 rivals are men to
whom that indirectness is a something human, very far from being alien. There
remains this grand distinction, that he has failed, and that the jet of light is
thrown entirely on his misdoings.
    In this matter Harold felt himself a victim. Could he hinder the tricks of
his agents? In this particular case he had tried to hinder them, and had tried
in vain. He had not loved the two agents in question, to begin with; and now at
this later stage of events he was more innocent than ever of bearing them
anything but the most sincere ill-will. He was more utterly exasperated with
them than he would probably have been if his one great passion had been for
public virtue. Jermyn, with his John Johnson, had added this ugly dirty business
of the Treby election to all the long-accumulating list of offences, which
Harold was resolved to visit on him to the utmost. He had seen some handbills
carrying the insinuation that there was a discreditable indebtedness to Jermyn
on the part of the Transomes. If any such notions existed apart from
electioneering slander, there was all the more reason for letting the world see
Jermyn severely punished for abusing his power over the family affairs, and
tampering with the family property. And the world certainly should see this with
as little delay as possible. The cool confident assuming fellow should be bled
to the last drop in compensation, and all connection with him be finally got rid
of. Now that the election was done with, Harold meant to devote himself to
private affairs, till everything lay in complete order under his own
supervision.
    This morning he was seated as usual in his private room, which had now been
handsomely fitted up for him. It was but the third morning after the first
Christmas he had spent in his English home for fifteen years, and the home
looked like an eminently desirable one. The white frost lay on the broad lawn,
on the many-formed leaves of the evergreens, and on the giant trees at a
distance. Logs of dry oak blazed on the hearth; the carpet was like warm moss
under his feet; he had breakfasted just according to his taste, and he had the
interesting occupations of a large proprietor to fill the morning. All through
the house now, steps were noiseless on carpets or on fine matting; there was
warmth in hall and corridors; there were servants enough to do everything, and
to do it at the right time. Skilful Dominic was always at hand to meet his
master's demands, and his bland presence diffused itself like a smile over
