Willyouhaveaglassofsherry？——no。ThenshallwejoinLadyHonoria？”
Thisspeechquitecrushedthevulgarbutnotill-meaningSaint，andGeoffreywassorryforitamomentafterhehadmadeit。Buthewaswearyandoutoftemper。Whydidhiswifebringsuchpeopletothehouse？Veryshortlyafterwardstheirguesttookhisleave，reflectingthatBinghamwasaconceitedass，andaltogethertoomuchforhim。
“AndIdon’tbelievethathehasgotathousandayear。”hereflectedtohimself，“andthetitleishiswife’s。Isupposethatiswhathemarriedherfor。She’samuchbettersortthanheis，anyway，thoughIdon’tquitemakeherouteither——onecan’tgoveryfarwithher。Butsheisthedaughterofapeerandworthcultivating，butnotwhenBinghamisathome——notifIknowit。”
“WhathaveyousaidtoMr。Dunstantomakehimgoawaysosoon，Geoffrey？”askedhiswife。
“Saidtohim？oh，Idon’tknow。Heofferedtogivemeapairofguns，andItoldhimthatIdidnotacceptpresentsfrommyacquaintances。
Really，Honoria，Idon’twanttointerferewithyourwayoflife，butIdonotunderstandhowyoucanassociatewithsuchpeopleasthisMr。
Dunstan。”
“Associatewithhim！“answeredLadyHonoria。“DoyousupposeIwanttoassociatewithhim？DoyousupposethatIdon’tknowwhatthemanis？
Butbeggarscannotbechoosers;hemaybeacad，buthehasthirtythousandayear，andwesimplycannotaffordtothrowawayanacquaintancewiththirtythousandayear。Itistoobadofyou，Geoffrey。”shewentonwithrisingtemper，“whenyouknowallthatI
mustputupwithinourmiserablepoverty-strickenlife，totakeeveryopportunityofmakingyourselfdisagreeabletothepeopleIthinkitwisetoasktocomeandseeus。HereIreturnfromcomforttothiswretchedplace，andthefirstthingthatyoudoismakeafuss。Mr。
Dunstanhasgotboxesatseveralofthebesttheaters，andheofferedtoletmehaveonewheneverIliked——andnowofcoursethereisanendofit。Itistoobad，Isay！“
“Itisreallycurious，Honoria。”saidherhusband，“toseewhatobligationsyouarereadytoputyourselfunderinsearchofpleasure。
Itisnotdignifiedofyoutoacceptboxesattheatresfromthisgentleman。”
“Nonsense。Thereisnoobligationaboutit。Ifhegaveusabox，ofcoursehewouldmakeapointoflookinginduringtheevening，andthentellinghisfriendsthatitwasLadyHonoriaBinghamhewasspeakingto——thatistheexchange。Iwanttogotothetheatre;hewantstogetintogoodsociety——thereyouhavethethinginanutshell。Itisdoneeveryday。Thefactofthematteris，Geoffrey。”
shewenton，lookingverymuchasthoughshewereabouttoburstintoafloodofangrytears，“asIsaidjustnow，beggarscannotbechoosers——Icannotlivelikethewifeofabanker’sclerk。Imusthave/some/amusement，and/some/comfort，beforeIbecomeanoldwoman。Ifyoudon’tlikeit，whydidyouentrapmeintothiswretchedmarriage，beforeIwasoldenoughtoknowbetter，orwhydoyounotmakeenoughmoneytokeepmeinawaysuitabletomyposition？”
“Wehavearguedthatquestionbefore，Honoria。”saidGeoffrey，keepinghistemperwithdifficulty，“andnowthereisanotherthingIwishtosaytoyou。DoyouknowthatdetestablewomanAnnestoppedformorethanhalfanhouratPaddingtonStationthisevening，flirtingwithaticketcollector，insteadofbringingEffiehomeatonce，asItoldhertodo。Iamveryangryaboutit。Sheisnottobereliedon;weshallhavesomeaccidentwiththechildbeforewehavedone。Cannotyoudischargeherandgetanothernurse？”
“No，Icannot。SheistheonecomfortIhave。WhereamIgoingtofindanotherwomanwhocanmakedresseslikeAnne——shesavesmeahundredayear——Idon’tcareifsheflirtedwithfiftyticketcollectors。I
supposeyougotthisstoryfromEffie;thechildoughttobewhippedfortale-bearing，andIdaresaythatitisnottrue。”
“Effiewillcertainlynotbewhipped。”answeredGeoffreysternly。“I
warnyouthatitwillgoverybadlywithanybodywholaysafingeronher。”
“Oh，verywell，ruinthechild。Goyourownway，Geoffrey！AtanyrateIamnotgoingtostopheretolistentoanymoreabuse。Good-night。”
andshewent。
Geoffreysatdown，andlitacigarette。“Apleasanthome-coming。”hethoughttohimself。“Honoriashallhavemoneyasmuchasshecanspend——ifIkillmyselftogetit，sheshallhaveit。Whatalife，whatalife！IwonderifBeatricewouldtreatherhusbandlikethis——ifshehadone。”
Helaughedaloudattheabsurdityoftheidea，andthenwithagestureofimpatiencethrewhiscigaretteintothefireandwenttohisroomtotryandgetsomesleep，forhewasthoroughlywearied。
CHAPTERXVII
GEOFFREYWINSHISCASE
Beforeteno’clockonthefollowingmorning，havingalreadyspenttwohoursoverhisbrief，thathehadnowthoroughlymastered，Geoffreywasathischambers，whichhehadsomedifficultyinreachingowingtothethickfogthatstillhungoverLondon，andindeedallEngland。
TohissurprisenothinghadbeenheardeitheroftheAttorney-GeneralorofMr。Candleton。Thesolicitorswereindespair;butheconsoledthembysayingthatoneortheotherwassuretoturnupintime，andthatafewwordswouldsufficetoexplaintheadditionallightwhichhadbeenthrownonthecase。Heoccupiedhishalfhour，however，inmakingafewroughnotestoguidehiminthealtogetherimprobableeventofhisbeingcalledontoopen，andthenwentintocourt。Thecasewasfirstonthelist，andtherewereagoodmanycounselengagedontheotherside。Justasthejudgetookhisseat，thesolicitor，withanexpressionofdismay，handedGeoffreyatelegramwhichhadthatmomentarrivedfromMr。Candleton。ItwasdatedfromCalaisonthepreviousnight，andran，“Amunabletocrossonaccountofthickfog。YouhadbettergetsomebodyelseinParsonsandDouse。”
“Andwehaven’tgotanotherbriefprepared。”saidtheagonisedsolicitor。““Whatismore，IcanhearnothingoftheAttorney-General，andhisclerkdoesnotseemtoknowwhereheis。Youmustaskforanadjournment，Mr。Bingham;youcan’tmanagethecasealone。”
“Verywell。”saidGeoffrey，andonthecasebeingcalledheroseandstatedthecircumstancestothecourt。ButtheCourtwascrusty。Ithadgotthefogdownitsthroat，andaltogetherItdidn’tseemtoseeit。Moreovertheotherside，markingitsadvantage，objectedstrongly。
Thewitnesses，broughtatgreatexpense，werethere;hisLordshipwasthere，thejurywasthere;ifthiscasewasnottakentherewasnootherwithwhichtheycouldgoon，&c。，&c。
Thecourttookthesameview，andlecturedGeoffreyseverely。Everycounselinacase，theCourtremembered，whenItwasattheBar，usedtobeabletoopenthatcaseatamoment’snotice，andthoughthingshad，Itimplied，nodoubtdeterioratedtoaconsiderableextentsincethosepalmydays，everycounseloughtstilltobepreparedtodosoonemergency。
Ofcourse，however，ifhe，Geoffrey，toldthecourtthathewasabsolutelyunpreparedtogoonwiththecase，Itwouldhavenooptionbuttograntanadjournment。
“Iamperfectlypreparedtogoonwithit，mylord。”Geoffreyinterposedcalmly。
“Verywell。”saidtheCourtinamollifiedtone，“thengoon！IhavenodoubtthatthelearnedAttorney-Generalwillarrivepresently。”
Then，asisnotunusualinaprobatesuit，followedanargumentastowhoshouldopenit，theplaintifforthedefendant。Geoffreyclaimedthatthisrightclearlylaywithhim，andtheopposingcounselraisednogreatobjection，thinkingthattheywoulddowelltoleavetheopeninginthehandsofaratherinexperiencedman，whowouldverylikelyworkhissidemoreharmthangood。So，somewhattothehorrorofthesolicitors，whothoughtwithlongingoftheeloquenceoftheAttorney-General，andtheunrivalledexperienceandfinesseofMr。
