’Notsowellasyou，Iamconvinced，’saidDick。
’AndsoamI，’returnedVanTrompgaily。’Paris！Myyoungfriend—youwillallowme？—whenyouknowParisasIdo，youwillhaveseenStrangeThings。Isaynomore;allIsayis，StrangeThings。Wearemenoftheworld，youandI，andinParis，intheheartofcivilisedexistence。Thisisanopportunity，Mr。Naseby。Letusdine。Letmeshowyouwheretodine。’
Dickconsented。OnthewaytodinnertheAdmiralshowedhimwheretobuygloves，andmadehimbuythem;wheretobuycigars，andmadehimbuyavaststore，someofwhichheobliginglyaccepted。Attherestaurantheshowedhimwhattoorder，withsurprisingconsequencesinthebill。Whathemadethatnightbyhispercentagesitwouldbehardtoestimate。AndallthewhileDicksmilinglyconsented，understandingwellthathewasbeingdone，buttakinghislossesinthepursuitofcharacterasahuntersacrificeshisdogs。AsfortheStrangeThings，thereaderwillberelievedtohearthattheywerenostrangerthanmighthavebeenexpected，andhemayfindthingsquiteasstrangewithouttheexpenseofaVanTrompforguide。Yethewasaguideofnomeanorder，whomadeupforthepovertyofwhathehadtoshowbyacopious，imaginativecommentary。
’Andsuch，’saidhe，withahiccup，’suchisParis。’
’Pooh！’saidDick，whowastiredoftheperformance。
TheAdmiralhunganear，andlookedupsidelongwithaglimmerofsuspicion。
’Goodnight，’saidDick;’I’mtired。’
’SoEnglish！’criedVanTromp，clutchinghimbythehand。
’SoEnglish！SoBLASE！Suchacharmingcompanion！Letmeseeyouhome。’
’Lookhere，’returnedDick，’Ihavesaidgoodnight，andnowI’mgoing。You’reanamusingoldboy：Ilikeyou，inasense;buthere’sanendofitforto—night。Notanothercigar，notanothergrog，notanotherpercentageoutofme。’
’Ibegyourpardon！’criedtheAdmiralwithdignity。
’Tut，man！’saidDick;’you’renotoffended;you’reamanoftheworld，Ithought。I’vebeenstudyingyou，andit’sover。
HaveInotpaidforthelesson？AUREVOIR。’
VanTromplaughedgaily，shookhandsuptotheelbows，hopedcordiallytheywouldmeetagainandthatoften，butlookedafterDickashedepartedwithatremorofindignation。
Afterthattheytwonotunfrequentlyfellineachother’sway，andDickwouldoftentreattheoldboytobreakfastonamoderatescaleandinarestaurantofhisownselection。
Often，too，hewouldlendVanTrompthematterofapound，inviewofthatgentleman’scontemplateddepartureforAustralia;therewouldbeasceneoffarewellalmosttouchingincharacter，andaweekoramonthlatertheywouldmeetonthesameboulevardwithoutsurpriseorembarrassment。AndinthemeantimeDicklearnedmoreabouthisacquaintanceonallsides：heardofhisyacht，hischaiseandfour，hisbriefseasonofcelebrityamidamoreconfidingpopulation，hisdaughter，ofwhomhelovedtowhimperinhiscups，hissponging，parasitical，namelesswayoflife;andwitheachnewdetailsomethingthatwasnotmerelyinterestnoryetaltogetheraffectiongrewupinhismindtowardsthisdisreputablestepsonofthearts。EreheleftParisVanTrompwasoneofthosewhomheentertainedtoafarewellsupper;andtheoldgentlemanmadethespeechoftheevening，andthenfellbelowthetable，weeping，smiling，paralysed。
CHAPTERII—ALETTERTOTHEPAPERS
OLDMr。Nasebyhadthesturdy，untutorednatureoftheuppermiddleclass。Theuniverseseemedplaintohim。’Thething’sright，’hewouldsay，or’thething’swrong’;andtherewasanendofit。Therewasacontained，propheticenergyinhisutterances，evenontheslightestaffairs;heSAWthedamnedthing;ifyoudidnot，itmustbefromperversityofwill;andthissentthebloodtohishead。
Apartfromthis，whichmadehimanexactingcompanion，hewasoneofthemostupright，hot—tempered，hot—headedoldgentlemeninEngland。Florid，withwhitehair，thefaceofanoldJupiter，andthefigureofanoldfox—hunter，heenlivenedthevaleofThymefromendtoendonhisbig，canteringchestnut。
HehadaheartyrespectforDickasaladofparts。Dickhadarespectforhisfatherasthebestofmen，temperedbythepoliticrevoltofayouthwhohastoseetohisownindependence。Wheneverthepairargued，theycametoanopenrupture;andargumentswerefrequent，fortheywerebothpositive，andbothlovedtheworkoftheintelligence。ItwasatreattohearMr。NasebydefendingtheChurchofEnglandinavolleyofoaths，orsupportingasceticmoralswithanenthusiasmnotentirelyinnocentofportwine。Dickusedtowaxindignant，andnonethelesssobecause，ashisfatherwasaskilfuldisputant，hefoundhimselfnotseldominthewrong。Ontheseoccasions，hewouldredoubleinenergy，anddeclarethatblackwaswhite，andblueyellow，withmuchconvictionandheatofmanner;butinthemorningsuchalicenceofdebateweigheduponhimlikeacrime，andhewouldseekouthisfather，wherehewalkedbeforebreakfastonaterraceoverlookingallthevaleofThyme。
’Ihavetoapologise，sir，forlastnight—’hewouldbegin。
’Ofcourseyouhave，’theoldgentlemanwouldcutincheerfully。’Youspokelikeafool。Saynomoreaboutit。’
’Youdonotunderstandme，sir。Irefertoaparticularpoint。Iconfessthereismuchforceinyourargumentfromthedoctrineofpossibilities。’
’Ofcoursethereis，’returnedhisfather。’Comedownandlookatthestables。Only，’hewouldadd，’bearthisinmind，anddorememberthatamanofmyageandexperienceknowsmoreaboutwhatheissayingthanarawboy。’
Hewoulduttertheword’boy’evenmoreoffensivelythantheaverageoffathers，andthelightwayinwhichheacceptedtheseapologiescutRichardtotheheart。Thelatterdrewslightingcomparisons，andrememberedthathewastheonlyonewhoeverapologised。Thisgavehimahighstationinhisownesteem，andthuscontributedindirectlytohisbetterbehaviour;forhewasscrupulousaswellashigh—spirited，andpridedhimselfonnothingmorethanonajustsubmission。
SothingswentonuntilthefamousoccasionwhenMr。Naseby，becomingengrossedinsecuringtheelectionofasoundpartycandidatetoParliament，wroteaflaminglettertothepapers。Theletterhadabouteverydemeritofpartylettersingeneral;itwasexpressedwiththeenergyofabeliever;
