第2章
OnhisfirstarrivalatGreshamsburyhehadbeenputbythesquireintoahouse，whichhestilloccupiedwhenthatsquire"sgrandsoncameofage。Thereweretwodecent，commodious，privatehousesinthevillage——alwaysexceptingtherectory，whichstoodgrandlyinitsowngrounds，and，therefore，wasconsideredasrankingabovethevillageresidences——ofthesetwoDrThornehadthesmaller。Theystoodexactlyattheanglebeforedescribed，ontheoutersideofit，andatrightanglestoeachother。Theypossessedgoodstablesandamplegardens；
anditmaybeaswelltospecify，thatMrUmbleby，theagentandlawyertotheestate，occupiedthelargerone。
HereDrThornelivedforelevenortwelveyears，allalone；andthenfortenorelevenmorewithhisniece，MaryThorne。Marywasthirteenwhenshecametotakeuppermanentabodeasmistressoftheestablishment——or，atanyrate，toactastheonlymistresswhichtheestablishmentpossessed。Thisadventgreatlychangedthetenorofthedoctor"sways。Hehadbeenbeforepurebachelor；notaroominhishousehadbeencomfortablyfurnished；heatfirstcommencedinamakeshiftsortofway，becausehehadnotathiscommandthemeansofcommencingotherwise；andhehadgoneoninthesamefashion，becausetheexacttimehadnevercomeatwhichitwasimperativeinhimtosethishouseinorder。Hehadhadnofixedhourforhismeals，nofixedplaceforhisbooks，nofixedwardrobeforhisclothes。Hehadafewbottlesofgoodwineinhiscellar，andoccasionallyaskedabrotherbachelortotakeachopwithhim；butbeyondthishehadtouchedverylittleonthecaresofhousekeeping。Aslop-bowlfullofstrongtea，togetherwithbread，andbutter，andeggs，wasproducedforhiminthemorning，andheexpectedthatatwhateverhourhemightarriveintheevening，somefoodshouldbepresentedtohimwherewithtosatisfythecravingsofnature；if，inadditiontothis，hehadanotherslop-bowlofteaintheevening，hegotallthatheeverrequired，orall，atleast，thatheeverdemanded。
ButwhenMarycame，orrather，whenshewasabouttocome，thingswerealtogetherchangedatthedoctor"s。Peoplehadhithertowondered——andespeciallyMrsUmbleby——howagentlemanlikeDrThornecouldcontinuetoliveinsoslovenlyamanner；andhowpeopleagainwondered，andagainespeciallyMrsUmbleby，howthedoctorcouldpossiblythinkitnecessarytoputsuchalotoffurnitureintoahousebecausealittlechitofagirloftwelveyearswascomingtolivewithhim。
MrsUmblebyhadgreatscopeforherwonder。Thedoctormadeathoroughrevolutioninhishousehold，andfurnishedhishousefromthegroundtotheroofcompletely。Hepainted——forthefirsttimesincethecommencementofhistenancy——hepapered，hecarpeted，asthoughaMrsThornewithagoodfortunewerecominghometo-morrow；andallforagirloftwelveyearsold。"Andnow，"saidMrsUmbleby，toherfriendMissGushing，"howdidhefindoutwhattobuy？"asthoughthedoctorhadbeenbroughtuplikeawildbeast，ignorantofthenatureoftablesandchairs，andwithnomoredevelopedideasofdrawing-roomdraperythananhippopotamus。
TotheutteramazementofMrsUmblebyandMissGushing，thedoctordiditverywell。Hesaidnothingaboutittoanyone——heneverdidsaymuchaboutsuchthings——buthefurnishedhishousewellanddiscreetly；
andwhenMaryThornecamehomefromherschoolatBath，towhichshehadbeentakensomesixyearspreviously，shefoundherselfcalledupontobethepresidinggeniusofaperfectparadise。
Ithasbeensaidthatthedoctorhadmanagedtoendearhimselftothenewsquirebeforetheoldsquire"sdeath，andthat，therefore，thechangeatGreshamsburyhadhadnoprofessionalilleffectsuponhim。
Suchwasthecaseatthetime；but，nevertheless，alldidnotgosmoothlyintheGreshamsburymedicaldepartment。Therewassixorsevenyears"differenceinagebetweenMrGreshamandthedoctor，andmoreover，MrGreshamwasyoungforhisage，andthedoctorold；but，nevertheless，therewasaverycloseattachmentbetweenthemearlyinlife。Thiswasneverthoroughlysundered，and，backedbythisthedoctordidmaintainhimselfforsomeyearsbeforetheartilleryofLadyArabella"sartillery。Butdropsfalling，iftheyfallconstantly，willborethroughastone。
