returnonly
so
much
as
he
deemed
expedient
.
These
were
dangerous
power
,
and
he
knew
it
;
but
the
time
seemed
to
have
arrived
when
he
must
stake
or
lose
all
,
and
he
resolved
to
play
the
game
boldly
.
It
roused
an
excitement
within
him
which
,
like
one
fever
driving
out
another
,
made
his
grief
for
Hippolyta
,
though
not
less
real
,
in
some
degree
less
poignant
.
Towards
Ivor
Mardol
,
who
had
lied
to
him
deliberately
,
who
had
for
years
been
carrying
on
relations
with
Colonel
Valence
's
daughter
which
must
have
continued
during
her
stay
at
Forrest
House
,
Rupert
's
feeling
was
that
of
the
Red
Indian
who
treads
noiselessly
in
every
footstep
his
intended
victim
has
made
,
always
seeing
his
murdered
man
—
to
quote
Keats
's
fine
expression
—
a
little
ahead
of
him
,
and
following
with
uplifted
tomahawk
until
the
moment
is
come
to
strike
him
dead
.
Treachery
for
treachery
!
Be
it
so
.
What
other
way
was
there
of
recovering
Hippolyta
or
avenging
her
loss
?
With
the
caressing
eloquence
,
therefore
,
which
he
knew
so
well
how
to
practise
,
Rupert
,
waving
aside
his
old
friend
's
attempt
at
exculpation
as
needless
,
and
excusing
the
harsh
words
that
had
sundered
them
during
these
days
on
the
ground
of
sudden
,
irresponsible
passion
,
went
straight
to
the
point
he
intended
.
He
might
count
on
Ivor
's
devotion
,
might
he
not
?
On
his
help
in
the
calamity
which
had
befallen
him
?
Yes
,
he
knew
it
.
That
was
the
reason
he
had
sent
for
him
.
Rupert
confessed
,
in
terms
of
affection
and
self-rebuke
,
that
he
had
been
punished
for
keeping
a
secret
from
his
dearest
friend
.
That
secret
was
the
love
which
had
sprung
up
,
how
,
where
,
and
when
it
mattered
not
,
between
himself
and
Hippolyta
Valence
.
He
watched
for
a
change
in
Ivor
's
countenance
,
but
no
,
the
dissembling
was
perfect
.
Well
and
good
.
Hippolyta
,
who
had
had
her
own
motives
for
living
under
the
name
of
Mrs.
Malcolm
,
had
disappeared
and
could
no
longer
be
found
.
She
had
not
returned
to
Falside
;
in
London
,
what
hope
was
there
of
coming
upon
her
traces
?
The
speaker
's
voice
faltered
as
he
went
on
to
declare
that
he
did
not
believe
she
was
dead
,
or
had
met
with
a
violent
end
.
In
the
first
outbreak
of
distress
and
fear
he
had
charged
Ivor
with
abducting
her
.
It
was
,
of
course
,
absurd
.
He
would
not
dwell
upon
the
painful
exhibition
he
had
made
of
himself
that
morning
.
But
,
surely
,
some
one
had
induced
her
to
quit
the
house
in
which
she
had
been
residing
and
,
without
a
moment
's
notice
,
to
abandon
those
to
whom
she
was
dearer
than
life
.
Who
could
it
be
?
After
long
meditation
he
had
arrived
at
the
belief
that
it
was
her
father
,
Colonel
Valence
.
What
did
Ivor
think
?
Ivor
,
who
sat
listening
with
his
eyes
fixed
on
Rupert
,
had
not
asked
,
and
did
not
ask
now
,
under
what
circumstances
a
young
lady
like
Miss
Valence
was
living
away
from
home
.
It
would
have
been
an
unpleasant
query
,
though
put
by
a
friend
.
Rupert
supposed
that
he
was
aware
and
did
not
require
telling
.
Nor
was
he
surprised
when
Ivor
,
instead
of
assenting
to
his
theory
about
Colonel
Valence
,
replied
simply
that
he
knew
not
what
to
think
.
He
was
evidently
unwilling
that
Rupert
should
tear
down
the
shelter
afforded
him
by
Hippolyta
's
father
,
—
a
thing
which
might
speedily
have
happened
were
the
Colonel
sought
after
and
proved
innocent
.
Rupert
returned
to
the
charge
;
and
Ivor
,
after
making
protestation
that
he
did
not
wish
to
think
evil
of
a
man
he
had
never
seen
(
Rupert
almost
ground
his
teeth
on
hearing
him
repeat
the
falsehood
)
,
at
last
yielded
and
said
,
'
Suppose
it
were
he
,
then
?
'
'
Then
,
'
cried
Rupert
,
feigning
more
passion
than
he
felt
,
'
I
must
discover
him
wherever
he
is
,
'
and
he
straightway
proceeded
with
the
second
half
of
the
scheme
.
When
he
spoke
of
joining
the
anarchists
his
friend
smiled
;
but
,
as
he
went
on
to
assert
with
growing
vehemence
that
he
should
certainly
do
it
,
cost
what
it
might
,
Ivor
turned
pale
.
Did
he
see
his
plans
checkmated
?
But
he
merely
said
,
'
If
you
had
resolved
on
it
,
Rupert
,
why
did
you
not
join
our
society
before
telling
me
?
I
need
not
have
known
;
whereas
,
hereafter
,
you
will
be
putting
me
in
a
dilemma
where
I
must
either
denounce
my
friend
or
break
my
pledged
word
to
my
associates
.
Are
you
not
aware
that
it
is
incompatible
with
the
existence
of
a
secret
society
to
allow
men
like
yourself
to
enter
it
,
or
not
to
denounce
them
if
by
any
means
they
have
got
in
?
'
'
Men
like
myself
!
'
repeated
his
friend
.
'
Ah
,
to
be
sure
,
you
mean
traitors
and
disbelievers
in
the
principles
of
revolution
.
But
I
shall
be
no
traitor
.
I
am
as
ready
as
yourself
to
subscribe
and
to
propagate
the
creed
you
maintain
.
'
'
Readier
,
perhaps
,
'
said
Ivor
,
with
a
melancholy
smile
;
'
but
that
will
hardly
save
you
,
should
your
motives
for
joining
us
be
revealed
,
as
they
might
be
.
'
He
spoke
with
much
deliberation
.
Rupert
looked
at
him
.
Was
it
a
veiled
threat
?
'
Yes
,
'
he
said
to
himself
,
'
I
dare
be
sworn
they
would
be
revealed
when
it
suited
this
fellow
's
convenience
;
but
that
is
part
of
the
risk
.
'
And
then
aloud
,
'
No
,
Ivor
;
they
would
be
quite
safe
so
long
as
you
were
the
sole
confidant
of
them
,
which
is
what
I
have
in
view
.
I
want
you
,
in
short
,
to
introduce
me
—
to
be
my
sponsor
and
the
guarantee
for
my
orthodoxy
.
'
'
Me
,
my
dear
fellow
,
'
exclaimed
Ivor
with
agitation
in
his
bearing
and
accent
.
'
Could
there
be
anything
more
unfortunate
?
It
is
impossible
.
In
the
first
place
,
knowing
your
motives
,
I
should
be
acting
a
disloyal
part
to
the
association
;
and
,
in
the
second
,
I
am
myself
under
a
cloud
and
what
you
may
call
excommunicate
from
the
brethren
.
'
Glanville
heard
him
with
increasing
hatred
and
admiration
.
He
was
an
abominable
liar
and
scoundrel
,
but
how
ready
,
how
fertile
in
device
!
It
had
not
cost
him
a
moment
to
strike
out
a
double
line
of
fortification
between
himself
and
the
enemy
.
But
it
should
not
avail
him
.
The
artist
affected
not
to
take
his
words
seriously
.
'
Bah
,
my
dear
Ivor
,
'
he
said
,
'
do
you
mean
to
tell
me
there
is
a
single
lodge
in
Great
Britain
that
you
could
not
enter
this
evening
,
and
bring
a
friend
in
your
train
,
if
you
chose
?