Candleton，Geoffreywascalledupontoopenthecaseforthedefendants，propoundingthefirstwill。
Herosewithoutfearorhesitation，andwithbutoneprayerinhisheart，thatnountimelyAttorney-Generalwouldputinanappearance。
Hehadgothischance，thechanceforwhichmanyablemenhavetowaitlongyears，andheknewit，andmeanttomakethemostofit。
Naturallyabrilliantspeaker，Geoffreywasnot，assomanygoodspeakersare，subjecttofitsofnervousness，andhewas，moreover，thoroughlymasterofhiscase。Infiveminutesjudge，juryandcounselwerealllisteningtohimwithattention;intentheywereabsorbedinthelucidandsuccinctstatementofthefactswhichhewasunfoldingtothem。Hisghosttheorywasatfirstreceivedwithasmile，butpresentlycounselontheothersideceasedtosmile，andbegantolookuneasy。Ifhecouldprovewhathesaid，therewasanendoftheircase。Whenhehadbeenspeakingforaboutfortyminutesoneoftheopposingcounselinterruptedhimwithsomeremark，andatthatmomenthenoticedthattheAttorney-General’sclerkwastalkingtothesolicitorbeneathhim。
“Botherit，heiscoming。”thoughtGeoffrey。
Butno，thesolicitorbendingforwardinformedhimthattheAttorney-
GeneralhadbeenunavoidablydetainedbysomeimportantGovernmentmatter，andhadreturnedhisbrief。
“Well，wemustgetonaswecan。”Geoffreysaid。
“Ifyoucontinuelikethatweshallgetonverywell。”whisperedthesolicitors，andthenGeoffreyknewthathewasdoingwell。
“Yes，Mr。Bingham！“saidhisLordship。
ThenGeoffreywentonwithhisstatement。
Atlunchtimeitwasaquestionwhetheranotherleadershouldbebriefed。Geoffreysaidthatsofarashewasconcernedhecouldgetonalone。Hekneweverypointofthecase，andhehadgotafriendto“takeanote“forhimwhilehewasspeaking。
Aftersomehesitationthesolicitorsdecidednottobrieffreshcounselatthisstageofthecase，buttoleaveitentirelyinhishands。
Itwouldbeuselesstofollowthedetailsofthisremarkablewillsuit，whichlastedtwodays，andattractedmuchattention。Geoffreywonitandwonittriumphantly。Hisaddresstothejuryonthewholecasewaslongrememberedinthecourts，risingasitdidtoaveryhighlevelofforensiceloquence。Fewwhosawiteverforgotthesightofhishandsomefaceandcommandingpresenceashecrushedthecaseofhisopponentslikeaneggshell，andthenwithcalmandoverwhelmingforcedenouncedthewomanwhowithherloverhadconcoctedthecruelplotthatrobbedheruncleoflifeandhercousinsoftheirproperty，tillatthelast，pointingtowardsherwithoutstretchedhand，hebrandedhertothejuryasamurderess。
Fewinthatcrowdedcourthaveforgottenthetragicscenethatfollowed，whenthetremblingwoman，wornoutbythelonganxietyofthetrial，andutterlyunnervedbyheraccuser’sbrilliantinvective，rosefromherseatandcried:
“Wedidit——itistruethatwedidittogetthemoney，butwedidnotmeantofrightenhimtodeath。”andthenfellfaintingtotheground——
orGeoffreyBingham’squietwordsashesatdown:
“Mylordandgentlemenofthejury，Idonotthinkitnecessarytocarrymycaseanyfurther。”
Therewasnoapplause，theoccasionwastoodramaticallysolemn，buttheimpressionmadebothuponthecourtandtheoutsidepublic，towhomsuchasceneispeculiarlyfittedtoappeal，wasdeepandlasting。
Geoffreyhimselfwasunderlittledelusionaboutthematter。Hehadnoconceitinhiscomposition，butneitherhadheanyfalsemodesty。Hemerelyacceptedthesituationasreallypowerfulmendoacceptsuchevents——withthankfulness，butwithoutsurprise。Hehadgothischanceatlast，andlikeanyotherableman，whateverhiswalkoflife，hehadrisentoit。Thatwasall。Mostmengetsuchchancesinsomeshapeorform，andareunabletoavailthemselvesofthem。Geoffreywasoneoftheexceptions;asBeatricehadsaid，hewasborntosucceed。Ashesatdown，heknewthathewasamademan。
Andyetwhilehewalkedhomethatnight，hisearsstillfullofthecongratulationswhichhadrainedinonhimfromeveryquarter，hewasconsciousofacertainpride。HewillhavefeltasGeoffreyfeltthatnight，whoselotithasbeentofightlongandstrenuouslyagainstcircumstancessoadverseastobealmostoverwhelming，knowinginhisheartthathewasborntoleadandnottofollow;andwhoatlast，byonementaleffort，withnofriendlyhandtohelp，andnofriendlyvoicetoguide，hassucceededinburstingaroadthroughthedifficultieswhichhemmedhimin，andhassuddenlyfoundhimself，notabovecompetitionindeed，butstillabletomeetit。Hewillnothavebeentooproudofthatendeavour;itwillhaveseemedbutalittlethingtohim——athingfulloffaultsandimperfections，andfallingfarshortofhisideal。Hewillnotevenhaveattachedagreatimportancetohissuccess，because，ifheisapersonofthiscalibre，hemustrememberhowsmallitis，whenallissaidanddone;thateveninhisdaytherearethosewhocanbeathimonhisownground;andalsothatallworldlysuccess，likethemostperfectflower，yetbearsinittheelementsofdecay。Buthewillhavereflectedwithhumblesatisfactiononthoselongyearsofpatientstrivingwhichhaveatlengthliftedhimtoaneminencewhencehecanclimbonandon，scarcelyencumberedbythejostlingcrowd;tillatlength，wornout，thetimecomesforhimtofall。
SoGeoffreythoughtandfelt。Thethingwastobedone，andhehaddoneit。Honoriashouldhavemoneynow;sheshouldnolongerbeabletotwithimwiththeirpoverty。Yes，andabetterthoughtstill，Beatricewouldbegladtohearofhislittletriumph。
Hereachedhomeratherlate。Honoriawasgoingouttodinnerwithadistinguishedcousin，andwasalreadydressing。Geoffreyhaddeclinedtheinvitation，whichwasashortone，becausehehadnotexpectedtobebackfromchambers。Inthisenthusiasm，however，hewenttohiswife’sroomtotellheroftheevent。
“Well。”shesaid，“whathaveyoubeendoing？Ithinkthatyoumighthavearrangedtocomeoutwithme。Mygoingoutsomuchbymyselfdoesnotlookwell。Oh，Iforgot;ofcourseyouareinthatcase。”
“Yes——thatis，Iwas。Ihavewonthecase。Hereisaveryfairreportofitinthe/St。James’sGazette/ifyoucaretoreadit。”
“Goodheavens，Geoffrey！HowcanyouexpectmetoreadallthatstuffwhenIamdressing？”
“Idon’texpectyouto，Honoria;only，asIsay，Ihavewonthecase，andIshallgetplentyofworknow。”
“Willyou？Iamgladtohearit;perhapsweshallbeabletoescapefromthishorridflatifyoudo。There，Anne！Jevousl’aitoujoursdit，cetterobenemevapasbien。”
“Mais，milady，larobevaparfaitement——“
“Thatisyouropinion。”grumbledLadyHonoria。“Well，itisn’tmine。
Butitwillhavetodo。Good-night，Geoffrey;IdaresaythatyouwillhavegonetobedwhenIgetback。”andshewasgone。
Geoffreypickeduphis/St。James’sGazette/withasigh。Hefelthurt，andknewthathewasafoolforhispains。LadyHonoriawasnotasympatheticperson;itwasnotfairtoexpectitfromher。Stillhefelthurt。HewentupstairsandheardEffieherprayers。
“Wherehasyoubeed，daddy？——totheSmokyTown？”TheTemplewaseuphemisticallyknowntoEffieastheSmokyTown。
“Yes，dear。”
“YougototheSmokyTowntomakebreadandbutter，don’tyou，daddy？”
“Yes，dear，tomakebreadandbutter。”
“Anddidyoumakeany，daddy？”
“Yes，Effie，agooddealto-day。”
“Thenwhereisit？Inyourpocket？”
