyou？\"sheturnedtobombardhim。\"Haveyounotdoneharmenough？Hadyoubeenaughtbutafool-hadyourespectedmeasahusbandshould-youhadleftwellaloneandlethergoherways。\"
\"Therewasmydutytoherfather，tosayaughtof-\"
\"Andwhatofyourdutytome？\"sheblazed，hereyespuckeringmostmalignantly。SheremindedMr。Caryllofnothingsomuchasavulture。\"Hadyeforgottenthat？Haveyenothoughtfordecency-norespectforyourwife？\"
Herstridentvoicewasechoingthroughthehouseanddrawingalittlecrowdofgapingservantstothehall。TospareMistressWinthrop，Mr。Carylltookituponhimselftoclosethedoor。Thecountessturnedatthesound。
\"Whoisthis？\"sheasked，measuringtheelegantfigurewithanevileye。AndMr。Caryllfeltitinhisbonesthatshehaddonehimthehonortodislikehimatsight。
\"Itisagentlemanwho-who-\"Hislordshipthoughtitbetter，apparently，nottoexplaintheexactcircumstancesunderwhichhehadmetthegentleman。Heshiftedground。\"I
wasabouttopresenthim，mylove。ItisMr。Caryll-Mr。
JustinCaryll。This，sir，ismyLadyOstermore。\"
Mr。Caryllmadeheraprofoundbow。Herladyshipretortedwithasniff。
\"Isitakinsmanofyours，mylord？\"andthecontemptofthequestionwasladenwithasuggestionthatsmoteMr。Caryllhard。Whatsheimpliedinwantonoffensivemockerywasnomorethanhealonepresentknewtobetheexactandhideoustruth。
\"Someremotekinsman，Imakenodoubt，\"theearlexplained。
\"UntilyesterdayIhadnotthehonorofhisacquaintance。Mr。
CaryllisfromFrance。\"
\"Ye\'llbeaJacobite，nodoubt，then，\"wereherfirst，uncompromisingwordstotheguest。
Mr。Caryllmadeheranotherbow。\"IfIwere，Ishouldmakenosecretofitwithyourladyship，\"heansweredwiththatirritatingsuavityinwhichheclothedhismostobvioussarcasms。
Herladyshipopenedhereyesalittlewider。Herewasatoneshewasunusedto。\"Andwhatmayyourbusinesswithhislordshipbe？\"
\"Hislordship\'sbusiness，Ithink，\"answeredMr。Caryllinatoneofsuchexquisitepolitenessanddeferencethatthewordsseemedpurgedofalltheirrudeness。
\"Willyouanswermeso，sir？\"shedemanded，nevertheless，hervoicequivering。
\"Mylove！\"interpolatedhislordshiphurriedly，hisfloridfaceaflush。\"WearevastlyindebtedtoMr。Caryll，asyoushalllearn。ItwashewhosavedHortensia。\"
\"Savedthedrab，didhe？Andfromwhat，pray？\"
\"Madam！\"ItwasHortensiawhospoke。Shehadrisen，palewithanger，andshemadeappealnowtoherguardian。\"Mylord，I\'llnotremaintobesospokenof。Suffermetogo。
Thatherladyshipshouldsospeakofmetomyface-andtoastranger！\"
\"Stranger！\"crowedherladyship。\"Lard！Andwhatd\'yesupposewillhappen？AreyousoniceaboutastrangerhearingwhatImayhavetosayofyou-youthatwillbethetalkofthewholelewdtownforthisfineescapade？Andwhat\'llthetownsayofyou？\"
\"Mylove！\"hislordshipsoughtagaintosootheher。\"Sylvia，letmeimploreyou！Alittlemoderation！Alittlecharity！
Hortensiahasbeenfoolish。Sheconfessessomuch，herself。
Yet，whenallissaid，\'tisnotsheistoblame。\"
\"AmI？\"
\"Mylove！Wasitsuggested？\"
\"Imarvelitwasnot。Indeed，Imarvel！Oh，Hortensiaisnottoblame，thesweet，puredove！Whatisshe，then？\"
\"Tobepitied，ma\'am，\"saidhislordship，stirredtosuddenanger，\"thatsheshouldhavelentaneartoyourdisreputableson。\"
\"Myson？Myson？\"criedherladyship，hervoicemoreandmorestrident，herfaceflushingtilltherougeuponitwasputtoshame，revealedinallitsunnaturalhideousness。\"Andishenotyourson，mylord？\"
\"Therearemoments，\"heansweredhardily，\"whenIfinditdifficulttobelieve。\"
Itwasmuchforhimtosay，andtoherladyship，ofallpeople。Itwaspuremutiny。Shegaspedforair；pumpedherbrainforwords。Meantime，hislordshipcontinuedwithaneloquenceentirelyunusualinhimandpromptedentirelybyhisstrongfeelingsinthematterofhisson。\"Heisadisgracetohisname！Healwayshasbeen。Whenaboy，hewasaliarandathief，andhadhehadhisdesertshehadbeenlodgedinNewgatelongago-orworse。Nowthathe\'saman，he\'sanabandonedprofligate，abrawler，adrunkard，arakehell。SomuchIhavelongknownhimfor；butto-dayhehasshownhimselfforsomethingevenworse。Ihadthoughtthatmyward，atleast，hadbeensacredfromhisvillainy。Thatisthelastdrop。I\'llnotcondoneit。Damnme！Ican\'tcondoneit。
I\'lldisownhim。Heshallnotsetfootinhouseofmineagain。LethimkeepthecompanyofhisGraceofWhartonandhisotherabandonedfriendsoftheHellFireClub；hekeepsnotmine。Hekeepsnotmine，Isay！\"
Herladyshipswallowedhard。Fromredthatshehadbeen，shewasnowashenunderherrouge。\"And，isthiswantonbaggagetokeepmine？Isshetodisgraceahouseholdthathasgrowntoonicetocontainyourson？\"
\"Mylord！Oh，mylord，givemeleavetogo，\"Hortensiaentreated。
\"Ay，go，\"sneeredherladyship。\"Go！Youhadbestgo-backtohim。Whatfordidyeleavehim？Didyedreamtherecouldbeaughttoreturnto？\"
Hortensiaturnedtoherguardianagainappealingly。Butherladyshipboredownuponher，incensedbythisignoring；shecaughtthegirl\'swristinherclaw-likehand。\"Answerme，youdrab！Whatfordidyoureturn？Whatistobedonewithyounowthaty\'aresoiledgoods？Whereshallwefindahusbandforyou？\"
\"Idonotwantahusband，madam，\"answeredHortensia。
\"Willyeleadapesinhell，then？Bah！\'Tisnotwhatyewant，myfinemadam；\'tiswhatwecangetyou；andwhereshallwefindyouahusbandnow？\"
HereyefelluponMr。Caryll，standingbyoneofthewindows，alookofprofounddisgustoverplayingtheusuallyimmobileface。\"PerhapsthegentlemanfromFrance-thegentlemanwhosavedyou，\"shesneered，\"willproposetotaketheoffice。\"
\"Withallmyheart，ma\'am，\"Mr。Caryllstartledthemandhimselfbyanswering。Then，perceivingthathehadspokentoomuchuponimpulse-givenutterancetowhatwaspassinginhismind-\"Ibutmentionittoshowyourladyshiphowmistakenareyourconclusions，\"headded。
ThecountessloosedherholdofHortensia\'swristinheramazement，andlookedthegentlemanfromFranceupanddowninamightyscornfulmanner。\"Codso！\"sheswore，\"Imaytakeit，then，thatyoursavingher-asyecallit-wasnoaccident。\"
\"Indeeditwas，ma\'am-andamostfortunateaccidentforyourson。\"
\"Formyson？Ashow？\"
\"Itsavedhimfromhanging，ma\'am，\"Mr。Caryllinformedher，andgavehersomethingotherthanthebaitingofHortensiatooccupyhermind。
\"Hang？\"shegasped。\"AreyouspeakingofLordRotherby？\"