'
Ivor
seemed
to
feel
embarrassed
.
'
No
,
'
he
replied
,
though
with
evident
reluctance
;
'
I
do
not
say
that
.
The
matter
is
not
one
I
can
explain
to
a
stranger
,
since
all
are
strangers
,
'
he
added
,
as
if
to
preclude
offence
,
'
who
have
not
taken
our
engagements
.
But
I
may
tell
you
that
I
have
been
deprived
of
the
offices
I
held
,
and
am
looked
on
by
the
most
influential
leaders
with
extreme
distrust
and
dislike
.
I
have
attended
no
meeting
for
months
.
I
do
not
know
when
I
shall
.
'
'
Here
is
an
opportunity
,
'
returned
Glanville
,
who
did
not
believe
a
syllable
of
what
Ivor
had
just
trumped
up
,
as
he
scornfully
whispered
to
himself
.
'
You
could
not
have
a
better
.
You
are
a
strayed
sheep
returning
to
the
fold
of
your
own
accord
,
and
bringing
another
to
prove
your
sincerity
.
It
is
the
very
thing
.
'
Mardol
shook
his
head
.
'
No
,
it
is
not
,
'
he
said
.
'
I
mind
my
own
risk
as
lightly
as
any
man
.
But
I
will
not
encourage
my
friend
to
thrust
himself
,
unarmed
,
into
the
lion
's
den
.
Do
be
persuaded
,
Rupert
.
Leave
it
to
me
to
find
Colonel
Valence
and
his
daughter
,
since
you
are
sure
they
belong
to
us
.
I
will
make
search
in
all
directions
.
'
'
Leave
it
to
him
,
ay
,
that
is
what
he
would
like
,
'
was
the
mental
commentary
with
which
Glanville
heard
these
words
.
He
must
strike
the
decisive
blow
.
He
stood
up
,
walked
across
the
study
,
and
put
his
hand
on
Ivor
's
shoulder
.
Ivor
turned
his
head
towards
the
face
which
was
bent
down
over
him
.
'
Look
here
,
Mardol
,
'
said
Rupert
in
clear
metallic
tones
.
It
was
so
seldom
that
he
called
his
friend
anything
but
Ivor
that
the
young
man
put
his
hand
to
his
heart
with
a
sudden
pang
on
hearing
the
colder
designation
.
Rupert
,
who
knew
how
sensitive
his
affection
was
,
or
had
been
,
noticed
the
gesture
with
satisfaction
.
Was
he
still
capable
of
being
wounded
?
So
much
the
better
.
Glanville
,
hardly
pausing
,
continued
what
he
had
intended
to
say
.
'
Things
between
you
and
me
'
—
such
were
his
words
—
'
have
come
to
a
pass
where
friendship
must
show
itself
heroic
or
must
cease
altogether
to
exist
.
There
is
no
method
by
which
I
can
hope
to
recover
Miss
Valence
,
or
even
to
learn
whether
she
still
breathes
,
but
this
of
entering
your
association
.
You
,
and
you
alone
,
can
open
the
door
to
me
.
Do
so
,
and
you
shall
have
your
fitting
reward
,
if
you
require
any
beyond
that
of
helping
a
friend
.
Refuse
,
and
we
part
,
not
now
in
passion
as
we
did
ten
days
ago
,
but
with
our
eyes
open
,
and
for
ever
.
'
He
went
back
to
his
chair
and
sat
down
.
Ivor
's
paleness
became
ghastly
and
his
breath
was
like
that
of
a
man
labouring
under
the
greatest
agitation
.
At
last
he
said
,
'
Rupert
,
it
is
a
hard
battle
.
Will
you
give
me
your
solemn
promise
not
to
betray
the
secrets
,
whether
political
or
nonpolitical
,
of
the
society
?
'
'
With
pleasure
,
'
answered
Glanville
,
who
perceived
that
he
was
relenting
.
'
I
will
keep
all
the
ordinances
with
the
same
fidelity
which
you
would
exact
from
the
meanest
member
.
'
'
There
are
no
mean
members
,
'
said
Ivor
;
'
we
are
all
equal
once
we
have
taken
the
oath
.
'
'
Very
well
;
then
count
me
as
your
equal
in
this
respect
.
I
want
to
see
Colonel
Valence
,
and
I
am
prepared
to
pay
the
price
.
Can
I
say
fairer
?
Come
,
decide
.
'
'
It
shall
be
as
you
wish
,
'
said
Ivor
,
his
voice
sinking
.
'
What
would
life
be
without
your
friendship
?
'
'
What
,
indeed
?
'
returned
the
artist
in
the
bantering
tone
with
which
he
was
accustomed
to
receive
Ivor
Mardol
's
idolatries
when
they
were
at
school
together
.
The
light
mockery
seemed
to
exhilarate
the
heart
to
which
it
was
addressed
.
Ivor
,
too
,
rose
from
his
seat
,
and
stretching
out
his
arms
and
shaking
himself
,
as
though
to
get
quit
of
a
burden
,
he
said
in
a
lighter
tone
to
Rupert
,
'
And
to
which
party
among
us
do
you
suppose
Colonel
Valence
to
belong
?
Is
he
a
Spartan
or
an
Athenian
?
'
'
I
am
sure
I
cannot
tell
,
'
said
Rupert
;
'
explain
your
meaning
,
my
philosopher
.
'
'
Not
now
,
'
answered
his
friend
;
'
this
conversation
has
fatigued
me
horribly
.
By
and
by
.
I
will
take
you
first
,
however
,
to
see
the
Athenians
.
Hold
yourself
free
from
engagements
till
you
hear
from
me
.
'
CHAPTER
XXXI
ANARCHY
IN
PURPLE
Rupert
sent
a
faithful
account
of
the
conversation
between
himself
and
Ivor
that
same
night
to
Mr.
Bernstein
.
It
was
like
acting
the
spy
and
the
traitor
,
but
he
said
,
while
engaged
upon
it
,
'
The
curtain
has
drawn
up
,
I
have
come
before
the
footlights
,
and
,
so
long
as
the
play
lasts
,
I
must
be
true
to
the
character
I
have
assumed
,
not
to
Rupert
Glanville
,
who
lies
in
a
magic
sleep
.
'
He
could
not
unravel
the
threads
of
Mardol
's
discourse
when
reflecting
on
it
,
nor
had
he
dreamt
that
so
calm
and
metaphysical
a
mind
could
thus
develop
the
gifts
of
an
arch-intriguer
.
When
would
the
imposture
burst
?
And
how
long
should
he
be
compelled
to
wait
until
the
reappearance
of
Hippolyta
?
However
,
he
gave
up
rambling
through
the
ways
of
the
metropolis
,
dizzied
himself
with
occupation
,
and
,
as
in
the
days
when
he
was
longing
for
the
one
who
had
now
abandoned
him
,
rode
from
morn
till
dusk
,
and
came
in
half-dead
with
fatigue
.
It
was
an
inexpressible
relief
to
him
when
Ivor
ran
hastily
in
on
a
mild
and
spring-like
evening
,
soon
after
he
had
taken
off
his
riding-things
—
for
he
had
only
just
come
in
from
a
long
expedition
out
of
town
—
and
said
to
him
,
'
You
are
to
meet
the
Athenians
this
evening
;
how
long
will
it
take
you
to
get
ready
?
'
'
Must
I
dress
?
'
inquired
Rupert
;
'
what
do
the
Athenians
wear
—
a
chlamys
or
a
chiton
?
I
have
n't
got
either
in
the
house
;
we
shall
have
to
adjourn
to
my
studio
.
'
'
I
am
sorry
to
say
there
is
no
need
,
'
returned
Ivor
;
'
they
wear
the
ordinary
evening
dress
of
European
gentlemen
.
But
the
distance
is
considerable
.