itwaspersonal;itwasalittlemorethanhalfunfair，andaboutaquarteruntrue。Theoldmandidnotmeantosaywhatwasuntrue，youmaybesure;buthehadrashlypickedupgossip，ashisprejudicesuggested，andnowrashlylauncheditonthepublicwiththesanctionofhisname。
’TheLiberalcandidate，’heconcluded，’isthusapublicturncoat。Isthatthesortofmanwewant？Hehasbeengiventhelie，andhasswallowedtheinsult。Isthatthesortofmanwewant？IanswerNo！Withalltheforceofmyconviction，Ianswer，NO！’
Andthenhesignedanddatedtheletterwithanamateur’spride，andlookedtobefamousbythemorrow。
Dick，whohadheardnothingofthematter，wasupfirstonthatinauspiciousday，andtookthejournaltoanarbourinthegarden。Hefoundhisfather’smanifestoinonecolumn;
andinanotheraleadingarticle。’Noonethatweareawareof，’ranthearticle，’hadconsultedMr。Nasebyonthesubject，butifhehadbeenappealedtobythewholebodyofelectors，hisletterwouldbenonethelessungenerousandunjusttoMr。Dalton。WedonotchoosetogivethelietoMr。Naseby，forwearetoowellawareoftheconsequences;
butweshallventureinsteadtoprintthefactsofbothcasesreferredtobythisred—hotpartisaninanotherportionofourissue。Mr。Nasebyisofcoursealargeproprietorinourneighbourhood;butfidelitytofacts，decentfeeling，andEnglishgrammar，areallofthemqualitiesmoreimportantthanthepossessionofland。Mr。—isdoubtlessagreatman;
inhislargegardensandthathalf—mileofgreenhouses，wherehehasprobablyripenedhisintellectandtemper，hemaysaywhathewilltohishiredvassals，but（astheScotchsay）—
hereHemaunathinktodomineer。
’Liberalism，’continuedtheanonymousjournalist，’isoftoofreeandsoundagrowth，’etc。
RichardNasebyreadthewholethingfrombeginningtoend;
andacrushingshamefelluponhisspirit。Hisfatherhadplayedthefool;hehadgoneoutnoisilytowar，andcomebackwithconfusion。Themomentthathistrumpetssounded，hehadbeendisgracefullyunhorsed。Therewasnoquestionastothefacts;theywereoneandallagainsttheSquire。
Richardwouldhavegivenhisearstohavesuppressedtheissue;butasthatcouldnotbedone，hehadhishorsesaddled，andfurnishinghimselfwithaconvenientstaff，rodeoffatoncetoThymebury。
Theeditorwasatbreakfastinalarge，sadapartment。Theabsenceoffurniture，theextrememeannessofthemeal，andthehaggard，bright—eyed，consumptivelookoftheculprit，unmannedourhero;butheclungtohisstick，andwasstoutandwarlike。
’Youwrotethearticleinthismorning’spaper？’hedemanded。
’YouareyoungMr。Naseby？IPUBLISHEDit，’repliedtheeditor，rising。
’Myfatherisanoldman，’saidRichard;andthenwithanoutburst，’AndadamnedsightfinerfellowthaneitheryouorDalton！’Hestoppedandswallowed;hewasdeterminedthatallshouldgowithregularity。’Ihavebutonequestiontoputtoyou，sir，’heresumed。’Grantedthatmyfatherwasmisinformed，woulditnothavebeenmoredecenttowithholdtheletterandcommunicatewithhiminprivate？’
’Believeme，’returnedtheeditor，’thatalternativewasnotopentome。Mr。Nasebytoldmeinanotethathehadsenthislettertothreeotherjournals，andinfactthreatenedmewithwhathecalledexposureifIkeptitbackfrommine。I
amreallyconcernedatwhathashappened;Isympathiseandapproveofyouremotion，younggentleman;buttheattackonMr。Daltonwasgross，verygross，andIhadnochoicebuttoofferhimmycolumnstoreply。Partyhasitsduties，sir，’
addedthescribe，kindling，asonewhoshouldproposeasentiment;’andtheattackwasgross。’
Richardstoodforhalfaminutedigestingtheanswer;andthenthegodoffairplaycameupper—mostinhisheart，andmurmuring’Goodmorning，’hemadehisescapeintothestreet。
Hishorsewasnothurriedonthewayhome，andhewaslateforbreakfast。TheSquirewasstandingwithhisbacktothefireinastateborderingonapoplexy，hisfingersviolentlyknittedunderhiscoattails。AsRichardcamein，heopenedandshuthismouthlikeacod—fish，andhiseyesprotruded。
’Haveyouseenthat，sir？’hecried，noddingtowardsthepaper。
’Yes，sir，’saidRichard。
’Oh，you’vereadit，haveyou？’
’Yes，Ihavereadit，’repliedRichard，lookingathisfoot。
’Well，’demandedtheoldgentleman，’andwhathaveyoutosaytoit，sir？’
’Youseemtohavebeenmisinformed，’saidDick。
’Well？Whatthen？Isyourmindsosterile，sir？Haveyounotawordofcomment？noproposal？’
’Ifear，sir，youmustapologisetoMr。Dalton。Itwouldbemorehandsome，indeeditwouldbeonlyjust，andafreeacknowledgmentwouldgofar—’Richardpaused，nolanguageappearingdelicateenoughtosuitthecase。
’Thatisasuggestionwhichshouldhavecomefromme，sir，’
roaredthefather。’Itisoutofplaceuponyourlips。Itisnotthethoughtofaloyalson。Why，sir，ifmyfatherhadbeenplungedinsuchdeplorablecircumstances，Ishouldhavethrashedtheeditorofthatvilesheetwithinaninchofhislife。Ishouldhavethrashedtheman，sir。Itwouldhavebeentheactionofanass;butitwouldhaveshownthatIhadthebloodandthenaturalaffectionsofaman。Son？
Youarenoson，nosonofmine，sir！’
’Sir！’saidDick。
’I’lltellyouwhatyouare，sir，’pursuedtheSquire。
’You’reaBenthamite。Idisownyou。Yourmotherwouldhavediedforshame;therewasnomoderncantaboutyourmother;
shethought—shesaidtome，sir—I’mgladshe’sinhergrave，DickNaseby。Misinformed！Misinformed，sir？Haveyounoloyalty，nospring，nonaturalaffections？Areyouclockwork，hey？Away！Thisisnoplaceforyou。Away！’
（wavinghishandsintheair）。’Goaway！Leaveme！’
AtthismomentDickbeataretreatinadisarrayofnerves，awhistlingandclamourofhisownarteries，andinshortinsuchafinalbodilydisorderasmadehimalikeincapableofspeechorhearing。Andinthemidstofallthisturmoil，asenseofunpardonableinjusticeremainedgraveninhismemory。
CHAPTERIII—INTHEADMIRAL’SNAME
THEREwasnoreturntothesubject。Dickandhisfatherwerehenceforthontermsofcoldness。Theuprightoldgentlemangrewmoreuprightwhenhemethisson，buckrammedwithimmortalanger;heaskedafterDick’shealth，anddiscussedtheweatherandthecropswithanappallingcourtesy;hispronunciationwasPOINT—DE—VICE，hisvoicewasdistant，distinct，andsometimesalmosttremblingwithsuppressedindignation。