“No，love，notexactly。Iwonabiglawsuitto-day，andIshallgetagreatmanypenniesforit。”
“Oh。”answeredEffiemeditatively，“Iamgladthatyoudidwin。Youdoliketowin，doesn’tyou，daddy，dear。”
“Yes，love。”
“ThenIwillgiveyouakiss，daddy，becauseyoudidwin。”andshesuitedtheactiontotheword。
Geoffreywentfromthelittleroomwithasoftenedheart。Hedressedandatesomedinner。
ThenhesatdownandwrotealonglettertoBeatrice，tellingherallaboutthetrial，andnotsparingherhisreasonsforadoptingeachparticulartacticandlineofargumentwhichconducedtothegreatresult。
Andthoughhisletterwasfoursheetsinlength，heknewthatBeatricewouldnotbeboredathavingtoreadit。
CHAPTERXVIII
THERISINGSTAR
Asmightbeexpected，thememorablecaseofParsonsandDouseprovedtobetheturningpointinGeoffrey’scareer，whichwasthenceforwardoneofbrilliantandstartlingsuccess。Ontheverynextmorningwhenhereachedhischambersitwastofindthreeheavybriefsawaitinghim，andtheyprovedtobebuttheheraldsofanuninterruptedflowoflucrativebusiness。Ofcourse，hewasnotaQueen’sCounsel，butnowthathisgreatnaturalpowersofadvocacyhadbecomegenerallyknown，solicitorsfrequentlyemployedhimalone，orgavehimanotherjunior，sothathemightbringthosepowerstobearuponjuries。Nowitwas，too，thatGeoffreyreapedthefruitsofthearduouslegalstudieswhichhehadfollowedwithoutcessationfromthetimewhenhefoundhimselfthrownuponhisownresources，andwhichhadmadeasoundlawyerofhimaswellasabrilliantandeffectiveadvocate。Soon，evenwithhisgreatcapacityforwork，hehadasmuchbusinessashecouldattendto。Whenfortunegivesgoodgifts，shegenerallydoessowithalavishhand。
Thusitcametopassthat，aboutthreeweeksafterthetrialofParsonsandDouse，Geoffrey’sunclethesolicitordied，andtohissurpriselefthimtwentythousandpounds，“believing。”hesaidinhiswill，whichwasdatedthreedaysbeforethetestator’sdeath，“thatthissumwillassisthimtorisetotheheadofhisprofession。”
Nowthatithaddawneduponherthatherhusbandreallywasasuccess，Honoria’smannertowardshimmodifiedveryconsiderably。Sheevenbecameamiable，andonceortwicealmostaffectionate。WhenGeoffreytoldherofthetwentythousandpoundsshewasradiant。
“Why，weshallbeabletogobacktoBoltonStreetnow。”shesaid，“andasluckwillhaveit，ouroldhouseistolet。Isawabillinthewindowyesterday。”
“Yes。”hesaid，“youcangobackassoonasyoulike。”
“Andcanwekeepacarriage？”
“No，notyet;Iamdoingwell，butnotwellenoughforthat。Nextyear，ifIlive，youwillbeabletohaveacarriage。Don’tbegintogrumble，Honoria。Ihavegot￡150tospare，andifyoucaretocomeroundtoajeweller’syoucanspenditonwhatyoulike。”
“Oh，youdelightfulperson！“saidhiswife。
Sotheywenttothejeweller’s，andLadyHonoriaboughtornamentstothevalueof￡150，andcarriedthemhomeandhungoverthem，asanotherclassofwomanmighthangoverherfirst-bornchild，admiringthemwithatenderecstasy。Wheneverhehadasumofmoneythathecouldaffordtopartwith，Geoffreywouldtakeherthustoajeweller’soradressmaker’s，andstandbycoldlywhilesheboughtthingstoitsvalue。LadyHonoriawasdelighted。Itneverenteredintohermindthatinasensehewastakingarevengeuponher，andthateveryfreshexhibitionofherrejoicingsoverthegoodthingsthusprovidedaddedtohiscontemptforher。
ThosewerehappydaysforLadyHonoria！Sherejoicedinthisreturnofwealthlikeaschool-boyatthecomingoftheholidays，orahalf-
frozenwandererattherisingofthesun。Shehadbeenmiserableduringallthisnightofpoverty，asmiserableashernatureadmittedof，nowshewashappyagain，assheunderstoodhappiness。Forbred，educated，civilized——whatyouwill——outofthemorehumanpassions，LadyHonoriahadreplacedthembythisidol-worshipofwealth，orratherofwhatwealthbrings。Itgaveherapositivephysicalsatisfaction;herbeauty，whichhadbeguntofade，camebacktoher;
shelookedfiveyearsyounger。AndallthewhileGeoffreywatchedherwithanever-growingscorn。
Onceitbrokeout。TheBoltonStreethousehadbeenfurnished;hegaveherfifteenhundredpoundstodoit，andwithwhatthingstheyownedshemanagedverywellonthat。Theymovedintoit，andHonoriahadsetherselfupwithasufficientsupplyofgranddressesandjewellery，suitabletoherrecoveredposition。Onedayhowever，itoccurredtoherthatEffiewasachildofremarkablebeauty，who，ifproperlydressed，wouldlookveryniceinthedrawing-roomattea-time。Sosheorderedalovelycostumeforher——thisdeponentisnotabletodescribeit，butitconsistedlargelyofvelvetandlace。Geoffreyheardnothingofthisdress，butcominghomeratherearlyoneafternoon——itwasonaSaturday，hefoundthechildbeingshownofftoaroomfullofvisitors，anddressedinastrangeandwonderfulattirewithwhich，notunnaturally，shewasvastlypleased。Hesaidnothingatthetime，butwhenatlengththedroppingfireofcallershadceased，heaskedwhoputEffieintothatdress。
“Idid。”saidLadyHonoria，“andaprettypennyithascost，Icantellyou。ButIcan’thavethechildcomedownsopoorlyclothed，itdoesnotlookwell。”
“Thenshecanstayupstairs。”saidGeoffreyfrowning。
“Whatdoyoumean？”askedhiswife。
“ImeanthatIwillnothaveherdeckedoutinthosefineclothes。
Theyarequiteunsuitabletoherage。Thereisplentyoftimeforhertotaketovanity。”
“Ireallydon’tunderstandyou，Geoffrey。Whyshouldnotthechildbehandsomelydressed？”
“Whynot！Greatheaven，Honoria，doyousupposethatIwanttoseeEffiegrowuplikeyou，toleadalifeofemptypleasure-seekingidleness，andmakeagodofluxury。Ihadratherseeher“——hewasgoingtoadd，“deadfirst。”butcheckedhimselfandsaid——“havetoworkforherliving。Dressyourselfupasmuchasyoulike，butleavethechildalone。”
LadyHonoriawasfurious，butshewasalsoalittlefrightened。Shehadneverheardherhusbandspeakquitelikethisbefore，andtherewassomethingunderneathhiswordsthatshedidnotquiteunderstand。
StilllessdidsheunderstandwhenontheMondayGeoffreysuddenlytoldherthathehadfiftypoundsforhertospendassheliked;thenaccompaniedhertoamantleshop，andstoodpatientlyby，smilingcoldlywhilesheinvesteditinlaceandembroideries。Honoriathoughtthathewasmakingreparationforhissharpwords，andsohewas，buttohimself，andinanothersense。Everytimehegavehermoneyinthisfashion，Geoffreyfeltlikeamanwhohaspaidoffadebtofhonour。
Shehadtauntedhimagainandagainwithherpoverty——thepovertyshesaidthathehadbroughther;foreverytaunthewouldheapuponherallthosethingsinwhichhersouldelighted。Hewouldglutherwithwealthas，inherhourofvictory，QueenTomyrisglutteddeadCyruswiththebloodofmen。
Itwasanoddwayoftakingarevenge，andonethatsuitedLadyHonoriaadmirably;butthoughitsvictimfeltnosting，itgaveGeoffreymuchsecretrelief。Alsohewascurious;hewishedtoseeiftherewasanybottomtosuchawoman’sdesireforluxury，ifitwouldnotbringsatietywithit。ButLadyHonoriawasaverybadsubjectforsuchanexperiment。Shenevershowedtheleastsignofbeingsatiated，eitherwithfinethings，withpleasures，orwithsocialdelights。Theywerehernaturalelement，andhemightassoonhaveexpectedafishtowearyofthewater，oraneagleoftherushingair。