\"Ay，ofLordRotherby-andnotawordmorethanistrue，\"putintheearl。\"Doyouknow-butyoudonot-theextentofyourpreciousson\'svillainy？AtMaidstone，whereIovertookthem-attheAdamandEve-hehadamake-believeparson，andhewasluringthispoorchildintoamock-marriage。\"
Herladyshipstared。\"Mock-marriage？\"sheechoed。\"Marriage？
La！\"Andagainsheventedherunpleasantlaugh。\"Didsheinsistonthat，theprude？Y\'amazeme！\"
\"Surely，mylove，youdonotapprehend。HadLordRotherby\'sparsonnotbeendetectedandunmaskedbyMr。Caryll，here-\"
\"Wouldyouha\'mebelieveshedidnotknowthefellowwasnoparson？\"
\"Oh！\"criedHortensia。\"Yourladyshiphasaverywickedsoul。
MayGodforgiveyou！\"
\"Andwhoistoforgiveyou？\"snappedthecountess。
\"Ineednoforgiveness，forIhavedonenowrong。Afolly，I
confessto。Iwasmadtohaveheededsuchavillain。\"
Herladyshipgatheredforcesforafreshassault。ButMr。
Caryllanticipatedit。Itwasnodoubtagreatimpertinenceinhim；buthesawHortensia\'surgentneed，andhefelt，moreover，thatnotevenLordOstermorewouldresenthiscrossingswordsamomentwithherladyship。
\"Youwoulddowell，ma\'am，toremember，\"saidhe，inhissingularlyprecisevoice，\"thatLordRotherbyevennow-andasthingshavefallenout-isbynomeansquitofalldanger。\"
Shelookedatthissmoothgentleman，andhiswordsburnedthemselvesintoherbrain。Shequiveredwithminglingfearandanger。
\"Wha\'-whatis\'tyemean？\"quothshe。
\"Thatevenatthishour，ifthematterwereputabout，hislordshipmightbebroughttoaccountforit，anditmightfareveryillwithhim。ThelawofEnglanddealsheavilywithanoffensesuchasLordRotherby\'s，andtheattemptatamock-marriage，ofwhichthereisnolackofevidence，wouldsoaggravatethecrimeofabduction，ifhewereinformedagainst，thatitmightgoveryhardwithhim。\"
Herjawfell。Shecaughtmorethananadmonitioninhiswords。Italmostseemedtoherthathewasthreatening。
\"Who-whoistoinform？\"sheaskedpoint-blank，hertoneachallenge；andyettheoddchangeinitfromitsrecentaggressivenesswasalmostludicrous。
\"Ah-who？\"saidMr。Caryll，raisinghiseyesandfetchingasigh。\"ItwouldappearthatamessengerfromtheSecretaryofState-onanothermatter-wasattheAdamandEveatthetimewithtwoofhiscatchpolls，andhewasawitnessofthewholeaffair。Thenagain，\"andhewavedahanddoorwards，\"servantsareservants。Imakenodoubttheyarelistening，andyourladyship\'svoicehasscarcebeencontrolled。Youcanneversaywhenaservantmayceasetobeaservant，andbecomeanactiveenemy。\"
\"Damntheservants！\"sheswore，dismissingthemfromconsideration。\"Whoisthismessengerofthesecretary\'s？Whoishe？\"
\"HewasnamedGreen。\'TisallIknow。\"
\"Andwheremayhebefound？\"
\"Icannotsay。\"
SheturnedtoLordOstermore。\"WhereisRotherby？\"sheinquired。Shewasathoughtbreathless。
\"Idonotknow，\"saidhe，inavoicethatsignifiedhowlittlehecared。
\"Hemustbefound。Thisfellow\'ssilencemustbebought。
I\'llnothavemysondisgraced，andgaoled，perhaps。Hemustbefound。\"
Heralarmwasveryrealnow。Shemovedtowardsthedoor，thenpaused，andturnedagain。\"Meantime，letyourlordshipconsiderwhatdispositionsyouaretomakeforthiswretchedgirtwhoisthecauseofallthisgarboil。\"
Andshesweptout，slammingthedoorviolentlyafterher。
CHAPTERVII
FATHERANDSON
Mr。CaryllstayedtodineatStrettonHouse。AlthoughtheyhadjourneyedbutfromCroydonthatmorning，hewouldhavepreferredtohavegonefirsttohislodgingtohavemade-
fastidiousashewas-asuitablechangeinhisapparel。Buttheurgencythathistaskdictatedcausedhimtowaivethepoint。
Hehadahalf-hourorsotohimselfafterthestormyscenewithherladyship，inwhichhehadplayedagain-thoughinalesserdegree-thepartofsaviortoMistressWinthrop，amatterforwhichtheladyhadrewardedhim，erewithdrawing，withafriendlysmile，whichcausedhimtothinkherdisposedtoforgivehimhisyesternight\'sfolly。
Inthathalf-hourhegavehimselfagainveryseriouslytothecontemplationofhisposition。HehadnoillusionsonthescoreofLordOstermore，andheratedhisfathernohigherthanhedeserved。Buthewasjustandshrewdinhisjudgment，andhewasforcedtoconfessthathehadfoundthisfatherofhisvastlydifferentfromthemanhehadbeenledtoexpect。
Hehadlookedtofindadebauchedoldrake，avilecreaturesteepedinviceandwickedness。Instead，hefoundaweak，easy-natured，commonplacefellow，whoseworstsinseemedtobetheselfishnessthatisusuallyinseparablefromthoseothercharacteristics。IfOstermorewasnotamanofthetypethatinspiresstrongaffection，neitherwasheofthetypethatprovokesstrongdislike。Hiscolorlessnatureleftoneindifferenttohim。
Mr。Caryll，somewhattohisdismay，foundhimselfinclinedtoextendthemansomesympathy；caughthimselfuponthevergeofpityinghimforbeingburdenedwithsoveryunfilialasonandsoverycursedawife。Itwasoneofhischerishedbeliefsthattheevilthatmendohasatrickoffindingthemoutinthislife，andhere，hebelieved，asshrew-riddenhusbandanddespisedfather，theEarlofOstermorewasbeingmadetoexpiatethatsinofhisearlyyears。
AnotherofMr。Caryll\'sphilosophieswasthat，whenallissaid，manislittleofafreeagent。Hisviciousnessorsanctityistemperamental；andnottheman，buthisnature-
whichisnotself-imbued-mustbeartheresponsibilityofaman\'sdeeds，betheygoodorbad。
Intheabstractsuchbeliefsarewellenough；theyareexcellentstandardsbywhichtojudgewhereothersufferersthanourselvesareconcerned。Butwhenweourselvesaretouched，theyarediscountedbythemeasureinwhichaman\'sdeedsormisdeedsmayaffectus。AndalthoughtoanextentthismightbethecasenowwithMr。Caryll，yet，inspiteofit，hefoundhimselfexcusinghisfatheronthescoreoftheman\'sweaknessandstupidity，untilhecaughthimselfupwiththereflectionthatthiswasadisloyaltytoEverard，tohistraining，andtohismother。Andyet-hereverted-insuchamanasOstermore，sheerstupidity，alackofimagination，ofinsightintothingsastheyreallyare，alackoffeelingthatwoulddisablehimfromappreciatingtheextentofanywronghedid，seemedtoMr。Carylltobeextenuatingcircumstances。
Heconceivedthathewasamazinglydispassionateinhisjudgment，andhewonderedwasherightorwrongsotobe。