AsforDick，itseemedtohimasifhislifehadcomeabruptlytoanend。Hecameoutofhistheoriesandclevernesses;hisprematureman—of—the—worldness，onwhichhehadpridedhimselfonhistravels，’shranklikeathingashamed’beforethisrealsorrow。Pride，woundedhonour，pityandrespecttussledtogetherdailyinhisheart;andnowhewaswithinanaceofthrowinghimselfuponhisfather’smercy，andnowofslippingforthatnightandcomingbacknomoretoNasebyHouse。Hesufferedfromthesightofhisfather，nay，evenfromtheneighbourhoodofthisfamiliarvalley，whereeverycornerhaditslegend，andhewasbesiegedwithmemoriesofchildhood。Ifhefledintoanewland，andamongnonebutstrangers，hemightescapehisdestiny，whoknew？andbeginagainlight—heartedly。Fromthatchiefpeakofthehills，thatnowandthen，likeanupliftedfinger，shoneinanarrowofsunlightthroughthebrokenclouds，theshepherdinclearweathermightperceivetheshiningofthesea。There，hethought，washope。ButhisheartfailedhimwhenhesawtheSquire;andheremained。
Hisfatewasnotthatofthevoyagerbyseaandland;hewastotravelinthespirit，andbeginhisjourneysoonerthanhesupposed。
Foritchancedonedaythathiswalkledhimintoaportionoftheuplandswhichwasalmostunknowntohim。Scramblingthroughsomeroughwoods，hecameoutuponamoorlandreachingtowardsthehills。AfewloftyScotchfirsgrewhardbyuponaknoll;aclearfountainnearthefootoftheknollsentupaminiaturestreamletwhichmeanderedintheheather。Ashowerhadjustskimmedby，butnowthesunshonebrightly，andtheairsmeltofthepinesandthegrass。Onastoneunderthetreessatayoungladysketching。Wehavelearnedtothinkofwomeninasortofsymbolictransfiguration，basedonclothes;andoneofthereadiestwaysinwhichweconceiveourmistressisasacompositething，principallypetticoats。Buthumanityhastriumphedoverclothes;thelook，thetouchofadresshasbecomealive;andthewomanwhostitchedherselfintothesematerialintegumentshasnowpermeatedrightthroughandgoneouttothetipofherskirt。ItwasonlyablackdressthatcaughtDickNaseby’seye;butittookpossessionofhismind，andallotherthoughtsdeparted。Hedrewnear，andthegirlturnedround。Herfacestartledhim;itwasafacehewanted;andhetookitinatoncelikebreathingair。
’Ibegyourpardon，’hesaid，takingoffhishat，’youaresketching。’
’Oh！’sheexclaimed，’formyownamusement。Idespisethething。’
’Tentoone，youdoyourselfinjustice，’returnedDick。
’Besides，it’safreemasonry。Isketchmyself，andyouknowwhatthatimplies。’
’No。What？’sheasked。
’Twothings，’heanswered。’First，thatIamnoverydifficultcritic;andsecond，thatIhavearighttoseeyourpicture。’
Shecoveredtheblockwithbothherhands。’Ohno，’shesaid;’Iamashamed。’
’Indeed，Imightgiveyouahint，’saidDick。’Althoughnoartistmyself，Ihaveknownmany;inParisIhadmanyforfriends，andusedtoprowlamongstudios。’
’InParis？’shecried，withaleapoflightintohereyes。
’DidyouevermeetMr。VanTromp？’
’I？Yes。Why，you’renottheAdmiral’sdaughter，areyou？’
’TheAdmiral？Dotheycallhimthat？’shecried。’Oh，hownice，howniceofthem！Itistheyoungermenwhocallhimso，isitnot？’
’Yes，’saidDick，somewhatheavily。
’Youcanunderstandnow，’shesaid，withanunspeakableaccentofcontentednoble—mindedpride，’whyitisIdonotchoosetoshowmysketch。VanTromp’sdaughter！TheAdmiral’sdaughter！Idelightinthatname。TheAdmiral！
Andsoyouknowmyfather？’
’Well，’saidDick，’Imethimoften;wewereevenintimate。
Hemayhavementionedmyname—Naseby。’
’Hewritessolittle。Heissobusy，sodevotedtohisart！
Ihavehadahalfwish，’sheaddedlaughing，’thatmyfatherwasaplainerman，whomIcouldhelp—towhomIcouldbeacredit;butonlysometimes，youknow，andwithonlyhalfmyheart。Foragreatpainter！Youhaveseenhisworks？’
’Ihaveseensomeofthem，’returnedDick;’they—theyareverynice。’
Shelaughedaloud。’Nice？’sherepeated。’Iseeyoudon’tcaremuchforart。’
’Notmuch，’headmitted;’butIknowthatmanypeoplearegladtobuyMr。VanTromp’spictures。’
’CallhimtheAdmiral！’shecried。’Itsoundskindlyandfamiliar;andIliketothinkthatheisappreciatedandlookeduptobyyoungpainters。Hehasnotalwaysbeenappreciated;hehadacruellifeformanyyears;andwhenI
think’—thereweretearsinhereyes—’whenIthinkofthat，Ifeelinclinetobeafool，’shebrokeoff。’AndnowIshallgohome。Youhavefilledmefullofhappiness;forthink，Mr。Naseby，IhavenotseenmyfathersinceIwassixyearsold;andyetheisinmythoughtsallday！Youmustcomeandcallonme;myauntwillbedelighted，Iamsure;
andthenyouwilltellmeall—allaboutmyfather，willyounot？’
Dickhelpedhertogethersketchingtrapstogether;andwhenallwasready，shegaveDickherhandandafrankreturnofpressure。
’Youaremyfather’sfriend，’shesaid;’weshallbegreatfriendstoo。Youmustcomeandseemesoon。’
Thenshewasgonedownthehillsideatarun;andDickstoodbyhimselfinastateofsomebewildermentandevendistress。
Therewereelementsoflaughterinthebusiness;buttheblackdress，andthefacethatbelongedtoit，andthehandthathehadheldinhis，inclinedhimtoaseriousview。
Whatwashe，underthecircumstances，calledupontodo？
Perhapstoavoidthegirl？Well，hewouldthinkaboutthat。
Perhapstobreakthetruthtoher？Why，tentoone，suchwasherinfatuation，hewouldfail。Perhapstokeepuptheillusion，tocolourtherawfacts;tohelphertofalseideas，whileyetnotplainlystatingfalsehoods？Well，hewouldseeaboutthat;hewouldalsoseeaboutavoidingthegirl。Hesawaboutthislastsowell，thatthenextafternoonbeheldhimonhiswaytovisither。
Inthemeantimethegirlhadgonestraighthome，lightasabird，tremulouswithjoy，tothelittlecottagewhereshelivedalonewithamaidenaunt;andtothatlady，agrim，sixtyyearsoldScotchwoman，withanoddinghead，communicatednewsofherencounterandinvitation。
’Afriendofhis？’criedtheaunt。’Whatlikeishe？Whatdidyesaywashisname？’
