They，fortheirpart，coldlyabstainedfromexhibitingasignoffeelingabouthim，good，bad，orindifferent。
Itwasthemanwiththefairhairandlittlecurlyflaxenbeardwhospoke：\"Howdoyoudo！IunderstandthatwecanbuyeightthousandfivehundredRubberConsolsfromyouat\'twenty-three。\'\"
\"No——twenty-five，\"repliedThorpe。
Thedarkmanspoke：\"Thejobbers\'priceistwenty-three。\"
\"Tocarryover——yes，\"Thorpeanswered。\"Buttobuyitistwenty-five。\"
Thetwosonsoftheracewhichinventedmentalarithmeticexchangedanalertglance，andlookedatthefloorforanengrossedinstant。
\"Idon\'tmindtellingyou，\"Thorpeinterposedupontheirsilence，\"IputonthatextratwopoundsbecauseyougotupthatstoryaboutapplyingtotheStockExchangeCommitteeonachargeoffraud。\"
\"Wedidn\'tgetupanystory，\"saidRostocker，curtly。
\"Youtriedtoplantitonus，\"Aronsondeclared。
\"OneofyourownDirectorsputitabout。Ithoughtitwasafakeatthetime。\"
ThisviewoftheepisodetookThorpebysurprise。
Asitseemed，inpassing，toinvolveacomplimenttohisownstrategicpowers，heaccepteditwithoutcomment。
\"Well——itistwenty-five，anyway，\"hetoldthem，withfirmness。
\"Twenty-four，\"suggestedAronson，afteranothermomentarypause。
\"Notashillinglessthantwenty-five，\"Thorpeinsisted，withquietdoggedness。
\"Wecanalwayspayourcreditorsandletyouwhistle，\"
Rostockerremindedhim，laconically。
\"Youcandoanythingyoulike，\"wasthereply，\"exceptbuyRubberConsolsundertwenty-five。Itdoesn\'tmatterafigtomewhetheryougobankruptornot。Itwouldsuitmeaswelltohaveyoutwo\'hammered\'astotakeyourmoney。\"
Uponthespurofasuddenthoughthedrewouthiswatch。
\"Injusttwominutes\'timetoatick，thepricewillbethirty。\"
\"Let\'sbe\'hammered\'then！\"saidAronsontohiscompanion，withsimulatedimpulsiveness。
Rostockerwastheolderandstrongerman，andwhenatlasthespokeitwaswiththedecisionofoneinauthority。
\"Itisyourgame，\"hesaid，withgraveimperturbability。
\"Eightthousandfivehundredattwenty-five。WillyoudeliverattheCreditLyonnaisinhalfanhour？\"
Thorpenodded，impassively。Thenarovingideaofgenialimpertinencebroughtagleamtohiseye。\"IfyoushouldhappentowantmoreRubberConsolsatanytime，\"hesaid，withatentativechuckle，\"Icouldprobablyletyouhavethematareducedprice。\"
Thetworeceivedthepleasantrywithoutasmile，buttoThorpe\'sastonishmentoneofthemseemedtodiscernsomethinginitbesidebanter。ItwasRostockerwhosaid：
\"Perhapswemaymakeadealwithyou，\"andapparentlymeantit。
Theywentoutatthis，ignoringceremonyupontheirexitasstolidlyastheyhaddoneupontheirentrance，andamomentlaterThorpecalledintheSecretary，anddespatchedamessengertobringSemplefromCapelCourt。
Theformalitiesofthisfinaltransferofshareshadbeendictatedtotheformer，andhehadgoneoffonthebusiness，beforetheBrokerarrived。
Thorpestoodwaitingnearthedoor，andheldouthishandwithadramaticallysignificantgesturewhenthelittleScotchmanentered。\"Putherthere！\"heexclaimedheartily，withanexuberantreversiontotheslangofremotetransatlanticbonhomie。
\"Yeh\'vedoneit，then！\"saidSemple，hissharpfacesofteningwithpleasureatthenews。\"Yeh\'vepulleditoffattwenty-three！\"
Theother\'sbigcountenanceyieldeditselftoaboyishgrin。
\"Twenty-FIVE！\"hesaid，andlaughedaloud。\"Afteryouleftthismorning，itkindo\'occurredtomethatI\'draiseitacoupleofpounds。IfoundIwasmadderaboutthosepiecesinthenewspapersthanIthoughtIwas，andsoItookanextraseventeenthousandpoundsonthataccount。\"
\"Godabove！\"Sempleejaculated，withasatisfactionthroughwhichsignsofanearlierfrightwerevisible。
\"Itwastouch-and-goifyoudidn\'tloseitallbydoingthat！Youriskedeverything，man！\"
Thorpeponderouslyshruggedhisshoulders。
\"Well——Ididit，anyhow，anditcameoff，\"washiscomment。
Then，straighteninghimself，hedrewalong，longbreath，andbeameddownatthelittleman。\"Thinkofit！God！It\'sactuallyallover！AndNOWperhapswewon\'thaveadrink！
Hell！Let\'ssendoutforsomechampagne！\"Hisfingerwashoveringoverthebell，whentheBroker\'sdissuadingvoicearrestedit。\"No，no！\"Sempleurged。\"Iwouldn\'ttouchit。
It\'snofitdrinkforthedaytime——andit\'sascandalinanoffice。Yourclerkswillayeblabitabouthitherandyon，andnothingharmsaman\'sreputationmoreintheCity。\"
\"Oh，tohellwiththeCity！\"criedThorpe，joyously。
\"I\'mnevergoingtosetfootinitagain。Thinkofthat！
Imeanit！\"
Nonetheless，heabandonedtheideaofsendingoutforwine，andcontentedhimselfwiththeresourcesofthecabinetinstead。
Aftersomefriendlypressure，Sempleconsentedtojoinhiminabrandy-and-soda，thoughhecontinuedtoprotestbetweensipsthatatsuchanhouritwasanindecentpractice。
\"It\'stheruinofmanyastrongman，\"hemoralized，lookingratherpointedlyatThorpeoverhisglass。\"It\'stheprincipaldangerthatbesetstheverrasuccessfulman。
He\'stoobusilyoccupiedtotakeexercise，andhe\'stooanxiousandworriedtogethispropersleep——buthecanalwaysdrink！Inonesense，I\'mnotsorrytothinkthatyou\'releavingtheCity。\"
\"Oh，itneverhurtsme，\"Thorpesaid，indifferentlyacceptingthedirectionofthehomily。\"I\'masstrongasanox。
Butallthesame，Ishallbebetterineverywayforgettingoutofthishole。ThankGod，IcangetofftoScotlandtomorrow。ButIsay，Semple，what\'sthematterwithyourvisitingmeatmyplacethere？I\'llgiveyouthegreatestshootingandfishingyoueverheardof。\"
TheBrokerwasthinkingofsomethingelse。\"WhatistobetheprecisepositionoftheCompany，intheimmediatefuture？\"
heasked。
\"Company？WhatCompany？\"
Semplesmiledgrimly。\"Haveyoualreadyforgottenthatthereissuchathing？\"hequeried，withirony。
\"Why，man，thisCompanythatpaidforthisverrafineBoard-table，\"heexplained，withhisknucklesonitsredbaizecentre。
Thorpelaughedamusedly。\"Ipaidforthatoutofmyownpocket，\"hesaid。\"ForthatmattereverythingabouttheCompanyhascomeoutofmypocket——\"
\"Orgoneintoit，\"suggestedtheother，andtheychuckledtogether。
\"Butno——you\'reright，\"Thorpedeclared。\"SomethingoughttobesettledabouttheCompany，Isuppose。
OfcourseIwashmyhandsofit——butwouldanybodyelsewanttogoonwithit？Youseeitsannualworkingexpenses，merelyfortheofficeandtheBoard，footupnearly3，000pounds。I\'vepaidtheseforthisyear，butnaturallyIwon\'tdoitagain。Andwoulditbeworthanybodyelse\'swhiletodoit？Yours，forexample？\"
\"HaveyouhadanyexplanationswiththeotherDirectors？\"
theBrokerasked，thoughtfully。
\"Explanations——no，\"Thorpetoldhim。\"Butthat\'sallright。
TheMarquishasbeentakencareof，andsohasPlowden。
They\'regametoagreetoanything。Andlet\'ssee——Kervickisentirelymyman。ThatleavesWatkinandDavidson——andtheydon\'tmatter。They\'remereguinea-pigs。Afewhundredsapiecewouldshutthemup，ifyouthoughtitwasworthwhiletogivethemanythingatall。\"
\"Andabouttheproperty，——therubberplantation，——thattheCompanywasformedtoacquireanddevelop。Isupposetherereallyissuchaplantation？\"
\"Oh，yes，it\'sallthererightenough，\"Thorpesaid，briefly。
\"It\'snogood，though，isit？\"theBrokerasked，withaffabledirectness。
\"Betweenourselves，itisn\'tworthadamn，\"theotherblithelyassuredhim。
