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