Shewasdeadsilent，andstaredattheoldwomandarkling。
Thenveryslowly，’Isaidhewasmyfather’sfriend;Ihaveinvitedhimtomyhouse，andcomeheshall，’shesaid;andwiththatshewalkedofftoherroom，whereshesatstaringatthewallalltheevening。MissM’Glashan，forthatwastheaunt’sname，readalargebibleinthekitchenwithsomeofthejoysofmartyrdom。
Itwasperhapshalf—pastthreewhenDickpresentedhimself，ratherscrupulouslydressed，beforethecottagedoor;heknocked，andavoicebadehimenter。Thekitchen，whichopeneddirectlyoffthegarden，wassomewhatdarkenedbyfoliage;buthecouldseeherassheapproachedfromthefarendtomeethim。Thissecondsightofhersurprisedhim。
Herstrongblackbrowsspokeoftempereasilyarousedandhardtoquiet;hermouthwassmall，nervousandweak;therewassomethingdangerousandsulkyunderlying，inhernature，muchthatwashonest，compassionate，andevennoble。
’Myfather’sname，’shesaid，’hasmadeyouverywelcome。’
Andshegavehimherhand，withasortofcurtsy。Itwasaprettygreeting，althoughsomewhatmannered;andDickfelthimselfamongthegods。Sheledhimthroughthekitchentoaparlour，andpresentedhimtoMissM’Glashan。
’Esther，’saidtheaunt，’seeandmakeMr。Nasebyhistea。’
Andassoonasthegirlwasgoneuponthishospitableintent，theoldwomancrossedtheroomandcamequiteneartoDickasifinmenace。
’Yeknowthatman？’sheaskedinanimperiouswhisper。
’Mr。VanTromp？’saidDick。’Yes，Iknowhim。’
’Well，andwhatbringsyehere？’shesaid。’Icouldn’tsavethemother—herthat’sdead—butthebairn！’ShehadanoteinhervoicethatfilledpoorDickwithconsternation。
’Man，’shewenton，’whatisitnow？Isitmoney？’
’Mydearlady，’saidDick，’Ithinkyoumisinterpretmyposition。IamyoungMr。NasebyofNasebyHouse。MyacquaintancewithMr。VanTrompisreallyveryslender;IamonlyafraidthatMissVanTromphasexaggeratedourintimacyinherownimagination。Iknowpositivelynothingofhisprivateaffairs，anddonotcaretoknow。ImethimcasuallyinParis—thatisall。’
MissM’Glashandrewalongbreath。’InParis？’shesaid。
’Well，andwhatdoyouthinkofhim？—whatdoyethinkofhim？’sherepeated，withadifferentscansion，asRichard，whohadnotmuchtasteforsuchaquestion，keptherwaitingforananswer。
’Ifoundhimaveryagreeablecompanion，’hesaid。
’Ay，’saidshe，’didye！Andhowdoeshewinhisbread？’
’Ifancy，’hegasped，’thatMr。VanTromphasmanygenerousfriends。’
’I’llwarrant！’shesneered;andbeforeDickcouldfindmoretosay，shewasgonefromtheroom。
Estherreturnedwiththetea—things，andsatdown。
’Now，’shesaidcosily，’tellmeallaboutmyfather。’
’He’—stammeredDick，’heisaveryagreeablecompanion。’
’Ishallbegintothinkitismorethanyouare，Mr。Naseby，’
shesaid，withalaugh。’Iamhisdaughter，youforget。
Beginatthebeginning，andtellmeallyouhaveseenofhim，allhesaidandallyouanswered。Youmusthavemetsomewhere;beginwiththat。’
Sowiththathebegan：howhehadfoundtheAdmiralpaintinginacafe;howhisartsopossessedhimthathecouldnotwaittillhegothometo—well，todashoffhisidea;how（thisinreplytoaquestion）hisideaconsistedofacockcrowingandtwohenseatingcorn;howhewasfondofcocksandhens;howthisdidnotleadhimtoneglectmoreambitiousformsofart;howhehadapictureinhisstudioofaGreeksubjectwhichwassaidtoberemarkablefromseveralpointsofview;hownoonehadseenitnorknewtheprecisesiteofthestudioinwhichitwasbeingvigorouslythoughsecretlyconfected;how（inanswertoasuggestion）thisshynesswascommontotheAdmiral，Michelangelo，andothers;howthey（DickandVanTromp）hadstruckupanacquaintanceatonce，anddinedtogetherthatsamenight;howhe（theAdmiral）hadoncegivenmoneytoabeggar;howhespokewitheffusionofhislittledaughter;howhehadonceborrowedmoneytosendheradoll—atraitworthyofNewton，shebeingtheninhernineteenthyearatleast;how，ifthedollneverarrived（whichitappeareditneverdid），thetraitwasonlymorecharacteristicofthehighestorderofcreativeintellect;
howhewas—no，notbeautiful—striking，yes，Dickwouldgosofar，decidedlystrikinginappearance;howhisbootsweremadetolaceandhiscoatwasblack，notcut—away，afrock;
andsoon，andsoonbytheyard。Itwasastonishinghowfewlieswerenecessary。Afterall，peopleexaggeratedthedifficultyoflife。Alittlesteering，justatouchoftheruddernowandthen，andwithawillinglistenerthereisnolimittothedomainofequivocalspeech。SometimesMissM’Glashanmadeafreezingsojournintheparlour;andthenthetaskseemedunaccountablymoredifficult;buttoEsther，whowasalleyesandears，herfacealightwithinterest，hisstreamoflanguageflowedwithoutbreakorstumble，andhismindwaseverfertileiningeniousevasionsand—
WhatanafternoonitwasforEsther！
’Ah！’shesaidatlast，’it’sgoodtohearallthis！Myaunt，youshouldknow，isnarrowandtooreligious;shecannotunderstandanartist’slife。Itdoesnotfrightenme，’sheaddedgrandly;’Iamanartist’sdaughter。’
Withthatspeech，Dickconsoledhimselfforhisimposture;
shewasnotdeceivedsogrosslyafterall;andthenifafraud，wasnotthefraudpietyitself？—andwhatcouldbemoreobligatorythantokeepaliveintheheartofadaughterthatfilialtrustandhonourwhich，evenalthoughmisplaced，becameherlikeajewelofthemind？Theremightbeanotherthought，ashadeofcowardice，aselfishdesiretoplease;
poorDickwasmerelyhuman;andwhatwouldyouhavehadhimdo？
CHAPTERIV—ESTHERONTHEFILIALRELATION
AMONTHlaterDickandEsthermetatthestilebesidethecrossroads;hadtherebeenanyonetoseethembutthebirdsandsummerinsects，itwouldhavebeenremarkedthattheymetafteradifferentfashionfromthedaybefore。Dicktookherinhisarms，andtheirlipsweresettogetherforalongwhile。Thenheheldheratarm’s—length，andtheylookedstraightintoeachother’seyes。
’Esther！’hesaid;youshouldhaveheardhisvoice！
’Dick！’saidshe。
’Mydarling！’