Thenthethoughtofhistaskaroseinhismind，anditbathedhiminasweatofhorror。OverinFrancehehadallowedhimselftobepersuaded，andhadpledgedhimselftodothisthing。Everard，therelentless，unforgivingfanaticofvengeance，had-aswehaveseen-trainedhimtobelievethattheavengingofhismother\'swrongswastheonlythingthatcouldjustifyhisownexistence。Besides，ithadallseemedremotethen，andeasyasremotethingsareapttoseem。Butnow-nowthathehadmetinthefleshthismanwhowashisfather-hishesitationwasturnedtoveryhorror。Itwasnotthathedidnotconceive，inspiteofhisoddideasupontemperamentanditsresponsibilities，thathismother\'s\'
wrongscriedoutforvengeance，andthattheavengingofthemwouldbearighteous，fittingdeed；butitwasthatheconceivedthathisownwasnotthehandtodotheworkoftheexecutionerupononewho-afterall-wasstillhisownfather。Itwashideouslyunnatural。
Hesatinthelibrary，awaitinghislordshipandtheannouncementofdinner。Therewasabookbeforehim；buthiseyeswereuponthewindow，thesmoothlawnsbeyond，alldrenchedinsummersunshine，andhisthoughtswereintrospective。Helookedintohisshudderingsoul，andsawthathecouldnot-thathewouldnot-dothethingwhichhewascometodo。HewouldawaitthecomingofEverard，totellhimso。Therewouldbeastormtoface，heknew。Butsoonerthatthancarrythisvilethingthrough。Itwasvile-mostdamnablyvile-henowopined。
Thedecisiontaken，heroseandcrossedtothewindow。Hismindhadbeenintravail；hissoulhadknownthepangsoflabor。Butnowthatthisstrongresolvehadbeenbroughtforth，aneaseandpeacewerehisthatseemedtoprovetohimhowrighthewas，howwrongmustaughtelsehavebeen。
LordOstermorecamein。Heannouncedthattheywouldbediningalonetogether。\"Herladyship，\"heexplained，\"hasgoneforthinpersontoseekLordRotherby。Shebelievesthatsheknowswheretofindhim-insomedisreputablehaunt，nodoubt，whitherherladyshipwouldhavebeenbetteradvisedtohavesentaservant。Butwomenarewaywardcattle-wayward，headstrongcattle！Haveyounotfoundthemso，Mr。Caryll？\"
\"Ihavefoundthattheopinioniscommontomosthusbands，\"
saidMr。Caryll，thenaddedaquestiontouchingMistressWinthrop，andwonderedwouldshenotbejoiningthemattable。
\"Thepoorchildkeepsherchamber，\"saidtheearl。\"Sheisoverwrought-overwrought！Iamafraidherladyship-\"Hebrokeoffabruptly，andcoughed。\"Sheisoverwrought，\"herepeatedinconclusion。\"Sothatwedinealone。\"
Andalonetheydined。Ostermore，despitethehavocsufferedbyhisfortunes，keptanexcellenttableandaclevercook，andMr。Caryllwasgladtodiscoverinhissirethisonecommendabletrait。
Theconversationwasdesultorythroughouttherepast；butwhentheclothwasraisedandthetableclearedofallbutthedishesoffruitandthedecantersofOporto，CanaryandMadeira，therecameamomentofexpansion。
Mr。Caryllwasleaningbackinhischair，fingeringthestemofhiswine-glass，watchingtheplayofsunlightthroughtheruddyamberofthewine，andconsideringtheextraordinarilyoddpositionofamansittingattable，bythemerestchance，almost，withafatherwhowasnotawarethathehadbegottenhim。Aquestionfromhislordshipcametostirhimpartiallyfromthereverieintowhichhewasbeginningtolapse。
\"DoyoulooktomakealongsojourninEngland，Mr。Caryll？\"
\"Itwilldepend，\"wasthevagueandhalf-unconsciousanswer，\"uponthesuccessofthematterIamcometotransact。\"
Thereensuedabriefpause，duringwhichMr。Caryllfellagainintohisabstraction。
\"WheredoyoudwellwheninFrance，sir？\"inquiredmylord，asiftomakepoliteconversation。
Mr。Carylllulledbyhismusingsintocarelessness，answeredtruthfully，\"AtMaligny，inNormandy。\"
Thenextmomenttherewasatinkleofbreakingglass，andMr。
Caryllrealizedhisindiscretionandturnedcold。
LordOstermore，whohadbeenintheactofraisinghisglass，fetcheditdownagainsosuddenlythatthestembrokeinhisfingers，andthemahoganywasfloodedwiththeliquor。A
servanthastenedforward，andsetafreshglassforhislordship。Thatdone，Ostermoresignedtothemantowithdraw。
Thefellowwent，closingthedoor，andleavingthosetwoalone。
ThepausehadbeensufficienttoenableMr。Carylltorecover，andforallthathispulsesthrobbedmorequicklythantheirhabit，outwardlyhemaintainedhislazilyindifferentpose，asifentirelyunconsciousthatwhathehadsaidhadoccasionedhisfathertheleastdisturbance。
\"You-youdweltatMaligny？\"saidhislordship，theusualhighcolorallvanishedfromhisface。Andagain：\"YoudweltatMaligny，and-and-yournameisCaryll。\"
Mr。Carylllookedupquickly，asifsuddenlyawarethathislordshipwasexpressingsurprise。\"Why，yes，\"saidhe。\"Whatisthereoddinthat？\"
\"Howdoesithappenthatyoucometolivethere？AreyouatallconnectedwiththefamilyofMaligny？Onyourmother\'sside，perhaps？\"
Mr。Carylltookuphiswine-glass。\"Itakeit，\"saidheeasily，\"thattherewassomesuchfamilyatsometime。Butitisclearitmusthavefallenuponevildays。\"Hesippedathiswine。\"Therearenoneleftnow，\"heexplained，ashesetdownhisglass。\"Thelastofthemdied，Ibelieve，inEngland。\"Hiseyesturnedfullupontheearl，buttheirglanceseemedentirelyidle。\"Itwasinconsequenceofthatthatmyfatherwasenabledtopurchasetheestate。\"
Mr。Caryllaccounteditnoliethathesuppressedthefactthatthefathertowhomhereferredwasbuthisfatherbyadoption。
ReliefspreadinstantlyuponLordOstermore\'scountenance。
Clearly，hesaw，herewaspurecoincidence，andnothingmore。
Indeed，whatelseshouldtherehavebeen？Whatwasitthathehadfeared？Hedidnotknow。Stillheaccounteditanoddmatter，andsaidso。
\"Whatisodd？\"inquiredMr。Caryll。\"Doesithappenthatyourlordshipwasacquaintedatanytimewiththatvanishedfamily？\"
\"Iwas，sir-slightlyacquainted-atonetimewithoneortwoofitsmembers。\'Tisthatthatisodd。Yousee，sir，myname，too，happenstobeCaryll。\"
\"True-yetIseenothingsooddlycoincidentinthematter，particularlyifyouracquaintancewiththeseMalignyswasbutslight。\"
\"Indeed，youareright。Youareright。Thereisnosuchgreatcoincidence，whenallissaid。Thenameremindedmeofa-afollyofmyyouth。\'Twasthatthatmadeimpression。\"
\"Afolly？\"quothMr。Caryll，hiseyebrowsraised。
\"Ay，afolly-afollythatwentnearundoingme，forhaditcometomyfather\'sears，hehadbrokemewithoutmercy。Hewasahardman，myfather；apuritaninhisideas。\"