DrThorne"spretensions，mixedwithhissubversiveprofessionaldemocratictendencies，hisseven-and-sixpennyvisits，addedtohisutterdisregardofLadyArabella"sairs，weretoomuchforherspirit。HebroughtFrankthroughhisfirsttroubles，andthatatfirstingratiatedher；hewasequallysuccessfulwiththeearlydietaryofAugustaandBeatrice；but，ashissuccesswasobtainedindirectoppositiontotheCourcyCastlenurseryprinciples，thishardlydidmuchinhisfavour。
Whenthethirddaughterwasborn，heatoncedeclaredthatshewasaveryweaklyflower，andsternlyforbadethemothertogotoLondon。Themother，lovingherbabe，obeyed；butdidnotthelesshatethedoctorfortheorder，whichshefirmlybelievedwasgivenattheinstanceandexpressdictationofMrGresham。Thenanotherlittlegirlcameintotheworld，andthedoctorwasmoreimperativethaneverastothenurseryrulesandtheexcellenceofcountryair。Quarrelswerethusengendered，andLadyArabellawastaughttobelievethatthisdoctorofherhusband"swasafterallnoSolomon。Inherhusband"sabsenceshesentforDrFillgrave，givingveryexpressintimationthathewouldnothavetowoundeitherhiseyesordignitybyencounteringhisenemy；andshefoundDrFillgraveagreatcomforttoher。
ThenDrThornegaveMrGreshamtounderstandthat，undersuchcircumstances，hecouldnotvisitprofessionallyatGreshamsburyanylonger。Thepoorsquiresawtherewasnohelpforit，andthoughhemaintainedhisfriendlyconnexionwithhisneighbour，theseven-and-sixpennyvisitswereatanend。DrFillgravefromBarchester，andthegentlemanatSilverbridge，dividedtheresponsibilitybetweenthem，andthenurseryprinciplesofCourcyCastlewereagaininvogueatGreshamsbury。
Sothingswentonforyears，andthoseyearswereyearsofsorrow。Wemustnotascribetoourdoctor"senemiesthesufferingsandsickness，anddeathsthatoccurred。ThefourfraillittleonesthatdiedwouldprobablyhavebeentakenhadLadyArabellabeenmoretolerantofDrThorne。Butthefactwas，thattheydiddie；andthatthemother"sheartthengotthebetterofthewoman"spride，andLadyArabellahumbledherselfbeforeDrThorne。Shehumbledherself，orwouldhavedoneso，hadthedoctorpermittedher。Buthe，withhiseyesfulloftears，stoppedtheutteranceofherapology，tookhertwohandsinhis，pressedthemwarmly，andassuredherthathisjoyinreturningwouldbegreat，forthelovethatheboretoallthatbelongedtoGreshamsbury。
Andsotheseven-and-sixpennyvisitswererecommenced；andthegreattriumphofDrFillgravecametoanend。
GreatwasthejoyintheGreshamsburynurserywhenthesecondchangetookplace。Amongthedoctor"sattributes，nothithertomentioned，wasanaptitudeforthesocietyofchildren。Hedelightedtotalktochildren，andtoplaywiththem。Hewouldcarrythemonhisback，threeorfouratatime，rollwiththemontheground，racewiththeminthegarden，inventgamesforthem，contriveamusementsincircumstanceswhichseemedquiteadversetoallmannerofdelight；and，aboveall，hisphysicwasnotnearlysonastyasthatwhichcamefromSilverbridge。
Hehadagreattheoryastothehappinessofchildren；andthoughhewasnotdisposedaltogethertothrowoverthepreceptsofSolomon——alwaysbargainingthatheshould，undernocircumstances，behimselftheexecutioner——hearguedthattheprincipaldutywhichaparentowedtoachildwastomakehimhappy。Notonlywasthemantobemadehappy——thefutureman，ifthatmightbepossible——buttheexistingboywastobetreatedwithequalfavour；andhishappiness，sosaidthedoctor，wasofmucheasierattainment。
"Whystruggleafterfutureadvantageattheexpenseofthepresentpain，seeingthattheresultsweresoverydoubtful？"
Manyanopponentofthedoctorhadthoughttocatchhimonthehipwhensosingularadoctrinewasbroached；buttheywerenotalwayssuccessful。"What！"saidhissensibleenemies，"isJohnnynottobetaughttoreadbecausehedoesnotlikeit？""Johnnymustreadbyallmeans，"wouldthedoctoranswer；"butisitnecessarythatheshouldnotlikeit？Ifthepreceptorhaveitinhim，maynotJohnnylearnnotonlytoread，buttoliketolearntoread？"
"But，"wouldsayhisenemies，"childrenmustbecontrolled。"