Itwassometimebeforetheystartedfortheirwalk;hekeptanarmabouther，andtheirsideswereclosetogetherastheywalked;thesun，thebirds，thewestwindrunningamongthetrees，apressure，alook，thegrasptighteningroundasinglefinger，thesethingsstoodtheminlieuofthoughtandfilledtheirheartswithjoy。Thepaththeywerefollowingledthemthroughawoodofpine—treescarpetedwithheatherandblue—berry，anduponthispleasantcarpet，Dick，notwithoutsomeseriousness，madehersitdown。
’Esther！’hebegan，’thereissomethingyououghttoknow。
Youknowmyfatherisarichman，andyouwouldthink，nowthatweloveeachother，wemightmarrywhenwepleased。ButIfear，darling，wemayhavelongtowait，andshallwantallourcourage。’
’Ihavecourageforanything，’shesaid，’IhaveallIwant;
withyouandmyfather，Iamsowelloff，andwaitingismadesohappy，thatIcouldwaitalifetimeandnotweary。’
HehadasharppangatthementionoftheAdmiral。’Hearmeout，’hecontinued。’Ioughttohavetoldyouthisbefore;
butitisathoughtIshrinkfrom;ifitwerepossible，I
shouldnottellyouevennow。MypoorfatherandIarescarceonspeakingterms。’
’Yourfather，’sherepeated，turningpale。
’Itmustsoundstrangetoyou;butyetIcannotthinkIamtoblame，’hesaid。’Iwilltellyouhowithappened。’
’OhDick！’shesaid，whenshehadheardhimtoanend，’howbraveyouare，andhowproud。YetIwouldnotbeproudwithafather。Iwouldtellhimall。’
’What！’criedDick，’goinmonthsafter，andbragthatIhadmeanttothrashtheman，andthendidn’t。Andwhy？BecausemyfatherhadmadeabiggerassofhimselfthanIsupposed。
Mydear，that’snonsense。’
Shewincedathiswordsanddrewaway。’Butwhenthatisallheasks，’shepleaded。’Ifheonlyknewthatyouhadfeltthatimpulse，itwouldmakehimsoproudandhappy。Hewouldseeyouwerehisownsonafterall，andhadthesamethoughtsandthesamechivalryofspirit。Andthenyoudidyourselfinjusticewhenyouspokejustnow。Itwasbecausetheeditorwasweakandpoorandexcusedhimself，thatyourepentedyourfirstdetermination。Hadhebeenabigredman，withwhiskers，youwouldhavebeatenhim—youknowyouwould—ifMr。Nasebyhadbeententimesmorecommitted。Doyouthink，ifyoucantellittome，andIunderstandatonce，thatitwouldbemoredifficulttotellittoyourownfather，orthathewouldnotbemorereadytosympathisewithyouthanI
am？AndIloveyou，Dick;butthenheisyourfather。’
’Mydear，’saidDick，desperately，’youdonotunderstand;
youdonotknowwhatitistobetreatedwithdailywantofcomprehensionanddailysmallinjustices，throughchildhoodandboyhoodandmanhood，untilyoudespairofahearing，untilthethingridesyoulikeanightmare，untilyoualmosthatethesightofthemanyoulove，andwho’syourfatherafterall。Inshort，Esther，youdon’tknowwhatitistohaveafather，andthat’swhatblindsyou。’
’Isee，’shesaidmusingly，’youmeanthatIamfortunateinmyfather。ButIamnotsofortunateafterall;youforget，Idonotknowhim;itisyouwhoknowhim;heisalreadymoreyourfatherthanmine。’Andhereshetookhishand。Dick’shearthadgrownascoldasice。’ButIamsorryforyou，too，’shecontinued，’itmustbeverysadandlonely。’
’Youmisunderstandme，’saidDick，chokingly。’MyfatheristhebestmanIknowinallthisworld;heisworthahundredofme，onlyhedoesn’tunderstandme，andhecan’tbemadeto。’
Therewasasilenceforawhile。’Dick，’shebeganagain，’I
amgoingtoaskafavour，it’sthefirstsinceyousaidyoulovedme。MayIseeyourfather—seehimpass，Imean，wherehewillnotobserveme？’
’Why？’askedDick。
’Itisafancy;youforget，Iamromanticaboutfathers。’
ThehintwasenoughforDick;heconsentedwithhaste，andfullofhang—dogpenitenceanddisgust，tookherdownbyabackwayandplantedherintheshrubbery，whenceshemightseetheSquireridebytodinner。Theretheybothsatsilent，butholdinghands，fornearlyhalfanhour。Atlastthetrottingofahorsesoundedinthedistance，theparkgatesopenedwithaclang，andthenMr。Nasebyappeared，withstoopingshouldersandaheavy，biliouscountenance，languidlyrisingtothetrot。Estherrecognisedhimatonce;
shehadoftenseenhimbefore，thoughwithherhugeindifferenceforallthatlayoutsidethecircleofherlove，shehadneversomuchaswonderedwhohewas;butnowsherecognisedhim，andfoundhimtenyearsolder，leadenandspringless，andstampedbyanabidingsorrow。
’OhDick，Dick！’shesaid，andthetearsbegantoshineuponherfaceasshehiditinhisbosom;hisownfellthicklytoo。Theyhadasadwalkhome，andthatnight，fullofloveandgoodcounsel，Dickexertedeveryarttopleasehisfather，toconvincehimofhisrespectandaffection，tohealupthisbreachofkindness，andreunitetwohearts。Butalas！theSquirewassickandpeevish;hehadbeenalldaygloomingoverDick’sestrangement—forsoheputittohimself，andnowwithgrowls，coldwords，andthecoldshoulder，hebeatoffalladvances，andentrenchedhimselfinajustresentment。
CHAPTERV—THEPRODIGALFATHERMAKESHISDEBUTATHOME
THATtookplaceuponaTuesday。OntheThursdayfollowing，asDickwaswalkingbyappointment，earlierthanusual，inthedirectionofthecottage，hewasappalledtomeetinthelaneaflyfromThymebury，containingthehumanformofMissM’Glashan。Theladydidnotdeigntoremarkhiminherpassage;herfacewassuffusedwithtears，andexpressedmuchconcernforthepackagesbywhichshewassurrounded。Hestoodstill，andaskedhimselfwhatthiscircumstancemightportend。Itwassobeautifuladaythathewaslothtoforecastevil，yetsomethingmustperforcehavehappenedatthecottage，andthatofadecisivenature;forherewasMissM’Glashanonhertravels，withasmallpatrimonyinbrownpaperparcels，andtheoldlady’sbearingimpliedhotbattleandunqualifieddefeat。Wasthehousetobeclosedagainsthim？WasEstherleftalone，orhadsomenewprotectormadehisappearancefromamongthemillionsofEurope？Itisthecharacteroflovetoloathethenearrelativesofthelovedone;chaptersinthehistoryofthehumanracehavejustifiedthisfeeling，andtheconductofuncles，inparticular，hasfrequentlymetwithcensurefromtheindependentnovelist。
MissM’Glashanwasnowseenintherosycoloursofregret;