\"Agreaterthanyourlordship？\"inquiredMr。Caryllblandly，maskingtheragethatseethedinhim。
Hislordshiplaughed。\"Ye\'reawag，Mr。Caryll-adamnedwag！\"Thenrevertingtothematterthatwasuppermostinhismind。\"\'Tisafact，though-\'ponhonor。Myfatherwouldha\'
brokeme。Luckilyshedied。\"
\"Whodied？\"askedMr。Caryll，withashowofinterest。
\"Thegirl。DidInottellyoutherewasagirl？\'Twasshewasthefolly-AntoinettedeMaligny。Butshedied-mostopportunely，egad！\'Twasaverydamnedmercythatshedid。It-cutthe-the-whatd\'yecallit-knot？\"
\"TheGordianknot？\"suggestedMr。Caryll。
\"Ay-theGordianknot。Hadshelivedandhadmyfathersmokedtheaffair-Gad！hewouldha\'brokeme；hewouldso！\"
herepeated，andemptiedhisglass。
Mr。Caryll，whitetothelips，satverystillamoment。Thenhedidacuriousthing；diditwithacurioussuddenness。Hetookaknifefromthetable，andhackedoffthelowestbuttonfromhiscoat。Thishepushedacrosstheboardtohisfather。
\"Toturntoothermatters，\"saidhe；\"thereistheletteryouwereexpectingfromabroad。\"
\"Eh？What？\"LordOstermoretookupthebutton。Itwasofsilk，interwovenwithgoldthread。Heturneditoverinhisfingers，lookingatitwithaheavyeye，andthenathisguest。\"Eh？Letter？\"hemuttered，puzzled。
\"Ifyourlordshipwillcutthatopen，youwillseewhathismajestyhastopropose。\"Hementionedthekinginavoicechargedwithsuggestion，sothatnodoubtcouldlingeronthescoreofthekinghemeant。
\"Gad！\"criedhislordship。\"Gad！\'TwasthusyebubbledMr。
Green？Shrewd，onmysoul。Andyouarethemessenger，then？\"
\"Iamthemessenger，\"answeredMr。Caryllcoldly。
\"Andwhydidyounotsaysobefore？\"
ForthefractionofasecondMr。Caryllhesitated。Then：
\"BecauseIdidnotjudgethatthetimewascome，\"saidhe。
CHAPTERVIII
TEMPTATION
Hislordshiprippedawaythesilkcoveringofthebuttonwithapenknife，anddisembowelleditofasmallpacket，whichconsistedofasheetoffineandveryclosely-foldedandtightly-compressedpaper。Thishespread，castaneyeover，andthenlookedupathiscompanion，whowaswatchinghimwithsimulatedindolence。
Hislordshiphadpaledalittle，andtherewasaboutthelinesofhismouthalookofpreternaturalgravity。Helookedfurtivelytowardsthedoor，hisheavyeyebrowslowering。
\"Ithink，\"hesaid，\"thatweshallbemoresnuginthelibrary。Willyoubearmecompany，Mr。Caryll？\"
Mr。Caryllroseinstantly。Theearlfoldedtheletter，andturnedtogo。Hiscompanionpausedtopickupthefragmentsofthebuttonandslipthemintohispocket。Heperformedtheofficewithasmileonhislipsthatwashalfpity，halfcontempt。ItdidnotseemtohimthattherewouldbetheleastneedtobetrayLordOstermoreoncehislordshipwasweddedtotheStuartfaction。Hewouldnotfailtobetrayhimselfthroughsomeactofthoughtlessstupiditysuchasthis。
Inthelibrary-thedoor，andthatoftheante-roombeyondit，carefullyclosed-hislordshipunlockedasecretaireofwalnut，veryhandsomelyinlaid，and，drawingupachair，hesatdowntotheperusaloftheking\'sletter。Whenhehadreaditthrough，heremainedlostinthoughtawhile。AtlengthhelookedupandacrosstowardsMr。Caryll，whowasstandingbyoneofthewindows。
\"Youarenodoubtaconfidentialagent，sir，\"saidhe。\"Andyouwillbefullyawareofthecontentsofthisletterthatyouhavebroughtme。\"
\"Fully，mylord，\"answeredMr。Caryll，\"andIventuretohopethathismajesty\'spromiseswillovercomeanyhesitationthatyoumayfeel。\"
\"Hismajesty\'spromises？\"saidmylordthoughtfully。\"Hismajestymayneverhaveachanceoffulfillingthem。\"
\"Verytrue，sir。Butwhogamblesmustsetastakeupontheboard。Yourlordshiphasbeensomethingofagamesteralready，and-orsoIgather-withlittleprofit。Hereisachancetoplayanothergamethatmaymendtheevilfortunesofthelast。\"
Theearlscannedhiminsurprise。\"Youareexcellentwellinformed，\"saidhe，betweensurpriseandirony。
\"Mytradedemandsit。Knowledgeismybuckler。\"
Hislordshipnoddedslowly，andfellverythoughtful，theletterbeforehim，hiseyeswanderingeverandanontoconagainsomeportionofit。\"ItisagameinwhichIstakemyhead，\"hemutteredpresently。
\"Hasyourlordshipanythingelsetostake？\"inquiredMr。
Caryll。
Theearllookedathimagainwithagloomyeye，andsighed，butsaidnothing。Mr。Caryllresumed。\"Itisforyourlordshiptodeclare，\"hesaidquitecoolly，\"whetherhismajestyhascoveredyourstake。Ifyouthinknot，itisevenpossiblethathemaybeinducedtoimprovehisoffer。Thoughifyouthinknot，formyownpartIconsiderthatyousettoohighavalueonthatsameheadofyours。\"
Touchedinhisvanity，Ostermorelookedupathimwithasuddenfrown。\"Youtakeaboldtone，sir，\"saidhe，\"averyboldtone！\"
\"Boldnessistheattributenexttoknowledgemostessentialtomycalling，\"Mr。Caryllremindedhim。
Hislordship\'seyefellbeforetheother\'scoldglance，andagainhelapsedintothoughtfulness，hischeeknowuponhishand。Suddenlyhelookedupagain。\"Tellme，\"saidhe。\"Whoelseisinthisthing？MensaythatAtterburyisnotabovesuspicion。Isit-\"
Mr。Caryllbentforwardtotaptheking\'sletterwitharigidforefinger。\"Whenyourlordshiptellsmethatyouarereadytoconcertuponembarkingyourfortunesinthisbottom，youshallfindmedisposed，perhaps，toanswerquestionsconcerningothers。Meanwhile，ourconcerniswithyourself。\"
\"Donsandthedevil！\"sworehislordshipangrily。\"Isthisawaytospeaktome？\"Hescowledattheagent。\"Tellme，myfinefellow，whatwouldhappenifIweretolaythisletteryouhavebroughtmebeforethenearestjustice？\"
\"Icannotsayforsure，\"answeredMr。Caryllquietly，\"butitisveryprobableitwouldhelpyourlordshiptothegallows。
Forifyouwillgiveyourselfthetroubleofreadingitagain-andmorecarefully-youwillseethatitmakesacknowledgmentoftheofferofservicesyouwrotehismajestyamonthorsoago。\"
Hislordship\'seyesdroppedtotheletteragain。Hecaughthisbreathinsuddenfear。
\"WereIyourlordship，Ishouldleavethenearestjusticetoenjoyhisdinnerinpeace，\"saidMr。Caryll，smiling。
Hislordshiplaughedinasicklymanner。Hefeltfoolish-arareconditioninhim，asinmostfools。\"Well，well，\"saidhegruffly。\"Thematterneedsreflection。Itneedsreflection。\"
Behindthemthedooropenednoiselessly，andherladyshipappearedincloakandwimple。Shepausedthere，unperceivedbyeither，arrestedbythewordsshehadcaught，andwaitinginthehopeofhearingmore。
