\"Thewhole。\"
\"Andastothoseinstructions，youhaveabsolutelymadeupyourmind，Mr。Wilding？\"
\"Absolutely，decidedly，finally。\"
\"Itonlyremains，\"saidthelawyer，withoneshrugofhisshoulders，\"togetthemintotechnicalandbindingform，andtoexecuteandattest。Now，doesthatpress？Isthereanyhurryaboutit？Youarenotgoingtodieyet，sir。\"
\"Mr。Bintrey，\"answeredWilding，gravely，\"whenIamgoingtodieiswithinotherknowledgethanyoursormine。Ishallbegladtohavethismatteroffmymind，ifyouplease。\"
\"Wearelawyerandclientagain，\"rejoinedBintrey，who，forthenonce，hadbecomealmostsympathetic。\"Ifthisdayweek——here，atthesamehour——willsuitMr。Vendaleandyourself，IwillenterinmyDiarythatIattendyouaccordingly。\"
Theappointmentwasmade，andinduesequence，kept。Thewillwasformallysigned，sealed，delivered，andwitnessed，andwascarriedoffbyMr。Bintreyforsafestorageamongthepapersofhisclients，rangedintheirrespectiveironboxes，withtheirrespectiveowners’
namesoutside，onirontiersinhisconsulting—room，asifthatlegalsanctuarywereacondensedFamilyVaultofClients。
Withmoreheartthanhehadlatelyhadforformersubjectsofinterest，Wildingthensetaboutcompletinghispatriarchalestablishment，beingmuchassistednotonlybyMrs。GoldstrawbutbyVendaletoo：who，perhaps，hadinhismindthegivingofanObenreizerdinnerassoonaspossible。Anyhow，theestablishmentbeingreportedinsoundworkingorder，theObenreizers，GuardianandWard，wereaskedtodinner，andMadameDorwasincludedintheinvitation。IfVendalehadbeenoverheadandearsinlovebefore——
aphrasenottobetakenasimplyingthefaintestdoubtaboutit——
thisdinnerplungedhimdowninlovetenthousandfathomsdeep。
Yet，forthelifeofhim，hecouldnotgetonewordalonewithcharmingMarguerite。Sosurelyasablessedmomentseemedtocome，Obenreizer，inhisfilmystate，wouldstandatVendale’selbow，orthebroadbackofMadameDorwouldappearbeforehiseyes。Thatspeechlessmatronwasneverseeninafrontview，fromthemomentofherarrivaltothatofherdeparture——exceptatdinner。Andfromtheinstantofherretirementtothedrawing—room，afteraheartyparticipationinthatmeal，sheturnedherfacetothewallagain。
Yet，throughfourorfivedelightfulthoughdistractinghours，Margueritewastobeseen，Margueritewastobeheard，Margueritewastobeoccasionallytouched。Whentheymadetheroundoftheolddarkcellars，Vendaleledherbythehand;whenshesangtohiminthelightedroomatnight，Vendale，standingbyher，heldherrelinquishedgloves，andwouldhavebarteredagainstthemeverydropoftheforty—fiveyearold，thoughithadbeenforty—fivetimesforty—fiveyearsold，anditsnettpriceforty—fivetimesforty—fivepoundsperdozen。Andstill，whenshewasgone，andagreatgapofanextinguisherwasclappedonCrippleCorner，hetormentedhimselfbywondering，Didshethinkthatheadmiredher！Didshethinkthatheadoredher！Didshesuspectthatshehadwonhim，heartandsoul！Didshecaretothinkatallaboutit！Andso，DidsheandDidn’tshe，upanddownthegamut，andabovethelineandbelowtheline，dear，dear！Poorrestlessheartofhumanity！Tothinkthatthemenwhoweremummiesthousandsofyearsago，didthesame，andeverfoundthesecrethowtobequietafterit！
\"Whatdoyouthink，George，\"Wildingaskedhimnextday，\"ofMr。
Obenreizer？（Iwon’taskyouwhatyouthinkofMissObenreizer。）\"
\"Idon’tknow，\"saidVendale，\"andIneverdidknow，whattothinkofhim。\"
\"Heiswellinformedandclever，\"saidWilding。
\"Certainlyclever。\"
\"Agoodmusician。\"（Hehadplayedverywell，andsungverywell，overnight。）
\"Unquestionablyagoodmusician。\"
\"Andtalkswell。\"
\"Yes，\"saidGeorgeVendale，ruminating，\"andtalkswell。Doyouknow，Wilding，itoddlyoccurstome，asIthinkabouthim，thathedoesn’tkeepsilencewell！\"
\"Howdoyoumean？Heisnotobtrusivelytalkative。\"
\"No，andIdon’tmeanthat。Butwhenheissilent，youcanhardlyhelpvaguely，thoughperhapsmostunjustly，mistrustinghim。Takepeoplewhomyouknowandlike。Takeanyoneyouknowandlike。\"
\"Soondone，mygoodfellow，\"saidWilding。\"Itakeyou。\"
\"Ididn’tbargainforthat，orforeseeit，\"returnedVendale，laughing。\"However，takeme。Reflectforamoment。Isyourapprovingknowledgeofmyinterestingfacemainlyfounded（howevervariousthemomentaryexpressionsitmayinclude）onmyfacewhenI
amsilent？\"
\"Ithinkitis，\"saidWilding。
\"Ithinksotoo。Now，yousee，whenObenreizerspeaks——inotherwords，whenheisallowedtoexplainhimselfaway——hecomesoutrightenough;butwhenhehasnottheopportunityofexplaininghimselfaway，hecomesoutratherwrong。Thereforeitis，thatI
sayhedoesnotkeepsilencewell。AndpassinghastilyinreviewsuchfacesasIknow，anddon’ttrust，Iaminclinedtothink，nowI
givemymindtoit，thatnoneofthemkeepsilencewell。\"
ThispropositioninPhysiognomybeingnewtoWilding，hewasatfirstslowtoadmitit，untilaskinghimselfthequestionwhetherMrs。Goldstrawkeptsilencewell，andrememberingthatherfaceinreposedecidedlyinvitedtrustfulness，hewasasgladasmenusuallyaretobelievewhattheydesiretobelieve。
But，ashewasveryslowtoregainhisspiritsorhishealth，hispartner，asanothermeansofsettinghimup——andperhapsalsowithcontingentObenreizerviews——remindedhimofthosemusicalschemesofhisinconnectionwithhisfamily，andhowasinging—classwastobeformedinthehouse，andaChoirinaneighbouringchurch。Theclasswasestablishedspeedily，and，twoorthreeofthepeoplehavingalreadysomemusicalknowledge，andsingingtolerably，theChoirsoonfollowed。Thelatterwasled，andchieflytaught，byWildinghimself：whohadhopesofconvertinghisdependentsintosomanyFoundlings，inrespectoftheircapacitytosingsacredchoruses。
Now，theObenreizersbeingskilledmusicians，itwaseasilybroughttopassthattheyshouldbeaskedtojointhesemusicalunions。
GuardianandWardconsenting，orGuardianconsentingforboth，itwasnecessarilybroughttopassthatVendale’slifebecamealifeofabsolutethraldomandenchantment。For，inthemouldyChristopher—
WrenchurchonSundays，withitsdearlybelovedbrethrenassembledandmettogether，five—and—twentystrong，wasnotthatHervoicethatshotlikelightintothedarkestplaces，thrillingthewallsandpillarsasthoughtheywerepiecesofhisheart！Whattime，too，MadameDorinacornerofthehighpew，turningherbackuponeverybodyandeverything，couldnotfailtobeRitualisticallyrightatsomemomentoftheservice;likethemanwhomthedoctorsrecommendedtogetdrunkonceamonth，andwho，thathemightnotoverlookit，gotdrunkeveryday。