whoeversucceededher，Dickfeltthechangewouldbefortheworse。Hehurriedforwardinthisspirit;hisanxietygrewuponhimwitheverystep;asheenteredthegardenavoicefelluponhisear，andhewasoncemorearrested，notthistimebydoubt，butbyindubitablecertaintyofill。
Thethunderbolthadfallen;theAdmiralwashere。
Dickwouldhaveretreated，inthepanicterrorofthemoment;
butEstherkeptabrightlook—outwhenherloverwasexpected。Inatwinklingshewasbyhisside，brimfulofnewsandpleasure，toogladtonoticehisembarrassment，andinoneofthosegoldentransportsofexultationwhichtranscendnotonlywordsbutcaresses。Shetookhimbytheendofthefingers（reachingforwardtotakethem，forhergreatpreoccupationwastosavetime），shedrewhimtowardsher，pushedhimpastherinthedoor，andplantedhimfacetofacewithMr。VanTromp，inasuitofFrenchcountryvelveteensandwitharemarkablecarbuncleonhisnose。
Then，asthoughthiswastheendofwhatshecouldendureinthewayofjoy，Estherturnedandranoutoftheroom。
Thetwomenremainedlookingateachotherwithsomeconfusiononbothsides。VanTrompwasnaturallythefirsttorecover;heputouthishandwithafinegesture。
’Andyouknowmylittlelass，myEsther？’hesaid。’Thisispleasant;thisiswhatIhaveconceivedofhome。Astrangewordfortheoldrover;butweallhaveatasteforhomeandthehome—like，disguiseithowwemay。Ithasbroughtmehere，Mr。Naseby，’heconcluded，withanintonationthatwouldhavemadehisfortuneonthestage，sojust，sosad，sodignified，solikeamanoftheworldandaphilosopher，’andyouseeamanwhoiscontent。’
’Isee，’saidDick。
’Sitdown，’continuedtheparasite，settingtheexample。
’Fortunehasgoneagainstme。（Iamjustsirruppingalittlebrandy—aftermyjourney。）Iwasgoingdown，Mr。Naseby;
betweenyouandme，IwasDECAVE;Iborrowedfiftyfrancs，smuggledmyvalisepasttheconcierge—aworkofconsiderabletact—andhereIam！’
’Yes，’saidDick;’andhereyouare。’Hewasquiteidiotic。
Esther，atthismoment，re—enteredtheroom。
’Areyougladtoseehim？’shewhisperedinhisear，thepleasureinhervoicealmostburstingthroughthewhisperintosong。
’Ohyes，’saidDick，’very。’
’Iknewyouwouldbe，’shereplied;’Itoldhimhowyoulovedhim。’
’Helpyourself，’saidtheAdmiral，’helpyourself;andletusdrinktoanewexistence。’
’Toanewexistence，’repeatedDick;andheraisedthetumblertohislips，butsetitdownuntasted。Hehadhadenoughofnoveltiesforoneday。
Estherwassittingonastoolbesideherfather’sfeet，holdingherkneesinherarms，andlookingwithpridefromonetotheotherofhertwovisitors。Hereyesweresobrightthatyouwereneversureifthereweretearsinthemornot;littlevoluptuousshiversranaboutherbody;
sometimesshenestledherchinintoherthroat，sometimesthrewbackherhead，withecstasy;inaword，shewasinthatstatewhenitissaidofpeoplethattheycannotcontainthemselvesforhappiness。ItwouldbehardtoexaggeratetheagonyofRichard。
And，inthemeantime，VanTrompranoninterminably。
’Ineverforgetafriend，’saidhe，’noryetanenemy：ofthelatter，Ineverhadbuttwo—myselfandthepublic;andI
fancyIhavehadmyvengeanceprettyfreelyoutofboth。’Hechuckled。’Butthosedaysaredone。VanTrompisnomore。
Hewasamanwhohadsuccesses;IbelieveyouknewIhadsuccesses—towhichweshallrefernofarther，’pullingdownhisneckclothwithasmile。’Thatmanexistsnomore：byanexerciseofwillIhavedestroyedhim。Thereissomethinglikeitinthepoets。First，abrilliantandconspicuouscareer—theobserved，Imaysay，ofallobservers，includingthebum—bailie：andthen，presto！aquiet，sly，old，rusticBONHOMME，cultivatingroses。InParis，Mr。Naseby—’
’CallhimRichard，father，’saidEsther。
’Richard，ifhewillallowme。Indeed，weareoldfriends，andnownearneighbours;and，APROPOS，howareweoffforneighbours，Richard？Thecottagestands，Ithink，uponyourfather’sland—afamilywhichIrespect—andthewood，I
understand，isLordTrevanion’s。NotthatIcare;IamanoldBohemian。Ihavecutsocietywithacutdirect;IcutitwhenIwasprosperous，andnowIreapmyreward，andcancutitwithdignityinmydeclension。TheseareourlittleAMOURSPROPRES，mydaughter：yourfathermustrespecthimself。Thankyou，yes;justaleetle，leetle，tiny—
thanks，thanks;youspoilme。But，asIwassaying，Richard，orwasabouttosay，mydaughterhasbeenallowedtorust;
herauntwasamereduenna;hence，inparenthesis，Richard，herdistrustofme;mynatureandthatoftheduennaarepolesasunder—poles！But，nowthatIamhere，nowthatI
havegivenupthefight，andlivehenceforthforoneonlyofmyworks—Ihavethemodestytosayitismybest—mydaughter—well，weshallputallthattorights。Theneighbours，Richard？’
DickwasunderstoodtosaythatthereweremanygoodfamiliesintheValeofThyme。
’Youshallintroduceus，’saidtheAdmiral。
Dick’sshirtwaswet;hemadealumberingexcusetogo;whichEstherexplainedtoherselfbyafearofintrusion，andsosetdowntothemeritsideofDick’saccount，whilesheproceededtodetainhim。
’Beforeourwalk？’shecried。’Never！Imusthavemywalk。’
’Letusallgo，’saidtheAdmiral，rising。
’Youdonotknowthatyouarewanted，’shecried，leaningonhisshoulderwithacaress。’Imightwishtospeaktomyoldfriendaboutmynewfather。Butyoushallcometo—day，youshalldoallyouwant;Ihavesetmyheartonspoilingyou。’
’IwilljusttakeONEdropmore，’saidtheAdmiral，stoopingtohelphimselftobrandy。’Itissurprisinghowthisjourneyhasfatiguedme。ButIamgrowingold，Iamgrowingold，Iamgrowingold，and—Iregrettoadd—bald。’
Hecockedawhitewide—awakecoquettishlyuponhishead—thehabitofthelady—killerclungtohim;andEstherhadalreadythrownonherhat，andwasready，whilehewasstillstudyingtheresultinamirror：thecarbunclehadsomewhatpainfullyarrestedhisattention。
’Wearepapanow;wemustberespectable，’hesaidtoDick，inexplanationofhisdandyism：andthenhewenttoabundleandchosehimselfastaff。WhereweretheelegantcanesofhisParisianepoch？Thiswasasupportforage，anddesignedforrusticscenes。Dickbegantoseeandappreciatetheman’senjoymentinanewpart，whenhesawhowcarefullyhehad’madeitup。’Hehadinventedagaitforthisfirstcountrystrollwithhisdaughter，whichwasadmirablyinkey。