\"Imustsleepon\'t，atleast，\"hislordshipwascontinuing。
\"\'Tistoograveamattertobedeterminedthusinhaste。\"
AfaintsoundcaughtthekeenearsofMr。Caryll。Heturnedwithaleisurelinessthatborewitnesstohismiraculousself-control。Perceivingthecountess，hebowed，andcasuallyputhislordshiponhisguard。
\"Ah！\"saidhe。\"Hereisherladyshipreturned。\"
LordOstermoregaspedaudiblyandswungroundinanalarmthanwhichnothingcouldhavebetrayedhimmoreeffectively。\"My-
mylove！\"hecried，stammering，andbyhiswildhastetoconcealtheletterthatheheld，drewherattentiontoit。
Mr。Caryllsteppedbetweenthem，hisbacktohislordship，thathemightactasascreenundercoverofwhichtodisposesafelyofthatdangerousdocument。Buthewastoolate。Herladyship\'squickeyeshadflashedtoit，andifthedistanceprecludedthepossibilityofherdiscoveringanythingthatmightbewrittenuponit，she，nevertheless，couldseethecuriousnatureofthepaper，whichwasoftheflimsiesttissueofasortextremelyuncommon。
\"Whatis\'tyehide？\"saidshe，asshecameforward。\"Why，weareveryclose，surely！Whatmischiefis\'tyehatch，mylord？\"\'
\"Mis-mischief，mylove？\"Hesmiledpropitiatingly-hatinghermorethaneverinthatmoment。Hehadstuffedtheletterintoaninnerpocketofhiscoat，andbutthatshehadanothermattertoconcernheratthemomentshewouldnothaveallowedthequestionshehadaskedtobesoputaside。Butthisothermatteruponhermindtouchedherveryclosely。
\"Deviltakeit，whateveritmaybe！Rotherbyishere。\"
\"Rotherby？\"Hisdemeanorchanged；fromconciliatingitwasofasuddentransformedtoindignant。\"Whatmakeshehere？\"hedemanded。\"DidInotforbidhimmyhouse？\"
\"Ibroughthim，\"sheansweredpregnantly。
Butforoncehewasnottobeputdown。\"Thenyoumaytakehimhenceagain，\"saidhe。\"I\'llnothavehimundermyroof-
underthesameroofwiththatpoorchildheusedsoinfamously。I\'llnotsufferit！\"
TheGorgoncannothavelookedmorecoldlywickedthanherladyshipjustthen。\"Haveacare，mylord！\"shemutteredthreateningly。\"Oh，haveacare，Idobeseechyou。Iamnotsotobecrossed！\"
\"NoramI，ma\'am，\"herejoined，andthen，beforemorecouldbesaid，Mr。Caryllsteppedforwardtoremindthemofhispresence-whichtheyseemedtostandindangerofforgetting。
\"IfearthatIintrude，mylord，\"saidhe，andbowedinleave-taking。\"Ishallwaituponyourlordshiplater。Yourmostdevoted。Ma\'am，yourveryhumbleservant。\"Andhebowedhimselfout。
Intheante-roomhecameuponLordRotherby，stridingtoandfro，hisbrowallfurrowedwithcare。AtsightofMr。Caryll，theviscount\'sscowlgrewblacker。\"Oonsandthedevil！\"hecried。\"Whatmakeyouhere？\"
\"That，\"saidMr。Caryllpleasantly，\"istheveryquestionyourfatherisaskingherladyshipconcerningyourself。Yourservant，sir。\"Andairy，graceful，smilingthatdamnableclosesmileofhis，hewasgone，leavingRotherbyveryhotandangry。
OutsideMr。Caryllhailedachair，andhadhimselfcarriedtohislodginginOldPalaceYard，whereLeducawaitedhim。Ashisbearersswungbrisklyalong，Mr。Caryllsatbackandgavehimselfuptothought。
LordOstermoreinterestedhimvastly。Foramomentthatdaytheearlhadarousedhisanger，asyoumayhavejudgedfromthesuddenresolveuponwhichhehadactedwhenhedeliveredhimthatletter，thusembarkingattheeleventhhouruponataskwhichhehadalreadydeterminedtoabandon。Heknewnotnowwhethertorejoiceordeplorethathehadacteduponthatangryimpulse。Heknewnot，indeed，whethertopityordespisethismanwhowasswayedbynosuchhighmotivesasmusthaveaffectedmostofthosewhowerefaithfultotheexiledJames。Thosemotives-motivesofchivalryandromanticisminmostcases-LordOstermorewouldhavedespisedifhecouldhaveunderstoodthem；forhewasamanofthetypethatdespisesallthingsthatarenotessentiallypractical，whoseresultsarenotimmediatelyobvious。BeingallbutruinedbyhisassociationwiththeSouthSeaCompany，hewaswillingforthesakeofprofittoturntraitortothekingdefacto，evenasthirtyyearsago，actuatedbysimilarmotives，hehadturnedtraitortothekingdejure。
Whatwasonetomakeofsuchaman，wonderedMr。Caryll。Ifhewereequippedwithwitenoughtoapprehendthebasenessofhisconduct，hewouldbeeasilyunderstoodanditwouldbeeasytodespisehim。ButMr。Caryllperceivedthathewasdealingwithonewhoneverprobedintothedeepsofanything-
himselfandhisownconductleastofall-andthatadeplorablelackofperception，ofunderstandingalmost，deprivedhislordshipofthepowertofeelasmostmenfeel，tojudgeasmostmenjudge。AndhencewasitthatMr。Caryllthoughthimasubjectforpityratherthancontempt。Eveninthatotherthirty-year-oldmatterthatsocloselytouchedMr。
Caryll，thelatterwassurethatthesamepitifulshortcomingsmightbeurgedintheman\'sexcuse。
Meanwhile，behindhimatStrettonHouse，Mr。CaryllhadleftasceneofstrifebetweenLadyOstermoreandhersonononesideandLordOstermoreontheother。Weakandvacillatingashewasinmostthings，itseemedthattheearlcouldbestronginhisdislikeofhisson，andfirminhisdeterminationnottocondonetheinfamyofhisbehaviortowardHortensiaWinthrop。
\"Thefaultisyours，\"Rotherbysoughttoexcusehimselfagain-employingtheoldargument，andinanangry，contemptuoustonethatwasentirelyunfilial。\"I\'dha\'marriedthegirlinearnest，butforyourthreatstodisinheritme。\"
\"Youfool！\"hisfatherstormedathim，\"didyousupposethatifIshoulddisinherityouformarryingher，Ishouldbelikelytodolessforyourluringherintoamockmarriage？
I\'vedonewithyou！Goyourwaysforadamnedprofligate-ascandaltotheverynameofgentleman。I\'vedonewithyou！\"
AndtothattheearladheredinspiteofallthatRotherbyandhismothercouldurge。Hestampedoutofthelibrarywithafinalcommandtohissontoquithishouseandneverdisgraceitagainbyhispresence。Rotherbylookedruefullyathismother。
\"Hemeansit，\"\'saidhe。\"Heneverlovedme。Hewasneverafathertome。\"
\"Wereyouevergreatlyasontohim？\"askedherladyship。
\"Asmuchashewouldha\'mebe，\"heanswered，hisblackfaceverysullen。\"Oh，\'sdeath！Iamdamnablyusedbyhim。\"Hepacedthechamber，storming。\"Allthisgarboilaboutnothing！\"，hecomplained。\"Washeneveryounghimself？Andwhenallissaid，there\'snoharmdone。Thegirl\'sbeenfetchedhomeagain。\"