But，eventhoseseraphicSundaysweresurpassedbytheWednesdayconcertsestablishedforthepatriarchalfamily。Atthoseconcertsshewouldsitdowntothepianoandsingthem，inherowntongue，songsofherownland，songscallingfromthemountain—topstoVendale，\"Riseabovethegrovellinglevelcountry;comefarawayfromthecrowd;pursuemeasImounthigher;higher，higher，meltingintotheazuredistance;risetomysupremestheightofall，andlovemehere！\"Thenwouldtheprettybodice，theclockedstocking，andthesilver—buckledshoebe，likethebroadforeheadandthebrighteyes，fraughtwiththespringofaverychamois，untilthestrainwasover。
NotevenoverVendalehimselfdidthesesongsofherscastamorepotentspellthanoverJoeyLadleinhisdifferentway。Steadilyrefusingtomuddletheharmonybytakinganyshareinit，andevincingthesupremestcontemptforscalesandsuch—likerudimentsofmusic——which，indeed，seldomcaptivatemerelisteners——Joeydidatfirstgiveupthewholebusinessforabadjob，andthewholeoftheperformersforasetofhowlingDervishes。But，descryingtracesofunmuddledharmonyinapart—songoneday，hegavehistwoundercellarmenfainthopesofgettingontowardssomethingincourseoftime。AnanthemofHandel’sledtofurtherencouragementfromhim：thoughheobjectedthatthatgreatmusicianmusthavebeendowninsomeofthemforeigncellarsprettymuch，fortogoandsaythesamethingsomanytimesover;which，tookitinhowyoumight，heconsideredacertainsignofyourhavingtookitinsomehow。Onathirdoccasion，thepublicappearanceofMr。Jarviswithaflute，andofanoddmanwithaviolin，andtheperformanceofaduetbythetwo，didsoastonishhimthat，solelyofhisownimpulseandmotion，hebecameinspiredwiththewords，\"AnnKoar！\"
repeatedlypronouncingthemasifcallinginafamiliarmannerforsomeladywhohaddistinguishedherselfintheorchestra。Butthiswashisfinaltestimonytothemeritsofhismates，for，theinstrumentalduetbeingperformedatthefirstWednesdayconcert，andbeingpresentlyfollowedbythevoiceofMargueriteObenreizer，hesatwithhismouthwideopen，entranced，untilshehadfinished;
when，risinginhisplacewithmuchsolemnity，andprefacingwhathewasabouttosaywithabowthatspeciallyincludedMr。Wildinginit，hedeliveredhimselfofthegratifyingsentiment：\"Arterthat，yemayallonyegettobed！\"Andeverafterwardsdeclinedtorenderhomageinanyotherwordstothemusicalpowersofthefamily。
ThusbeganaseparatepersonalacquaintancebetweenMargueriteObenreizerandJoeyLadle。Shelaughedsoheartilyathiscompliment，andyetwassoabashedbyit，thatJoeymadeboldtosaytoher，aftertheconcertwasover，hehopedhewasn’tsomuddledinhisheadastohavetookaliberty？Shemadehimagraciousreply，andJoeyduckedinreturn。
\"You’llchangethelucktimeabout，Miss，\"saidJoey，duckingagain。
\"It’ssuchasyouintheplacethatcanbringroundtheluckoftheplace。\"
\"CanI？Roundtheluck？\"sheanswered，inherprettyEnglish，andwithaprettywonder。\"IfearIdonotunderstand。Iamsostupid。\"
\"YoungMasterWilding，Miss，\"Joeyexplainedconfidentially，thoughnotmuchtoherenlightenment，\"changedtheluck，aforehetookinyoungMasterGeorge。SoIsay，andsothey’llfind。Lord！Onlycomeintotheplaceandsingovertheluckafewtimes，Miss，anditwon’tbeabletohelpitself！\"
Withthis，andwithawholebroodofducks，Joeybackedoutofthepresence。ButJoeybeingaprivilegedperson，andevenaninvoluntaryconquestbeingpleasanttoyouthandbeauty，Margueritemerrilylookedoutforhimnexttime。
\"WhereismyMr。Joey，please？\"sheaskedVendale。
SoJoeywasproduced，andshakenhandswith，andthatbecameanInstitution。
AnotherInstitutionaroseinthiswise。Joeywasalittlehardofhearing。Hehimselfsaiditwas\"Wapours，\"andperhapsitmighthavebeen;butwhateverthecauseoftheeffect，theretheeffectwas，uponhim。Onthisfirstoccasionhehadbeenseentosidlealongthewall，withhislefthandtohisleftear，untilhehadsidledhimselfintoaseatprettynearthesinger，inwhichplaceandpositionhehadremained，untiladdressingtohisfriendstheamateursthecomplimentbeforementioned。ItwasobservedonthefollowingWednesdaythatJoey’sactionasaPeckingMachinewasimpairedatdinner，anditwasrumouredaboutthetablethatthiswasexplainablebyhishigh—strungexpectationsofMissObenreizer’ssinging，andhisfearsofnotgettingaplacewherehecouldheareverynoteandsyllable。TherumourreachingWilding’sears，heinhisgoodnaturecalledJoeytothefrontatnightbeforeMargueritebegan。ThustheInstitutioncameintobeingthatonsucceedingnights，Marguerite，runningherhandsoverthekeysbeforesinging，alwayssaidtoVendale，\"WhereismyMr。Joey，please？\"andthatVendalealwaysbroughthimforth，andstationedhimnearby。Thatheshouldthen，whenalleyeswereuponhim，expressinhisfacetheutmostcontemptfortheexertionsofhisfriendsandconfidenceinMargueritealone，whomhewouldstandcontemplating，notunliketherhinocerousoutofthespelling—book，tamedandonhishindlegs，wasapartoftheInstitution。Alsothatwhenheremainedafterthesinginginhismostecstaticstate，someboldspiritfromthebackshouldsay，\"Whatdoyouthinkofit，Joey？\"andheshouldbegoadedtoreply，ashavingthatinstantconceivedtheretort，\"Arterthatyemayallonyegettobed！\"ThesewereotherpartsoftheInstitution。
But，thesimplepleasuresandsmalljestsofCrippleCornerwerenotdestinedtohavealonglife。Underlyingthemfromthefirstwasaseriousmatter，whicheverymemberofthepatriarchalfamilyknewof，butwhich，bytacitagreement，allforboretospeakof。Mr。
Wilding’shealthwasinabadway。
Hemighthaveovercometheshockhehadsustainedintheonegreataffectionofhislife，orhemighthaveovercomehisconsciousnessofbeingintheenjoymentofanotherman’sproperty;butthetwotogetherweretoomuchforhim。Amanhauntedbytwinghosts，hebecamedeeplydepressed。Theinseparablespectressatattheboardwithhim，atefromhisplatter，drankfromhiscup，andstoodbyhisbedsideatnight。Whenherecalledhissupposedmother’slove，hefeltasthoughhehadstolenit。Whenheralliedalittleundertherespectandattachmentofhisdependants，hefeltasthoughhewereevenfraudulentinmakingthemhappy，forthatshouldhavebeentheunknownman’sdutyandgratification。
Gradually，underthepressureofhisbroodingmind，hisbodystooped，hissteplostitselasticity，hiseyeswereseldomliftedfromtheground。Heknewhecouldnothelpthedeplorablemistakethathadbeenmade，butheknewhecouldnotmendit;forthedaysandweekswentby，andnooneclaimedhisnameorhispossessions。