Hewalkedwithfatigue，heleaneduponthestaff;helookedroundhimwithasad，smilingsympathyonallthathebeheld;
heevenaskedthenameofaplant，andralliedhimselfgentlyforanoldtownbird，ignorantofnature。’Thiscountrylifewillmakemeyoungagain，’hesighed。Theyreachedthetopofthehilltowardsthefirsthourofevening;thesunwasdescendingheaven，thecolourhadalldrawnintothewest;
thehillsweremodelledintheirleastcontourbythesoft，slantingshine;andthewidemoorlands，veinedwithglensandhazelwoods，ranwestandnorthinahazygloryoflight。
ThenthepainterwakenedinVanTromp。
’Gad，Dick，’hecried，’whatvalue！’
AnodeinfourhundredlineswouldnothaveseemedsotouchingtoEsther;hereyesfilledwithhappytears;yes，herewasthefatherofwhomshehaddreamed，whomDickhaddescribed;simple，enthusiastic，unworldly，kind，apainteratheart，andafinegentlemaninmanner。
AndjustthentheAdmiralperceivedahousebythewayside，andsomethingdependingoverthehousedoorwhichmightbeconstruedasasignbythehopefulandthirsty。
’Isthat，’heasked，pointingwithhisstick，’aninn？’
Therewasamarkedchangeinhisvoice，asthoughheattachedimportancetotheinquiry：Estherlistened，hopingsheshouldhearwitorwisdom。
Dicksaiditwas。
’Youknowit？’inquiredtheAdmiral。
’Ihavepasseditahundredtimes，butthatisall，’repliedDick。
’Ah，’saidVanTromp，withasmile，andshakinghishead;
’youarenotanoldcampaigner;youhavetheworldtolearn。
NowI，yousee，findaninnsoverynearmyownhome，andmyfirstthoughtismyneighbours。Ishallgoforwardandmakemyneighbours’acquaintance;no，youneedn’tcome;Ishallnotbeamoment。’
Andhewalkedoffbrisklytowardstheinn，leavingDickalonewithEstherontheroad。
’Dick，’sheexclaimed，’Iamsogladtogetawordwithyou;
Iamsohappy，Ihavesuchathousandthingstosay;andI
wantyoutodomeafavour。Imagine，hehascomewithoutapaint—box，withoutaneasel;andIwanthimtohaveall。I
wantyoutogetthemformeinThymebury。Yousaw，thismoment，howhisheartturnedtopainting。Theycan’tlivewithoutit，’sheadded;meaningperhapsVanTrompandMichelAngelo。
Uptothatmoment，shehadobservednothingamissinDick’sbehaviour。Shewastoohappytobecurious;andhissilence，inpresenceofthegreatandgoodbeingwhomshecalledherfather，hadseemedbothnaturalandpraiseworthy。Butnowthattheywerealone，shebecameconsciousofabarrierbetweenherloverandherself，andalarmsprangupinherheart。
’Dick，’shecried，’youdon’tloveme。’
’Idothat，’hesaidheartily。
’Butyouareunhappy;youarestrange;you—youarenotgladtoseemyfather，’sheconcluded，withabreakinhervoice。
’Esther，’hesaid，’ItellyouthatIloveyou;ifyouloveme，youknowwhatthatmeans，andthatallIwishistoseeyouhappy。DoyouthinkIcannotenjoyyourpleasures？
Esther，Ido。IfIamuneasy，ifIamalarmed，if—。Oh，believeme，tryandbelieveinme，’hecried，givingupargumentwithperhapsahappyinspiration。
Butthegirl’ssuspicionswerearoused;andthoughshepressedthematternofarther（indeed，herfatherwasalreadyseenreturning），itbynomeansleftherthoughts。Atonemomentshesimplyresentedtheselfishnessofamanwhohadobtrudedhisdarklooksandpassionatelanguageonherjoy;
forthereisnothingthatawomancanlesseasilyforgivethanthelanguageofapassionwhich，evenifonlyforthemoment，shedoesnotshare。Atanother，shesuspectedhimofjealousyagainstherfather;andforthat，althoughshecouldseeexcusesforit，sheyetdespisedhim。Andatleast，inonewayortheother，herewasthedangerousbeginningofaseparationbetweentwohearts。Estherfoundherselfatvariancewithhersweetestfriend;shecouldnolongerlookintohisheartandfinditwrittenwiththesamelanguageasherown;shecouldnolongerthinkofhimasthesunwhichradiatedhappinessuponherlife，forshehadturnedtohimonce，andhehadbreatheduponherblackandchilly，radiatedblacknessandfrost。Toputthewholematterinaword，shewasbeginning，althougheversoslightly，tofalloutoflove。
CHAPTERVI—THEPRODIGALFATHERGOESONFROMSTRENGTHTO
STRENGTH
WEwillnotfollowallthestepsoftheAdmiral’sreturnandinstallation，buthurryforwardtowardsthecatastrophe，merelychroniclingbythewayafewsalientincidents，whereinwemustrelyentirelyupontheevidenceofRichard，forEsthertothisdayhasneveropenedhermouthuponthistryingpassageofherlife，andasfortheAdmiral—well，thatnavalofficer，althoughstillalive，andnowmoresuitablyinstalledinaseaporttownwherehehasatelescopeandaflaginhisfrontgarden，isincapableofthrowingtheslightestgleamoflightupontheaffair。Oftenandoftenhasheremarkedtothepresentwriter：’IfIknowwhatitwasallabout，sir，I’llbe—’inshort，bewhatIhopehewillnot。Andthenhewilllookacrossathisdaughter’sportrait，aphotograph，shakehisheadwithanamusedappearance，andmixhimselfanothergrogbywayofconsolation。OnceIheardhimgofarther，andexpresshisfeelingswithregardtoEstherinasinglebuteloquentword。
’Aminx，sir，’hesaid，notinanger，ratherinamusement：
andhecordiallydrankherhealthuponthebackofit。Hisworstenemymustadmithimtobeamanwithoutmalice;heneverboreagrudgeinhislife，lackingthenecessarytasteandindustryofattention。
Yetitwasduringthisobscureperiodthatthedramawasreallyperformed;anditsscenewasintheheartofEsther，shutawayfromalleyes。Hadthiswarm，upright，sullengirlbeendifferentlyusedbydestiny，hadeventscomeuponhereveninadifferentsuccession，forsomethingsleadeasilytoothers，thewholecourseofthistalewouldhavebeenchanged，andEstherneverwouldhaverunaway。Asitwas，throughaseriesofactsandwordsofwhichweknowbutfew，andaseriesofthoughtswhichanyonemayimagineforhimself，shewasawakenedinfourdaysfromthedreamofalife。
ThefirsttangiblecauseofdisenchantmentwaswhenDickbroughthomeapainter’sarsenalonFridayevening。TheAdmiralwasinthechimney—corner，oncemore’sirrupping’