Do
you
know
the
Duke
of
Adullam
's
house
at
—
?
'
He
mentioned
an
outskirt
of
London
.
On
hearing
the
Duke
's
name
Rupert
turned
round
and
laughed
.
'
Are
you
acquainted
with
him
?
'
inquired
the
artist
.
'
I
thought
you
never
entered
the
society
of
Dukes
.
'
'
I
have
entered
his
,
'
was
the
reply
,
'
and
must
do
so
again
.
He
invites
you
to
dinner
;
but
I
may
as
well
warn
you
that
after
dinner
,
when
the
uninitiated
have
taken
their
leave
,
we
shall
hold
open
lodge
for
your
benefit
.
I
am
keeping
my
ill-given
promise
to
introduce
you
as
a
candidate
.
The
rest
you
will
look
to
yourself
.
A
wrong
answer
,
a
slightly
too
conservative
opinion
,
may
ruin
you
.
'
'
Then
you
must
coach
me
before
we
start
,
'
said
Rupert
.
'
I
am
quick
at
catching
the
sense
,
or
nonsense
,
of
a
brief
.
Tell
me
what
is
expected
,
and
I
will
mouth
faithfully
what
madness
would
gambol
from
,
—
how
do
the
verses
run
?
'
'
Be
serious
,
'
his
friend
said
.
He
was
afraid
of
these
high
spirits
,
which
prompted
Rupert
sometimes
to
dangerous
frivolity
.
'
What
is
expected
of
you
is
to
show
that
you
understand
and
sympathise
with
the
Revolution
.
If
you
have
the
principles
sound
within
you
,
the
words
will
come
of
themselves
.
But
let
me
tell
you
that
you
will
meet
men
of
quick
discernment
.
'
'
And
is
the
Duke
a
Socialist
?
'
laughed
Rupert
,
going
off
to
dress
.
'
You
shall
know
when
you
have
passed
your
examination
,
'
said
Ivor
.
Rupert
quickly
finished
his
transformation
,
and
when
he
came
down
,
the
two
apparently
devoted
friends
,
in
whose
hearts
such
different
feelings
were
ascendant
,
drove
at
a
rapid
pace
along
the
western
road
,
and
found
themselves
,
towards
eight
o'clock
,
traversing
the
country
lanes
under
the
dim
radiance
of
the
stars
.
Glanville
,
though
like
the
rest
of
civilised
men
he
knew
by
repute
the
house
to
which
they
were
going
,
had
never
seen
the
outside
of
the
park
in
which
it
stood
;
nor
had
he
met
the
Duke
of
Adullam
.
This
Scriptural
name
,
which
conceals
an
illustrious
and
very
ancient
title
,
had
been
given
to
the
Duke
by
his
intimate
friends
,
as
well
as
by
his
inveterate
enemies
,
for
much
the
same
reasons
which
made
it
a
political
weapon
of
offence
on
a
memorable
occasion
.
Before
his
father
's
decease
the
Duke
had
figured
in
the
House
of
Commons
as
a
leader
of
opposition
,
whose
reckless
and
daring
eloquence
,
combined
with
a
personal
charm
which
few
could
resist
,
had
threatened
to
sweep
away
a
Ministry
and
to
break
up
a
party
.
That
the
party
happened
to
be
his
own
,
and
the
Ministry
that
of
their
opponents
,
seemed
not
to
trouble
him
at
all
,
and
added
a
bizarre
interest
to
the
man
whose
pleasure
evidently
lay
in
making
mischief
and
leaving
others
to
pay
for
it
.
But
at
the
opportune
moment
,
when
both
sides
of
the
House
were
trembling
with
dismay
,
a
god
appeared
out
of
the
machine
and
the
country
was
saved
.
It
was
no
other
than
Hermes
,
who
conducts
the
shades
to
Charon
's
ferry
.
The
Duke
,
the
old
Duke
,
our
present
Duke
's
father
,
was
struck
with
apoplexy
,
whether
on
seeing
his
son
's
disregard
of
the
sacred
obligations
of
party
,
or
in
the
natural
course
,
was
not
apparent
.
But
he
did
the
one
thing
asked
of
him
—
he
died
,
—
and
his
son
was
rapt
in
a
golden
cloud
to
the
House
of
Lords
.
The
party
was
not
dissolved
,
and
the
Ministry
did
not
resign
.
These
latter
gentlemen
,
in
the
fulness
of
their
hearts
,
would
have
offered
the
dead
Duke
a
public
vote
of
thanks
and
his
remains
a
resting-place
in
Westminster
Abbey
,
could
they
have
discovered
any
other
service
he
had
done
the
nation
save
that
of
dying
at
the
right
conjuncture
.
As
it
was
,
they
found
some
relief
to
their
joyous
feelings
in
condoling
with
the
House
of
Commons
on
the
loss
it
had
sustained
by
the
Marquis
of
—
'
s
translation
to
another
place
.
The
new
Duke
was
not
vindictive
,
but
he
felt
the
wound
.
Henceforth
,
although
he
did
not
openly
proclaim
war
against
the
social
order
,
he
patronised
all
those
that
did
.
In
becoming
a
Duke
he
felt
that
he
had
ceased
to
be
a
leader
of
men
.
He
set
about
showing
his
resentment
,
however
,
in
a
way
of
his
own
.
The
late
member
of
the
House
of
Commons
and
leader
of
a
democratic
section
therein
,
became
at
one
stroke
its
severest
critic
and
,
as
the
unthinking
public
supposed
,
a
High
Tory
.
He
had
sometimes
affected
the
magnificent
style
of
Edmund
Burke
,
—
he
was
clever
at
adopting
any
style
for
the
nonce
,
—
and
had
termed
the
Commons
'
House
the
august
depositary
of
the
rights
and
liberties
of
Englishmen
.
He
now
turned
completely
round
.
In
many
a
winged
speech
,
barbed
with
truth
and
polished
like
the
edge
of
a
razor
,
he
showed
that
if
Parliament
was
the
acme
of
respectabilities
,
it
was
,
for
that
very
reason
,
a
bundle
of
vested
interests
bound
round
the
axe
or
the
tax-gatherer
,
as
the
rods
were
tied
about
the
Roman
lictor
's
.
His
picturesque
words
and
bold
delivery
drew
cheers
and
laughter
from
the
crowd
,
whom
he
was
careful
not
to
identify
with
a
vulgar
House
of
Commons
.
His
epigrams
,
witty
as
they
were
cynical
,
made
a
stir
in
the
languid
air
of
society
,
and
were
relished
by
those
who
despised
not
only
the
degenerate
Parliament
of
England
,
but
all
Parliaments
and
all
peoples
.
His
reputation
rose
higher
than
ever
,
and
prophets
were
not
wanting
who
spoke
of
the
coming
Tory
Prime
Minister
as
one
that
would
bring
back
the
days
of
Pitt
and
Chatham
.
They
were
in
the
wrong
.
After
making
a
brilliant
début
in
the
House
of
Lords
,
—
which
,
however
,
though
he
charmed
never
so
wisely
,
could
not
be
persuaded
to
sit
over
the
dinner-hour
—
and
when
he
might
have
spent
his
days
in
receiving
informal
deputations
from
all
the
interests
at
which
he
gibed
,
the
Duke
suddenly
abandoned
politics
,
and
was
seen
no
more
on
platforms
.
He
had
found
,
or
was
endeavouring
,
like
Tiberius
,
to
invent
,
a
new
excitement
.
When
he
was
tired
of
attacking
respectability
he
outraged
it
.
Hitherto
a
man
of
average
,
if
not
of
irreproachable
conduct
,
he
shocked
every
one
by
publicly
professing
,
in
modern
London
,
the
principles
of
the
Regent
Orléans
.
That
he
chose
to
practise
them
was
,
in
comparison
with
this
parade
of
belief
in
them
,
venial
and
trifling
.