Thewinterworeawayandthespringcame。Oneday，itwasinApril，Geoffrey，whowasamoderateLiberalbypersuasion，casuallyannouncedatdinnerthathewasgoingtostandforParliamentintheUnionistinterest。TherepresentationofoneofthefewMetropolitandivisionswhichhadthenreturnedaHomeRulerhadfallenvacant。AsitchancedheknewtheheadUnionistwhipverywell。Theyhadbeenfriendssincetheywereladsatschooltogether，andthisgentleman，havingheardGeoffreymakeabrilliantspeechincourt，wassuddenlystruckwiththeideathathewastheverymantoleadaforlornhope。
TheupshotofitwasthatGeoffreywasaskedifhewouldstand，andrepliedthathemusthavetwodaystothinkitover。WhathereallywantedthetwodaysforwastoenablehimtowritetoBeatriceandreceiveananswerfromher。Hehadanalmostsuperstitiousfaithinherjudgment，anddidnotliketoactwithoutit。Aftercarefullyweighingtheprosandcons，hisownviewwasthatheshoulddowelltostand。Probablyhewouldbedefeated，anditmightcosthimfivehundredpounds。Ontheotherhanditwouldcertainlymakehisnameknownasapolitician，andhewasnowinafairwaytoearnsolargeanincomethathecouldwellaffordtoriskthemoney。Theonlygreatobjectionwhichhesaw，wasthatifhehappenedtogetin，itmustmeanthathewouldhavetoworkalldayandallnighttoo。Well，hewasstrongandthemoreworkhedidthebetter——itkepthimfromthinking。
InduecourseBeatrice’sanswercame。Herviewcoincidedwithhisown;
sherecommendedhimtotaketheopportunity，andpointedoutthatwithhisgrowinglegalreputationtherewasnoofficeintheStatetowhichhemightnotaspire，whenhehadonceprovedhimselfacapablememberofParliament。Geoffreyreadtheletterthrough;thenimmediatelysatdownandwrotetohisfriendthewhip，acceptingthesuggestionoftheGovernment。
Thenextfortnightwasahardoneforhim，butGeoffreywasasgoodamanontheplatformasincourt，andhehad，moreover，theveryvaluableknackofsuitinghimselftohisaudience。Ashiscanvasswentonitwasgenerallyrecognisedthattheseatwhichhadbeenconsideredhopelesswasnowdoubtful。Agreatamountofpublicinterestwasconcentratedontheelection，bothupontheUnionistandtheSeparatistside，eachclaimingthattheresultofthepollwouldshowtotheiradvantage。TheHomeRulepartystrainedeverynerveagainsthim，beingmostanxioustoshowthatthefreeandindependentelectorsofthissingledivision，andthereforeofthecountryatlarge，heldtheGovernmentpolicyinparticularhorror。Letterswereobtainedfromgreatauthoritiesandfreelyprinted。Irishmembers，freshfromgaol，werebroughtdowntodetailtheirgrievances。Itwasevensuggestedthatoneofthemshouldappearontheplatforminprisongarb——inshort，everyelectioneeringengineknowntopoliticalsciencewasbroughttobeartoforwardthefortunesofeitherside。
AstimewentonLadyHonoria，whohadbeensomewhatindifferentatfirst，grewquiteexcitedabouttheresult。Foronethingshefoundthatthecontestattachedanimportancetoherselfintheeyesofthetrulygreat，whichwasnotwithoutitscharm。Onthedayofthepollshedroveaboutalldayinanopencarriageunderabrightblueparasol，havingEffiewhohadbecomeveryboredbyherside，andtwonoblelordsonthefrontseat。Asaconsequencetheresultwasuniversallydeclaredbyacertainsectionofthepresstobeentirelyduetotheeffortsofanunprincipledbuttitledandlovelywoman。Itwasevensaidthat，likeanotherladyofrankinapastgeneration，shekissedabutcherinordertowinhisvote。ButthosewhomadetheremarkdidnotknowLadyHonoria;shewasincapableofkissingabutcher，orindeedanybodyelse。Herinclinationsdidnotlieinthatdirection。
IntheendGeoffreywasreturnedbyamagnificentmajorityoftenvotes，reducedonascrutinytoseven。HetookhisseatintheHouseonthefollowingnightamidstloudUnionistcheering。Inthecourseoftheevening’sdebateaprominentmemberoftheGovernmentmadeallusiontohisreturnasaproofofthetriumphofUnionistprinciples。ThereonaveryleadingmemberoftheSeparatistoppositionretortedthatitwasnothingofthesort，“thatitwasamatterofcommonnotorietythatthehonourablemember’sreturnwasowingtotheunusualandmostuncommonabilitydisplayedbyhiminthecourseofhiscanvass，aidedasitwas，byartfullyappliedandaristocraticfeminineinfluence。”ThiswasadelicateallusiontoHonoriaandherblueparasol。
AsGeoffreyandhiswifeweredrivingbacktoBoltonStreet，afterthedeclarationofthepoll，alittleincidentoccurred。Geoffreytoldthecoachmantostopatthefirsttelegraphofficeand，gettingoutofthecarriage，wiredtoBeatrice，“Inbytenvotes。”
“Whohaveyoubeentelegraphingto，Geoffrey？”askedLadyHonoria。
“ItelegraphedtoMissGranger。”heanswered。
“Ah！Soyoustillkeepupacorrespondencewiththatpupilteachergirl。”
“Yes，Ido。IwishthatIhadafewmoresuchcorrespondents。”
“Indeed。Youareeasytoplease。IthoughtheroneofthemostdisagreeableyoungwomenwhomIevermet。”
“Thenitdoesnotsaymuchforyourtaste，Honoria。”
Hiswifemadenofurtherremark，butshehadherthoughts。Honoriapossessedgoodpoints:amongothersshewasnotajealousperson;shewastoocoldandtooindifferenttobejealous。Butshedidnotliketheideaofanotherwomanobtaininganinfluenceoverherhusband，who，asshenowbegantorecognise，wasoneofthemostbrilliantmenofhisday，andwhomightwellbecomeoneofthemostwealthyandpowerful。Clearlyheexistedfor/her/benefit，notforthatofanyotherwoman。Shewasnofool，andshesawthataconsiderableintimacymustexistbetweenthetwo。OtherwiseGeoffreywouldnothavethoughtoftelegraphingtoBeatriceatsuchamoment。
WithinaweekofhiselectionGeoffreymadeaspeech。Itwasnotalongspeech，norwasituponanyveryimportantissue;butitwasexceedinglygoodofitskind，goodenoughtobereportedverbatimindeed，andthoselisteningtoitrecognisedthattheyhadtodealwithanewmanwhowouldonedaybeaverybigman。ThereisnoplacewhereanablepersonfindshislevelquickerthanintheHouseofCommons，composedasitisforthemostpart，ofmoreorlesswealthyorfranticmediocrities。ButGeoffreywasnotamediocrity，hewasanexceedinglyableandpowerfulman，andthisfacttheHousequicklyrecognised。
ForthenextfewmonthsGeoffreyworkedasmenrarelywork。Alldayhewasathischambersorincourt，andatnighthesatintheHouse，gettinguphisbriefswhenhecould。Buthealwaysdidgetthemup;nosolicitorshadtocomplainthattheinterestsoftheirclientwereneglectedbyhim;alsohestillfoundtimetowritetoBeatrice。Fortheresthewentoutbutlittle，andexceptinthewayofbusinessassociatedwithveryfew。Indeedhegrewmoreandmoresilentandreserved，tillatlasthewonthereputationofbeingcoldandhard。
Notthathewasreallyso。Hethrewhimselfheadandsoulintohisworkwithafixeddeterminationtoreachthetopofthetree。Heknewthatheshouldnotcareverymuchaboutitwhenhegotthere，butheenjoyedthestruggle。
Geoffreywasnotatrulyambitiousman;hewasnomereself-seeker。Heknewthefollyofambitiontoowell，anditsendwasalwaysclearlybeforehiseyes。Heoftenthoughttohimselfthatifhecouldhavechosenhislot，hewouldhaveaskedforacottagewithagoodgarden，fivehundredayear，andsomebodytocarefor。Butperhapshewouldsoonhaveweariedofhiscottage。Heworkedtostiflethought，andtosomeextenthesucceeded。Buthewasatbottomanaffectionate-naturedman，andhecouldnotstiflethelongingforsympathywhichwashissecretweakness，thoughhispridewouldneverallowhimtoshowit。