somebrandyandwater，andEsthersatatthetableatwork。
Theybothcameforwardtogreetthenewarrival;andthegirl，relievinghimofhismonstrousburthen，proceededtodisplayherofferingstoherfather。VanTromp’scountenancefellseveraldegrees;hebecamequitequerulous。
’Godblessme，’hesaid;andthen，’Imustreallyaskyounottointerfere，child，’inatoneofundisguisedhostility。
’Father，’shesaid，’forgiveme;Iknewyouhadgivenupyourart—’
’Ohyes！’criedtheAdmiral;’I’vedonewithittothejudgment—day！’
’Pardonmeagain，’shesaidfirmly，’butIdonot，Icannotthinkthatyouarerightinthis。Supposetheworldisunjust，supposethatnooneunderstandsyou，youhavestilladutytoyourself。And，oh，don’tspoilthepleasureofyourcominghometome;showmethatyoucanbemyfatherandyetnotneglectyourdestiny。Iamnotlikesomedaughters;I
willnotbejealousofyourart，andIwilltrytounderstandit。’
Thesituationwasodiouslyfarcical。Richardgroanedunderit;helongedtoleapforwardanddenouncethehumbug。Andthehumbughimself？Doyoufancyhewaseasierinhismind？
Iamsure，ontheotherhand，thathewasacutelymiserable;
andhebetrayedhissufferingsbyaperfectlysillyandundignifiedaccessoftemper，duringwhichhebrokehispipeinseveralpieces，threwhisbrandyandwaterinthefire，andemployedwordswhichwereveryplainalthoughthedriftofthemwassomewhatvague。Itwasofverybriefduration。
VanTrompwashimselfagain，andinamostdelightfulhumourwithinthreeminutesofthefirstexplosion。
’Iamanoldfool，’hesaidfrankly。’Iwasspoiledwhenachild。Asforyou，Esther，youtakeafteryourmother;youhaveamorbidsenseofduty，particularlyforothers;striveagainstit，mydear—striveagainstit。Andasforthepigments，well，I’llusethem，someofthesedays;andtoshowthatI’minearnest，I’llgetDickheretoprepareacanvas。’
Dickwasputtothismenialtaskforthwith，theAdmiralnotevenwatchinghowhedid，butquiteoccupiedwithanothergrogandapleasantveinoftalk。
AlittleafterEstherarose，andmakingsomepretext，goodorbad，wentofftobed。Dickwaslefthobbledbythecanvas，andwassubjectedtoVanTrompforaboutanhour。
Thenextday，Saturday，itisbelievedthatlittleintercoursetookplacebetweenEstherandherfather;buttowardstheafternoonDickmetthelatterreturningfromthedirectionoftheinn，wherehehadstruckupquiteafriendshipwiththelandlord。Dickwonderedwhopaidfortheseexcursions，andatthethoughtthatthereprobatemustgethispocketmoneywherehegothisboardandlodging，frompoorEsther’sgenerosity，hehaditalmostinhishearttoknocktheoldgentlemandown。He，onhispart，wasfullofairsandgracesandgeniality。
’DearDick，’hesaid，takinghisarm，’thisisneighbourlyofyou;itshowsyourtacttomeetmewhenIhadawishforyou。
Iaminpleasantspirits;anditisthenthatIdesireafriend。’
’Iamgladtohearyouaresohappy，’retortedDickbitterly。
’There’scertainlynotmuchtotroubleYOU。’
’No，’assentedtheAdmiral，’notmuch。Igotoutofitintime;andhere—well，hereeverythingpleasesme。Iamplaininmytastes。’APROPOS，youhaveneveraskedmehowI
likedmydaughter？’
’No，’saidDickroundly;’Icertainlyhavenot。’
’Meaningyouwillnot。Andwhy，Dick？Sheismydaughter，ofcourse;butthenIamamanoftheworldandamanoftaste，andperfectlyqualifiedtogiveanopinionwithimpartiality—yes，Dick，withimpartiality。Frankly，Iamnotdisappointedinher。Shehasgoodlooks;shehasthemfromhermother。SoImaysayICHOSEherlooks。Sheisdevoted，quitedevotedtome—’
’Sheisthebestwomanintheworld！’brokeoutDick。
’Dick，’criedtheAdmiral，stoppingshort;’Ihavebeenexpectingthis。Letus—letusgobacktothe\"TrevanionArms\"andtalkthismatteroutoverabottle。’
’Certainlynot，’wentDick。’Youhavehadfartoomuchalready。’
Theparasitewasonthepointofresentingthis;butalookatDick’sface，andsomerecollectionofthetermsonwhichtheyhadstoodinParis，cametotheaidofhiswisdomandrestrainedhim。
’Asyouplease，’hesaid;’althoughIdon’tknowwhatyoumean—norcare。Butletuswalk，ifyoupreferit。Youarestillayoungman;whenyouaremyage—But，however，tocontinue。Youpleaseme，Dick;youhavepleasedmefromthefirst;andtosaytruth，Estherisatriflefantastic，andwillbebetterwhensheismarried。Shehasmeansofherown，asofcourseyouareaware。Theycome，likethelooks，fromherpoor，dear，goodcreatureofamother。Shewasblessedinhermother。Imeansheshallbeblessedinherhusband，andyouaretheman，Dick，youandnotanother。
ThisverynightIwillsoundheraffections。’
Dickstoodaghast。
’Mr。VanTromp，Iimploreyou，’hesaid;’dowhatyoupleasewithyourself，but，forGod’ssake，letyourdaughteralone。’
’Itismyduty，’repliedtheAdmiral，’andbetweenourselves，yourogue，myinclinationtoo。Iamasmatchmakingasadowager。Itwillbemorediscreetforyoutostayawayto—
night。Farewell。Youleaveyourcaseingoodhands;Ihavethetactoftheselittlemattersbyheart;itisnotmyfirstattempt。’
Allargumentswereinvain;theoldrascalstucktohispoint;nordidRichardconcealfromhimselfhowseriouslythismightinjurehisprospects，andhefoughthard。Oncetherecameaglimmerofhope。TheAdmiralagainproposedanadjournmenttothe’TrevanionArms，’andwhenDickhadoncemorerefused，ithungforamomentinthebalancewhetherornottheoldtoperwouldreturntherebyhimself。Hadhedoneso，ofcourseDickcouldhavetakentohisheels，andwarnedEstherofwhatwascoming，andofhowithadbegun。ButtheAdmiral，afterapause，decidedforthebrandyathome，andmadeoffinthatdirection。
Wehavenodetailsofthesounding。
NextdaytheAdmiralwasobservedintheparishchurch，veryproperlydressed。Hefoundtheplaces，andjoinedinresponseandhymn，astothemannerborn;andhisappearance，asheintendeditshould，attractedsomeattentionamongtheworshippers。OldNaseby，forinstance，hadobservedhim。
’Therewasadrunken—lookingblackguardoppositeusinchurch，’hesaidtohissonastheydrovehome;’doyouknowwhohewas？’
’Somefellow—VanTromp，Ibelieve，’saidDick。