TheScotchmanmusedwithbentbrows。\"Thereoughtstilltobemoneyinit，\"hesaid，withanairofconviction。
\"Bytheway，\"itoccurredtoThorpetomention，\"here\'ssomethingIdidn\'tunderstand。ItoldRostockerhere，justasacheekykindofjoke，thatafterheandAronsonhadgottheireightthousandfivehundred，iftheythoughtthey\'dlikestillmoreshares，I\'dlet\'emhave\'ematabargain——andheseemedtotakeitseriously。
Hedidforafact。Saidperhapshecouldmakeadealwithme。\"
\"Hm-m！\"saidSemple，reflectively。\"I\'llseeifhesaysanythingtome。Verylikelyhe\'sspottedsomewayoftakingthethingover，andreorganizingit，andgivingitanotherrunoverthecourse。I\'llthinkitout。
AndnowImustbeoff。Aren\'tyoulunching？\"
\"No——I\'llhavetheboybringinsomesandwiches，\"
Thorpedecided。\"IwantmynextmealwestofTempleBarwhenIgetroundtoit。I\'vesouredontheCityforkeeps。\"
\"Iwouldn\'tsaythatithadbeensobadtoyou，either，\"
Semplesmilinglysuggested，asheturnedtothedoor。
Thorpegrinnedinsatisfiedcomment。\"Hurrybackassoonasyou\'vefinallysettledwithRostockerandtheotherfellow，\"
hecalledafterhim，andbeganpacingtheflooragain。
Itwasnearlyfouro\'clockwhenthesetwomen，againtogetherintheBoardRoom，andhavingfinishedtheinspectionofsomepapersonthedesk，satuprightandlookedateachotherintacitrecognitionthatfinalwordsweretobespoken。
\"Well，Semple，\"Thorpebegan，afterthatsignificantlittlepause，\"IwanttosaythatI\'mdamnedgladyou\'vedonesowellforyourselfinthisaffair。
You\'vebeenasstraightasadietome，——IoweitasmuchtoyouasIdotomyself，——andifyoudon\'tthinkyou\'vegotenoughevennow，Iwantyoutosayso。\"
Hehadspokenintonesofsincereliking，andtheotheransweredhiminkind。\"IhavemorethanIeverdreamedofmakinginalifetimewhenIcametoLondon，\"
hedeclared。\"Ifmyfatherwerealive，andheardmetellhimthatinoneyear，outofasingletransaction，Ihadclearedoversixty-fivethousandpounds，he\'dbefittodoubttheexistenceofaSupremeBeing。
I\'mobligedtoyouforyourgoodwords，Thorpe。It\'snotonlybeenprofitabletoworkwithyou，butithasbeenagreateducationandagreatpleasureaswell。\"
Thorpenoddedhisappreciation。\"I\'mgoingtoaskafavourofyou，\"hesaid。\"Iwanttoleavethegeneralrunofmyinvestmentsandinterestshereinyourhands，tokeeptrackofIdon\'twanttospeculateatall，intheordinarymeaningoftheword。EvenafterIburyapotofmoneyinnon-productiverealestate，Ishallhaveanincomeof50，000poundsattheveryleast，andperhapstwiceasmuch。There\'snofuningamblingwhenyou\'vegotsuchabankasthatbehindyou。Butiftherearegood，wisechangestobemadeininvestments，orifthingsturnupinthewayofchancesthatIoughttoknowabout，Iwanttofeelthatyou\'reonthespotwatchingthingsanddoingthingsinmyinterest。
Andasitwon\'tberegularbroker\'swork，Ishallwanttopayyouastatedsum——whateveryouthinkisright。\"
\"Thatwillarrangeitselfeasilyenough，\"saidSemple。
\"Ishallhavethegreatestpleasureincaringforwhateveryouputinmyhands。AndIthinkIcanpromisethatitwillbenonetheworseforthekeeping。\"
\"Idon\'tneedanyassuranceonthatscore，\"
Thorpedeclared，cordially。\"You\'retheonesterling，honestmanI\'veknownintheCity。\"
ItwastheBroker\'sturntomakealittleacknowledgingbow。
Hiseyesgleamedfranksatisfactionatbeingsowellunderstood。
\"IthinkIseethewaythatmoremoneycanbemadeoutoftheCompany，\"hesaid，abruptlychangingthesubject。
\"I\'vehadbutafewwordswithRostockeraboutit——butit\'scleartomethathehasaplan。Hewillbecomingtoyouwithaproposition。\"
\"Well，hewon\'tfindme，then，\"interposedThorpe，withacomfortablesmile。\"Ileaveallthattoyou。\"
\"Isuspectthathisplan，\"continuedSemple，\"istomakeasub-rosaofferofafewshillingsforthemajorityoftheshares，andreconstitutetheBoard，andthenformanotherCompanytobuythepropertyandgood-willoftheoldoneatahandsomeprice。Nowifthatwouldbeagoodthingforhimtodo，itwouldbeagoodthingformetodo。
Ishallgooveritallcarefully，indetail，thisevening。
AndIsuppose，ifIseemywayclearbeforeme，thanI
mayrelyuponyourgoodfeelinginthematter。Iwoulddoalltheworkandassumealltherisk，and，letussay，divideanyprofitsequally——youinturngivingmeafreehandwithallyourshares，andyourinfluencewiththeDirectors。\"
\"I\'lldobetterstill，\"Thorpetoldhim，uponbriefreflection。
\"ReconstitutetheBoardandmakeLordPlowdenChairman，——I
don\'timaginetheMarquiswouldhavethenervetogoonwithit，——andI\'llmakeafreegiftofmysharestoyoutwo——halfandhalf。You\'llfindhimallrighttoworkwith，——ifyoucanonlygethimupinthemorning，——andI\'vekindo\'promisedhimsomethingofthesort。
Doesthatsuityou？\"Semple\'scountenancewasthoughtfulratherthanenthusiastic。\"I\'mmoreskepticalaboutLordsthanyouare，\"heobserved，\"butifhe\'samenable，andunderstandsthathispartistodowhatItellhimtodo，I\'venodoubtweshallhititofftogether。\"
\"Oh，absolutely！\"saidThorpe，withconfidence。
\"I\'llseetoitthathebehaveslikealamb。You\'retohaveanabsolutelyfreehand。You\'retodowhatyoulike，——
windtheCompanyup，orsellitout，orrigitupunderanewnameandcatchanewsetofgudgeonswithit，——
whateveryoudamnedplease。WhenItrustaman，Itrusthim。\"
Thetwofriends，theirfacesbrightenedandtheirvoicesmellowedbythissereneconsciousnessoftheirmutualtrustineachother\'sloyaltyandintegrity，dweltnofurtheruponthesehalcyonbeginningsofafreshplanforplunderingthepublic。Theyspokeinsteadonpersonaltopics——ofthepossibilityofSemple\'scomingtoScotlandduringtheautumn，andofthechanceofThorpe\'swinteringabroad。
AllatonceThorpefoundhimselfdisclosingthefactofhisforthcomingmarriage，thoughhedidnotmentionthenameofthelady\'sfather，andunderthegraciousstressofthisannouncementtheydrankagain，andclinkedglassesfervently。WhenSempleatlasttookhisleave，theyshookhandswiththedeep-eyedearnestnessofcomradeswhohavebeenthroughbattleandfaceddeathtogether。
ItwasnotuntilThorpestoodalonethatthefullrealizingsenseofwhatthedaymeantseemedtocometohim。
Fruitionwasfinallycomplete：thelastwinnowingofthegreatharvesthadbeenaddedtothepile。
Positivelynothingremainedforhimbuttoenterandenjoy！
Hefounditcuriouslydifficulttograspthethoughtinitsentirety。Hestoodthemasterofunlimitedleisurefortherestofhislife，andofpowertoenrichthatlifewitheverythingthatmoneycouldbuy，——buttherewasanoddinabilitytofeelaboutitasheknewheoughttofeel。
Somehow，forsomeunaccountablereason，anabsurddepressionhoveredaboutoverhismind，darkeningitwithformlessshadows。Itwasasifheweresorrythattheworkwasallfinished——thattherewasnothingmoreforhimtodo。Butthatwastoofoolish，andhetriedtothrustitfromhim。Hesaidwithangrydecisiontohimselfthathehadneverlikedthework；
thatithadallbeenunpleasantandgrindingdrudgery，tolerableonlyasameanstoanend；thatnowthisendhadbeenreached，hewantednevertolayeyesontheCityagain。