Society
has
never
thought
it
right
to
interfere
with
a
man
's
private
pleasures
,
least
of
all
with
those
of
a
great
Duke
.
But
it
does
insist
,
on
this
side
of
the
English
Channel
,
that
vice
shall
pay
due
homage
to
virtue
,
whether
in
the
shape
of
hypocrisy
,
or
in
that
of
reserve
and
a
decent
reticence
.
The
Duke
was
not
married
;
and
it
would
have
contributed
to
the
happiness
of
others
in
his
own
rank
with
whom
he
was
on
intimate
terms
,
had
they
not
been
married
either
.
It
had
been
said
,
with
some
truth
,
that
no
woman
could
resist
him
.
They
did
not
always
make
the
attempt
.
He
was
perfectly
unscrupulous
,
foolhardy
,
and
unblushing
.
His
reputation
among
decent
people
was
that
of
a
man
who
had
shamed
his
pedigree
,
his
order
,
his
relations
,
his
acquaintance
.
He
would
have
sought
admittance
in
vain
at
doors
which
would
be
gladly
thrown
open
,
à
deux
battants
,
as
the
French
say
,
to
visitors
that
brought
with
them
only
the
shadow
of
his
strawberry
leaves
.
But
he
did
not
seek
admittance
at
such
.
He
went
into
circles
which
gave
him
an
affectionate
welcome
,
and
he
sounded
the
almost
unfathomable
depths
of
refined
and
cultured
vice
.
He
was
still
in
the
prime
of
manhood
.
At
twenty-five
he
had
achieved
fame
in
the
House
of
Commons
;
he
was
not
seven
and
twenty
when
a
malignant
fate
decreed
that
he
should
sink
into
inglorious
ease
among
the
peers
of
the
realm
.
And
he
was
now
enjoying
an
evil
reputation
of
some
ten
years
'
standing
.
All
this
was
matter
of
extreme
notoriety
;
it
might
be
known
to
the
dogs
in
the
street
,
and
it
could
not
escape
the
ears
of
Glanville
,
who
,
though
not
mixing
in
the
society
haunted
by
the
Duke
,
had
often
heard
his
character
discussed
,
and
was
aware
that
he
sheltered
under
his
roof
every
kind
of
doubtful
person
,
foreign
and
domestic
,
making
himself
still
a
leader
in
those
private
coteries
which
influence
the
rise
and
fall
of
Governments
,
the
success
of
opera-singers
,
and
the
fortunes
of
a
play
.
It
was
from
the
universal
access
which
distressed
persons
had
to
the
Duke
,
especially
if
their
character
was
at
a
discount
,
or
the
police
took
an
interest
in
them
,
that
he
had
acquired
the
title
of
Adullam
,
and
his
villa
,
to
which
Rupert
and
Ivor
were
now
drawing
near
,
that
of
the
'
Cave
.
'
In
spite
of
the
disenchantment
which
Glanville
had
experienced
during
the
last
few
days
in
regard
to
Ivor
,
he
could
not
refrain
from
feeling
,
and
expressing
,
his
surprise
that
so
austere
a
personage
should
endure
the
acquaintance
of
the
Duke
of
Adullam
.
Ivor
answered
very
little
.
He
warned
Rupert
that
until
his
initiation
should
be
complete
,
and
his
loyalty
to
the
brethren
tested
,
there
were
matters
of
consequence
which
he
must
take
as
he
found
them
,
for
no
explanation
would
be
forthcoming
.
If
he
dreamt
of
purchasing
secrets
to-morrow
by
taking
an
oath
this
evening
,
he
would
be
grievously
disappointed
.
The
artist
bit
his
lips
and
kept
silent
.
Evidently
there
was
a
struggle
impending
in
the
future
that
would
call
out
all
his
energies
.
He
must
be
wary
and
not
impulsive
,
or
his
defeat
was
certain
.
Buried
in
these
reflections
,
which
did
not
tend
to
raise
his
spirits
,
Glanville
hardly
noticed
that
they
were
passing
through
the
gates
of
a
lodge
and
entering
a
long
avenue
which
was
formed
by
great
trees
,
the
outline
of
whose
stems
and
foliage
,
dimly
visible
under
the
stars
,
was
no
less
grand
than
sombre
.
It
might
be
some
half-mile
to
the
house
;
and
,
as
they
approached
it
,
they
saw
the
front
door
open
,
several
other
carriages
standing
before
it
as
if
just
drawn
up
,
and
the
windows
right
and
left
blazing
with
lights
.
They
got
out
,
and
,
passing
up
the
wide
steps
to
a
terrace
bordered
with
flowers
,
which
were
all
dark
and
asleep
in
the
night-time
,
entered
a
splendid
hall
hung
round
with
paintings
.
Ivor
,
the
shy
and
philosophic
Ivor
,
appeared
to
be
at
home
in
the
midst
of
these
grandeurs
;
the
servants
likewise
seemed
to
know
him
well
,
and
for
the
first
time
in
his
life
Rupert
felt
that
he
was
under
the
protection
of
a
man
from
whom
,
however
great
his
affection
might
have
been
for
him
,
he
had
never
anticipated
that
particular
kind
of
service
.
They
were
shown
into
a
smaller
room
,
fitted
up
as
a
salon
in
the
style
of
Louis
XV
.
,
where
they
found
the
Duke
awaiting
his
guests
.
It
was
,
Ivor
said
in
the
carriage
,
to
be
a
bachelors
'
party
.
Rupert
was
introduced
by
his
engraver
friend
,
whom
the
Duke
lightly
rallied
for
having
deserted
the
Cave
so
many
months
together
.
Ivor
Mardol
replied
that
business
had
taken
him
abroad
for
one
thing
,
and
that
principle
had
kept
him
at
home
for
another
.
His
Grace
of
Adullam
smiled
.
He
was
a
singularly
prepossessing
man
,
though
not
exactly
handsome
.
But
Rupert
liked
a
human
being
to
show
some
individual
traits
of
character
,
even
at
the
cost
of
a
little
beauty
,
and
not
to
be
eternally
reminding
one
of
that
sad
,
unsatisfying
Antinous
.
The
Duke
's
figure
was
well
proportioned
and
he
seemed
neither
tall
nor
short
,
though
he
stood
six
feet
in
actual
measurement
.
His
motions
were
graceful
as
a
panther
's
,
his
voice
lingered
in
the
memory
;
and
the
large
dark
eyes
,
flaming
like
a
basilisk
's
,
told
,
no
less
than
the
melancholy
passionate
mouth
,
of
a
spirit
that
suffered
the
reverse
of
the
pain
of
Tantalus
,
—
not
the
longing
before
satiety
,
but
the
despair
which
comes
after
it
.
Ivor
,
when
the
Duke
moved
away
,
turned
to
his
friend
and
said
,
'
What
do
you
think
of
him
?
I
have
invented
a
Shakespearian
compound
name
for
the
kind
;
I
call
it
"
restless-drooping
.
"
'
The
artist
assented
,
but
thought
he
should
like
to
hear
more
of
the
voice
that
corresponded
to
the
countenance
and
figure
.
He
was
not
to
be
baulked
.
When
the
number
of
guests
was
full
they
went
rather
silently
into
the
dining-room
,
which
was
long
and
narrow
,
not
unlike
the
picture-gallery
at
Trelingham
,
fitted
up
with
a
panelling
of
dark
polished
wood
against
which
shone
marble
statues
of
exquisite
loveliness
.
The
lights
were
low
and
soft
,
except
where
they
threw
a
blaze
from
above
on
the
dinner-table
;
and
somewhere
in
the
distance
might
be
heard
the
sound
of
running
water
,
a
subdued
ripple
which
seemed
unconsciously
to
tone
the
conversation
that
ensued
and
fill
up
its
pauses
.
Rupert
was
charmed
and
,
he
could
not
but
allow
,
surprised
.
