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