Andnowtherebegantocreepoverhimacloudyconsciousnessofoften—recurringconfusioninhishead。Hewouldunaccountablylose，sometimeswholehours，sometimesawholedayandnight。Once，hisremembrancestoppedashesatattheheadofthedinner—table，andwasblankuntildaybreak。Anothertime，itstoppedashewasbeatingtimetotheirsinging，andwentonagainwhenheandhispartnerwerewalkinginthecourtyardbythelightofthemoon，halfthenightlater。HeaskedVendale（alwaysfullofconsideration，work，andhelp）howthiswas？Vendaleonlyreplied，\"Youhavenotbeenquitewell;that’sall。\"Helookedforexplanationintothefacesofhispeople。Buttheywouldputitoffwith\"Gladtoseeyoulookingsomuchbetter，sir;\"or\"Hopeyou’redoingnicelynow，sir;\"inwhichwasnoinformationatall。
Atlength，whenthepartnershipwasbutfivemonthsold，WalterWildingtooktohisbed，andhishousekeeperbecamehisnurse。
\"Lyinghere，perhapsyouwillnotmindmycallingyouSally，Mrs。
Goldstraw？\"saidthepoorwine—merchant。
\"Itsoundsmorenaturaltome，sir，thananyothername，andIlikeitbetter。\"
\"Thankyou，Sally。Ithink，Sally，Imustoflatehavebeensubjecttofits。Isthatso，Sally？Don’tmindtellingmenow。\"
\"Ithashappened，sir。\"
\"Ah！Thatistheexplanation！\"hequietlyremarked。\"Mr。
Obenreizer，Sally，talksoftheworldbeingsosmallthatitisnotstrangehowoftenthesamepeoplecometogether，andcometogetheratvariousplaces，andinvariousstagesoflife。Butitdoesseemstrange，Sally，thatIshould，asImaysay，comeroundtotheFoundlingtodie。\"
Heextendedhishandtoher，andshegentlytookit。
\"Youarenotgoingtodie，dearMr。Wilding。\"
\"SoMr。Bintreysaid，butIthinkhewaswrong。Theoldchild—
feelingiscomingbackuponme，Sally。Theoldhushandrest，asI
usedtofallasleep。\"
Afteranintervalhesaid，inaplacidvoice，\"Pleasekissme，Nurse，\"and，itwasevident，believedhimselftobelyingintheoldDormitory。
Asshehadbeenusedtobendoverthefatherlessandmotherlesschildren，Sallybentoverthefatherlessandmotherlessman，andputherlipstohisforehead，murmuring：
\"Godblessyou！\"
\"Godblessyou！\"hereplied，inthesametone。
Afteranotherinterval，heopenedhiseyesinhisowncharacter，andsaid：\"Don’tmoveme，Sally，becauseofwhatIamgoingtosay;I
liequiteeasily。Ithinkmytimeiscome，Idon’tknowhowitmayappeartoyou，Sally，but——\"
Insensibilityfelluponhimforafewminutes;heemergedfromitoncemore。
\"——Idon’tknowhowitmayappeartoyou，Sally，butsoitappearstome。\"
Whenhehadthusconscientiouslyfinishedhisfavouritesentence，histimecame，andhedied。
ACTII——VENDALEMAKESLOVE
Thesummerandtheautumnpassed。ChristmasandtheNewYearwereathand。
Asexecutorshonestlybentonperformingtheirdutytowardsthedead，VendaleandBintreyhadheldmorethanoneanxiousconsultationonthesubjectofWilding’swill。Thelawyerhaddeclared，fromthefirst，thatitwassimplyimpossibletotakeanyusefulactioninthematteratall。Theonlyobviousinquiriestomake，inrelationtothelostman，hadbeenmadealreadybyWildinghimself;withthisresult，thattimeanddeathtogetherhadnotleftatraceofhimdiscoverable。Toadvertisefortheclaimanttotheproperty，itwouldbenecessarytomentionparticulars——acourseofproceedingwhichwouldinvitehalftheimpostorsinEnglandtopresentthemselvesinthecharacterofthetrueWalterWilding。\"Ifwefindachanceoftracingthelostman，wewilltakeit。Ifwedon’t，letusmeetforanotherconsultationonthefirstanniversaryofWilding’sdeath。\"SoBintreyadvised。Andso，withthemostearnestdesiretofulfilhisdeadfriend’swishes，Vendalewasfaintoletthematterrestforthepresent。
Turningfromhisinterestinthepasttohisinterestinthefuture，Vendalestillfoundhimselfconfrontingadoubtfulprospect。MonthsonmonthshadpassedsincehisfirstvisittoSohoSquare——andthroughallthattime，theonelanguageinwhichhehadtoldMargueritethathelovedherwasthelanguageoftheeyes，assisted，atconvenientopportunities，bythelanguageofthehand。
Whatwastheobstacleinhisway？Theoneimmovableobstaclewhichhadbeeninhiswayfromthefirst。Nomatterhowfairlytheopportunitieslooked，Vendale’seffortstospeakwithMargueritealoneendedinvariablyinoneandthesameresult。Underthemostaccidentalcircumstances，inthemostinnocentmannerpossible，Obenreizerwasalwaysintheway。
WiththelastdaysoftheoldyearcameanunexpectedchanceofspendinganeveningwithMarguerite，whichVendaleresolvedshouldbeachanceofspeakingprivatelytoheraswell。AcordialnotefromObenreizerinvitedhim，onNewYear’sDay，toalittlefamilydinnerinSohoSquare。\"Weshallbeonlyfour，\"thenotesaid。\"Weshallbeonlytwo，\"Vendaledetermined，\"beforetheeveningisout！\"
NewYear’sDay，amongtheEnglish，isassociatedwiththegivingandreceivingofdinners，andwithnothingmore。NewYear’sDay，amongtheforeigners，isthegrandopportunityoftheyearforthegivingandreceivingofpresents。Itisoccasionallypossibletoacclimatiseaforeigncustom。InthisinstanceVendalefeltnohesitationaboutmakingtheattempt。HisonedifficultywastodecidewhathisNewYear’sgifttoMargueriteshouldbe。Thedefensiveprideofthepeasant’sdaughter——morbidlysensitivetotheinequalitybetweenhersocialpositionandhis——wouldbesecretlyrousedagainsthimifheventuredonarichoffering。Agift，whichapoorman’spursemightpurchase，wastheonegiftthatcouldbetrustedtofinditswaytoherheart，forthegiver’ssake。Stoutlyresistingtemptation，intheformofdiamondsandrubies，Vendaleboughtabroochofthefilagree—workofGenoa——thesimplestandmostunpretendingornamentthathecouldfindinthejeweller’sshop。
HeslippedhisgiftintoMarguerite’shandasshehelditouttowelcomehimonthedayofthedinner。
\"ThisisyourfirstNewYear’sDayinEngland，\"hesaid。\"WillyouletmehelptomakeitlikeaNewYear’sDayathome？\"
Shethankedhim，alittleconstrainedly，asshelookedatthejeweller’sbox，uncertainwhatitmightcontain。Openingthebox，anddiscoveringthestudiouslysimpleformunderwhichVendale’slittlekeepsakeoffereditselftoher，shepenetratedhismotiveonthespot。Herfaceturnedonhimbrightly，withalookwhichsaid，\"Iownyouhavepleasedandflatteredme。\"Neverhadshebeensocharming，inVendale’seyes，asshewasatthatmoment。Herwinterdress——apetticoatofdarksilk，withabodiceofblackvelvetrisingtoherneck，andenclosingitsoftlyinalittlecircleofswansdown——heightened，byalltheforceofcontrast，thedazzlingfairnessofherhairandhercomplexion。Itwasonlywhensheturnedasidefromhimtotheglass，and，takingoutthebroochthatshewore，puthisNewYear’sgiftinitsplace，thatVendale’sattentionwanderedfarenoughawayfromhertodiscoverthepresenceofotherpersonsintheroom。HenowbecameconsciousthatthehandsofObenreizerwereaffectionatelyinpossessionofhiselbows。