Not
that
he
had
imagined
he
was
invited
to
a
noisy
rout
;
the
Duke
was
well
known
for
his
extreme
refinement
,
and
had
never
mixed
with
the
rabble
which
stands
on
the
outskirts
of
the
highest
society
as
on
those
of
the
lowest
.
But
he
had
looked
for
something
different
.
Were
the
guests
around
him
anarchists
?
He
examined
them
one
by
one
.
There
were
sixteen
at
table
counting
the
Duke
,
who
,
as
Rupert
was
again
astonished
to
observe
,
had
seated
Ivor
in
the
place
of
distinction
at
his
right
hand
,
where
he
talked
to
him
earnestly
.
The
young
man
took
his
honours
with
unruffled
mien
and
seemed
entirely
at
his
ease
.
There
was
now
no
shade
of
anxiety
on
his
brow
.
Again
Glanville
marvelled
that
he
should
be
so
thorough
an
adept
in
dissimulation
.
Ivor
,
he
said
to
himself
,
knew
that
he
had
taken
Hippolyta
from
his
friend
,
and
that
his
friend
knew
it
.
And
he
was
sitting
with
that
friend
at
the
same
table
as
completely
unmoved
,
as
entirely
master
of
himself
,
as
though
his
loyalty
had
been
unimpeached
and
unimpeachable
.
What
a
vile
masquerade
was
life
and
friendship
!
His
thoughts
reverted
to
the
others
.
Were
they
indeed
patrons
or
partisans
of
anarchy
?
The
table
at
which
they
were
met
was
a
Duke
's
;
the
wines
,
the
viands
,
the
flowers
that
bloomed
around
them
,
were
each
in
their
kind
rare
and
exquisite
.
Life
in
these
climates
had
nothing
more
perfect
to
show
on
its
material
side
;
the
senses
were
gratified
to
their
highest
,
and
every
crumpled
rose-leaf
that
could
trouble
their
enjoyment
was
swept
away
.
He
noted
the
conversation
.
It
was
clever
and
ingenious
,
but
at
times
something
too
searched-out
,
—
he
found
himself
saying
with
Holofernes
,
'
too
peregrinate
,
'
—
to
bear
the
stamp
of
unpremeditated
gaiety
.
Nor
was
it
exactly
gay
.
It
was
high-pitched
and
then
languorous
,
abounding
in
prose
which
apparently
exhausted
the
resources
of
impassioned
verse
,
yet
could
not
express
its
meaning
to
the
speaker
's
satisfaction
.
Some
of
the
guests
were
gentle
almost
to
effeminacy
,
and
their
out-of-the-way
learning
contrasted
singularly
with
the
mincing
,
tender
tones
in
which
they
gave
utterance
to
it
.
Two
or
three
past
the
first
years
of
old
age
were
,
on
the
other
hand
,
grave
,
sententious
,
and
majestic
.
Wearing
the
Florentine
lucco
instead
of
the
black
dress-coat
and
waistcoat
,
they
might
have
come
straight
from
the
Purgatorio
of
Dante
,
with
their
earnest
gestures
and
slow
sonorous
voices
.
These
were
not
all
English
,
like
the
young
,
wild-haired
—
and
perhaps
,
in
spite
of
their
seriousness
,
hare-brained
—
dilettanti
whom
Rupert
recognised
as
of
the
class
which
is
perpetually
discoursing
of
poems
and
pictures
,
though
incapable
of
creating
either
.
What
struck
him
in
all
the
talk
was
its
chaotic
nature
.
Not
only
did
every
man
appear
to
have
different
patterns
of
heaven
,
earth
,
and
hell
from
those
which
his
neighbour
carried
,
but
the
number
of
discordant
patterns
in
each
sample-book
was
without
end
.
These
strange
guests
,
who
did
not
mention
or
call
each
other
by
their
names
,
had
read
everything
,
seen
everything
,
and
travelled
everywhere
.
They
had
opened
Pandora
's
box
and
rifled
it
of
its
contents
,
but
not
one
of
them
had
found
Hope
at
the
bottom
.
He
could
not
but
allow
that
they
were
erudite
,
refined
,
polished
to
excess
;
but
the
refinement
seemed
to
have
undone
the
work
of
travel
and
experience
;
it
had
taken
the
life
out
of
these
men
and
extinguished
in
them
the
last
spark
of
spontaneity
.
Art
had
overcome
Nature
;
the
fine-spun
inner
clothing
had
completely
wrapped
up
and
overlaid
that
fine-spun
inner
flesh
that
we
call
temperament
and
genius
.
There
could
be
no
passion
where
there
was
no
fire
;
but
the
curious
fact
remained
that
in
every
sentence
enough
passion
was
breathed
forth
to
outdo
Cleopatra
and
Sappho
.
Rupert
laughed
inwardly
when
he
perceived
that
he
could
remember
only
the
names
of
women
to
match
these
simulacra
of
men
.
Yes
,
they
were
anarchists
surely
.
They
denied
,
doubted
,
disparaged
;
they
had
nothing
but
refined
scorn
for
all
that
makes
life
worth
living
.
They
called
nothing
into
existence
;
they
satirised
everything
that
was
not
sensuous
feeling
,
that
did
not
feed
delightful
moments
.
Glanville
had
long
detested
morbidezza
in
painting
;
he
saw
it
here
and
hated
it
in
literature
and
life
.
The
deity
worshipped
by
this
company
was
ρωςπτερος
,
—
the
wingless
,
earthly
love
which
turns
life
into
a
frenzied
lyrical
chant
,
and
steeps
the
senses
in
earth-born
parfumes
.
In
like
manner
the
high
thoughts
which
for
him
made
the
literature
of
the
world
an
inspired
,
heroic
Bible
,
sank
down
here
to
the
wine-crowned
parables
of
Hafiz
.
Had
he
come
by
mistake
into
a
Paradise
of
sensuous
delights
instead
of
the
ambrosial
supper
for
which
Ivor
had
prepared
him
?
Was
the
Duke
of
Adullam
no
better
than
this
?
He
had
supposed
that
transcendent
disdain
of
conventionalities
lay
at
the
root
of
his
daring
conduct
.
If
he
was
only
a
treble-distilled
Sybarite
,
a
nature
all
softness
and
attar
of
roses
,
how
came
Ivor
Mardol
to
be
intimate
with
him
?
Rupert
,
who
had
said
very
little
hitherto
,
looked
at
them
both
and
wondered
.
The
Duke
caught
his
eye
.
'
I
cannot
thank
you
enough
,
'
he
said
to
Glanville
in
a
most
winning
voice
,
'
for
bringing
our
John
the
Baptist
back
again
.
'
'
Do
you
mean
my
friend
?
'
said
the
artist
.
'
I
was
not
aware
that
he
had
been
preaching
in
the
wilderness
.
I
thought
he
was
always
sure
of
a
good
audience
among
—
'
'
Hush
,
'
said
the
Duke
,
with
a
well-feigned
expression
of
dismay
,
'
it
matters
not
among
whom
.
But
look
at
the
glasses
standing
by
him
;
you
will
see
that
he
deserves
his
name
.
'
Rupert
glanced
across
the
table
,
and
perceived
that
Ivor
had
taken
no
wine
.
The
array
of
glasses
stood
empty
and
dishonoured
.
'
You
see
,
'
said
the
Duke
,
'
such
is
the
defiance
held
out
by
our
friend
on
the
first
night
of
our
restored
amity
.
He
will
not
touch
wine
or
strong
drink
.
Like
another
Baptist
—
though
I
may
have
my
doubts
whether
he
is
heralding
a
fresh
Gospel
—
he
symbolically
rebukes
the
New
Paganism
,
of
which
wine
is
the
emblem
and
Dionysus
the
father
.
You
,
I
know
,
will
be
on
our
side
.
Your
paintings
have
nothing
of
John
the
Baptist
in
them
.
'
'
Truly
not
much
,
'
returned
the
artist
,
smiling
;
'
but
I
have
long
since
given
up
the
thought
of
persuading
my
friend
to
enjoy
life
.