Whatdidhecareforhistriumphswhenhehadnobodywithwhomtosharethem？Allhecouldshareweretheirfruits，andthesehegaveawayfreelyenough。ItwasbutlittlethatGeoffreyspentuponhisowngratification。Acertainshareofhisgainsheputby，therestwentinexpenses。ThehouseinBoltonStreetwasaverygayplaceinthosedays，butitsmastertookbutlittlepartinitsgaieties。
Andwhatwasthefact？ThelongerheremainedseparatedfromBeatricethemoreintenselydidhelongforhersociety。Itwasofnouse;tryashewould，hecouldnotputthatsweetfacefromhismind;itdrewhimasamagnetdrawsaneedle。Successdidnotbringhimhappiness，exceptinthesensethatitrelievedhimfrommoneycares。
Peopleofcoarsetemperamentonlycanfindrealsatisfactioninworldlytriumphs，andeat，drink，andbemerry，forto-morrowtheydie！MenlikeGeoffreysoonlearnthatthisalsoisvanity。Onthecontrary，ashismindgrewmoreandmoreweariedwiththestrainofwork，melancholytookaneverstrongerholdofit。Hadhegonetoadoctor，hemighthavebeentoldthathisliverwasoutoforder，whichwasverylikelytrue。Butthiswouldnotmendmatters。“Whataworld。”
hemighthavecried，“whataworldtoliveinwhenalltheman’shappinessdependsuponhisliver！“Hecontractedanaccursedhabitoflookingontheblacksideofthings;troublealwayscaughthiseye。
Itwasnowonderfulcase。Menoflargemindareveryrarelyhappymen。
Itisyourlittleanimal-mindedindividualwhocanbehappy。Thuswomen，whoreflectless，areasaclassmuchhappierandmorecontentedthanmen。Butthelarge-mindedmanseestoofar，andguessestoomuchofwhathecannotsee。Helooksforward，andnotesthedustyendofhislaboriousdays;helooksaroundandshuddersattheunceasingmiseryofacoarsestrugglingworld;thesightofthepitifulbeggarbabecravingbreadontotteringfeet，pierceshisheart。Hecannotconsolehimselfwithareflectionthatthechildhadnobusinesstobeborn，orthatifhedenudedhimselfofhislastpoundhewouldnotmateriallyhelptheclasswhichbredit。
Andabovethegarishlightsofearthlyjoysandthedimreekofearthlywretchedness，heseesthesolemnfirmamentthatveilshisrace’sdestiny。Forsuchaman，insuchamood，evenreligionhasterrorsaswellashopes，andwhilethegloomgathersabouthismindthesearewithhimmoreandmore。Whatliesbeyondthatarchingmysterytowhosehorizonhedailydrawsmoreclose——whosedoorsmayevennowbeopeningforhim？Ahundredhandspointoutahundredroadstoknowledge——theyarelosthalfway。Onlythecoldspiritualfirmament，unlitbyanyguidingstars，unbrightenedbythefloodofhumanday，andunshadowedbytheveilsofhumannight，stillbendsabovehisheadinawfulchangelessness，andstillhiswearyfeetdrawclosertotheportalsoftheWest。
Itisverysadandwrong，butitisnotaltogetherhisfault;itisratherafaultoftheage，ofover-education，ofover-strivingtobewise。Cultivatethesearchingspiritanditwillgrowandrendyou。
Thespiritwouldsoar，itwouldsee，butthefleshweighsitdown，andinallfleshthereislittlelight。Yet，attimes，broodingonsomeunnaturalheightofThought，itseyesseemtobeopened，anditcatchesgleamsofterrifyingdaystocome，orperchance，discernsthehopelessgatesofanimmeasurablenight。
Oh，forthatsimplerfaithwhicheverrecedesfartherfromthekenofthecultivated，questioningmind！Therealonecanpeacebefound，andforthefoolishwhodiscardit，settingupman’swisdomatasign，soonthehumanlotwillbeonelongfear。Grownscientificandwearywiththeweightofknowledge，theywillrejecttheirancientGods，andnosmug-facedPositivismwillbringthemconsolation。Science，hereandthereilluminingthegloomofdestinywithitspoorelectriclights，criesoutthattheyareguidingstars。Buttheyarenostars，andtheywillflareaway。Letusprayfordarkness，moredarkness，lest，toourbewilderedsight，theydobutservetoshowthatwhichshallmurderHope。
SothinkGeoffreyandhiskin，andintheirunexpresseddismay，turn，seekingrefugefromtheirphysicalandspiritualloneliness，butforthemostpartfindingnone。Nature，stillstronginthem，pointstothedearfellowshipofwoman，andtheymaketheventuretofindamate，notacompanion。ButasitchancedinGeoffrey’scasehedidfindsuchacompanioninBeatrice，afterhehad，bymarriage，builtupanimpassablewallbetweenthem。
Andyethelongedforhersocietywithanintensitythatalarmedhim。
Hehadherlettersindeed，butwhatareletters！Onetouchofabelovedhandisworthathousandletters。InthemidstofhisgreatsuccessGeoffreywaswretchedatheart，yetitseemedtohimthatifheoncemorecouldhaveBeatriceathisside，thoughonlyasafriend，hewouldfindrestandhappiness。
Whenaman’sheartisthussetuponanobject，hisreasonissoonconvincedofitsinnocence，evenofitsdesirability，andakindlyfatewillgenerallycontrivetogivehimtheopportunityofruinwhichhesoardentlydesires。
CHAPTERXIX
GEOFFREYHASAVISITOR
AndBeatrice——hadshefaredbetterduringtheselongmonths？Alas，notatall。ShehadgoneawayfromtheBryngellyStationonthatautumnmorningoffarewellsickatheart，andsickatheartshehadremained。
Throughallthelongwintermonthssorrowandbitternesshadbeenherportion，andnowinthehappinessofspring，sorrowandbitternesswerewithherstill。Shelovedhim，shelongedforhispresence，anditwasdeniedtoher。Shecouldnotconsoleherselfascansomewomen，nordidherdeeppassionwearaway;onthecontrary，itseemedtogrowandgatherwitheverypassingweek。Neitherdidshewishtoloseit，shelovedtoowellforthat。Itwasbettertobethustormentedbyconscienceandbyhopelessnessthantolosehercauseofpain。
OneconsolationBeatricehadandoneonly:sheknewthatGeoffreydidnotforgether。Hisletterstoldherthis。Theselettersindeedwereeverythingtoher——awomancangetsomuchmorecomfortoutofaletterthanaman。Nexttoreceivingthemshelovedtoanswerthem。
Shewasagoodandevenabrilliantletterwriter，butoftenandoftenshewouldtearupwhatshehadwrittenandbeginagain。TherewasnotmuchnewsinBryngelly;itwasdifficulttomakeherlettersamusing。
Alsothefarcicalnatureofthewholeproceedingseemedtoparalyseher。Itwasridiculous，havingsomuchtosay，tobeabletosaynothing。NotthatBeatricewishedtoinditelove-letters——suchanideahadnevercrossedhermind，butrathertowriteastheyhadtalked。
Yetwhenshetriedtodosotheresultswerenotsatisfactorytoher，thewordslookedstrangeonpaper——shecouldnotsendthem。
InGeoffrey’smeteor-likeadvancetofameandfortuneshetookthekeenestjoyandinterest，farmorethanhedidindeed。Though，likethatofmostotherintelligentcreatures，hersoulturnedwithloathingfromthedrearyfustianofpolitics，shewouldreligiouslysearchtheparliamentarycolumnfrombeginningtoendonthechanceoffindinghisnameorthenoticeofaspeechbyhim。Thelawreportsalsofurnishedherwithahappyhunting-groundinwhichsheoftenfoundhergame。