Lethimdwellinsteaduponthethingshedidwanttolayeyesupon。Sometravelnodoubthewouldlike，butnottoomuch；certainlynomorethanhiswifewouldcheerfullyacceptasaminimum。Hedesiredrathertorestamonghisownpossessions。TobelordofthemanoratPellesleyCourt，withhisownretinueofservantsanddependentsandtenants，hisownthousandsofrichacres，hisownsplendidoldtimber，hisownfatstockandfleethorsesandabundantcoversandprizekennels——THATwaswhatmosttrulyappealedtohim。Itwasnotatallcertainthathewouldhunt；
break-neckadventureinthesaddlescarcelyattractedhim。
Buttherewasnoreasonintheworldwhyheshouldnotbreedracinghorses，andcreateforhimselfadistinguishedandevenloftypositionontheTurf。Hehadnevercaredmuchaboutracesorracingfolkhimself，butwhenthePrinceandLordRoseberyandpeoplelikethatwentinforwinningtheDerby，thereclearlymustbesomethingfascinatinginit。
ThenParliament，ofcourse；hedidnotwaveratallfromhisoldifvagueconceptionofaseatinParliamentasanaturalpartoftheoutfitofapowerfulcountrymagnate。
Andinahundredotherwaysmenshouldthinkofhimaspowerful，andlookuptohim。HewouldgotochurcheverySunday，andsitinthebigSquire\'spew。
Hewouldbeamagistrateasamatterofcourse，andhewouldmakehimselffeltontheCountyCouncil。
Hewouldastonishthecountybyhischarities，andinbadyearsbythemunificenceofhisreductionsinrents。
Perhapsiftherewereaparticularlybadharvest，hewoulddeclinealloverhisestatetoexactanyrentwhatever。
Fancywhatanoblesensationthatwouldmake！ADukecoulddonomore。
Itwasverycleartohimnowthathedesiredtohavechildrenofhisown，——saytwoatleast，asonandadaughter，orperhapsasonandtwodaughters：twolittlegirlswouldbecompanyforeachother。Asheprefiguredthesenewbeings，thesonwastoexistchieflyforpurposesofdistinctionandthedignityofheirship，andthepaternalrelationswithhimwouldbealwayssomewhatformal，and，thoughaffectionate，unexpansive。
Butthelittlegirls——theywouldputtheirarmsroundtheirfather\'sneck，andwalkoutwithhimtoseethepigsandthedogs，andbethedarlingsofhisheart。
Hewouldbeanoldmanbythetimetheygrewup。
Abeatificvisionofhimselftookforminhismind——ofhimselfgrowinggreyandpleasurablytired，surroundedbyopulenceandthedemonstrativerespectofeverybody，smilingwithvirtuouscontentashestrolledalongbetweenhistwodaughters，miraclesofbeautyandtenderness，holdingeachbyahand。
Theentranceofaclerkbrokeabruptlyuponthisdaydream。
Hehadatelegraminhishand，andThorpe，rousinghimselfwithaneffort，tooktheliver-colouredenvelope，andlookedblanklyatit。Someweirdapprehensionseizeduponhim，asifhebelongedtothepeasantclasswhichinstinctivelyyokestelegramsandcalamitiestogether。Hedeferredtothisfeelingenoughtonoddismissaltotheclerk，andthen，whenhewasagainalone，slowlyopenedthemessage，andreadit：
\"Newcastle-on-Tyne，September12。OurfrienddiedatEdinborothismorning。Seeyouathotelthisevening——Kervick。\"
WhatThorpefeltatfirstwasthathistwodaughtershadshrunkfromhimwithswift，terribleaversion：
theyvanished，alongwitheveryphaseofthebrightvision，underapallofunearthlyblackness。Hestoodinthecentreofachillsolitude，staringstupidlyatthecoarse，softpaper。
Thepremonition，then，hadjustifieditself！Somethinghadtoldhimthatthetelegramwasanevilthing。
AvaguelysuperstitiousconsciousnessofbeinginthepresenceofFatelaidholduponhim。Hisgreatdayoftriumphhaditsblood-stain。Avictimhadbeenneedful——andtothatendpoorsimple，sillyoldTavenderwasadeadman。
Thorpecouldseehim，——anembarrassingcadavereyedbystrangerswhodidnotknowwhattodowithit，——fatuousevenindeath。
AsuddenrageatKervickflamedup。Heclearlyhadplayedthefool——clumsilyover-plyingthesimpletonwithdrinktillhehadkilledhim。Theshadowofmurderindubitablyhungoverthething。Andthen——thecrasswitlessnessoftelegraphing！Already，doubtless，thepoliceofEdinboroughweretalkingoverthewireswithScotlandYard。
AreferencetoadeathinEdinborough，inatelegramfromNewcastle——itwasincrediblethatthisshouldescapetheeyeoftheauthorities。Anyminutemightbringadetectivethroughthatdoorthere——followingintotheBoardRoomwithhisimplacablescenttheclueofblood。
Thorpe\'sfancypicturedthisdetectiveasamomentarilyactualpresence——tall，lean，cold-eyed，mysteriouslycalmandfatallywise，theomniscientterrorofthemagazineshort-stories。
Heturnedfaintandsickunderaspasmoffright。
Themenaceofenquirybecamesomethingmorethanathreat：
hefeltit，likethegripofaconstableuponhisarm。
Everythingwouldbemercilesslyunravelled。ThetelegramoftheidiotKervickwouldbringthepolicedownuponhimlikeapackofbeagles。ThebeliefsandsurmisesoftheidiotGaffersonwouldfurnishthemwiththekeytoeverything。HewouldhavehisletterfromTavendertoshowtothedetectives——andtheGovernment\'ssmartlawyerswouldferretouttherest。ThedeathofTavender——theycouldhardlymakehimresponsibleforthat；
butitwasthedramaticfeatureofthisdeathwhichwouldinspirethemalltodigupeverythingaboutthefraud。
Itwasthissamesensationaladdedelementofthedeath，too，whichwouldcountwithajury。Theywerealwaysgross，sentimentalfools，thesejuries。TheywouldmixupthedeathandthedealinRubberConsols，andintheirfat-headedconfusionwouldsay\"PenalServitude——fourteenyears。\"
Orno，itwastheJudgewhofixedthat。ButtheJudgeswerefools，too；theyweretooconceited，toopuffedupwithvanity，totakethetroubletounderstand。
Hegroanedaloudinanightmareofhelplessness。
Thesoundofhisownvoice，moaninginhisears，hadamagicaleffectuponhim。Heliftedhishead，gazedabouthim，andthenflusheddeeply。Hisnervelesscowardicehadallatoncebecomeunbelievabletohimself。
Withashamedfrownhestraightenedhimself，andstoodthusforalongminute，engrossedinthedefinitetaskofchasingthesephantomsfromhismind。
Onceamanlyfrontwasdisplayedtothem，theyslunkawaywithmiraculousfacility。Hepouredoutsomebrandy，andsippeditneat，andlaughedscornfully，defiantly，aloud。
Hehadoverhalfamillion——withpowerandforceandcourageenoughtodowithitwhatheliked。Hehadfoughtluckundauntedly，unwearyingly，duringallthoseyearswhenhishandswereempty。Washetotrembleandturntailnow，whenhishandswerefull，whenhewasarmouredandweaponedateverypoint？Hewasamazedandhurt，andstillmoreenraged，atthatfitofgirlishweaknesswhichhadpossessedhim。
Hecouldhavebeatenhimselfwithstripesforit。
Butitcouldneverhappenagain——never，never！
Hetoldhimselfthatwithproud，resolutereiteration，ashegothishatandstick，andputinhispocketsoneortwopapersfromthedesk，andthenglancedabouttheBoardRoomforwhatwas，mostlikely，thelasttime。
HerehehadwonhisgreatvictoryoverFate，herehehadputhisenemiesunderhisfeet，andifinnocentsimpletonshadwanderedintothecompanyofthesefoes，itmatterednotawhittohimthattheyalsohadbeencrushed。
Figuratively，heturnedhisbackuponthemnow；heleftthem，slainandtrampled，intheBoardRoombehindhim。
Theynolongerconcernedhim。
Figuratively，too，ashewalkedwithfirmnesstothedoor，hesteppedoverthebodyofoldTavender，uponthethreshold，andbestoweduponitadownwardmentalglance，andpassedon。
Bythetimehereachedthestreet，thememoryofTavenderhadbecomethemerestshredofamyth。Ashestrodeon，itseemedtohimthathisdaughterscameagain，andtookhishands，andmovedlovinglybesidehim——lovinglyandstillmoreadmiringlythanbefore。