\"Pshaw！Ye\'reafool，Rotherby-afool，andthere\'sanendon\'t，\"saidhismother。\"Isometimeswonderwhichisthegreaterfool-youoryourfather。Andyethecanmarvelthatyouarehisson。Whatdoyethinkwouldhavehappenedifyouhadhadyourwaywiththatbread-and-buttermiss？Ithadbeenmatterenoughtohangyou。\"
\"Pooh！\"saidtheviscount，droppingintoachairandstaringsullenlyatthecarpet。Thensullenlyheadded：\"Hislordshipwouldhavebeengladon\'t-sosomeonewouldhavebeenpleased。Asitis-\"
\"Asitis，ye\'dbetterfindthemanGreenwhowasatMaidstone，andstophismouthwithguineas。Heisawareofwhatpassed。\"
\"Bah！Greenwasthereonotherbusiness。\"AndhetoldherofthesuspicionsthemessengerentertainedagainstMr。Caryll。
Itsetherladyshipthinking。\"Why，\"shesaidpresently，\"\'twillbethat！\"
\"\'Twillbewhat，ma\'am？\"askedRotherby，lookingup。
\"Why，thisfellowCaryllmustha\'bubbledthemessengerinspiteofthesearchhemayhavemade。Ifoundthepopinjayherewithyourfather，thepairasthickasthieves-andyourfatherwithapaperinhishandasfineasacobweb。\'Sdeath！
I\'llbeswornhe\'sadamnedJacobite。\"
Rotherbywasonhisfeetinaninstant。HerememberedsuddenlyallthathehadoverheardatMaidstone。\"Oho！\"hecrowed。\"Whatcausehaveyetothinkthat？\"
\"Cause？Why，whatIhaveseen。Besides，Ifeelitinmybones。Myeveryinstincttellsme\'tisso。\"
\"Ifyoushouldproveright！Oh，ifyoushouldproveright！
Death！I\'dfindawaytosettlethescoreofthatpertfellowfromFrance，andtodictatetermstohislordshipatthesametime。\"
Herladyshipstaredathim。\"Ye\'reanunnaturalhound，Rotherby。Wouldyebetrayyourownfather？\"
\"Betrayhim？No！ButI\'llsetatermtohisplotting。Egad！
HashenotlostenoughintheSouthSeaBubble，withoutsinkingthelittlethatisleftinsomewild-gooseJacobiteplot？\"
\"Howshallitmattertoyou，sincehe\'ssworntodisinherityou？\"
\"How，madam？\"Rotherbylaughedcunningly。\"I\'llpreventtheoneandtheother-andpayoffMr。Caryllatthesametime。
Threebirdswithonestone，letmeperish！\"Hereachedforhishat。\"ImustfindthisfellowGreen。\"
\"Whatwillyoudo？\"sheasked，aslightanxietytremblinginhervoice。
\"StiruphissuspicionsofCaryll。He\'llbereadyenoughtoactafterhisdiscomfitureatMaidstone。I\'llwarranthe\'ssmartingunderit。IfoncewecanfindcausetolayCaryllbytheheels，thefearoftheconsequencesshouldbringhislordshiptohissenses。\'Twillbemyturnthen。\"
\"Butyou\'lldonothingthat-thatwillhurtyourfather？\"sheenjoinedhim，herhanduponhisshoulder。
\"Trustme，\"helaughed，andaddedcynically：\"Itwouldhardlysortwithmyintereststoinvolvehim。Itwillservemebesttofrightenhimintoreasonandasenseofhispaternalduty。\"
CHAPTERIX
THECHAMPION
Mr。Caryllwaswellandhandsomelyhoused，asbecamethemanoffashion，inthelodginghehadtakeninOldPalaceYard。
Knowinghimfromabroad，itwasnotimpossiblethatthegovernment-fearfulofseditionsincethedisturbancecausedbytheSouthSeadistress，andawareofanundercurrentofJacobitism-mightforatime，atleast，keepaneyeuponhim。
Itbehoovedhim，therefore，toappearneithermorenorlessthanalounger，agentlemanofpleasurewhohadcometoLondoninquestofdiversion。Tosupportthisappearance，Mr。Caryllhadsoughtoutsomefriendsofhisintown。TherewereStapletonandCollis，whohadbeenatOxfordwithhim，andwithwhomhehadeversincemaintainedacorrespondenceandafriendship。Hesoughtthemoutontheveryeveningofhisarrival-afterhisinterviewwithLordOstermore。Hehadthesatisfactionofbeinghandsomelywelcomedbythem，andwasplungedundertheirguidanceintothegaietiesthatthetownaffordedliberallyforpeopleofquality。
Mr。Caryllwas-asIhopeyouhavegathered-anagreeablefellow，veryfree，moreover，withthecontentsofhiswell-equippedpurse；andsoyoumayconceivethatthetownshowedhimaveryfriendly，cordialcountenance。Hefellintothehabitsofthemenwhosecompanyhefrequented；hisdayswereasidleastheirs，andspentattheparade，theRing，theplay，thecoffeehouseandtheordinary。
Butunderthegayexteriorheaffectedhecarriedaspiritofmostvileunrest。Theangerwhichhadpromptedhisimpulsetoexecute，afterall，thebusinessonwhichhewascome，andtodeliverhisfathertheletterthatwastoworkhisruin，wasallspent。Hehadcooled，andcoolitwasidleforhimtotellhimselfthatLordOstermore，byhisheartlessallusiontothecrimeofhisearlyyears，hadprovedhimselfworthyofnothingbutthepitMr。Caryllhadbeensenttodigforhim。
Thereweremomentswhenhesoughttocompelhimselfsotothink，tosteelhimselfagainstallotherconsiderations。Butitwasidle。Thereflectionthatthetaskbeforehimwasunnaturalcameevertorevolthim。Togainease，themostthathecoulddo-andhehadthefacultyofitdevelopedinapreternaturaldegree-wastoputthebusinessfromhimforthetime，endeavortoforgetit。Andhehadanothermattertoconsiderandtoplaguehim-thematterofHortensiaWinthrop。
Hethoughtofheragreatdealmorethanwasgoodforhispeaceofmind，forallthathepretendedtoagladnessthatthingswereastheywere。EachmorningthatheloungedattheparadeinSt。James\'sPark，eacheveningthathevisitedtheRing，itwasinthehopeofcatchingsomeglimpseofheramongthefashionablewomenthatwentabroadtoseeandtobeseen。
Andonthethirdmorningafterhisarrivalthethinghehopedforcametopass。
Ithadhappenedthatmyladyhadorderedhercarriagethatmorning，dressedherselfwiththehabitualsplendor，whichbutsetofftheshortcomingsofherleanandangularperson，egregiouslycoiffed，pulvilledandtopknotted，andshehadsentamessageamountingtoacommandtoMistressWinthropthatsheshoulddriveintheparkwithher。
PoorHortensia，whoseonedesirewastohideherfacefromthetown\'suncharitablesightjustthen，fearing，indeed，thatRumor\'sunscrupuloustonguewouldbeasbusyaboutherreputationasherladyshiphadrepresented，attemptedtoassertherselfbyrefusingtoobeythecommand。Itwasinvain。Herladyshipdispensedwithambassadors，andwentinpersontoconveyherorderstoherhusband\'sward，andtoenforcethem。
\"What\'sthisIamtold？\"quothshe，asshesailedintoHortensia\'sroom。\"Domywishescountfornothing，thatyousendmepertanswersbymywoman？\"
Hortensiarose。Shehadbeensittingbythewindow，abookinherlap。\"Notso，indeed，madam。Notpert，Itrust。Iamnonesowell，andIfearthesun。\"