HenowheardthevoiceofObenreizerthankinghimforhisattentiontoMarguerite，withthefaintestpossibleringofmockeryinitstone。（\"Suchasimplepresent，dearsir！andshowingsuchnicetact！\"）Henowdiscovered，forthefirsttime，thattherewasoneotherguest，andbutone，besideshimself，whomObenreizerpresentedasacompatriotandfriend。Thefriend’sfacewasmouldy，andthefriend’sfigurewasfat。Hisagewassuggestiveoftheautumnalperiodofhumanlife。Inthecourseoftheeveninghedevelopedtwoextraordinarycapacities。Onewasacapacityforsilence;theotherwasacapacityforemptyingbottles。
MadameDorwasnotintheroom。Neitherwasthereanyvisibleplacereservedforherwhentheysatdowntotable。Obenreizerexplainedthatitwas\"thegoodDor’ssimplehabittodinealwaysinthemiddleoftheday。Shewouldmakeherexcuseslaterintheevening。\"VendalewonderedwhetherthegoodDorhad，onthisoccasion，variedherdomesticemploymentfromcleaningObenreizer’sglovestocookingObenreizer’sdinner。Thisatleastwascertain——
thedishesservedwere，oneandall，asachievementsincookery，highabovethereachoftherudeelementaryartofEngland。Thedinnerwasunobtrusivelyperfect。Asforthewine，theeyesofthespeechlessfriendrolledoverit，asinsolemnecstasy。Sometimeshesaid\"Good！\"whenabottlecameinfull;andsometimeshesaid\"Ah！\"whenabottlewentoutempty——andtherehiscontributionstothegaietyoftheeveningended。
Silenceisoccasionallyinfectious。Oppressedbyprivateanxietiesoftheirown，MargueriteandVendaleappearedtofeeltheinfluenceofthespeechlessfriend。ThewholeresponsibilityofkeepingthetalkgoingrestedonObenreizer’sshoulders，andmanfullydidObenreizersustainit。Heopenedhisheartinthecharacterofanenlightenedforeigner，andsangthepraisesofEngland。Whenothertopicsrandry，hereturnedtothisinexhaustiblesource，andalwayssetthestreamrunningagainascopiouslyasever。Obenreizerwouldhavegivenanarm，aneye，oralegtohavebeenbornanEnglishman。
OutofEnglandtherewasnosuchinstitutionasahome，nosuchthingasafireside，nosuchobjectasabeautifulwoman。HisdearMissMargueritewouldexcusehim，ifheaccountedforHER
attractionsonthetheorythatEnglishbloodmusthavemixedatsomeformertimewiththeirobscureandunknownancestry。SurveythisEnglishnation，andbeholdatall，clean，plump，andsolidpeople！
Lookattheircities！Whatmagnificenceintheirpublicbuildings！
Whatadmirableorderandproprietyintheirstreets！Admiretheirlaws，combiningtheeternalprincipleofjusticewiththeothereternalprincipleofpounds，shillings，andpence;andapplyingtheproducttoallcivilinjuries，fromaninjurytoaman’shonour，toaninjurytoaman’snose！Youhaveruinedmydaughter——pounds，shillings，andpence！Youhaveknockedmedownwithablowinmyface——pounds，shillings，andpence！WherewasthematerialprosperityofsuchacountryasTHATtostop？Obenreizer，projectinghimselfintothefuture，failedtoseetheendofit。
Obenreizer’senthusiasmentreatedpermissiontoexhaleitself，Englishfashion，inatoast。Hereisourmodestlittledinnerover，hereisourfrugaldessertonthetable，andhereistheadmirerofEnglandconformingtonationalcustoms，andmakingaspeech！A
toasttoyourwhitecliffsofAlbion，Mr。Vendale！toyournationalvirtues，yourcharmingclimate，andyourfascinatingwomen！toyourHearths，toyourHomes，toyourHabeasCorpus，andtoallyourotherinstitutions！Inoneword——toEngland！Heep—heep—heep！hooray！
Obenreizer’svoicehadbarelychantedthelastnoteoftheEnglishcheer，thespeechlessfriendhadbarelydrainedthelastdropoutofhisglass，whenthefestiveproceedingswereinterruptedbyamodesttapatthedoor。Awoman—servantcamein，andapproachedhermasterwithalittlenoteinherhand。Obenreizeropenedthenotewithafrown;and，afterreadingitwithanexpressionofgenuineannoyance，passeditontohiscompatriotandfriend。Vendale’sspiritsroseashewatchedtheseproceedings。Hadhefoundanallyintheannoyinglittlenote？Wasthelong—looked—forchanceactuallycomingatlast？
\"Iamafraidthereisnohelpforit？\"saidObenreizer，addressinghisfellow—countryman。\"Iamafraidwemustgo。\"
Thespeechlessfriendhandedbacktheletter，shruggedhisheavyshoulders，andpouredhimselfoutalastglassofwine。Hisfatfingerslingeredfondlyroundtheneckofthebottle。Theypresseditwithalittleamatorysqueezeatparting。Hisglobulareyeslookeddimly，asthroughaninterveninghaze，atVendaleandMarguerite。Hisheavyarticulationlaboured，andbroughtforthawholesentenceatabirth。\"Ithink，\"hesaid，\"Ishouldhavelikedalittlemorewine。\"Hisbreathfailedhimafterthateffort;hegasped，andwalkedtothedoor。
ObenreizeraddressedhimselftoVendalewithanappearanceofthedeepestdistress。
\"Iamsoshocked，soconfused，sodistressed，\"hebegan。\"A
misfortunehashappenedtooneofmycompatriots。Heisalone，heisignorantofyourlanguage——Iandmygoodfriend，here，havenochoicebuttogoandhelphim。WhatcanIsayinmyexcuse？HowcanIdescribemyafflictionatdeprivingmyselfinthiswayofthehonourofyourcompany？\"
Hepaused，evidentlyexpectingtoseeVendaletakeuphishatandretire。Discerninghisopportunityatlast，Vendaledeterminedtodonothingofthekind。HemetObenreizerdexterously，withObenreizer’sownweapons。
\"Praydon’tdistressyourself，\"hesaid。\"I’llwaitherewiththegreatestpleasuretillyoucomeback。\"
Margueriteblusheddeeply，andturnedawaytoherembroidery—frameinacornerbythewindow。ThefilmshoweditselfinObenreizer’seyes，andthesmilecamesomethingsourlytoObenreizer’slips。TohavetoldVendalethattherewasnoreasonableprospectofhiscomingbackingoodtime，wouldhavebeentoriskoffendingamanwhosefavourableopinionwasofsolidcommercialimportancetohim。
Acceptinghisdefeatwiththebestpossiblegrace，hedeclaredhimselftobeequallyhonouredanddelightedbyVendale’sproposal。
\"Sofrank，sofriendly，soEnglish！\"Hebustledabout，apparentlylookingforsomethinghewanted，disappearedforamomentthroughthefolding—doorscommunicatingwiththenextroom，camebackwithhishatandcoat，andprotestingthathewouldreturnattheearliestpossiblemoment，embracedVendale’selbows，andvanishedfromthesceneincompanywiththespeechlessfriend。