CHAPTERXXII
BYtheautumnofthefollowingyear，acertainsmallproportionofthepeopleinhabitingthedistrictinHertfordshirewhichsetitsclocksbythedialoverthestable-towerofPellesleyCourthadaccustomedthemselvestogivetheplaceitsnewnameofHighThorpe。
Thesewereforthemostpartthefolkofpeculiarlyfacilewitsandreadypowersofadaptation，likepushingsmalltradesmen，andtheupperservantsincountyhouses。
AnindolentandhazycompromiseuponPellesleyThorpehaddriftedintousebyperhapsalargernumber。
Tothepuzzledconservatismoftheabidinghugemajoritynearesttothesoil——theround-backed，lumpishmenwhotiestringsroundtheircorduroysundertheknee，andthestrong，cow-facedwomenwholookatpassers-byontheroadfromthedoorsofdarklittlecottages，overradiantpatchesofblossominggarden——itseemedsafesttodropfamilynamesaltogether，andcallitmerelytheCourt。
Itstoodproudlyuponwhatwasratheranotableelevationforthoseflatparts——amassivemansionofsimpleform，builtofagreystonewhichseemedatadistancealmostwhiteagainstthedeepbackgroundofyewsandItalianpinesbehindit。Formanymilesseawardthispalefrontwasalandmark。Fromtheterrace-walkatitsbase，onebeheldagreatexpanseofsoftgreencountry，slopinggentlyawayforalongdistance，thenstretchingoutuponalevelwhichonmistydayswasinterminable。
Inbrightweather，theremote，low-lyinghorizonhadadefininglineofbrownish-blue——andthisstoodforwhatwasleftofaprimitiveforest，containingtreesmucholderthantheNormannameitbore。Itwasaforestwhichatsometime，nodoubt，hadextendedwithoutabreaktillitmergedintothatofEpping——leaguesawaytothesouth。
Themodernclearanceandtillage，however，whichseparateditnowfromEppinghadservedasacuriouslyeffectivebarrier——morebafflingthantheRomansandAnglesintheirturnhadfoundtheoriginalwildwood。
Nostrangerseemedevertofindhiswayintothatbroad，minutely-cultivatedfertileplainwhichHighThorpelookeddownupon。Norailwayhadpusheditscheapeningcourseacrossit。Silent，emboweredoldcountryroadsandlanesnetteditsexpansewithhedgerows；redpointsoftiledroofs，distinguishablehereandthereinclustersamongthedarkergreensoforchards，identifiedthescatteredhamlets——allnamedinDomesdayBook，allseeminglyunchangedsince。
Agreysquarechurch-toweremergingfromtherooks\'
nests；anorderedmassoffoliageshelteringthedistantgablesandchimneysofsomeisolatedhouse；thedimperceptiononoccasionthatarusticwaggonwasinmotiononsomehighway，crawlingpatientlylikeaninsect——ofthisplacid，inductivenaturewerealltheaddedproofsofhumanoccupationthatthelandscapeoffered。
Mr。StormontThorpe，onanafternoonofearlyOctober，yawnedinthefaceofthislandscape——andthenidlywonderedalittleatthemoodwhichhadimpelledhimtodoso。
Attheoutsetofhisproprietorshiphehadboundhimself，asbyapointofhonour，toregardthisasthefinestviewfromanygentleman\'shouseinEngland。Duringthefirstfewmonthshisfidelityhadbeentaxedagooddeal，butthesetemptationsandstruggleslaynowallhappilybehindhim。Hehadsatisfactorilyassimilatedthespiritofthevista，andblendeditwithhisown。Itsinertia，whenonecametocomprehendit，wasundeniablymagnificent，andlongagohehadperceivedwithinhimselfthegrowthofanansweringrepose，aresponsivelethargy，whichinitsfulldevelopmentwasalsogoingtobeveryfine。
Practicallyallthelandthissideoftheimpalpablelinewheretreesandhousesbegantofadeintothebackgroundbelongedtohim；therewerewholevillagesnestlinghalf-concealedunderitsshrubberieswhichwerehisproperty。Asaninvestment，thesepossessionswereextremelyunremunerative。Indeed，ifoneaddedthecostoftheimprovementswhichoughttobemade，totheexpenditurealreadylaidoutinrenovations，itwasquestionableifforthenexttwentyyearstheywouldnotrepresentadeficitontheincome-sheet。But，nowthathehadlaidholdofthelocalcharacter，itpleasedhimthatitshouldbeso。Hewouldnotfortheworldhavehisgentle，woolly-minded，unprofitablecottagerstransformedinto\"hustlers\"；itwouldwoundhiseyetoseethesmokeofanycommercialchimney，thesmudgeofanydividend-payingfactory，stainingthepuretintsofthesylvanlandscape。Hehadtrulylearnedtoloveit。
Yetnow，ashestrolledontheterracewithhisfirstafter-luncheoncigar，heunaccountablyyawnedatthethingheloved。Uponreflection，hehadgonetobedratherearlierthepreviouseveningthanusual。Hehadnotbeendrinkingoutoftheordinary；hisliverseemedrightenough。
Hewasnotconsciousofbeingeithertiredordrowsy。
Helookedagainattheviewwithsomefixity，andsaidtohimselfconvincinglythatnothingelseinEnglandcouldcomparewithit。Itwasthefinestthingtherewasanywhere。Thenhesurprisedhimselfinthemiddleofanotheryawn——andhaltedabruptly。Itoccurredtohimthathewantedtotravel。
Sincehishome-comingtothissplendidnewhomeinthepreviousJanuary，attheconclusionofahoneymoonspentinAlgiersandEgypt，hehadnotbeenoutofEngland。
TherehadbeenaconsiderablesojourninLondon，itistrue，atwhatwasdescribedtohimastheheightoftheSeason，butlookingbackuponit，hecouldnotthinkofitasadiversion。Ithadbeenarestless，over-worked，mystifyingexperience，fullofdinnerstopeoplewhomhehadneverseenbefore，andlaboriousencounterswithotherpeoplewhomhedidnotparticularlywanttoseeagain。
Therehadbeennophysicalcomfortinitforhim，andlittlemorementalsatisfaction，forLondoners，orratherpeopleinLondon，seemedalltobemakinganinvidiousdistinctionintheirmindsbetweenhimandhiswife。ThefactthatshecontinuedtobecalledLadyCressagewasnotofitselfimportanttohim。
ButintheincessantgoingaboutinLondon，theirnameswerecalledouttogethersooftenthathiseargrewsensitiveandsoretothetouchofthefootmen\'sreverberations。
Themeaningdifferentiationwhichthevoicesoftheservantsinsistedupon，seemedinevitablyreflectedintheglanceandmanneroftheirmistresses。Morethananythingelse，thatmadehimhateLondon，andbarredthedoorsofhismindtoallthoughtsofbuyingatown-house。
Hisnewly-madewife，itistrue，hadnotcaredmuchforLondon，either，andhadagreedtohisdecisionagainstatown-housealmostwithanimation。Theoccasionoftheirreturnfromthehotbustleofthemetropolistothesecoolhomeshades——inparticulartheminuteinwhich，atabendinthewindingcarriage-waydownbelow，theyhadsilentlyregardedtogetherthespectacleupliftedbeforethem，withthebig，welcominghouse，andtheservantsontheterrace——hadaplaceofitsowninhismemory。
Edithhadpressedhisarm，astheysatsidebysideinthelandau，ontheinstantcompulsionofafeelingtheyhadincommon。Hehadnever，beforeorsince，hadquitethesameassurancethatshesharedanemotionwithhim。
Hewasveryfar，however，fromfindingfaultwithhiswife。
Itwasinthenatureofthelifehechosetoleadthatheshouldseeagreatdealofher，andthinkagreatdealabouther，andsheborebothtestsadmirably。
Iftherewasafaulttobefound，itwaswithhimselfforhisinabilitytoaltogetherunderstandher。Sheplayedthepartshehadundertakentoplaywithabundantskillanddiscretionandgrace，andevenwithanairofnicegood-fellowshipwhichhadsomeoftheaspectsofaffection。