Buttheyweremiserablemonths。Toriseinthemorning，togothroughtheroundofdailyduty——thinkingofGeoffrey;tocomehomewearied，andfinallytoseekrefugeinsleepanddreamsofhim——thiswasthesumofthem。Thentherewereothertroubles。Tobeginwith，thingshadgonefrombadtoworseattheVicarage。Thetithesscarcelycameinatall，andeverydaytheirpovertypinchedthemcloser。HaditnotbeenforBeatrice’ssalaryitwasdifficulttoseehowthefamilycouldhavecontinuedtoexist。Shegaveitalmostalltoherfathernow，onlykeepingbackaverysmallsumforhernecessaryclothingandsuchsundriesasstampsandwritingpaper。Eventhen，Elizabethgrumbledbitterlyatherextravaganceincontinuingtobuyadailypaper，askingwhatbusinessshehadtospendsixpenceaweekonsuchaneedlessluxury。ButBeatricewouldnotmakeuphermindtodockthepaperwithitsoccasionalmentionofGeoffrey。
Again，OwenDavieswasaperpetualanxietytoher。Hisinfatuationforherselfwasbecomingnotorious;everybodysawitexceptherfather。
Mr。Granger’smindwassooccupiedwithquestionsconnectedwithtithethatfortunatelyforBeatricelittleelsecouldfindanentry。Owendoggedherabout;hewouldwaitwholehoursoutsidetheschoolorbytheVicaragegatemerelytospeakafewwordstoher。Sometimeswhenatlengthsheappearedheseemedtobestruckdumb，hecouldsaynothing，butwouldgazeatherwithhisdulleyesinafashionthatfilledherwithvaguealarm。Heneverventuredtospeaktoherofhisloveindeed，buthelookedit，whichwasalmostasbad。Anotherthingwasthathehadgrownjealous。TheseedwhichElizabethhadplantedinhismindhadbroughtforthabundantly，thoughofcourseBeatricedidnotknowthatthiswashersister’sdoing。
OntheverymorningthatGeoffreywentawayMr。DavieshadmetherasshewaswalkingbackfromthestationandaskedherifMr。Binghamhadgone。Whensherepliedthatthiswasso，shehaddistinctlyheardhimmurmur，“ThankGod！thankGod！“SubsequentlyshediscoveredalsothathebribedtheoldpostmantokeepcountoftheletterswhichshesentandreceivedfromGeoffrey。
ThesethingsfilledBeatricewithalarm，buttherewasworsebehind。
Mr。Daviesbegantosendherpresents，firstsuchthingsasprizepigeonsandfowls，thenjewellery。Thepigeonsandfowlsshecouldnotwellreturnwithoutexcitingremark，butthejewelleryshesentbackbyoneoftheschoolchildren。Firstcameabracelet，thenalocketwithhisphotographinside，andlastly，acasethat，whensheopenedit，whichhercuriosityledhertodo，nearlyblindedherwithlight。
Itwasadiamondnecklace，andshehadneverseensuchdiamondsbefore，butfromtheirsizeandlustresheknewthateachstonemustbeworthhundredsofpounds。Beatriceputitinherpocketandcarriedituntilshemethim，whichshedidinthecourseofthatafternoon。
“Mr。Davies。”shesaidbeforehecouldspeak，andhandinghimthepackage，“thishasbeensenttomebymistake。Willyoukindlytakeitback？”
Hetookit，abashed。
“Mr。Davies。”shewenton，lookinghimfullintheeyes，“Ihopethattherewillbenomoresuchmistakes。PleaseunderstandthatIcannotacceptpresentsfromyou。”
“IfMr。Binghamhadsentit，youwouldhaveacceptedit。”hemutteredsulkily。
Beatriceturnedandflashedsuchalookonhimthathefellbackandlefther。Butitwastrue，andsheknewthatitwastrue。IfGeoffreyhadgivenherasixpencewithaholeinit，shewouldhavevalueditmorethanallthediamondsonearth。Oh！whatapositionwashers。Anditwaswrong，too。Shehadnorighttolovethehusbandofanotherwoman。Butrightorwrongthefactremained:shedidlovehim。
Andtheworstofitwasthat，asshewellknew，soonerorlaterallthisaboutMr。Daviesmustcometotheearsofherfather，andthenwhatwouldhappen？Onethingwascertain。Inhispresentpoverty-
strickenconditionhewouldmoveheavenandearthtobringabouthermarriagetothisrichman。Herfatherneverhadbeenveryscrupulouswheremoneywasconcerned，andthepinchofwantwasnotlikelytomakehimmoreso。
Nor，wemaybesure，didallthisescapethejealouseyeofElizabeth。
Thingslookedblackforher，butshedidnotintendtothrowupthecardsonthataccount。Onlyitwastimetoleadtrumps。Inotherwords，BeatricemustbefatallycompromisedintheeyesofOwenDavies，ifbyanymeansthiscouldbebroughtabout。Sofarthingshadgonewellforherschemes。BeatriceandGeoffreylovedeachother，ofthatElizabethwascertain。Buttheexistenceofthissecret，underhandaffectionwouldavailhernaughtunlessitcouldberipenedintoacts。Everybodyisfreetoindulgeinsecretpredilections，butifoncetheyaregivenwayto，ifonceawoman’scharacteriscompromised，thentheworldavailsitselfofitsopportunitiesanddestroysher。Whatman，thoughtElizabeth，wouldmarryacompromisedwoman？IfBeatricecouldbecompromised，OwenDavieswouldnottakehertowife——thereforethismustbebroughtabout。
Itsoundswickedandunnatural。“Impossiblethatsistershouldsotreatsister。”thereaderofthishistorymaysay，thinkingofherown，andofheraffectionateandrespectablesurroundings。Butitisnotimpossible。Ifyou，whodoubt，willstudythelawreports，andnoworseoccupationcanbewishedtoyou，youwillfindthatsuchthingsarepossible。Humannaturecanrisetostrangeheights，anditcanalsofalltodepthsbeyondyourfathoming。Becauseathingiswithoutparallelinyourownsmallexperienceitinnowayfollowsthatitcannotbe。
Elizabethwasaveryremorselessperson;shewasmore——shewasawomanactuatedbypassionandbygreed:thetwostrongestmotivesknowntothehumanheart。Butwithherrecklessnesssheunitedaconsiderabledegreeofintelligence，orratherofintellect。Hadshebeenasavageshemighthaveremovedhersisterfromherpathbyamoreexpeditiousway;beingwhatshewas，shemerelystrovetoeffectthesameendbyamethodnotpunishablebylaw，inshort，bymurderingherreputation。
Wouldsheberesponsibleifhersisterwentwrong，andwasthusutterlydiscreditedintheeyesofthismanwhowishedtomarryher，andwhomElizabethwishedtomarry？Ofcoursenot;thatwasBeatrice’saffair。Butshecouldgivehereverychanceoffallingintotemptation，andthisitwasherfixeddesigntodo。
Circumstancessoongaveheranopportunity。TheneedofmoneybecameverypressingattheVicarage。Theyhadliterallynolongerthewherewithaltolive。Thetithepayersabsolutelyrefusedtofulfiltheirobligations。Asithappened，Jones，themanwhohadmurderedtheauctioneer，wasneverbroughttotrial。Hediedshortlyafterhisarrestinafitof/deliriumtremens/andnervousprostrationbroughtonbythesuddencessationofasupplyofstimulants，andanexamplewaslost，that，hadhebeendulyhanged，mighthavebeenmadeoftheresultsofdefyingthelaw。Mr。Grangerwasnowtoopoortoinstituteanyfurtherproceedings，which，inthestateofpublicfeelinginWales，mightormightnotsucceed;hecouldonlysubmit，andsubmissionmeantbeggary。Indeedhewasalreadyabeggar。InthisstateofaffairshetookcounselwithElizabeth，pointingoutthattheymusteithergetmoneyorstarve。Nowtheonlypossiblewaytogetmoneywasbyborrowingit，andMr。Granger’ssuggestionwasthatheshouldapplytoOwenDavies，whohadplenty。Indeedhewouldhavedonesolongago，butthatthesquirehadthereputationofbeinganexceedinglyclose-fistedman。
ButthispropositiondidnotatallsuitElizabeth’sbook。HergreatobjecthadbeentoconcealMr。Davies’sdesiresasregardsBeatricefromherfather，andherdailydreadwasthathemightbecomeacquaintedwiththemfromsomeoutsidesource。SheknewverywellthatifherfatherwentuptotheCastletoborrowmoneyitwouldbelent，orrathergiven，freelyenough;butshealsoknewthatthelenderwouldalmostcertainlytaketheopportunity，theveryfavourableopportunity，tounfoldhiswishesasregardstheborrower’sdaughter。