Vendaleturnedtothecornerbythewindow，inwhichMargueritehadplacedherselfwithherwork。There，asifshehaddroppedfromtheceiling，orcomeupthroughthefloor——there，intheoldattitude，withherfacetothestove——satanObstaclethathadnotbeenforeseen，inthepersonofMadameDor！Shehalfgotup，halflookedoverherbroadshoulderatVendale，andplumpeddownagain。Wassheatwork？Yes。CleaningObenreizer’sgloves，asbefore？No;
darningObenreizer’sstockings。
Thecasewasnowdesperate。TwoseriousconsiderationspresentedthemselvestoVendale。WasitpossibletoputMadameDorintothestove？Thestovewouldn’tholdher。WasitpossibletotreatMadameDor，notasalivingwoman，butasanarticleoffurniture？
Couldthemindbebroughttocontemplatethisrespectablematronpurelyinthelightofachestofdrawers，withablackgauzeheld—
dressaccidentallyleftonthetopofit？Yes，themindcouldbebroughttodothat。Withacomparativelytriflingeffort，Vendale’sminddidit。Ashetookhisplaceontheold—fashionedwindow—seat，closebyMargueriteandherembroidery，aslightmovementappearedinthechestofdrawers，butnoremarkissuedfromit。Letitberememberedthatsolidfurnitureisnoteasytomove，andthatithasthisadvantageinconsequence——thereisnofearofupsettingit。
Unusuallysilentandunusuallyconstrained——withthebrightcolourfastfadingfromherface，withafeverishenergypossessingherfingers——theprettyMargueritebentoverherembroidery，andworkedasifherlifedependedonit。Hardlylessagitatedhimself，Vendalefelttheimportanceofleadingherverygentlytotheavowalwhichhewaseagertomake——totheothersweeteravowalstill，whichhewaslongingtohear。Awoman’sloveisnevertobetakenbystorm;ityieldsinsensiblytoasystemofgradualapproach。Itventuresbytheroundaboutway，andlistenstothelowvoice。
VendaleledhermemorybacktotheirpastmeetingswhentheyweretravellingtogetherinSwitzerland。Theyrevivedtheimpressions，theyrecalledtheevents，ofthehappybygonetime。Littlebylittle，Marguerite’sconstraintvanished。Shesmiled，shewasinterested，shelookedatVendale，shegrewidlewithherneedle，shemadefalsestitchesinherwork。Theirvoicessanklowerandlower;theirfacesbentnearerandnearertoeachotherastheyspoke。AndMadameDor？MadameDorbehavedlikeanangel。Sheneverlookedround;sheneversaidaword;shewentonwithObenreizer’sstockings。Pullingeachstockinguptightoverherleftarm，andholdingthatarmaloftfromtimetotime，tocatchthelightonherwork，thereweremoments——delicateandindescribablemoments——whenMadameDorappearedtobesittingupsidedown，andcontemplatingoneofherownrespectablelegs，elevatedintheair。
Astheminutesworeon，theseelevationsfollowedeachotheratlongerandlongerintervals。Nowandagain，theblackgauzehead—
dressnodded，droppedforward，recovereditself。AlittleheapofstockingsslidsoftlyfromMadameDor’slap，andremainedunnoticedonthefloor。Aprodigiousballofworstedfollowedthestockings，androlledlazilyunderthetable。Theblackgauzehead—dressnodded，droppedforward，recovereditself，noddedagain，droppedforwardagain，andrecovereditselfnomore。Acompositesound，partlyasofthepurringofanimmensecat，partlyasoftheplaningofasoftboard，roseoverthehushedvoicesofthelovers，andhummedatregularintervalsthroughtheroom。NatureandMadameDorhadcombinedtogetherinVendale’sinterests。Thebestofwomenwasasleep。
Margueriterosetostop——notthesnoring——letussay，theaudiblereposeofMadameDor。Vendalelaidhishandonherarm，andpressedherbackgentlyintoherchair。
\"Don’tdisturbher，\"hewhispered。\"Ihavebeenwaitingtotellyouasecret。Letmetellitnow。\"
Margueriteresumedherseat。Shetriedtoresumeherneedle。Itwasuseless;hereyesfailedher;herhandfailedher;shecouldfindnothing。
\"Wehavebeentalking，\"saidVendale，\"ofthehappytimewhenwefirstmet，andfirsttravelledtogether。Ihaveaconfessiontomake。Ihavebeenconcealingsomething。WhenwespokeofmyfirstvisittoSwitzerland，ItoldyouofalltheimpressionsIhadbroughtbackwithmetoEngland——exceptone。Canyouguesswhatthatoneis？\"
Hereyeslookedstedfastlyattheembroidery，andherfaceturnedalittleawayfromhim。Signsofdisturbancebegantoappearinherneatvelvetbodice，roundtheregionofthebrooch。Shemadenoreply。Vendalepressedthequestionwithoutmercy。
\"CanyouguesswhattheoneSwissimpressioniswhichIhavenottoldyouyet？\"
Herfaceturnedbacktowardshim，andafaintsmiletrembledonherlips。
\"Animpressionofthemountains，perhaps？\"shesaidslyly。
\"No;amuchmorepreciousimpressionthanthat。\"
\"Ofthelakes？\"
\"No。Thelakeshavenotgrowndeareranddearerinremembrancetomeeveryday。Thelakesarenotassociatedwithmyhappinessinthepresent，andmyhopesinthefuture。Marguerite！allthatmakeslifeworthhavinghangs，forme，onawordfromyourlips。
Marguerite！Iloveyou！\"
Herheaddroopedashetookherhand。Hedrewhertohim，andlookedather。Thetearsescapedfromherdowncasteyes，andfellslowlyoverhercheeks。
\"O，Mr。Vendale，\"shesaidsadly，\"itwouldhavebeenkindertohavekeptyoursecret。Haveyouforgottenthedistancebetweenus？Itcannever，neverbe！\"
\"Therecanbebutonedistancebetweenus，Marguerite——adistanceofyourmaking。Mylove，mydarling，thereisnohigherrankingoodness，thereisnohigherrankinbeauty，thanyours！Come！
whispertheonelittlewordwhichtellsmeyouwillbemywife！\"
Shesighedbitterly。\"Thinkofyourfamily，\"shemurmured;\"andthinkofmine！\"
Vendaledrewheralittlenearertohim。
\"Ifyoudwellonsuchanobstacleasthat，\"hesaid，\"Ishallthinkbutonethought——IshallthinkIhaveoffendedyou。\"
Shestarted，andlookedup。\"O，no！\"sheexclaimedinnocently。Theinstantthewordspassedherlips，shesawtheconstructionthatmightbeplacedonthem。Herconfessionhadescapedherinspiteofherself。Alovelyflushofcolouroverspreadherface。Shemadeamomentaryefforttodisengageherselffromherlover’sembrace。Shelookedupathimentreatingly。Shetriedtospeak。ThewordsdiedonherlipsinthekissthatVendalepressedonthem。\"Letmego，Mr。Vendale！\"shesaidfaintly。
\"CallmeGeorge。\"
Shelaidherheadonhisbosom。Allherheartwentouttohimatlast。\"George！\"shewhispered。
\"Sayyouloveme！\"
Herarmstwinedthemselvesgentlyroundhisneck。Herlips，timidlytouchinghischeek，murmuredthedeliciouswords——\"Iloveyou！\"
Inthemomentofsilencethatfollowed，thesoundoftheopeningandclosingofthehouse—doorcamecleartothemthroughthewintrystillnessofthestreet。
Margueritestartedtoherfeet。
\"Letmego！\"shesaid。\"Hehascomeback！\"