Hewasvaguelyannoyedwithhimselfforhavinginsightenoughtoperceivethatitwasapartshewasplaying，andyetlackingtheaddedshrewdnesstodivinewhatherownpersonalattitudetoherrolewaslike。
Hehadnoticedsometimesthewaygoodwomenlookedattheirhusbandswhenthelatterweretalkingovertheirheads——withtheeager，intent，non-comprehendingadmirationofanaffectionatedog。Thiswasalookwhichhecouldnotimaginehimselfdiscoveringinhiswife\'seves。
Itwasnotconceivabletohimthatheshouldtalkoverherhead。Herglancenotonlyrevealedanampleunderstandingofallhesaid，butsuggestedunusedreservesofcomprehensionwhichhemightnotfathom。Itwasasif，intellectuallynolessthansocially，shepossessedatitleandheremainedanundistinguishedplebeian。
Hemadenogrievance，however，eveninhisownthoughts，ofeitherinequality。Shehadbeencharminglyfrankandfairaboutthequestionofthenames，whenitfirstarose。
Theusagehadlatterlycometobe，sheexplained，forawidowbearingevenacourtesytitlederivedfromherlatehusband，toretainitonmarryingagain。
Itwasalwaystheeasiestcoursetofallinwithusage，butifhehadanyfeelingsonthesubject，andpreferredtohaveherinsistonbeingcalledMrs。Thorpe，shewouldmeethiswisheswithentirewillingness。
Ithadseemedtohim，astoher，thatitwaswisesttoallowusagetosettlethematter。SomemonthsaftertheirmarriagethereappearedinthepaperswhatpurportedtobeanauthoritativeannouncementthattheQueenobjectedtothepracticeamongladieswhomarriedasecondtime，ofretainingtitlesacquiredbytheearliermarriages，andthatthelistsofprecedencyatBuckinghamPalacewouldhenceforthtakethisintoaccount。LadyCressageshowedthistoherhusband，andtalkedagainwithcandouronthesubject。
Shesaidshehadalwaysratherregrettedthedecisiontheyoriginallycameto，andevennowcouldwishthatitmightbealtered，butthattoeffectachangeinthefaceofthisnewspaperparagraphwouldseemservile——andinthisasinmostotherthingsheagreedwithher。Asshesaid，theywantednothingofBuckinghamPalace。
Shewantedequallylittle，itseemed，ofthesocietywhichtheneighbouringdistrictmightafford。Therewasameagreroutineofformalcallskeptinlanguidoperation，Thorpeknew，butitwassomuchinthebackgroundthathenevercameincontactwithit。HisownnotionsofthepartheoughttotakeinCountyaffairshadundergoneasilentandunnoted，yetalmostsweeping，change。Whatlittlehesawofthegentryandstronglocalmenwithwhomhewouldhavetowork，quietlyunderminedanddismantledallhisambitionsinthatdirection。Theywerenothissort；
theirstandardsforthemeasurementofthingswereunintelligibletohim。Hedidnotdoubtthat，ifhesethimselfaboutit，hecouldimposehisdominionuponthem，anymorethanhedoubtedthat，ifhemasteredtheChineselanguage，hecouldlifthimselftobeaMandarin，buttheonewouldbeasunnaturalandunattractiveanenterpriseastheother。Hecametobeuponnoddingtermswithmostofthe\"carriage-people\"roundabout；
somefewheexchangedmeaninglesswordswithuponoccasion，andunderstoodthathiswifealsotalkedwith，whenitwasunavoidable，buttherehisrelationshiptotheCountyended，andhewaswellpleasedthatitshouldbeso。Itgavehimadeepsatisfactiontoseethathiswifeseemedalsowellpleased。
Heusedtheword\"seemed\"inhisinmostmusings，foritwasneverquitecertainwhatreallydidpleaseanddispleaseher。
Itwasalwayspuzzlingtohimtoreconcileherundoubtedintellectualactivitywiththepracticalemptinessoftheexistencesheprofessedtoenjoy。Inonedirection，shehadindeedagenuineoutletforherenergies，whichhecouldunderstandherregardinginthelightofanoccupation。Shewascrazieraboutflowersandplantsthananybodyhehadeverheardof，andithaddelightedhimtomakeovertoher，labelledjocoselyasthebouquet-fund，asumofmoneywhich，itseemedtohim，mighthavepaidforthehanging-gardensofBabylon。
Ityieldedintime——emergingslowlybutsteadilyfromaprodigiouslitterofcementandbricksandmortarandputty，underthehandsofinnumerablemasons，carpenters，glaziers，plumbers，andnondescriptsubordinates，allofwhomtalkedunwearyinglyaboutnothingatall，andsufferednomantoperformanypartofhisallottedtaskwithoutsuspendingtheirownlabourstowatchhim——animposinglonglineofnewgreenhouses，morethantwentyinnumber。Themail-bagwasfilledmeanwhilewithnurserymen\'scatalogues，andthecartmadeincessantjourneystoandfromPunseystation，bringingbackvaststraw-enwrappedbasketsandbundlesandboxesbeyondcounting，thearrivalandunpackingofwhichwaswithEdiththeeventoftheday。Abouttherealityofherengrossedinterestinallthestagesofprogressbywhichthesegreenhousesbecamecrowdedmuseumsoftheunusualandabnormalinplant-life，itwasimpossibletohaveanysuspicion。
Andevenaftertheywerefilledtooverflowing，Thorpenotedwithjoythatthisinterestseemedinnowisetoflag。
Shespenthourseverydayundertheglass，exchangingcommentsandtheorieswithhergardeners，andevenpullingthingsaboutwithherownhands，andotherhoursshedevotedalmostasregularlytosupervisingthewholesalealterationsthathadbeenbeguninthegardensoutside。Thereweretobenewpaths，newwallswithasouthernexposure，newpottingsheds，newforcingpits，neweverything——andintheeveningssheoftenworkedlateoverthemapsandplansshedrewforallthis。Thorpe\'smindfounditdifficulttograsptheideathataladyofsuchnotablequalitiescouldbeentirelysatisfiedbyacareeramongseedsandbulbsandcomposts，butatleasttimebroughtnoevidencesofadeclineinherhorticulturalzeal。
Whoknew？Perhapsitmightgoonindefinitely。
Asforhimself，hehadgotonverywellwithoutanyspecialinclinationorhobby。Hehadnotdoneanyofthegreatthingsthatayearagoithadseemedtohimhewouldforthwithdo——buthismindwasserenelyundisturbedbyregrets。Hedidnotevenrememberwithanydistinctnesswhatthesethingswerethathehadbeengoingtodo。
Theroutineoflife——asarrangedandbornealongbythewiseandtactfulexpertswhoworetheliveryofHighThorpe——wasabundantlysufficientinitself。Hesleptwellnowinthemorninghours，andthoughheremainedstill，bycomparison，anearlyriser，thebathandtheshavingandslowdressingunderthehandsofavaletconsumedcomfortablyagooddealoftime。Throughoutthedayhewasunderthealmostconstantobservationofpeoplewhowerecallinghim\"master\"intheirminds，andwatchingtoseehow，inthesmallestdetailsofdeportment，a\"master\"carriedhimself，andtheconsciousnessofthisaloneamountedtoakindofvocation。Thehouseitselfmadedemandsuponhimnearlyasdefiniteasthoseoftheservants。Itwasahouseofhugerooms，highceilings，andgrandiosefireplacesandstairways，whichhadseemedtohimlikearoyalpalacewhenhefirstbeheldit，andstillproduceduponhimaneffectofundigestiblelargenessandstrangeness。Itwasasawholenotsooldastheagentshadrepresentedit，bysomecenturies，butitadapteditselfaslittletohispreconceivednotionsofdomesticityasifithadbeenbuiltbyDruids。Thetaskofseemingtobeathomeinithadasmanysidestoitastherewereminutesintheday——andoddlyenough，Thorpefoundintheirstudyandobservanceacongenialoccupation。