Theonethingwouldnaturallyleadtotheother——thepromiseofherfather’ssupportofOwen’ssuitwouldbetheconsiderationforthemoneyreceived。Howgladlythatsupportwouldbegivenwasalsoobvioustoher，andwithherfatherpushingBeatriceontheonesideandOwenDaviespushingherontheother，howcouldElizabethbesurethatshewouldnotyield？Beatricewouldbetheverypersontobecarriedawaybyanideaofduty。Theirfatherwouldtellherthathehadgotthemoneyonthisundertaking，anditwasquitepossiblethatherpridemightbringhertofulfilabondthusgiven，howeverdistastefulthedeedmightbetoherpersonally。No，herfathermustatallhazardsbepreventedfromseekingassistancefromOwenDavies。
Andyetthemoneymustbehadfromsomewhere，ortheywouldberuined。
Ah，shehadit——GeoffreyBinghamshouldlendthemoney！Hecouldwellafforditnow，andsheshrewdlyguessedthathewouldnotgrudgethecoatoffhisbackifhethoughtthatbygivingithemightdirectlyorindirectlyhelpBeatrice。Herfathermustgouptotowntoseehim，shewouldhavenoletter-writing;oneneverknowshowalettermayberead。HemustseeMr。Bingham，andifpossiblebringhimdowntoBryngelly。InamomenteverydetailoftheplotbecamecleartoElizabeth’smind，andthenshespoke。
“YoumustnotgotoMr。Davies，father。”shesaid;“heisahardman，andwouldonlyrefuseandputyouinafalseposition;youmustgotoMr。Bingham。Listen:heisrichnow，andheisveryfondofyouandofBeatrice。Hewilllendyouahundredpoundsatonce。YoumustgotoLondonbytheearlytrainto-morrow，anddrivestraighttohischambersandseehim。Itwillcosttwopoundstogetthereandback，butthatcannotbehelped;itissaferthanwriting，andIamsurethatyouwillnotgofornothing。Andseehere，father，bringMr。
Binghambackwithyouforafewdaysifyoucan。Itwillbealittlereturnforhiskindness，andIknowthatheisnotwell。Beatricehadaletterfromhiminwhichhesaidthathewassooverworkedthathethoughthemusttakealittlerestsoon。BringhimbackforWhit-
Sunday。”
Mr。Grangerhesitated，demurred，andfinallyyielded。Theweak，querulousoldfarmerclergyman，wornoutwithmanydailycaresandquiteunsupportedbymentalresources，wasbutatoolinElizabeth’sablehands。Hedidnotindeedfeelanyhumiliationattheideaoftryingtoborrowthecash，forhisnaturewasnotfinelystrung，andmoneytroubleshadmadehimcalloustothevergeofunscrupulousness;
buthedidnotliketheideaofajourneytoLondon，wherehehadnotbeenformorethantwentyyears，andtheexpenditurethatitentailed。
StillheactedasElizabethbadehim，eventokeepingtheexpeditionsecretfromBeatrice。Beatrice，ashersisterexplainedtohim，wasproudasLucifer，andmightraiseobjectionsifsheknewthathewasgoingtoLondontoborrowmoneyofMr。Bingham。Thisindeedshewouldcertainlyhavedone。
Onthefollowingafternoon——itwastheFridaybeforeWhit-Sunday，andthelastdayoftheEastersittings——Geoffreysatinhischambers，intheworstpossiblespirits，thoroughlystaleandwornoutwithwork。
Therewasaconsultationgoingon，andhisclient，apig-headedNorfolkfarmer，whowasbentuponproceedingtotrialwithsomeextraordinaryactionfortrespassagainsthisownlandlord，waspresentwithhissolicitor。Geoffreyinafewshort，clearwordshadexplainedtheabsurdityofthewholething，andstronglyadvisedhimtosettle，fortheclienthadinsistedonseeinghim，refusingtobeputoffwithawrittenopinion。Butthefarmerwasnotsatisfied，andthesolicitorwasnowendeavouringtoletthepurelightoflawintothedarknessofhisinjuredsoul。
Geoffreythrewhimselfbackinhischair，pushedthedarkhairfromhisbrow，andpretendedtolisten。Butinaminutehismindwasfaraway。Heavens，howtiredhewas！Well，therewouldberestforafewdays——tillTuesday，whenhehadamatterthatmustbeattendedto——theHousehadrisenandsohadthecourts。Whatshouldhedowithhimself？
Honoriawishedtogoandstaywithherbrother，LordGarsington，and，forawonder，totakeEffiewithher。Hedidnotlikeit，buthesupposedthatheshouldhavetoconsent。Onethingwas，/he/wouldnotgo。HecouldnotendureGarsington，Dunstan，andalltheirset。ShouldherundowntoBryngelly？Thetemptationwasverygreat;thatwouldbehappinessindeed，buthiscommonsenseprevailedagainstit。No，itwasbetterthatheshouldnotgothere。HewouldleaveBryngellyalone。IfBeatricewishedhimtocomeshewouldhavesaidso，andshehadneverevenhintedatsuchathing，andifshehadhedidnotthinkthathewouldhavegone。Buthelackedthehearttogoanywhereelse。
Hewouldstopintown，rest，andreadanovel，forGeoffrey，whenhefoundtime，wasnotabovethisfrivolousoccupation。Possibly，undercertaincircumstances，hemightevenhavebeencapableofwritingone。
Atthatmomenthisclerkentered，andhandedhimaslipofpaperwithsomethingwrittenonit。Heopeneditidlyandread:
“Revd。Mr。Grangertoseeyou。Toldhimyouwereengaged，buthesaidhewouldwait。”
Geoffreystartedviolently，soviolentlythatboththesolicitorandtheobstinatefarmerlookedup。
“TellthegentlemanthatIwillseehiminaminute。”hesaidtotheretreatingclerk，andthen，addressingthefarmer，“Well，sir，IhavesaidallthatIhavetosay。Icannotadviseyoutocontinuethisaction。Indeed，ifyouwishtodoso，youmustreallydirectyoursolicitortoretainsomeothercounsel，asIwillnotbeapartytowhatcanonlymeanawasteofmoney。Goodafternoon。”andherose。
Thefarmerwasconvoyedoutgrumbling。InanothermomentMr。Grangerentered，dressedinasomewhatthreadbaresuitofblack，andhisthinwhitehairhanging，asusual，overhiseyes。Geoffreyglancedathimwithapprehension，andashedidsonoticedthathehadagedgreatlyduringthelastsevenmonths。HadhecometotellhimsomeillnewsofBeatrice——thatshewasill，ordead，orgoingtobemarried？
“Howdoyoudo，Mr。Granger？”hesaid，ashestretchedouthishand，andcontrollinghisvoiceaswellashecould。“Howareyou？Thisisamostunexpectedpleasure。”
“Howdoyoudo，Mr。Bingham？”answeredtheoldman，whileheseatedhimselfnervouslyinachair，placinghishatwithatremblinghanduponthefloorbesidehim。“Yes，thankyou，Iamprettywell，notverygrand——wornoutwithtroubleasthesparksflyupwards。”headded，withavagueautomaticrecollectionofthescripturalquotation。
“IhopethatMissElizabethandBe——thatyourdaughtersarewellalso。”saidGeoffrey，unabletorestrainhisanxiety。
“Yes，yes，thankyou，Mr。Bingham。Elizabethisn’tverygrandeither，complainsofapaininherchest，alittlebiliousperhaps——shealwaysisbiliousinthespring。”
“AndMissBeatrice？”
“Oh，Ithinkshe’swell——veryquiet，youknow，andalittlepale，perhaps;butsheisalwaysquiet——astrangewomanBeatrice，Mr。
Bingham，averystrangewoman，quitebeyondme！Idonotunderstandher，anddon’ttryto。Notlikeotherwomenatall，takesnopleasureinthingsseemingly;curious，withhergoodlooks——verycurious。ButnobodyunderstandsBeatrice。”
Geoffreybreathedasighofrelief。“Andhowaretithesbeingpaid，Mr。Granger？notverygrandly，Ifear。IsawthatscoundrelJonesdiedinprison。”
Mr。Grangerwokeupatonce。Beforehehadbeentalkingalmostatrandom;thesubjectofhisdaughtersdidnotgreatlyinteresthim。
