cribed nothing, sir. There was no question of a
subscription,--by which you intend to imply contribution from various
sources; You told me that the contest cost you L500 and that sum I
handed to you, with the full understanding on your part, as well as
on mine, that I was paying for the whole. Was that so?"

"Have it your own way, sir."

"If you are not more precise, I shall think that you have defrauded
me."

"Defrauded you!"

"Yes, sir;--defrauded me, or the Duke of Omnium. The money is gone,
and it matters little which. But if that be so I shall know that
either from him or from me you have raised money under false
pretences."

"Of course, Mr. Wharton, from you I must bear whatever you may choose
to say."

"Is it true that you have applied to the Duke of Omnium for money on
account of your expenses at Silverbridge, and is it true that he has
paid you money on that score?"

"Mr. Wharton, as I said just now, I am bound to hear and to bear from
you anything that you may choose to say. Your connection with my wife
and your age alike restrain my resentment. But I am not bound to
answer your questions when they are accompanied by such language as
you have chosen to use, and I refuse to answer any further questions
on this subject."

"Of course I know that you have taken the money from the Duke."

"Then why do you ask me?"

"And of course I know that you are as well aware as I am of the
nature of the transaction. That you can brazen it out without a blush
only proves to me that you have got beyond the reach of shame!"

"Very well, sir."

"And you have no further explanation to make?"

"What do you expect me to say? Without knowing any of the facts of
the case,--except the one, that you contributed L500 to my election
expenses,--you take upon yourself to tell me that I am a shameless,
fraudulent swindler. And then you ask for a further explanation! In
such a position is it likely that I shall explain anything;--that I
can be in a humour to be explanatory? Just turn it all over in your
mind, and ask yourself the question."

"I have turned it over in my own mind, and I have asked myself the
question, and I do not think it probable that you should wish to
explain anything. I shall take steps to let the Duke know that I as
your father-in-law had paid the full sum which you had stated that
you had spent at Silverbridge."

"Much the Duke will care about that."

"And after what has passed I am obliged to say