Whetherhewasreadinginthelibrary——wheretherewasanadmirablecollectionofbooksofworth——orwalkingoverthehome-farms，ordrivinginhissmartstanhopewiththecoachmanbehind，orsittinginformalcostumeanddignityoppositehisbeautifulwifeatthedinner-table，thesenseofwhatwasexpectedofhimwasthere，steadyingandrestraining，likeanatmosphericpressure。
Thusfartheyhadhadfewvisitors，andhadacceptednoinvitationstojoinhouse-partieselsewhere。
Theyagreedwithoutspeakingaboutitthatitwasmoretheirformtoentertainthantobeentertained，andcertainpeoplewerecomingtothemlaterinthemonth。
ThesewerequitewhollyofEdith\'ssetandselection，forThorpehadnofriendsoracquaintancesoutsidehercircleforwhosepresencehehadanydesire——andamongtheseprospectiveguestswereaDukeandaDuchess。
Once，suchafactwouldhaveexcitedThorpe\'simagination。
Heregardeditnowassomethingappropriateunderthecircumstances，andgaveitlittlefurtherthought。
Hisplacid，satisfiedlifewasnotdependentuponthestirofguestscomingandgoing，eventhoughtheywerethegreatoftheearth。Hewalkedonhisspaciousterraceafterluncheon——atall，portly，well-groomedfigureofaman，ofrelaxed，easyaspect，withhisbigcigar，andhispanamahat，andhislooseclothesofchoicefabricsandexquisitetailoring——andsaidtohimselfthatitwasthefinestviewinEngland——andthen，tohisownsurprise，caughthimselfintheactofyawning。
Fromunderthesilkcurtainsandawningofawindow-doorwayattheendoftheterrace，hiswifeissuedandcametowardhim。
Herheadwasbare，andshehadthegraceandfreshbeautyofayounggirlinhersimplelightgownofsomesummeryfiguredstuff。
\"Whatdoyousaytogoingoffsomewhere——tomorrowifyoulike——travellingabroad？\"hecalledout，assheapproachedhim。Theidea，onlyamomentoldinhismind，hadgrowntogreatproportions。\"Howcanwe？\"sheasked，uponthebriefestthought。\"THEYarecomingattheendoftheweek。ThisisMonday，andtheyarriveonthe12th——that\'sthisSaturday。\"
\"Sosoonasthat！\"heexclaimed。\"Ithoughtitwaslater。
H-m！Idon\'tknow——IthinkperhapsI\'llgouptoLondonthisevening。I\'mbywayoffeelingrestlessallatonce。
Willyoucomeupwithme？\"
Sheshookherhead。\"Ican\'tthinkofanythinginLondonthatwouldbetolerable。\"
Hegaveavaguelittlelaugh。\"IshallprobablyhateitmyselfwhenIgetthere，\"hespeculated。\"Thereisn\'tanybodyIwanttosee——thereisn\'tanythingIwanttodo。
Idon\'tknow——perhapsitmightlivenmeup。\"
Herfacetookonalookofenquiringgravity。\"Areyougettingtiredofit，then？\"Sheputthequestiongently，almostcautiously。
Hereflectedalittle。\"Why——no，\"heanswered，asifreasoningtohimself。\"OfcourseI\'mnot。
ThisiswhatI\'vealwayswanted。It\'smyideaoflifetoa\'t。\'Only——Isupposeeverythingneedsabreakinitnowandthen——ifonlyforthecomfortofgettingbackintotheoldrutagain。\"
\"Therut——yes，\"shecommented，musingly。\"Apparentlythere\'salwaysarut。\"
Thorpegaveherthemystifiedyetuncomplainingglancesheknewsowellinhiseyes。Foronce，theimpulsetothrowhiddenthingsupintohisrangeofviewprevailedwithher。
\"Doyouknow，\"shesaid，withaconfusedhalf-smileatthenoveltyofhermoodforelucidation，\"Ifanciedarutwastheonethingtherecouldbenoquestionaboutwithyou。
Ihadthenotionthatyouwereincapableofruts——andconventionalgrooves。Ithoughtyou——asCarlyleputsit——I
thoughtyouwereamanwhohadswallowedalltheformulas。\"
Thorpelookeddownathisstomachdoubtfully。\"Iseewhatyoumean，\"hesaidatlast，butinatonewithoutanynoteofconviction。
\"Idoubtit，\"shetoldhim，withlightreadiness——\"forI
don\'tseemyselfwhatImean。IforgetindeedwhatitwasIsaid。Andsoyouthinkyou\'llgouptotowntonight？\"
Asuddencomprehensionofwhatwasslippingawayfromhisgrasparousedhim。\"No——no，\"heurgedher，\"don\'tforgetwhatitwasyousaid！Iwishyou\'dtalkmorewithmeaboutthat。ItwaswhatIwantedtohear。
Younevertellmewhatyou\'rereallythinkingabout。\"
Shereceivedthereproachwithamildlyincreduloussmileinhereyes。\"Yes——Iknow——whowasitusedtoscoldmeaboutthat？Oh\"——sheseemedsuddenlyremindedofsomething——\"Iwasforgettingtomentionit。IhavealetterfromCeliaMadden。SheisbackinEngland；
sheiscomingtousSaturday，too。\"
Heputouthislipsatrifle。\"That\'sallright，\"
heobjected，\"butwhathasitgottodowithwhatweweretalkingabout？\"
\"Talkingabout？\"shequeried，withamomentarilyblankcountenance。\"Oh，sheusedtobullymeaboutmydeceit，andtreachery，andsimilarcrimes。ButIshallbeimmenselygladtoseeher。Ialwaysfightwithher，butIthinkIlikeherbetterthananyotherwomanalive。\"
\"Ilikehertoo，\"Thorpewasimpelledtosay，withakindofsolemnity。\"Sheremindsmeofsomeofthehappiesthoursinmylife。\"
Hiswife，afterabriefglanceintohisface，laughedpleasantly，ifwithatraceofflippancy。\"Yousaynicethings，\"
sheobserved，slightlyincliningherhead。\"ButnowthatCeliaiscoming，itwouldbeaswelltohaveanotherman。
It\'ssuchdreadfullyshortnotice，though。\"
\"Idaresayyourfathercouldcome，allright，\"
Thorpesuggested。\"I\'dratherhavehimthanalmostanyoneelse。Wouldyoumindaskinghim——orshallI？\"
Anabruptsilencemarkedthisintroductionofasubjectuponwhichthecouplehaddifferedopenly。Thorpe，throughprocessesunaccountabletohimself，hadpassedfromavividdislikeofGeneralKervicktoahabitofmindinwhichhethoroughlyenjoyedhavinghimabout。
TheGeneralhadbeentwicetoHighThorpe，andoneachoccasionhadsoprolongedhisstaythat，inretrospect，theperiodofhisabsenceseemedinconsiderable。
Themasternow，thinkinguponitinthisminuteofsilence，wasconsciousofhavingmissedhimgreatly。HewouldnothavebeenboredtotheextremityofthreateningtogotoLondon，ifKervickhadbeenhere。TheGeneralwasagentleman，andyethadtheflexibleadaptabilityofaretainer；hehadbeentrainedindiscipline，andhenceknewhowtodeferwithoutbecomingfulsomeorfamiliar；
hewasamanoftheworldandknewanunlimitednumberofracystories，andevenifherepeatedsomeofthemunduly，theywerebetterthannostoriesatall。Andthen，therewashismatchless，unfailingpatienceinplayingchessorbackgammonordraughtsorbezique，whateverheperceivedthatthemasterdesired。
\"Ifyoureallywishit，\"Edithsaidatlast，coldly。
\"Butthat\'swhatIdon\'tunderstand，\"Thorpeurgeduponherwithsomevigour。\"IfIlikehim，Idon\'tseewhyhisowndaughter——\"
\"Oh，needwediscussit？\"shebrokein，impatiently。
\"IfI\'manunnaturalchild，whythenIamone，andmayitnotbeallowedtopassatthat？\"Astormykindofsmileplayeduponherbeautifully-cutlipsassheadded：
\"Surelyone\'sfilialemotionsarethingstobetakenforgranted——relievedfromthenecessityofexplanation。\"
Thorpegrinnedfaintlyatthehintofpleasantry，buthedidnotrelinquishhispoint。\"Well——unlessyoureallyvetothething——IthinkI\'dliketotellhimtocome，\"
hesaid，withcomposedobstinacy。Uponanafterthoughtheadded：\"There\'snoreasonwhyheshouldn\'tmeettheDuke，isthere？\"
\"Nospecificreason，\"shereturned，withcalmcoolnessoftoneandmanner。\"AndcertainlyIdonotseemyselfinthepartofMadameVeto。\"
\"Allrightthen——I\'llsendhimawire，\"saidThorpe。
Hisvictorymadehimuneasy，yethesawnowayofabandoningitwithdecorum。