Whatdidinteresthimwasthismoneyquestion。Norwasitverywonderful;thepoornarrow-mindedoldmanhadthoughtaboutmoneytillhecouldscarcelyfindroomforanythingelse，indeednothingelsereallytouchedhimclosely。Hebrokeintoalongstoryofhiswrongs，and，drawingapaperfromhisbreastpocket，withshakingfingerpointedouttoGeoffreyhowthathisclericalincomeforthelastsixmonthshadbeenattherateofonlyfortypoundsayear，uponwhichsumevenaWelshclergymancouldnotconsiderhimselfpassingrich。
Geoffreylistenedandsympathised;thencameapause。
“That’showwe’vebeengettingonatBryngelly，Mr。Bingham。”Mr。
Grangersaidpresently，“starving，prettywellstarving。It’sonlyyouwhohavebeenmakingmoney;we’vebeensittingonthesamedock-leafwhileyouhavebecomeagreatman。IfithadnotbeenforBeatrice’ssalary——she’sbehavedverywellaboutthesalary，hasBeatrice——IamsureIdon’tunderstandhowthepoorgirlclothesherselfonwhatshekeeps;Iknowthatshehadtogowithoutawarmcloakthiswinter，becauseshegotacoughfromit——weshouldhavebeenintheworkhouse，andthat’swhereweshallbeyet。”andherubbedthebackofhiswitheredhandacrosshiseyes。
Geoffreygasped。Beatricewithscarcelyenoughmeanstoclotheherself——Beatriceshiveringandbecomingillfromthewantofacloakwhile/he/livedinluxury！Itmadehimsicktothinkofit。Foramomenthecouldsaynothing。
“Ihavecomehere——I’vecome。”wentontheoldmaninabrokenvoice，brokennotsomuchbyshameathavingtomaketherequestasfromfearlestitshouldberefused，“toaskyouifyoucouldlendmealittlemoney。Idon’tknowwheretoturn，Idon’tindeed，orIwouldnotdoit，Mr。Bingham。Ihavespentmylastpoundtogethere。IfyoucouldlendmeahundredpoundsI’dgiveyounoteofhandforitandtrytopayitbacklittlebylittle;wemighttaketwentypoundsayearfromBeatrice’ssalary——“
“Don’t，please——donottalkofsuchathing！“ejaculatedthehorrifiedGeoffrey。“Wherethedevilismycheque-book？Oh，Iknow，IleftitinBoltonStreet。Here，thiswilldoaswell。”andhetookupadraftnotemadeouttohisorder，and，rapidlysigninghisnameonthebackofit，handedittoMr。Granger。ItwasinpaymentofthefeesinthegreatcaseofParsonsandDouseandsomeothermatters。Mr。Grangertookthedraft，and，holdingitclosetohiseyes，glancedattheamount;itwas￡200。
“ButthisisdoublewhatIaskedfor。”hesaiddoubtfully。“AmItoreturnyou￡100？”
“No，no。”answeredGeoffrey，“Idaresaythatyouhavesomedebtstopay。ThankHeaven，IcangetonverywellandearnmoremoneythanI
want。Notenoughclothing——itisshockingtothinkof！“headded，moretohimselfthantohislistener。
Theoldmanrose，hiseyesfulloftears。“Godblessyou。”hesaid，“Godblessyou。Idonotknowhowtothankyou——Idon’tindeed。”andhecaughtGeoffrey’shandbetweenhistremblingpalmsandpressedit。
“Pleasedonotsayanymore，Mr。Granger;itreallyisonlyamatterofmutualobligation。No，no，Idon’twantanynoteofhand。IfIweretodieitmightbeusedagainstyou。Youcanpaymewheneveritisconvenient。”
“Youaretoogood，Mr。Bingham。”saidtheoldclergyman。“Wherecouldanothermanbefoundwhowouldlendme￡200withoutsecurity？”whereindeed！“Bytheway。”headded，“Iforgot;mymindisinsuchawhirl。WillyoucomebackwithmeforafewdaystoBryngelly？Weshallallbesopleasedifyoucan。Docome，Mr。Bingham;youlookasthoughyouwantachange，youdoindeed。”
Geoffreydroppedhishandheavilyonthedesk。ButhalfanhourbeforehehadmadeuphismindnottogotoBryngelly。Andnow——
ThevisionofBeatricerosebeforehiseyes。Beatricewhohadgonecoldallwinterandnevertoldhimonewordoftheirbitingpoverty——
thelongingforthesightofBeatricecameintohisheart，andlikeahurricanesweptthedefencesofhisreasontothelevelground。
Temptationoverwhelmedhim;henolongerstruggledagainstit。Hemustseeher，ifitwasonlytosaygood-bye。
“Thankyou。”hesaidquietly，liftinghisbowedhead。“Yes，Ihavenothingparticulartodoforthenextdayortwo。IthinkthatIwillcome。Whendoyougoback？”
“Well，Ithoughtoftakingthenightmail，butIfeelsotired。I
reallydon’tknow。IthinkIshallgobythenineo’clocktrainto-morrow。”
“Thatwillsuitmeverywell。”saidGeoffrey;“andnowwhatareyougoingtodoto-night？Youhadbettercomeanddineandsleepatmyhouse。Nodressclothes？Oh，nevermind;therearesomepeoplecomingbuttheywon’tcare;aclergymanisalwaysdressed。ComealongandI
willgetthatdraftcashed。Thebankisshut，butIcanmanageit。”
CHAPTERXX
BACKATBRYNGELLY
GeoffreyandMr。GrangerreachedBoltonStreetaboutsixo’clock。Thedrawing-roomwasstillfullofcallers。LadyHonoria’syoungmenmusteredingreatforceinthosedays。TheywereveryinoffensiveyoungmenandGeoffreyhadnoparticularobjectiontothem。Onlyhefounditdifficulttorememberalltheirnames。WhenGeoffreyenteredthedrawing-roomtherewerenofewerthanfiveofthem，tosaynothingoftwostrayladies，allsuperblydressedandsittingmetaphoricallyatHonoria’sveryprettyfeet。Otherwisetheircontributionstothegeneralstoreofamusementdidnotamounttomuch，forherladyshipdidmostofthetalking。
GeoffreyintroducedMr。Granger，whomHonoriacouldnotatfirstremember。Nordidshereceivetheannouncementthathewasgoingtodineandstaythenightwithanyparticularenthusiasm。TheyoungmenmeltedawayatGeoffrey’sadventlikemistsbeforearisingsun。Hegreetedthemcivillyenough，butwithhimtheyhadnothingincommon。
Totellthetruththeywerealittleafraidofhim。Thismanwithhisdarkhandsomefacesealedwiththestampofintellect，hispowerful-
lookingformilldressed，accordingtotheirstandardandhisgreatandgrowingreputation，wasapersonwithwhomtheyhadnosympathy，andwho，theyfelt，hadnosympathywiththem。Wetalkasthoughthereisoneheavenandonehellforallofus，butheremustbesomemistake。Animpassablegulfyawnsbetweenthedifferentclassesofmankind。WhathassuchamanasGeoffreytodowiththefeeblemaleandfemalebutterfliesofaLondondrawing-room？Thereisonlyonelinkbetweenthem:theyliveonthesameplanet。
Whenthefineyoungmenandthetwostrayladieshadmeltedaway，GeoffreytookMr。Grangeruptohisroom。ComingdownstairsagainhefoundLadyHonoriawaitingforhiminthestudy。
“Isthatindividualreallygoingtodineandsleephere？”sheasked。
“Certainly，Honoria，andhehasbroughtnodressclothes。”heanswered。
“Really，Geoffrey，itistoobadofyou。”saidtheladywithsomepardonableirritation。“Whydoyoubringpeopletodinnerinthispromiscuousway？Itwillquiteupsetthetable。JustfancyaskinganoldWelshclergymantodine，whohasnottheslightestpretensionstobeingagentleman，whenonehasthePrimeMinisterandaBishopcoming——andaclergymanwithoutdressclothestoo。Whathashecomefor？”
“Hecametoseemeonbusiness，andastothepeoplecomingtodinner，iftheydon’tlikeittheycangrumblewhentheygohome。Bytheway，Honoria，IamgoingdowntoWalesforadayortwoto-morrow。Iwantachange。”
“Indeed！GoingtoseethelovelyBeatrice，Isuppose。Youhadbetterbecareful，Geoffrey。Thatgirlwillgetyouintoamess，andifshedoesthereareplentyofpeoplewhoarereadytomakeanexampleofyou。Youhaveenemiesenough，Icantellyou。Iamnotjealous，itisnotinmyline，butyouaretoointimatewiththatgirl，andyouwillbesorryforitoneday。”