"Andsomustmenalso，"wouldsaythedoctor。"Imustnotstealyourpeaches，normakelovetoyourwife，norlibelyourcharacter。MuchasImightwishthroughmynaturaldepravitytoindulgeinsuchvices，I
amdebarredfromthemwithoutpain，andImayalmostsaywithoutunhappiness。"
Andsotheargumentwenton，neitherpartyconvincingtheother。But，inthemeantime，thechildrenoftheneighbourhoodbecameveryfondofDrThorne。
DrThorneandthesquirewerestillfastfriends，butcircumstanceshadoccurred，spreadingthemselvesnowoveraperiodofmanyyears，whichalmostmadethepoorsquireuneasyinthedoctor"scompany。MrGreshamowedalargesumofmoney，andhehad，moreover，alreadysoldaportionofhisproperty。UnfortunatelyithadbeentheprideoftheGreshamsthattheiracreshaddescendedfromoneanotherwithoutanentail，sothateachpossessorofGreshamsburyhadhadthefullpowertodisposeofthepropertyashepleased。Anydoubtastoitsgoingtothemaleheirhadneverhithertobeenfelt。Ithadoccasionallybeenencumberedbychargesforyoungerchildren；butthesechargeshadbeenliquidated，andthepropertyhadcomedownwithoutanyburdentothepresentsquire。Nowaportionofthislandhadbeensold，andithadbeensoldtoacertaindegreethroughtheagencyofDrThorne。
Thismadethesquireanunhappyman。Nomanlovedhisfamilynameandhonour，hisoldfamilyblazonandstandingmorethoroughlythanhedid；
hewaseverywhitaGreshamatheart；buthisspirithadbeenweakerthanthatofhisforefathers；and，inhisdays，forthefirsttime，theGreshamsweregoingtothewall！Tenyearsbeforethebeginningofourstoryithadbeennecessarytoraisealargesumofmoneytomeetandpayoffpressingliabilities，anditwasfoundthatthiscouldbedonewithmorematerialadvantagebysellingaportionofthepropertythaninanyotherway。Aportionofit，aboutathirdofthewholeinvalue，wasaccordinglysold。
BoxallHilllayhalfbetweenGreshamsburyandBarchester，andwasknownashavingthebestpartridgeshootinginthecounty；ashavingonitalsoacelebratedfoxcover，BoxallGorse，heldinveryhighreputebyBarsetshiresportsmen。Therewasnoresidenceontheimmediateestate，anditwasaltogetherdividedfromtheremainedoftheGreshamsburyproperty。This，withmanyinwardandoutwardgroans，MrGreshampermittedtobesold。
Itwassold，andsoldwell，byprivatecontracttoanativeofBarchester，who，havingrisenfromtheworld"sranks，hadmadeforhimselfgreatwealth。Somewhatofthisman"scharactermusthereafterbetold；itwillsufficetosaythathereliedforadviceinmoneymattersuponDrThorne，andthatatDrThorne"ssuggestionhehadpurchasedBoxallHill，partridge-shootingandgorsecoverallincluded。HehadnotonlyboughtBoxallHill，buthadsubsequentlylentthesquirelargesumsofmoneyonmortgage，inallwhichtransactionsthedoctorhadtakenpart。IthadthereforecometopassthatMrGreshamwasnotinfrequentlycalledupontodiscusshismoneyaffairswithDrThorne，andoccasionallytosubmittolecturesandadvicewhichmightperhapsaswellhavebeenomitted。
SomuchforDrThorne。AfewwordsmuststillbesaidaboutMissMaryThornebeforewerushintoourstory；thecrustwillthenhavebeenbroken，andthepiewillbeopentotheguests。LittleMissMarywaskeptatafarm-housetillshewassix；shewasthensenttoschoolatBath，andtransplantedtothedoctor"snewlyfurnishedhouse，alittlemorethansixyearsafterthat。Itmustnotbesupposedthathehadlostsightofhischargeduringherearlieryears。Hewasmuchtoowellawareofthenatureofthepromisewhichhehadmadetothedepartingmothertodothat。Hehadconstantlyvisitedhislittleniece，andlongbeforethefirsttwelveyearsofherlifewereoverhadlostconsciousnessofhispromise，andofhisdutytothemother，inthestrongertiesofdownrightpersonallovefortheonlycreaturethatbelongedtohim。
WhenMarycamehomethedoctorwaslikeachildinhisglee。Hepreparedsurprisesforherwithasmuchforethoughtandtroubleasthoughhewerecontrivingminestoblowupanenemy。Hetookherfirstintotheshop，andthenintothekitchen，thencetothedining-rooms，afterthattohisandherbedrooms，andsoontillhecametothefullgloryofthenewdrawing-room，enhancingthepleasurebylittlejokes，andtellingherthatheshouldneverdaretocomeintothelastparadisewithoutherpermission，andnotthentillhehadtakenoffhisboots。Childasshewas，sheunderstoodthejoke，andcarrieditonlikealittlequeen；andsotheysoonbecamethefirmestoffriends。