Shehurriedfromtheroom，andtouchedMadameDor’sshoulderinpassing。MadameDorwokeupwithaloudsnort，lookedfirstoveroneshoulderandthenovertheother，peereddownintoherlap，anddiscoveredneitherstockings，worsted，nordarning—needleinit。Atthesamemoment，footstepsbecameaudibleascendingthestairs。
\"MonDieu！\"saidMadameDor，addressingherselftothestove，andtremblingviolently。Vendalepickedupthestockingsandtheball，andhuddledthemallbackinaheapoverhershoulder。\"MonDieu！\"
saidMadameDor，forthesecondtime，astheavalancheofworstedpouredintohercapaciouslap。
Thedooropened，andObenreizercamein。HisfirstglanceroundtheroomshowedhimthatMargueritewasabsent。
\"What！\"heexclaimed，\"mynieceisaway？Mynieceisnotheretoentertainyouinmyabsence？Thisisunpardonable。Ishallbringherbackinstantly。\"
Vendalestoppedhim。
\"IbegyouwillnotdisturbMissObenreizer，\"hesaid。\"Youhavereturned，Isee，withoutyourfriend？\"
\"Myfriendremains，andconsolesourafflictedcompatriot。Aheart—
rendingscene，Mr。Vendale！Thehouseholdgodsatthepawnbroker’s—
—thefamilyimmersedintears。Weallembracedinsilence。Myadmirablefriendalonepossessedhiscomposure。Hesentout，onthespot，forabottleofwine。\"
\"CanIsayawordtoyouinprivate，Mr。Obenreizer？\"
\"Assuredly。\"HeturnedtoMadameDor。\"Mygoodcreature，youaresinkingforwantofrepose。Mr。Vendalewillexcuseyou。\"
MadameDorrose，andsetforthsidewaysonherjourneyfromthestovetobed。Shedroppedastocking。Vendalepickeditupforher，andopenedoneofthefolding—doors。Sheadvancedastep，anddroppedthreemorestockings。Vendalestoopingtorecoverthemasbefore，Obenreizerinterferedwithprofuseapologies，andwithawarninglookatMadameDor。MadameDoracknowledgedthelookbydroppingthewholeofthestockingsinaheap，andthenshufflingawaypanic—strickenfromthesceneofdisaster。Obenreizersweptupthecompletecollectionfiercelyinbothhands。\"Go！\"hecried，givinghisprodigioushandfulapreparatoryswingintheair。
MadameDorsaid，\"MonDieu，\"andvanishedintothenextroom，pursuedbyashowerofstockings。
\"Whatmustyouthink，Mr。Vendale，\"saidObenreizer，closingthedoor，\"ofthisdeplorableintrusionofdomesticdetails？Formyself，Iblushatit。WearebeginningtheNewYearasbadlyaspossible;everythinghasgonewrongto—night。Beseated，pray——andsay，whatmayIofferyou？ShallwepayourbestrespectstoanotherofyournobleEnglishinstitutions？Itismystudytobe，whatyoucall，jolly。Iproposeagrog。\"
Vendaledeclinedthegrogwithallneedfulrespectforthatnobleinstitution。
\"IwishtospeaktoyouonasubjectinwhichIamdeeplyinterested，\"hesaid。\"Youmusthaveobserved，Mr。Obenreizer，thatIhave，fromthefirst，feltnoordinaryadmirationforyourcharmingniece？\"
\"Youareverygood。Inmyniece’sname，Ithankyou。\"
\"Perhapsyoumayhavenoticed，latterly，thatmyadmirationforMissObenreizerhasgrownintoatendereranddeeperfeeling——？\"
\"Shallwesayfriendship，Mr。Vendale？\"
\"Saylove——andweshallbenearertothetruth。\"
Obenreizerstartedoutofhischair。Thefaintlydiscerniblebeat，whichwashisnearestapproachtoachangeofcolour，showeditselfsuddenlyinhischeeks。
\"YouareMissObenreizer’sguardian，\"pursuedVendale。\"Iaskyoutoconferuponmethegreatestofallfavours——Iaskyoutogivemeherhandinmarriage。\"
Obenreizerdroppedbackintohischair。\"Mr。Vendale，\"hesaid，\"youpetrifyme。\"
\"Iwillwait，\"rejoinedVendale，\"untilyouhaverecoveredyourself。\"
\"OnewordbeforeIrecovermyself。Youhavesaidnothingaboutthistomyniece？\"
\"Ihaveopenedmywholehearttoyourniece。AndIhavereasontohope——\"
\"What！\"interposedObenreizer。\"Youhavemadeaproposaltomyniece，withoutfirstaskingformyauthoritytopayyouraddressestoher？\"Hestruckhishandonthetable，andlosthisholdoverhimselfforthefirsttimeinVendale’sexperienceofhim。\"Sir！\"
heexclaimed，indignantly，\"whatsortofconductisthis？Asamanofhonour，speakingtoamanofhonour，howcanyoujustifyit？\"
\"IcanonlyjustifyitasoneofourEnglishinstitutions，\"saidVendalequietly。\"YouadmireourEnglishinstitutions。Ican’thonestlytellyou，Mr。Obenreizer，thatIregretwhatIhavedone。
IcanonlyassureyouthatIhavenotactedinthematterwithanyintentionaldisrespecttowardsyourself。Thissaid，mayIaskyoutotellmeplainlywhatobjectionyouseetofavouringmysuit？\"
\"Iseethisimmenseobjection，\"answeredObenreizer，\"thatmynieceandyouarenotonasocialequalitytogether。Mynieceisthedaughterofapoorpeasant;andyouarethesonofagentleman。Youdousanhonour，\"headded，loweringhimselfagaingraduallytohiscustomarypolitelevel，\"whichdeserves，andhas，ourmostgratefulacknowledgments。Buttheinequalityistooglaring;thesacrificeistoogreat。YouEnglishareaproudpeople，Mr。Vendale。Ihaveobservedenoughofthiscountrytoseethatsuchamarriageasyouproposewouldbeascandalhere。Notahandwouldbeheldouttoyourpeasant—wife;andallyourbestfriendswoulddesertyou。\"
\"Onemoment，\"saidVendale，interposingonhisside。\"Imayclaim，withoutanygreatarrogance，toknowmoreofmycountrypeopleingeneral，andofmyownfriendsinparticular，thanyoudo。Intheestimationofeverybodywhoseopinionisworthhaving，mywifeherselfwouldbetheonesufficientjustificationofmymarriage。
IfIdidnotfeelcertain——observe，Isaycertain——thatIamofferingherapositionwhichshecanacceptwithoutsomuchastheshadowofahumiliation——Iwouldnever（costmewhatitmight）haveaskedhertobemywife。Isthereanyotherobstaclethatyousee？
Haveyouanypersonalobjectiontome？\"
Obenreizerspreadoutbothhishandsincourteousprotest。
\"Personalobjection！\"heexclaimed。\"Dearsir，thebarequestionispainfultome。\"
\"Wearebothmenofbusiness，\"pursuedVendale，\"andyounaturallyexpectmetosatisfyyouthatIhavethemeansofsupportingawife。
Icanexplainmypecuniarypositionintwowords。Iinheritfrommyparentsafortuneoftwentythousandpounds。InhalfofthatsumI
haveonlyalife—interest，towhich，ifIdie，leavingawidow，mywidowsucceeds。IfIdie，leavingchildren，themoneyitselfisdividedamongthem，astheycomeofage。Theotherhalfofmyfortuneisatmyowndisposal，andisinvestedinthewine—business。
Iseemywaytogreatlyimprovingthatbusiness。Asitstandsatpresent，Icannotstatemyreturnfrommycapitalembarkedatmorethantwelvehundredayear。Addtheyearlyvalueofmylife—
interest——andthetotalreachesapresentannualincomeoffifteenhundredpounds。Ihavethefairestprospectofsoonmakingitmore。
Inthemeantime，doyouobjecttomeonpecuniarygrounds？\"