Lately
,
'
he
went
on
,
with
a
bitter
meaning
in
the
words
,
'
he
may
have
come
to
view
things
in
a
more
joyous
mood
,
and
to
find
nectar
in
the
rosebud
.
'
'
Indeed
?
'
cried
the
Duke
eagerly
.
'
What
,
the
Spartan
turned
Epicurean
!
Pray
take
off
his
pallium
and
show
us
the
man
of
pleasure
beneath
it
.
'
'
I
may
some
day
,
'
was
Rupert
's
grave
answer
.
'
At
present
I
am
not
sure
that
he
has
not
kept
a
second
pallium
in
reserve
.
'
Ivor
looked
at
him
uneasily
.
Was
Rupert
jesting
or
in
earnest
?
It
would
serve
no
good
purpose
to
let
the
Duke
misunderstand
.
'
His
Grace
knows
,
'
said
Ivor
,
'
that
I
was
brought
up
a
water-drinker
and
vegetarian
.
I
admit
that
I
have
not
kept
my
creed
entire
.
I
eat
the
flesh
of
bird
and
beast
,
as
you
see
;
but
I
cannot
become
a
complete
renegade
,
so
I
abstain
from
wine
.
'
'
And
you
still
condemn
luxury
?
'
asked
the
Duke
.
'
Not
among
Athenians
,
'
said
Ivor
,
smiling
.
'
I
wait
till
I
get
to
Sparta
.
'
'
You
catch
the
allusion
?
'
the
Duke
inquired
,
addressing
the
artist
,
who
replied
that
he
did
in
a
measure
.
'
Let
me
endeavour
to
fill
up
the
measure
,
'
said
the
Duke
pleasantly
,
at
the
same
time
keeping
his
fingers
twined
about
the
stem
of
his
champagne
glass
,
which
an
attendant
was
replenishing
.
'
What
we
have
to
consider
—
we
,
I
mean
,
to
whom
the
future
outweighs
the
present
—
is
what
sort
of
republic
shall
succeed
the
monarchies
now
going
to
pieces
all
over
Europe
before
our
eyes
.
Shall
it
be
a
republic
of
all
the
virtues
,
or
a
republic
of
all
the
pleasures
—
?
'
'
Why
not
combine
both
?
'
said
Rupert
.
'
There
spoke
the
artist
,
'
exclaimed
his
Grace
of
Adullam
,
—
'
the
artist
to
whom
pleasure
is
only
a
form
of
virtue
,
or
virtue
a
form
of
pleasure
.
But
it
cannot
be
,
I
fear
.
You
know
there
are
bourgeois
virtues
which
it
is
not
fit
for
a
gentleman
,
and
much
less
a
lady
,
to
practise
.
And
there
are
gentlemanly
vices
the
absence
of
which
in
our
republic
would
make
it
,
what
I
sometimes
dread
it
is
going
to
be
,
excessively
dull
.
'
'
That
was
for
a
long
while
my
objection
to
Socialism
,
'
said
Rupert
;
'
it
might
be
justice
personified
,
if
you
please
;
but
how
distressingly
ugly
the
ancient
dame
appeared
!
'
'
Oh
quite
,
quite
,
'
said
one
of
the
guests
with
gentle
horror
;
'
a
state
of
things
in
which
one
would
be
forbidden
to
scent
one
's
self
with
sandal-wood
because
it
was
of
no
service
to
draymen
!
'
'
And
where
,
as
there
were
no
poor
,
there
could
be
no
rich
,
'
said
another
.
'
Think
what
would
become
of
you
and
me
if
we
happened
not
to
be
rich
.
We
should
expire
in
agony
within
twenty-four
hours
.
'
'
It
is
just
as
well
,
then
,
'
interposed
Ivor
,
with
a
doubtful
smile
on
his
features
,
'
that
you
decided
not
to
be
born
at
Sparta
.
You
remember
the
law
of
Lycurgus
about
those
who
were
deformed
from
their
birth
,
and
Taygetus
?
'
'
What
,
then
,
are
the
rich
,
and
the
artists
,
and
the
cultivated
minority
in
general
,
to
do
when
the
good
time
comes
?
'
demanded
Rupert
;
'
Taygetus
will
not
be
large
enough
to
hold
them
,
any
more
than
the
valley
of
Jehoshaphat
will
hold
everybody
at
the
Last
Day
.
'
'
You
have
stated
the
problem
,
'
said
the
Duke
,
'
and
it
behoves
those
whom
it
chiefly
concerns
,
that
minority
of
which
the
existence
would
be
imperilled
,
—
and
all
we
at
this
table
belong
to
it
,
—
to
discover
the
solution
.
Sparta
will
clearly
be
fatal
to
us
.
I
have
been
saying
,
therefore
,
to
such
as
I
could
influence
—
they
are
not
many
—
why
not
try
Athens
?
One
or
the
other
we
shall
surely
come
to
.
'
'
But
neither
of
them
,
'
said
one
of
the
grave
old
men
that
had
not
yet
spoken
,
'
was
a
republic
.
You
do
n't
suppose
all
that
dwelt
in
Athens
were
free
citizens
.
And
at
Sparta
,
besides
the
ordinary
slaves
,
there
were
the
Helots
.
'
'
I
grant
you
,
'
said
the
Duke
,
'
as
much
ancient
history
as
you
can
require
.
But
I
am
still
anxious
to
know
what
will
become
of
us
,
who
are
not
dead
and
illustrious
,
when
there
is
a
universal
Republic
and
no
guillotine
for
aristocrats
.
'
'
These
are
mere
questions
of
the
day
,
'
replied
the
old
man
.
'
Why
trouble
ourselves
with
what
is
in
all
the
newspapers
?
Art
and
literature
—
surely
these
are
a
realm
of
serene
tranquillity
in
which
we
may
live
.
The
rest
is
like
a
far-off
storm
at
sea
.
'
'
Yes
,
'
said
Rupert
;
'
we
may
escape
into
the
Ideal
until
the
floods
invade
it
and
swallow
artist
and
poet
alike
.
The
waves
are
mounting
,
and
who
will
build
us
an
ark
?
'
'
Just
so
;
I
like
your
way
of
putting
it
,
'
said
the
Duke
.
'
There
will
be
hardly
terra
firma
left
on
which
to
build
an
ark
,
even
as
small
as
Noah
's
,
if
we
do
not
begin
at
once
.
But
suppose
we
could
teach
the
many-headed
monster
that
he
need
not
be
afraid
of
us
,
that
our
existence
enlarges
the
possibilities
of
his
,
that
even
luxury
will
provide
bread
for
his
table
?
'
'
He
will
want
your
luxury
,
too
,
'
said
Ivor
,
'
as
soon
as
he
can
lay
hands
on
it
.
'
'
Well
,
let
him
,
'
answered
the
Duke
,
'
and
then
he
may
come
to
me
.
I
will
show
him
that
luxury
,
though
indispensable
to
dukes
and
the
like
unhappy
creatures
,
would
only
take
away
his
chance
of
happiness
if
he
gave
himself
to
it
.
However
,
what
we
want
is
Athens
.
The
barbarous
interlude
,
the
sort
of
medieval
mystery
which
we
know
as
the
Christian
religion
,
has
come
and
is
nearly
gone
.
We
shall
see
it
out
.
What
remains
but
the
only
genuine
civilisation
which
has
made
man
human
,
—
made
him
free
,
scientific
,
artistic
,
passionately
poetical
?
That
is
all
summed
up
in
the
name
of
Athens
.
There
is
no
other
.
Sparta
,
Corinth
,
Rome
,
are
provincial
towns
in
the
republic
of
the
Ideal
.
And
,
therefore
,
we
citizens
of
the
future
must
call
ourselves
Athenians
and
resuscitate
that
humanising
polity
.
'
'
Do
you
propose
to
make
an
Athens
of
London
?