Asthetwo，standinginasilencefulloftacitconstraint，lookedaimlesslyawayfromtheterrace，theysawatthesameinstantavehiclewithasinglehorsecomingratherbrisklyupthedriveway，somehundredsofyardsbelow。
ItwasrecognizableatonceasthelocaltrapfromPunseystation，andasusualitwasdrivenbyaboyfromthevillage。Seatedbesidethisladwasaburly，red-beardedmaninrespectableclothes，who，tojudgefromthetin-boxandtravelling-bagsfastenedonbehind，seemedcomingtoHighThorpetostay。
\"Whoonearthisthat？\"askedThorpe，wonderingly。
Themanwasobviouslyofthelowerclass，yetthereseemedsomethingabouthimwhichinvitedrecognition。
\"Presumablyit\'sthenewhead-gardener，\"sherepliedwithbrevity。
HeraccentrecalledtoThorpethefactthattherehadbeensomethingdisagreeableintheirconversation，andthethoughtofitwasunpleasanttohim。
\"Why，Ididn\'tknowyouhadanewmancoming，\"hesaid，turningtoherwithanovertureofsmilinginterest。
\"Yes，\"sheanswered，andthen，asifweighingtheprofferedpropitiationandrejectingit，turnedslowlyandwentintothehouse。
Thetrapapparentlyendeditscourseatsomebackentrance：hedidnotseeitagain。Hestrolledindoors，afteralittle，andtoldhismantopackabagforLondon，andorderthestanhopetotakehimtothetrain。
CHAPTERXXIII
INtheearlymorning，longbeforeanyofthehotelpeoplehadmadethemselvesheardmovingabout，Thorpegotup。
Itwasalongtimesincehehadlikedhimselfandhissurroundingssolittle。Thebedseemedallrighttotheeye，andeventothetouch，buthehadsleptverybadlyinit，nonetheless。Theroomwasluxuriouslyfurnished，aswastheentiresuite，butitwasallstrangeanduncomfortabletohissenses。Theoperationofshavinganddressinginsolitudeproducedanoppressionofloneliness。
Heregrettednothavingbroughthismanwithhimforthisreason，andthen，uponmeditation，forotherreasons。
Apersonofhispositionoughtalwaystohaveaservantwithhim。Thehotelpeoplemusthavebeensurprisedathistravellingunattended——andthepeopleatHighThorpemustalsohavethoughtitstrange。Itflashedacrosshismindthatnodoubthiswifehadmostofallthoughtitstrange。Howwouldsheexplaintoherselfhissudden，precipitatejourneytoLondonalone？Mightshenotquitenaturallyputanunpleasantconstructionuponit？Itwasbadenoughtohavetorememberthattheyhadpartedinsomethinglikeatiff；hefounditmuchworsetobefancyingthesuspicionswithwhichshewouldbeturningoverhismysteriousabsenceinhermind。
Hewentdownstairsasspeedilyaspossibleand，discoveringnoovertsignsofbreakfastinthevicinityoftherestaurant，passedoutandmadehiswaytotheEmbankment。
Thishadbeenafavouritewalkofhisintheolddays——butheconsidereditnowwithanunsympatheticeye。
Itseemedadryandhaggardanddesolate-lookingplacebycomparisonwithhisformerimpressionsofit。
Themorningwasgrey-skied，butfullofahardqualityoflight，whichbroughtouttotheuncompromisinguttermostthedilapidatedsqualoroftheSurreyside。
Thewaterwaslow，andfromthemudandoozeoftheuglyoppositeshore，orperhapsfromthediscolouredstreamitself，thereproceededasmellwhichoffendedhisunaccustomednostril。Afitful，gustywindwasblowingfromtheeast，andeverandagainitgathereddustineddyingswoopsfromtheroadway，andflungitinhisface。
HewalkedontowardtheCity，withoutanyconsciouspurpose，andwithnoverydefinitereflections。ItoccurredtohimthatifhiswifedidimputetohimsomeunworthymotiveinstealingofftoLondon，andmadeherselfunhappyindoingso——thatwouldatleastprovidethecompensationofshowingthatshecared。Thethought，however，uponexamination，containedverymeagreelementsofsolace。Hecouldnotintheleastbesureaboutanyoftheworkingsofhermind。
Theremightbemoreorlessannoyancemixedupthismorningwiththesecretthoughtsshehadconcerninghim——orshemightnotbebotheringherheadabouthimatall。
Thislattercontingencyhadneverpresenteditselfsofranklytohimbefore。Helookedhardatit，andsawmoresemblancesofprobabilityaboutitthanheliked。
Itmightverywellbethatshewasnotthinkingabouthimonewayortheother。
Adepressingconsciousnessthatpracticallynobodyneedthinkabouthimpervadedhissoul。Whocaredwhathesaidordidorfelt？TheCityhadforgottenhisveryexistence。
IntheWestEnd，onlyhereandtheresomepersonmightchancetorememberhisnameasthatofsomerichbounderwhohadmarriedLadyCressage。NowhereelseinEngland，saveonedullstripofagriculturalblanknessinabackwardhomecounty，wasthereahumanbeingwhoknewanythingwhateverabouthim。Andthiswashiscareer！Itwasforthisthathehadplannedthatmemorablecampaign，andwagedthatamazingseriesoffortnightlybattles，nevermissingvictory，neverfailingatanypointofthecomplicatedstrategy，andcrowningitallwithaculminatingtriumphwhichhadbeenthewonderandadmirationofthewholefinancialworld！Afewscoreofmenialsorinterestedinferiorsbowedtohim；hedrovesomegoodhorses，andwasattentivelywaitedupon，andhadanever-failingabundanceofgoodthingstoeatanddrinkaudsmoke。
Hardlyanythingmorethanthat，whenyoucametothinkofit——andthepassingusufructofallthesethingscouldbeenjoyedbyanyfoolwhohadaten-poundnoteinhispocket！
Whatgrosstrickhadthefatesplayedonhim？Hehadachievedpower——andwherewasthatpower？Whathadhedonewithit？WhatCOULDhedowithit？Hehadanexcessofwealth，itwastrue，butinwhatwaycoulditcommandanexcessofenjoyment？Theveryphrasewasaparadox，ashedimlyperceived。Thereexistedonlyanarrowmarginofadvantageinfavouroftherichman。Hecouldeatanddrinkalittlemoreandalittlebetterthanthepoorman；
hecouldhavebetterclothes，andlieabedlaterinthemorning，andtakelifeeasierallround——butonlywithinhardandfastbounds。Therewasanascertainedlimitbeyondwhichthemillionairecouldnomorestuffhimselfwithfoodandwinethancouldthebeggar。Itmightbepleasanttotakeanaddedhourortwoinbedinthemorning，buttolieinbedalldaywouldbeaninfliction。
Soitranindefinitely——thisthinselvedgeofadvantagewhichmoneycouldbuy——withdeprivationontheoneside，andsurfeitontheother。Candidly，wasitnottruethatmorehappinesslayinwinningthewayoutofdeprivation，thanininventingsafeguardsagainstsatiety？Thepoormansucceedinginmakinghimselfrich——atnumerousstagesoftheoperationtheremightbemadeamoralsnap-shotofthetrulyhappyman。Butnotafterhehadreachedthetop。Thendisintegrationbeganatonce。Thecontrastbetweenwhathesupposedhecoulddo，andwhathefindsitpossibletodo，istoovasttobeacceptedwithequanimity。
Itmustbesaidthatafterbreakfast——amealwhichhefoundinanItalianrestaurantofnogreatcleanlinessoropulenceofpretension，andatewithanalmostnovelrelish——Thorpetooksomewhatlessgloomyviewsofhisposition。Hestillwalkedeastward，wanderingintowarehouseandshippingquartersskirtingtheriver，hithertoquiteunknowntohim，andpursuinginanidle，inconsequentfashionhismeditations。Heestablishedinhismindthepropositionthatsinceanexcessofenjoymentwasimpossible——sinceonecouldnotderiveagreatblockofhappinessfromthesatisfactionoftheordinaryappetites，butatthemostcouldonlygatheralittlefromeach——thedesirablethingwastomultiplyasmuchasmightbethosetastesandwhimsandfancieswhichpassedforappetites，andthusexpandtheareaofpossiblegratification。