Drivenbacktohislastentrenchment，Obenreizerrose，andtookaturnbackwardsandforwardsintheroom。Forthemoment，hewasplainlyatalosswhattosayordonext。
\"BeforeIanswerthatlastquestion，\"hesaid，afteralittlecloseconsiderationwithhimself，\"IbegleavetorevertforamomenttoMissMarguerite。Yousaidsomethingjustnowwhichseemedtoimplythatshereturnsthesentimentwithwhichyouarepleasedtoregardher？\"
\"Ihavetheinestimablehappiness，\"saidVendale，\"ofknowingthatshelovesme。\"
Obenreizerstoodsilentforamoment，withthefilmoverhiseyes，andthefaintlyperceptiblebeatbecomingvisibleagaininhischeeks。
\"Ifyouwillexcusemeforafewminutes，\"hesaid，withceremoniouspoliteness，\"Ishouldliketohavetheopportunityofspeakingtomyniece。\"Withthosewords，hebowed，andquittedtheroom。
Leftbyhimself，Vendale’sthoughts（asanecessaryresultoftheinterview，thusfar）turnedinstinctivelytotheconsiderationofObenreizer’smotives。Hehadputobstaclesinthewayofthecourtship;hewasnowputtingobstaclesinthewayofthemarriage——
amarriageofferingadvantageswhichevenhisingenuitycouldnotdispute。Onthefaceofit，hisconductwasincomprehensible。Whatdiditmean？
Seeking，underthesurface，fortheanswertothatquestion——andrememberingthatObenreizerwasamanofabouthisownage;also，thatMargueritewas，strictlyspeaking，hishalf—nieceonly——Vendaleaskedhimself，withalover’sreadyjealousy，whetherhehadarivaltofear，aswellasaguardiantoconciliate。Thethoughtjustcrossedhismind，andnomore。ThesenseofMarguerite’skissstilllingeringonhischeekremindedhimgentlythateventhejealousyofamomentwasnowatreasontoHER。
Onreflection，itseemedmostlikelythatapersonalmotiveofanotherkindmightsuggestthetrueexplanationofObenreizer’sconduct。Marguerite’sgraceandbeautywerepreciousornamentsinthatlittlehousehold。Theygaveitaspecialsocialattractionandaspecialsocialimportance。TheyarmedObenreizerwithacertaininfluenceinreserve，whichhecouldalwaysdependupontomakehishouseattractive，andwhichhemightalwaysbringmoreorlesstobearontheforwardingofhisownprivateends。Washethesortofmantoresignsuchadvantagesaswerehereimplied，withoutobtainingthefullestpossiblecompensationfortheloss？A
connectionbymarriagewithVendaleofferedhimsolidadvantages，beyondalldoubt。ButtherewerehundredsofmeninLondonwithfargreaterpowerandfarwiderinfluencethanVendalepossessed。Wasitpossiblethatthisman’sambitionsecretlylookedhigherthanthehighestprospectsthatcouldbeofferedtohimbythealliancenowproposedforhisniece？AsthequestionpassedthroughVendale’smind，themanhimselfreappeared——toanswerit，ornottoanswerit，astheeventmightprove。
AmarkedchangewasvisibleinObenreizerwhenheresumedhisplace。
Hismannerwaslessassured，andtherewereplaintracesabouthismouthofrecentagitationwhichhadnotbeensuccessfullycomposed。
Hadhesaidsomething，referringeithertoVendaleortohimself，whichhadraisedMarguerite’sspirit，andwhichhadplacedhim，forthefirsttime，facetofacewitharesoluteassertionofhisniece’swill？Itmightormightnotbe。Thisonlywascertain——helookedlikeamanwhohadmetwitharepulse。
\"Ihavespokentomyniece，\"hebegan。\"Ifind，Mr。Vendale，thatevenyourinfluencehasnotentirelyblindedhertothesocialobjectionstoyourproposal。\"
\"MayIask，\"returnedVendale，\"ifthatistheonlyresultofyourinterviewwithMissObenreizer？\"
AmomentaryflashleaptoutthroughtheObenreizerfilm。
\"Youaremasterofthesituation，\"heanswered，inatoneofsardonicsubmission。\"Ifyouinsistonmyadmittingit，Idoadmititinthosewords。Myniece’swillandmineusedtobeone，Mr。
Vendale。Youhavecomebetweenus，andherwillisnowyours。Inmycountry，weknowwhenwearebeaten，andwesubmitwithourbestgrace。Isubmit，withmybestgrace，oncertainconditions。Letusreverttothestatementofyourpecuniaryposition。Ihaveanobjectiontoyou，mydearsir——amostamazing，amostaudaciousobjection，fromamaninmypositiontoamaninyours。\"
\"Whatisit？\"
\"Youhavehonouredmebymakingaproposalformyniece’shand。Forthepresent（withbestthanksandrespects），Ibegtodeclineit。\"
\"Why？\"
\"Becauseyouarenotrichenough。\"
Theobjection，asthespeakerhadforeseen，tookVendalecompletelybysurprise。Forthemomenthewasspeechless。
\"Yourincomeisfifteenhundredayear，\"pursuedObenreizer。\"InmymiserablecountryIshouldfallonmykneesbeforeyourincome，andsay，’Whataprincelyfortune！’InwealthyEngland，IsitasIam，andsay，’Amodestindependence，dearsir;nothingmore。Enough，perhaps，forawifeinyourownrankoflifewhohasnosocialprejudicestoconquer。Notmorethanhalfenoughforawifewhoisameanlybornforeigner，andwhohasallyoursocialprejudicesagainsther。’Sir！ifmynieceisevertomarryyou，shewillhavewhatyoucalluphillworkofitintakingherplaceatstarting。
Yes，yes;thisisnotyourview，butitremains，immovablyremains，myviewforallthat。Formyniece’ssake，Iclaimthatthisuphillworkshallbemadeassmoothaspossible。Whatevermaterialadvantagesshecanhavetohelpher，ought，incommonjustice，tobehers。Now，tellme，Mr。Vendale，onyourfifteenhundredayearcanyourwifehaveahouseinafashionablequarter，afootmantoopenherdoor，abutlertowaitathertable，andacarriageandhorsestodriveaboutin？Iseetheanswerinyourface——yourfacesays，No。Verygood。Tellmeonemorething，andIhavedone。Takethemassofyoureducated，accomplished，andlovelycountry—women，isit，orisitnot，thefactthataladywhohasahouseinafashionablequarter，afootmantoopenherdoor，abutlertowaitathertable，andacarriageandhorsestodriveaboutin，isaladywhohasgainedfoursteps，infemaleestimation，atstarting？Yes？
orNo？\"
\"Cometothepoint，\"saidVendale。\"Youviewthisquestionasaquestionofterms。Whatareyourterms？\"
\"Thelowestterms，dearsir，onwhichyoucanprovideyourwifewiththosefourstepsatstarting。Doubleyourpresentincome——themostrigideconomycannotdoitinEnglandonless。Yousaidjustnowthatyouexpectedgreatlytoincreasethevalueofyourbusiness。
Towork——andincreaseit！Iamagooddevilafterall！Onthedaywhenyousatisfyme，byplainproofs，thatyourincomehasrisentothreethousandayear，askmeformyniece’shand，anditisyours。\"
\"MayIinquireifyouhavementionedthisarrangementtoMissObenreizer？\"
\"Certainly。Shehasalastlittlemorselofregardstillleftforme，Mr。Vendale，whichisnotyoursyet;andsheacceptsmyterms。
