Chapter 76 who will it be?

For the first day or two after the resignation of the Ministry the Duchess appeared to take no further notice of the matter. An ungrateful world had repudiated her and her husband, and he had foolishly assisted and given way to the repudiation. All...

Chapter 75 the great wharton alliance

When Mr Wharton got home on that day he said not a word to Emily as to Arthur Fletcher. He had resolved to take various courses,—first to tell her roundly that she was neglecting her duty to herself and to her family, and that...

Chapter 49 ‘where is guatemala?’

Though his daughter’s words to him had been very wild they did almost more to convince Mr Wharton that he should not give his money to his son-in-law than even the letters which had passed between them. To Emily herself he spoke very little...

Chapter 42 retribution

The Duchess had been at work with her husband for the last two months in the hope of renewing her autumnal festivities, but had been lamentably unsuccessful. The Duke had declared that there should be no more rural crowds, no repetition of what he...

Chapter 41 the value of a thick skin

Sir Orlando Drought must have felt bitterly the quiescence with which he sank into obscurity on the second bench on the opposite side of the House. One great occasion he had on which it was his privilege to explain to four or five hundred...

Chapter 40 ‘come and try it’

The husband was almost jovial when he came home just in time to take his young wife to dine with their father. ‘I’ve had such a day in the city,’ he said, laughing. ‘I wish I could introduce you to my friend, Mr Sextus...

Chapter 37 the horns

The first months of the Session went on very much as the last Session had gone. The ministry did nothing brilliant. As far as the outer world could see, they seemed to be firm enough. There was no opposing party in the House strong...

Chapter 36 the jolly blackbird

There was great triumph at Longbarns when the news of Arthur’s victory reached the place;—and when he arrived there himself with his friend Mr Gresham, he was received as a conquering hero. But of course the tidings of ‘the row’ had gone before him,...

Chapter 23 surrender

The letter given in the previous chapter was received at Wharton Hall late in the evening of the day on which it was written, and was discussed among all the Whartons that night. Of course there was no doubt as to the father’s going...

Chapter 17 good-bye

Arthur Fletcher received his brother’s teaching as true, and took his brother’s advice in good part,—so that, before the morning following, he had resolved that however deep the wound might be, he would so live before the world, that the world should not see...