'
inquired
Rupert
,
whose
mind
went
back
to
the
days
and
nights
he
had
been
spending
among
its
hospitals
,
workhouses
,
back
lanes
,
and
mortuaries
.
'
I
fancy
you
had
better
burn
it
down
first
,
by
way
of
a
beginning
.
'
'
Will
your
friend
Ivor
Mardol
,
'
inquired
the
Duke
in
his
turn
,
'
transform
it
to
a
Sparta
where
there
shall
be
neither
slaves
,
Helots
,
nor
black
soup
?
'
and
he
addressed
himself
to
the
morsel
of
woodcock
on
his
plate
while
waiting
for
an
answer
.
But
Ivor
interposed
.
'
I
never
said
I
was
a
Spartan
,
'
he
replied
calmly
,
'
but
that
is
no
reason
why
I
should
allow
that
Athens
and
luxury
are
synonymous
.
I
think
a
time
may
come
—
it
will
come
,
as
I
hope
—
when
nothing
will
be
deemed
worthy
of
men
except
what
gives
them
clearer
brains
and
more
generous
feelings
.
The
art
of
living
stands
in
as
urgent
need
of
revision
,
nay
of
revolution
,
as
the
art
of
governing
.
Who
is
there
that
knows
much
of
either
?
'
'
Ay
,
'
said
the
Duke
,
laughing
,
'
I
told
you
so
.
We
have
come
round
to
the
Baptist
,
with
his
locusts
and
wild
honey
.
'
Coffee
was
served
,
and
they
adjourned
to
the
salon
in
which
the
Duke
had
received
his
guests
on
arriving
.
In
no
long
while
about
half
of
those
present
took
their
leave
.
Rupert
,
who
could
not
tell
whether
his
'
examination
,
'
as
Ivor
called
it
,
had
begun
or
was
already
over
,
kept
his
eye
on
that
suspicious
friend
,
whose
reserve
had
hitherto
concealed
from
him
this
extraordinary
acquaintance
with
the
Duke
of
Adullam
.
All
reticence
between
intimates
—
though
some
must
be
unavoidable
—
has
this
inconvenience
:
when
one
secret
has
come
to
light
a
hundred
may
be
suspected
,
and
,
like
a
casket
in
which
a
false
bottom
has
been
discovered
,
the
friendship
will
seem
to
be
lined
with
reserves
innumerable
.
If
Mardol
could
be
on
such
terms
with
the
Duke
,
yet
his
nearest
friend
not
know
it
,
why
should
he
not
have
been
acting
throughout
on
principles
which
would
make
his
loyalty
a
pretence
and
his
affection
a
snare
?
But
while
Glanville
was
chewing
the
cud
of
this
bitter
fancy
,
the
Duke
approached
and
invited
him
to
the
smoking-room
.
Ivor
,
who
was
standing
at
no
great
distance
and
saw
the
motion
,
nodded
approval
and
prepared
to
follow
.
The
way
led
up
a
flight
of
marble
steps
,
along
a
closed
verandah
,
and
into
a
room
illuminated
from
above
with
a
mellow
radiance
.
It
was
the
electric
light
glowing
through
yellow
and
crimson
roses
which
seemed
to
hang
from
the
trellis
of
an
arbour
,
while
mats
of
gorgeous
colours
strewed
the
floor
,
Indian
shawls
of
dead
golden
hue
fell
over
the
entrance
and
the
windows
,
and
a
divan
of
softest
texture
,
covered
with
pale
yellow
satin
,
ran
round
the
walls
.
As
in
the
dining-chamber
,
so
here
was
audible
the
sound
of
rippling
water
mingled
with
the
plash
of
a
fountain
.
The
air
was
not
heavy
with
perfume
,
but
there
hung
about
it
the
faint
,
yet
pungent
,
fragrance
of
Eastern
tobacco
,
in
which
a
whole
world
of
reminiscences
—
Cairo
and
the
Golden
Horn
,
and
far-off
Hindustan
—
seemed
to
dose
and
dream
.
'
Is
this
your
Nihilist
conclave
?
'
whispered
Rupert
to
his
companion
,
as
they
passed
the
enchanted
gateway
,
and
the
crimson
and
golden
light
came
streaming
over
them
.
'
Why
not
?
'
returned
Ivor
;
'
do
you
think
the
Indian
shawls
will
make
a
difference
?
It
is
the
men
,
not
the
room
,
that
constitute
a
meeting
.
'
They
flung
themselves
on
the
silken
divan
.
'
Ah
,
'
said
Rupert
under
his
breath
,
'
this
is
perfect
.
'
He
meant
the
apparition
of
a
brown-skinned
Nubian
boy
,
of
exquisitely
regular
features
,
and
in
Oriental
costume
of
crimson
,
with
a
yellow
turban
round
his
head
,
who
advanced
towards
them
silently
when
they
sat
down
,
and
offered
them
in
turn
a
bowl
of
meerschaum
with
twisted
tube
and
tobacco
of
their
choice
.
Ivor
looked
at
the
boy
and
laughed
,
at
the
same
time
putting
the
narghileh
away
with
his
hand
.
The
Nubian
,
if
such
he
was
,
laughed
back
to
him
,
and
in
doing
so
displayed
a
range
of
pearly
teeth
between
his
beautiful
lips
.
He
,
too
,
must
be
familiar
with
Ivor
's
ways
,
said
Rupert
to
himself
.
At
that
moment
the
Duke
,
turning
round
,
caught
sight
of
the
pantomime
,
and
shook
his
head
mournfully
.
'
You
smoke
,
I
am
sure
,
'
he
said
to
Rupert
.
'
I
can
see
that
you
believe
in
the
sacred
fire
.
This
frost-bound
philosopher
,
'
indicating
Ivor
,
'
is
an
infidel
and
deserves
to
be
immolated
on
a
pyre
of
cigarettes
.
Yes
,
'
he
went
on
,
'
happy
is
the
man
that
has
learned
to
smoke
from
his
youth
up
.
It
is
the
one
consolation
that
can
never
fail
him
.
But
now
,
Mr.
Glanville
,
nerve
yourself
for
the
ordeal
.
You
are
not
ignorant
of
what
is
before
you
.
'
'
Well
,
I
am
rather
,
'
answered
Glanville
.
'
I
understand
that
dinner
was
what
Freemasons
call
"
open
lodge
.
"
But
what
may
be
coming
next
I
certainly
cannot
say
.
'
'
Dinner
,
'
replied
the
Duke
,
'
never
can
be
anything
but
open
lodge
.
It
is
merely
the
vestibule
of
truth
.
But
the
smoking-room
is
her
sanctum
.
Amid
these
clouds
—
the
only
incense
left
us
—
she
reveals
her
lineaments
,
as
you
will
speedily
perceive
.
'
Then
changing
his
tone
and
becoming
all
at
once
serious
,
'
My
dear
artist
,
I
presume
you
are
aware
that
you
have
thrust
yourself
into
considerable
danger
in
coming
hither
?
'
'
Very
likely
I
have
,
'
said
Rupert
,
taking
the
narghileh
from
his
lips
.
'
What
then
?
'
'
Why
then
,
'
answered
the
Duke
,
'
everything
depends
,
not
on
your
courage
,
—
I
should
be
the
last
to
call
it
in
question
,
—
but
on
the
degree
of
earnestness
with
which
you
have
come
to
us
.
'
At
this
juncture
Rupert
's
friend
rose
from
the
divan
,
and
went
over
to
a
group
of
guests
who
were
smoking
at
a
little
distance
.
Glanville
and
the
Duke
were
in
some
sense
alone
,
but
if
either
raised
his
voice
the
conversation
would
reach
listening
ears
.
At
present
the
Duke
's
subdued
tones
were
a
hint
that
he
desired
the
colloquy
to
be
carried
on
between
himself
and
Rupert
only
.