Inotherwords，shesubmitstobeguidedbyherguardian’sregardforherwelfare，andbyherguardian’ssuperiorknowledgeoftheworld。\"Hethrewhimselfbackinhischair，infirmrelianceonhisposition，andinfullpossessionofhisexcellenttemper。
Anyopenassertionofhisowninterests，inthesituationinwhichVendalewasnowplaced，seemedtobe（forthepresentatleast）
hopeless。Hefoundhimselfliterallyleftwithnogroundtostandon。WhetherObenreizer’sobjectionswerethegenuineproductofObenreizer’sownviewofthecase，orwhetherhewassimplydelayingthemarriageinthehopeofultimatelybreakingitoffaltogether——
ineitheroftheseevents，anypresentresistanceonVendale’spartwouldbeequallyuseless。Therewasnohelpforitbuttoyield，makingthebesttermsthathecouldonhisownside。
\"Iprotestagainsttheconditionsyouimposeonme，\"hebegan。
\"Naturally，\"saidObenreizer;\"IdaresayIshouldprotest，myself，inyourplace。\"
\"Say，however，\"pursuedVendale，\"thatIacceptyourterms。Inthatcase，Imustbepermittedtomaketwostipulationsonmypart。Inthefirstplace，Ishallexpecttobeallowedtoseeyourniece。\"
\"Aha！toseemyniece？andtomakeherinasgreatahurrytobemarriedasyouareyourself？SupposeIsay，No？youwouldseeherperhapswithoutmypermission？\"
\"Decidedly！\"
\"Howdelightfullyfrank！HowexquisitelyEnglish！Youshallseeher，Mr。Vendale，oncertaindays，whichwewillappointtogether。
Whatnext？\"
\"Yourobjectiontomyincome，\"proceededVendale，\"hastakenmecompletelybysurprise。Iwishtobeassuredagainstanyrepetitionofthatsurprise。Yourpresentviewsofmyqualificationformarriagerequiremetohaveanincomeofthreethousandayear。CanIbecertain，inthefuture，asyourexperienceofEnglandenlarges，thatyourestimatewillrisenohigher？\"
\"InplainEnglish，\"saidObenreizer，\"youdoubtmyword？\"
\"DoyoupurposetotakeMYwordforitwhenIinformyouthatIhavedoubledmyincome？\"askedVendale。\"Ifmymemorydoesnotdeceiveme，youstipulated，aminutesince，forplainproofs？\"
\"Wellplayed，Mr。Vendale！YoucombinetheforeignquicknesswiththeEnglishsolidity。Acceptmybestcongratulations。Accept，also，mywrittenguarantee。\"
Herose;seatedhimselfatawriting—deskataside—table，wroteafewlines，andpresentedthemtoVendalewithalowbow。Theengagementwasperfectlyexplicit，andwassignedanddatedwithscrupulouscare。
\"Areyousatisfiedwithyourguarantee？\"
\"Iamsatisfied。\"
\"Charmedtohearit，Iamsure。Wehavehadourlittleskirmish——wehavereallybeenwonderfullycleveronbothsides。Forthepresentouraffairsaresettled。Ibearnomalice。Youbearnomalice。
Come，Mr。Vendale，agoodEnglishshakehands。\"
Vendalegavehishand，alittlebewilderedbyObenreizer’ssuddentransitionsfromonehumourtoanother。
\"WhenmayIexpecttoseeMissObenreizeragain？\"heasked，asherosetogo。
\"Honourmewithavisitto—morrow，\"saidObenreizer，\"andwewillsettleitthen。Dohaveagrogbeforeyougo！No？Well！well！wewillreservethegrogtillyouhaveyourthreethousandayear，andarereadytobemarried。Aha！Whenwillthatbe？\"
\"Imadeanestimate，somemonthssince，ofthecapacitiesofmybusiness，\"saidVendale。\"Ifthatestimateiscorrect，Ishalldoublemypresentincome——\"
\"Andbemarried！\"addedObenreizer。
\"Andbemarried，\"repeatedVendale，\"withinayearfromthistime。
Good—night。\"
VENDALEMAKESMISCHIEF
WhenVendaleenteredhisofficethenextmorning，thedullcommercialroutineatCrippleCornermethimwithanewface。
Margueritehadaninterestinitnow！ThewholemachinerywhichWilding’sdeathhadsetinmotion，torealisethevalueofthebusiness——thebalancingofledgers，theestimatingofdebts，thetakingofstock，andtherestofit——wasnowtransformedintomachinerywhichindicatedthechancesforandagainstaspeedymarriage。Afterlookingoverresults，aspresentedbyhisaccountant，andcheckingadditionsandsubtractions，asrenderedbytheclerks，Vendaleturnedhisattentiontothestock—takingdepartmentnext，andsentamessagetothecellars，desiringtoseethereport。
TheCellarman’sappearance，themomentheputhisheadinatthedoorofhismaster’sprivateroom，suggestedthatsomethingveryextraordinarymusthavehappenedthatmorning。TherewasanapproachtoalacrityinJoeyLadle’smovements！TherewassomethingwhichactuallysimulatedcheerfulnessinJoeyLadle’sface\"What’sthematter？\"askedVendale。\"Anythingwrong？\"
\"Ishouldwishtomentiononething，\"answeredJoey。\"YoungMr。
Vendale，Ihaveneversetmyselfupforaprophet。\"
\"Whoeversaidyoudid？\"
\"Noprophet，asfarasI’veheardItellofthatprofession，\"
proceededJoey，\"everlivedprincipallyunderground。Noprophet，whateverelsehemighttakeinatthepores，evertookinwinefrommorningtonight，foranumberofyearstogether。WhenIsaidtoyoungMasterWilding，respectinghischangingthenameofthefirm，thatoneofthesedayshemightfindhe’dchangedtheluckofthefirm——didIputmyselfforwardasaprophet？No，Ididn’t。HaswhatIsaidtohimcometrue？Yes，ithas。InthetimeofPebblesonNephew，YoungMr。Vendale，nosuchthingwaseverknownasamistakemadeinaconsignmentdeliveredatthesedoors。There’samistakebeenmadenow。PleasetoremarkthatithappenedbeforeMissMargaretcamehere。Forwhichreasonitdon’tgoagainstwhatI’vesaidrespectingMissMargaretsingingroundtheluck。Readthat，sir，\"concludedJoey，pointingattentiontoaspecialpassageinthereport，withaforefingerwhichappearedtobeinprocessoftakinginthroughtheporesnothingmoreremarkablethandirt。
\"It’sforeigntomynaturetocrowoverthehouseIserve，butI
feelitakindofsolemndutytoaskyoutoreadthat。\"
Vendalereadasfollows：—\"Note，respectingtheSwisschampagne。AnirregularityhasbeendiscoveredinthelastconsignmentreceivedfromthefirmofDefresnierandCo。\"Vendalestopped，andreferredtoamemorandum—bookbyhisside。\"ThatwasinMr。Wilding’stime，\"
hesaid。\"Thevintagewasaparticularlygoodone，andhetookthewholeofit。TheSwisschampagnehasdoneverywell，hasn’tit？\"
\"Idon’tsayit’sdonebadly，\"answeredtheCellarman。\"Itmayhavegotsickinourcustomers’bins，oritmayhavebustinourcustomers’hands。ButIdon’tsayit’sdonebadlywithus。\"
Vendaleresumedthereadingofthenote：\"Wefindthenumberofthecasestobequitecorrectbythebooks。Butsixofthem，whichpresentaslightdifferencefromtherestinthebrand，havebeenopened，andhavebeenfoundtocontainaredwineinsteadofchampagne。Thesimilarityinthebrands，wesuppose，causedamistaketobemadeinsendingtheconsignmentfromNeuchatel。Theerrorhasnotbeenfoundtoextendbeyondsixcases。\"
\"Isthatall！\"exclaimedVendale，tossingthenoteawayfromhim。