Thisseemedverylogicalindeed，butitdidnotapplyitselftohisindividualneedswithmuchfacility。
Whatdidhewanttodothathehadnotdone？Itwasdifficultforhimtosay。Perhapsitwaschandlers\'
signsandwindowsabouthim，andtheindefinableseafaringpreoccupationsuggestedbythehigh-walled，narrowstreets，whichraisedthequestionofayachtinhismind。
Didhewantayacht？Hecouldrecallhavingoncedweltwithgreatfondnessuponsuchaproject：doubtlessitwouldstillbefullofattractionsforhim。Helikedthewater，andthewaterlikedhim——andhewasbetterablenowthanformerlytounderstandhowluxuriousexistencecanbemadeinmodernprivateships。Hedecidedthathewouldhaveayacht——andthenperceivedthatthedecisionbroughtnoexhilaration。Hewasnohappierthanbefore。
Hecoulddecidethathewouldhaveanythinghechosetoname——anditwouldinnowhitlightenhismood。
TheyachtmightbeasgrandasHighThorpe，andrelativelyasspaciousandwellordered，butwouldhenotgrowastiredoftheoneashehadoftheother？
Hestoppedshortatthisbluntself-expressionofsomethinghehadneveradmittedtohimself。WasheindeedtiredofHighThorpe？Hehadassuredhiswifetothecontraryyesterday。Hereiteratedtheassurancetohisownmindnow。Itwasinsteadthathewastiredofhimself。
Hecarriedawearinessaboutwithhim，whichlookedateverythingwithapatheticeyes，andcaredfornothing。
Somenamelessparalysishadsettleduponhiscapacityforamusementandenjoyment，andatrophiedit。
Hehadhadthepowertoexpandhislifetothefarthestboundariesofrichexperienceandsensation，andhehaddeliberatelyshrunkintoasortofherbaceousnonentity，whomnobodykneworcaredabout。HemighthavehadLondonathisbeckandcall，andyetofallthatthemetropolismightmeantoamillionaire，hehadbeenabletothinkofnothingbetterthanthatitshouldsendoldKervicktohim，tohelpbeguilehisboredomwithdominoesandmess-roomstories！Pah！Hewasdisgustedwithhimself。
Strikingoutanewcourse，withtheMonumentashisguide，hepresentlycameintoapartoftheCitywhichhadacertainfamiliarityforhim。HewalkedupSt。Swithin\'sLane，lookingatthestrangeformsofforeignfruitexposedattheshop-doors，andfindinginthemsomefleetingrecurrenceofthehintthattravelwaswhatheneeded。
Thenhestopped，tolookthroughtherailingsandopengatewayatanenclosureontheleft，andthesubstantial，heavily-respectablegroupofearlyVictorianbuildingsbeyond。
Somewell-dressedmenwerestandingtalkinginoneoftheporches。Thestiffyellowish-stuccopilastersofthisentrance，andthetalluniformedfigureoftheporterintheshadow，cameintothepictureasheobservedit；
theygaveforthasuggestionofsatisfiedsmugness——oforderlybutaltogetherunilluminedroutine。Nothingcouldbemorecommonplacetotheeye。
Yettohisimagination，eighteenmonthsbefore，whatmysteriousmarvelsofpowerhadlurkedhiddenbehindthoseconventionalportals！Withinthosedoors，insomeinnerchamber，satmenwhosetaskitwastodirectthemovementsofthegreatestforcetheworldhadeverknown。TheyandtheircousinsinParisandFrankfort，orwherevertheylived，betweenthemwieldedavasterauthoritythanalltheParliamentsoftheearth。
Theycouldchangeagovernment，orcrushtheaspirationsofawholepeople，ordecideaquestionofpeaceorwar，bythesilentdictumoftheirlittlefamilycouncil。
Herememberednowhowhehadstoodonthissamespot，andstaredwithfascinatedgazeatthisquadrangleofdullhouses，andpondereduponwhatitmustfeelliketobeaRothschild——andthatwasonlyalittleoverayearago！
Therewasnosenseoffascinationwhateverinhispresentgaze。Hefoundhimselfregardinginstead，withakindofdetachedcuriosity，thelittleknotofmeninfrock-coatsandsilk-hatswhostoodtalkinginthedoorway。
Itwasbarelyteno\'clock，yetclearlybusinesswasproceedingwithin。OneofthesepersonswhomhebeheldmightbeaRothschild，foraughtheknew；atanyrate，itwaspresumablethatsomeofthemwereonthepremises。
Hehadhearditsaidthattheveryheadofthehouselistenedtoquotationsfromthetapewhileheatehisluncheon，andinterruptedhisconversationswiththemostimportantofnon-commercialcallers，tomakeorrefusebargainsinsharesofferedbybrokerswhocamein。Whatimpulselaybehindthisextraordinarydevotiontolabour？Towardwhatconceivablegoalcoulditbestriving？
Toworkhardandriskgreatthingsforthepossessionofafortune，inordertoenjoyitafterward——hecouldunderstandhowthatattractedmen。Buttopossessalreadythebiggestofhumanfortunes，andstillwork——
thatbaffledhim。Hewishedheknewsomeofthosemeninthere，especiallyiftheybelongedtotheplace。
ItwouldbewonderfullyinterestingtogetattheinnerpointofviewofNewCourt。
Alittlelater，inColinSemple\'soffice，hesatdowntoawaitthecomingofthatgentleman。\"Thenhedoesn\'tgetheresoearlynowadays？\"hesuggestedtothehead-clerkwho，withinstantrecognitionandexaggerateddeference，hadusheredhimintothisfurthermostprivateroom。
ItpleasedhimtoassumethatprosperityhadrelaxedtheScotchman\'svigilance。
\"Ohyes，sir，\"theclerkreplied。\"Abitearlierifanything，asarule。ButIthinkheisstoppingathissolicitorsonhiswaytotheCity。Ihopeyouareverywell，sir。\"
\"Yes——I\'mveryfit——thanks，\"Thorpesaid，listlessly，andtheotherlefthim。
Mr。Semple，whenatlasthearrived，bustledintotheroomwithunaffectedgratificationatthenewshehadheardwithout。\"Well，well，Thorpeman！\"
hecried，andshookhandscordially。\"Thisisfine！
IfI\'donlyknownyouwereintown！Whywouldn\'tyouhavetoldmeyouwerecoming？I\'dneverhavekeptyouwaiting。\"
Thorpelaughedwearily。\"IhardlyknewIwasintownmyself。
Ionlyranuplastnight。Ithoughtitwouldamusemetohavealookround——butthingsseemasdullasditchwater。\"
\"Ohno，\"saidSemple，\"theautumnisopeningverrawellindeed。Therearemorenewcompanies，andabetterpublicsubscriptionallround，thanforanyfirstweekofOctoberIremember。Westraliansappearbadonthefaceofthings，it\'strue——butdon\'tbelieveallyouhearofthem。There\'smorethanthesuspicionofa\'rig\'there。Besides，youhaven\'tapennyinthem。\"
\"Iwasn\'tthinkingofthat，\"Thorpetoldhim，withcomprehensivevagueness。\"Well，Isupposeyou\'restillcoiningmoney，\"heobserved，afterapause。
\"Keepingalong——keepingalong，\"thebrokerreplied，cheerfully。\"Icannacomplain。\"Thorpelookedathimwithameditativefrown。\"Well，whatareyougoingtodowithit，afteryou\'vegotit？\"hedemanded，almostwithsharpness。
TheScotchman，afterasurprisedinstant，smiled。\"Oh，I\'lljustkeepmyhandsonit，\"heassuredhim，lightly。
\"Thatisn\'twhatImean，\"Thorpesaid，gropingafterwhathedidmean，withsullentenacity，amonghisthoughts。
Hislarge，heavyfaceexhibitedadepressedgravitywhichattractedtheother\'sattention。
\"What\'sthematter？\"Sempleaskedquickly。\"Hasanythinggonewrongwithyou？\"
Thorpeslowlyshookhishead。\"Whatbetteroffdoyouthinkyou\'llbewithsixfiguresthanyouarewithfive？\"
hepursued，withdogmaticinsistence。
Sempleshruggedhisshoulders。Heseemedtohavegrownmuchbrighterandgayerofmoodinthispasttwelvemonth。
Apparentlyhewassomewhatstouter，andcertainlytherewasamellowedsofteningofhissharpglanceandshrewdsmile。
Itwasevidentthathisfriend\'smoodsomewhatnonplussedhim，buthisgood-humourwasunflagging。