\"\'Tislittlewonder，\"laughedherladyship；\"andI\'mgladon\'t，foritshowsyehaveaconsciencesomewhere。But\'tisnomatterforthat。Iamtenderforyourreputation，mistress，andI\'llnothaveyoushunningdaylightliketheguiltythingyeknowyourselftobe。\"
\"\'Tisfalse，madam，\"saidHortensia，withindignation。\"Yourladyshipknowsittobefalse。\"
\"Harkee，ninny，ifyou\'dhavethetownbelieveitfalse，you\'llshowyourself-showthatyehavenocauseforshame，nocausetohideyoufromtheeyesofhonestfolk。Come，girl；bidyourwomangetyourhoodandtippet。Thecarriagestaysforus。\"
ToHortensiaherladyship\'sseemed，afterall，agoodargument。Didshehide，whatmustthetownthinkbutthatitconfirmedthetalkthatshemadenodoubtwasgoingroundalready。Bettertogoforthandbraveit，andsurelyitshoulddisarmthebackbitersifsheshowedherselfintheparkwithLordRotherby\'sownmother。
Itneveroccurredtoherthatthisseemingtendernessforherreputationmightbebutwantoncrueltyonherladyship\'spart；
agratifyingofherspleenagainstthegirlbysettingherinthepilloryofpublicsighttotheendthatsheshouldexperiencetheinsultofsuperciliousglancesandlipsthatsmilewithanostentationoffurtiveness；adesiretoputdownherprideandbreakthespiritwhichmyladyaccountedinsolentandstubborn。
Suspectingnaughtofthis，sheconsented，anddroveoutwithherladyshipasshewasdesiredtodo。Butunderstandingofherladyship\'scruelmotives，andrepentanceofherownacquiescence，werenotlonginfollowing。Soon-verysoon-
sherealizedthatanythingwouldhavebeenbetterthantheordealshewasforcedtoundergo。
Itwasawarm，sunnymorning，andtheparkwascrowdedwithfashionableloungers。LadyOstermorelefthercarriageatthegates，andenteredtheenclosureonfoot，accompaniedbyHortensiaandfollowedatarespectfuldistancebyafootman。
Herarrivalprovedsomethingofasensation。Hatsweresweptofftoherladyship，slyglancesflashedathercompanion，whowentpale，butapparentlyserene，eyeslookingstraightbeforeher；andtherewasanobviousconcealingofsmilesatfirst，whichlatergrewtobeallunconcealed，and，laterstill，becamesupplementedbyremarksthatallmighthear，remarkswhichdidnotescape-astheyweremeantnottoescape-herladyshipandMistressWinthrop。
\"Madam，\"murmuredthegirl，inheragonyofshame，\"wewerenotwell-advisedtocome。Willnotyourladyshipturnback？\"
Herladyshipdisplayedavinegarysmile，andlookedathercompanionoverthetopofherslowlymovingfan。\"Why？Is\'tnotpleasanthere？\"quothshe。\"\'Twillbemoreagreeableunderthetreesyonder。Thesunwillnotreachyouthere，child。\"
\"\'TisnotthesunImind，madam，\"saidHortensia，butreceivednoanswer。Perforceshemustpaceonbesideherladyship。
LordRotherbycameby，arminarmwithhisfriend，theDukeofWharton。Itwasaone-sidedfriendship。LordRotherbywasbutoneofthemanyofhistypewhofurnishedacourt，avaletaille，tothegay，dissolute，handsome，wittyduke，whomighthavebeengreathadhenotpreferredhisvicestohisworthierparts。
Astheywentby，LordRotherbybaredhisheadandbowed，asdidhiscompanion。Herladyshipsmileduponhim，butHortensia\'seyeslookedrigidlyahead，herfaceastone。Sheheardhisgrace\'sinsolentlaughastheypassedon；sheheardhisvoice-nowisesubdued，forhewasamanwholovedtolettheworldhearwhathemighthavetosay\"Gad！Rotherby，thewindhaschanged！YourDulcineaflieswithyouo\'Wednesday，andhasne\'eraglanceforyouo\'
Saturday！I\'faith！yedeservenobetter。Artaclumsygallanttohavebeenovertaken，andthemaid\'sintherighton\'ttoresentyourclumsiness。\"
Rotherby\'sreplywaslostinasplutteroflaughterfromagroupofsycophantswhohadoverheardhisgrace\'scriticismandwerebuttooreadytolaughataughthisgracemightdeigntoutter。Hercheeksburned；itwasbyaneffortthatshesuppressedthetearsthatangerwasforcingtohereyes。
Theduke，\'twasplain，hadsetthefashion。Emulatorswerenotwanting。Straywordsshecaught；byinstinctwassheconsciousoftheoglings，theflutteringoffansfromthewomen，theflashingofquizzing-glassesfromthemen。Andeverywherewasthereasuppressedlaugh，astifledexclamationofsurpriseatherappearanceinpublic-yetnotsostifledbutthatitreachedher，asitwasintendedthatitshould。
Intheshadowofagreatelm，aroundwhichtherewasaseat，alittlegrouphadgathered，ofwhichthecentrewasthesometimetoastofthetownandqueenofmanyWells，theLadyMaryDeller，stillbeautifulandstillunwed-asissooftenthewayofreigningtoasts-butalreadypastherpristinefreshness，alreadyleaninguponthesupportofarttomaintaintheendowmentsshehadhadfromnature。Shewasaccountedwittybythewitless，andbysomeothers。
Ofthegroupthatpaiditscourttoherandhercompanions-
twogigglingcousinsintheirfirstseasonwereMr。Caryllandhisfriends，SirHarryCollisandMr。EdwardStapleton，theformerofwhom-hewasthelady\'sbrother-in-law-hadjustpresentedhim。Mr。Caryllwasdressedwithevenmorethanhisordinarymagnificence。Hewasindove-coloredcloth，hiscoatveryrichlylacedwithgold，hiswaistcoat-ofwhitebrocadewithjeweledbuttons，theflower-patternoutlinedinfinestgoldthread-descendedmidwaytohisknees，whilsttherufflesathiswristsandtheSteinkirkathisthroatwereofthefinestpoint。Hecutafigureofsupremestelegance，ashestoodthere，hischestnutheadslightlybowedindeferenceasmyLadyMaryspoke，hishattuckedunderhisarm，hisrighthandoutstretchedbesidehimtorestuponthegoldheadofhisclouded-ambercane。
Tothegeneralhewasastrangerstillintown，andofthesortthatdrawstheeyeandprovokesinquiry。LadyMary，theonlygoalofwhoseshallowexistencewastheattentionofthesternersex，wholovedtobreakheartsasachildbreakstoys，forthefunofseeinghowtheylookwhenbroken-andwho，becauseofthat，hadsucceededinbreakingfarfewerthanshefondlyimagined-lookedupintohisfacewiththe\"mostperditiouslyalluring\"eyesinEngland-soMr。Craske，thepoet，whostoodatherelbownow，haddescribedtheminthededicatorysonnetofhislastbookofpoems。Wherefore，inparenthesisbeitobserved，shehadrewardedhimwithtwentyguineas，ashehadcalculatedthatshewould。
