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