The
latter
,
with
an
inquiring
look
in
his
eyes
,
faced
the
Duke
,
who
sat
sideways
on
the
divan
and
smoked
very
placidly
.
'
Well
?
'
said
his
Grace
.
'
I
do
not
know
what
the
earnestness
means
of
which
you
speak
,
'
said
Glanville
,
'
or
what
guarantee
will
satisfy
you
.
'
'
There
is
only
one
condition
,
and
it
is
guarantee
sufficient
,
'
replied
the
Duke
.
'
What
have
you
lost
to
put
you
at
enmity
with
the
social
order
?
'
Rupert
gave
a
short
,
bitter
laugh
.
'
Is
that
all
?
'
he
said
.
'
I
might
,
if
I
were
overbold
;
ask
your
Grace
that
question
.
What
have
you
lost
?
'
'
Everything
,
'
replied
the
Duke
simply
.
And
when
Glanville
stared
,
'
Come
,
'
he
said
,
raising
his
voice
,
'
this
gentleman
will
not
believe
that
a
'
duke
can
be
a
Nihilist
.
How
shall
I
convince
him
?
'
Four
or
five
of
the
others
,
including
Ivor
,
came
at
these
words
,
and
,
in
the
language
of
the
theatre
,
grouped
themselves
,
dramatically
,
round
the
Duke
and
the
artist
.
The
rest
seemed
to
take
no
notice
and
went
on
with
their
smoking
.
The
Duke
waited
,
as
if
for
some
one
to
counsel
him
.
'
Tell
him
your
life
and
adventures
,
'
said
one
.
'
Too
long
,
'
put
in
another
,
as
he
turned
to
light
a
fresh
cheroot
.
'
Tell
him
mine
,
then
,
'
retorted
the
first
.
'
Yours
is
too
singular
to
have
a
moral
,
'
said
the
second
.
'
It
is
horrible
besides
,
and
one
must
not
begin
with
a
nightmare
.
'
'
The
rest
are
little
better
,
'
said
the
man
whose
story
,
apparently
with
his
consent
,
was
declared
to
be
a
nightmare
.
And
there
was
a
pause
.
'
But
,
'
said
the
Duke
,
'
we
cannot
stay
here
all
night
.
What
is
to
be
done
?
'
He
reflected
for
a
moment
,
amid
the
perfect
silence
which
followed
his
words
.
The
fragrant
ascending
clouds
veiled
with
prismatic
vapours
the
yellow
and
crimson
light
of
the
flower-like
lamps
.
Existence
,
so
curtained
about
with
webs
of
divers
colours
from
the
Indian
loom
,
so
penetrated
with
aromatic
drugs
,
so
wrapped
in
dreamy
lawns
of
smoke
,
and
illuminated
with
the
charmed
rays
that
fell
softly
from
above
,
seemed
to
the
artist
a
drowsy
,
delicious
,
trance-like
state
wherein
was
neither
pain
nor
pleasure
,
but
only
luxurious
repose
.
Why
not
go
on
dreaming
thus
for
ever
?
thought
Rupert
.
There
would
come
no
visions
of
an
arduous
ideal
through
those
silken
folds
,
not
even
the
sound
of
poetry
or
music
,
to
suggest
the
painful
sweet
reminiscences
which
might
stir
a
man
to
action
.
The
existence
which
was
all
love
,
and
passion
,
and
loss
,
had
vanished
into
the
dark
night
outside
.
Why
should
it
return
and
vex
him
any
more
?
The
Duke
touched
his
hand
.
'
You
are
falling
asleep
with
your
eyes
open
,
'
he
said
;
'
look
up
and
listen
.
'
Rupert
turned
slowly
towards
him
with
such
an
expression
as
we
may
fancy
they
had
who
dwelt
in
the
Lotos-land
,
where
it
was
always
afternoon
.
'
All
right
,
'
he
said
,
'
I
am
listening
.
'
'
Look
round
you
also
,
'
the
Duke
insisted
sharply
,
and
his
voice
became
very
stern
.
'
You
wish
to
be
one
of
us
.
Here
,
then
,
are
seven
men
who
have
joined
the
party
of
despair
.
Can
you
tell
why
?
'
He
paused
,
and
Rupert
,
gathering
his
faculties
together
,
replied
:
'
How
should
I
know
?
I
never
saw
one
of
them
before
except
Ivor
.
'
'
And
he
,
'
said
the
Duke
slowly
,
'
like
the
rest
of
this
company
,
has
a
shattered
existence
.
'
'
It
is
a
lie
,
'
exclaimed
Rupert
,
springing
up
;
'
he
has
shattered
mine
;
he
has
broken
my
heart
.
'
Ivor
looked
at
him
,
long
and
sorrowfully
,
but
said
nothing
.
'
Right
,
right
,
'
said
the
Duke
with
amazing
tranquillity
;
'
at
last
I
hear
the
cry
of
a
wounded
spirit
.
Why
,
man
,
'
he
went
on
,
addressing
Rupert
,
whose
dreams
had
fled
like
a
troop
of
frightened
deer
,
'
do
you
suppose
we
are
playing
for
amusement
?
If
your
friend
had
not
assured
me
that
a
great
grief
had
smitten
you
through
,
these
doors
had
never
opened
to
you
.
'
Rupert
,
dumfounded
at
so
novel
an
experience
,
knew
not
how
to
answer
.
It
was
clear
that
,
be
the
game
jest
or
earnest
,
he
was
playing
with
men
vastly
superior
to
himself
in
resource
and
cunning
.
The
Duke
seemed
to
perceive
what
was
passing
through
his
mind
.
With
a
gentle
but
decisive
grasp
he
drew
Rupert
to
his
seat
again
,
and
while
the
others
stood
about
in
their
careless
attitudes
,
he
went
on
:
'
You
have
perhaps
,
my
dear
friend
,
confounded
us
with
the
ornamental
mysteries
of
the
last
century
.
I
do
not
mind
being
taken
for
a
Rosicrucian
,
or
Mesmerist
,
or
what
not
,
by
the
crowd
standing
and
staring
about
the
doors
.
It
is
as
well
they
should
think
we
are
not
much
in
earnest
.
But
with
you
it
is
different
.
If
you
enter
,
you
belong
to
us
.
And
you
ought
to
know
what
binds
us
together
.
It
is
not
the
flimsy
threads
of
sentiments
,
or
philosophy
learned
by
rote
,
or
political
clap-trap
.
Every
man
here
brings
a
ruined
life
in
his
hand
.
The
rank
and
file
of
our
societies
,
which
number
hundreds
of
thousands
,
are
made
up
of
those
who
by
hunger
,
want
,
misery
—
and
by
reflection
on
all
that
—
have
been
driven
to
join
us
.
We
,
I
do
not
say
the
élite
,
but
the
few
,
have
suffered
neither
hunger
,
nor
thirst
,
nor
nakedness
.
But
we
have
suffered
worse
.
We
have
lost
,
one
in
this
way
,
another
in
that
,
the
good
of
life
.
We
,
too
,
are
stricken
so
deeply
that
only
in
the
destruction
of
society
,
if
at
all
,
can
we
hope
for
a
glimpse
of
happiness
.
'
Was
he
listening
to
a
madman
?
Rupert
gazed
right
and
left
in
search
of
the
answer
to
this
enigma
.
The
Duke
,
watching
him
,
smiled
.
'
I
see
that
you
cannot
believe
me
,
'
he
said
.
'
You
want
ocular
demonstration
.
You
shall
have
it
in
good
time
.
Now
I
will
only
say
this
.
I
am
acquainted
with
the
story
of
every
one
here
,
though
not
every
one
here
knows
his
own
.
'
'
Do
you
know
Ivor
's
parentage
,
then
?
'
inquired
Rupert
eagerly
.
'
I
knew
it
long
ago
,
'
replied
the
Duke
,
'
before
I
had
set
eyes
on
him
.
But
I
have
not
informed
him
,
nor