Therewasasuddenstirinthegroup。Mr。CraskehadcaughtsightofLadyOstermoreandMistressWinthrop，andhefelltogiggling，aflimsyhandkerchieftohispaintedlips。\"Oh，\'Sbud！\"hebleated。\"Letmedie！Theaudaciousnessofthecreature！Andbeholdmetheportandglanceofher！Coldasavestal，letmeperish！\"
LadyMaryturnedwiththeotherstolookinthedirectionhewaspointing-pointingopenly，withnothoughtofdissembling。
Mr。Caryll\'seyesfelluponMistressWinthrop，andhisglancewasoddlyperceptive。HeobservedthosemattersofwhichMr。
Craskehadseemedtomakesardoniccomment：theerectstiffnessofhercarriage，theeyesthatlookedneithertorightnorleft，andthepallorofherface。Heobserved，too，thecomplacentairwithwhichherladyshipadvancedbesideherhusband\'sward，herfanmovinglanguidly，herheadnoddingtoheracquaintance，asinsupremeunconcernofthestirhercominghadeffected。
Mr。Caryllhadbeendullindeed，knowingwhatheknew，hadhenotunderstoodtothefullthehumiliationtowhichMistressHortensiawasbeingofpurposesetsubmitted。
AndjustthenRotherby，whohadturned，withWhartonandanothernow，camebythemagain。Thistimehehalted，andhiscompanionswithhim，forjustamoment，toaddresshismother。
Sheturned；therewasanexchangeofgreetings，inwhichMistressHortensiastandingrigidasstone-tooknopart。A
silencefellabout；quizzing-glasseswentup；alleyeswerefocusseduponthegroup。ThenRotherbyandhisfriendsresumedtheirway。
\"Thedog！\"saidMr。Caryll，betweenhisteeth，butwentunheardbyany，forinthatmomentDorothyDeller-theyoungeroftheLadyMary\'scousins-gaveexpressiontothegenerousandasyetunsulliedlittleheartthatwasherown。
\"Oh，\'tisshameful！\"shecried。\"Willyounotgospeakwithher，Molly？\"
TheLadyMarystiffened。Shelookedatthecompanyaboutherwithanapologeticsmile。\"Ibegthatye\'llnotheedthechild，\"saidshe。\"\'Tisnotthatsheiswithoutmorals-butwithoutknowledge。Aninnocentlittlefool；noworse。\"
\"\'Tisbadenough，Ivow，\"laughedanoldbeau，whosoughtfameasamanofacynicalturnofhumor。
\"Butfortunatelyrare，\"saidMr。Carylldryly。\"Likecharity，almostunknowninthisBabylon。\"
Histonewasnotquitenice，althoughperhapstheLadyMarywastheonlyonetoperceivethenoteofchallengeinit。ButMr。Craske，thepoet，divertedattentiontohimselfbyaprolonged，maliciouschuckle。Rotherbywasjustmovingawayfromhismotheratthatmoment。
\"They\'veneverawordforeachotherto-day！\"hecried。\"Oh，\'Sbud！notsomuchasthemercyofaglancewilltheladyaffordhim。\"AndheburstintotheballadofKingFrancis：
\"Souventfemmevarie，Bien，folestquis\'yfie！\"
andlaughedhisprodigiousdelightattheaptnessofhisquotation。
Mr。Caryllputuphisgold-rimmedquizzing-glass，anddirectedthroughthatpowerfulweaponofoffenceaneyeofsupremedispleasureuponthesinger。Hecouldnotcontainhisrage，yetfromhislanguidtonenonewouldhavesuspectedit。
\"Sir，\"saidhe，\"ye\'veasingularunpleasantvoice。\"
Mr。Craske，thrownoutofcountenancebysomuchdirectness，couldonlystare；thesamedidtheothers，thoughsomefewtittered，forMr。Craske，whenallwassaid，washeldinnogreatesteembythediscriminant。
Mr。Caryllloweredhisglass。\"I\'vehearditsaidbytheuncharitablethatyewerealackeybeforeyebecameaplagiarist。\'TisarumorIshallcontradictinfuture；\'tisplainlyalie，foryourvoicebetraysyoutolavebeenachairman。\"
\"Sir-sir-\"splutteredthepoetaster，crimsonwithangerandmortification。\"Isthis-isthis-seemly-betweengentlemen？\"
\"Betweengentlemenitwouldnotbeseemly，\"Mr。Caryllagreed。
Mr。Craske，quivering，yetcontrollinghimself，bowedstiffly。
\"Ihavetoomuchrespectformyself-\"hegasped。
\"Ye\'llbesingularinthat，nodoubt，\"saidMr。Caryll，andturnedhisshoulderuponhim。
AgainMr。Craskeappearedtomakeaneffortatself-control；
againhebowed。\"Iknow-Ihope-whatisduetotheLadyMaryDeller，to-toansweryouas-asbefits。Butyoushallhearfromme，sir。Youshallhearfromme。\"
Hebowedathirdtime-abowthattookintheentirecompany-andwithdrewinhighdudgeonandwithagreatshowofdignity。Apauseensued，andthentheLadyMaryreprovedMr。
Caryll。
\"Oh，\'twascruelinyou，sir，\"shecried。\"PoorMr。Craske！
Andtodubhimplagiarist！\'Twastheunkindestcutofall！\"
\"Truth，madam，isneverkind。\"
\"Oh，fie！Youmakebadworse！\"shecried。
\"He\'llputyouinthepilloryofhisverseforthis，\"laughedCollis。\"Ye\'llbemostscurvilylampoonedfor\'t。\"
\"PoorMr。Craske！\"sighedtheLadyMaryagain。
\"Poor，indeed；butnotinthesensetodeservepity。Anupstartimpostorsuchasthattosoilaladywithhiscriticism！\"
LadyMary\'sbrowswentup。\"Youuseasingularseverity，sir，\"sheopined，\"andIthinkitunwiseinyoutogrowsohotinthedefenceofareputationwhoseownerhassolittlecareforitherself。\"
Mr。Carylllookedatheroutofhislevelgray-greeneyes；ahotanswerquiveredonhistongue，ananswerthathadcrushedhervenomforsometimeandhadprobablylefthimwithaquarrelonhishands。Yethissmile，asheconsideredher，wasverysweet，sosweetthatherladyship，guessingnothingofthebitternessitwasusedtocover，wentasnearasmirkasitwaspossibleforonesoelegant。Hewas，shejudged，anothervictimripeforimmolationonthealtarofhergoddessship。AndMr。Caryll，whohadtakenhermeasureverythoroughly，seeingsomethingofhowherthoughtswererunning，bethoughthimofasweetervengeance。
\"LadyMary，\"hecried，asoftreproachinhisvoice，\"Ihavebeensoremistookinyouifyouareonetobeguidedbytherabble。\"Andhewavedahandtowardthemodishthrong。
Sheknitherfinebrows，bewildered。
\"Ah！\"hecried，interpretingherglancetosuithisends，\"perishthethought，indeed！IknewthatIcouldnotbewrong。Iknewthatonesopeerlessinallelsemustbepeerless，too，inheropinions；judgingforherself，andstandingfirmuponherjudgmentindisdainofmeanersouls-
meresheeptofollowtheirbell-wether。\"
Sheopenedhermouthtospeak，butsaidnothing，beingtoointriguedbythissuddenandmostsweetflattery。Hermerebeautyhadoftbeenpraised，andintermsthatglowedlikefire。Butwhatwasthatcomparedwiththisfineappreciationofherlessobviousmentalparts-andthatfromonewhohadseentheworld？
Mr。Caryllwasbendingoverher。\"Whatachanceishere，\"hewasmurmuring，\"tomarkyourloftydetachment-toshowhowutterisyourindifferencetowhatthecommonherdmaythink。\"
\"As-ashow？\"sheasked，blinkingupathim。