ButthoughMarywasqueen，itwasstillnecessarythatsheshouldbeeducated。ThoseweretheearlierdaysinwhichLadyArabellahadhumbledherself，andtoshowherhumilitysheinvitedMarytosharethemusic-lessonsofAugustaandBeatriceatthegreathouse。A
music-masterfromBarchestercameoverthreetimesaweek，andremainedforthreehours，andifthedoctorchosetosendhisgirlover，shecouldpickupwhatwasgoingonwithoutdoinganyharm。SosaidtheLadyArabella。Thedoctorwithmanythanksandwithnohesitation，acceptedtheoffer，merelyadding，thathehadperhapsbettersettleseparatelywithSignorCantabili，themusic-master。HewasverymuchobligedtoLadyArabellaforgivinghislittlegirlpermissiontojoinherlessonstothoseoftheMissGreshams。
ItneedhardlybesaidthattheLadyArabellawasonfireatonce。
SettlewithSignorCantabili！No，indeed；shewoulddothat；theremustbenoexpensewhateverincurredinsuchanarrangementonMissThorne"saccount！Buthere，asinmostthings，thedoctorcarriedhispoint。Itbeingthetimeofthelady"shumility，shecouldnotmakeasgoodafightasshewouldotherwisehavedone；andthusshefound，tohergreatdisgust，thatMaryThornewaslearningmusicinherschoolroomonequalterms，asregardedpayment，withherowndaughters。Thearrangementhavingbeenmadecouldnotbebroken，especiallyastheyoungladyinnowisemadeherselfdisagreeable；andmoreespeciallyastheMissGreshamsthemselveswereveryfondofher。
AndsoMaryThornelearntmusicatGreshamsbury，andwithhermusicshelearntotherthingsalso；howtobehaveherselfamonggirlsofherownage；howtospeakandtalkasotheryoungladiesdo；howtodressherself，andhowtomoveandwalk。Allwhich，shebeingquicktolearnwithouttroubleatthegreathouse。SomethingalsoshelearntofFrench，seeingthattheGreshamsburyFrenchgovernesswasalwaysintheroom。
Andthensomefewyearslater，therecamearector，andarector"ssister；andwiththelatterMarystudiedGermanandFrenchalso。Fromthedoctorhimselfshelearntmuch；thechoice，namely，ofEnglishbooksforherownreading，andhabitsofthoughtsomewhatakintohisown，thoughmodifiedbythefemininesoftnessofherindividualmind。
AndsoMaryThornegrewupandwaseducated。Ofherpersonalappearanceitcertainlyismybusinessasanauthortosaysomething。
Sheismyheroine，and，assuch，mustnecessarilybeverybeautiful；
but，intruth，hermindandinnerqualitiesaremoreclearlydistincttomybrainthanheroutwardformandfeatures。Iknowthatshewasfarfrombeingtall，andfarfrombeingshowy；thatherfeetandhandsweresmallanddelicate；thathereyeswerebrightwhenlookedat，butnotbrilliantsoastomaketheirbrilliancypalpablyvisibletoallaroundher；herhairwasdarkbrown，andwornveryplainlybrushedfromherforehead；herlipswerethin，andhermouth，perhaps，ingeneralinexpressive，butwhenshewaseagerinconversationitwouldshowitselftobeanimatedwithcurvesofwondrousenergy；and，quietasshewasinmanner，soberanddemureaswasherusualsettledappearance，shecouldtalk，whenthefitcameonher，withanenergywhichintruthsurprisedthosewhodidnotknowher；aye，andsometimesthosewhodid。Energy！nay，itwasoccasionallyaconcentrationofpassion，whichleftherforthemomentperfectlyunconsciousofallothercaresbutsolicitudeforthatsubjectwhichshemightthenbeadvocating。
Allherfriends，includingthedoctor，hadattimesbeenmadeunhappybythisvehemenceofcharacter；butyetitwastothatveryvehemencethatsheoweditthatallherfriendslovedher。IthadoncenearlybanishedherinearlyyearsfromtheGreshamsburyschoolroom；andyetitendedinmakingherclaimtoremaintheresostrong，thatLadyArabellacouldnolongeropposeit，evenwhenshehadthewishtodoso。
AnewFrenchgovernesshadlatelycometoGreshamsbury，andwas，orwastobe，agreatpetwithLadyArabella，havingallthegreatgiftswithwhichagovernesscanbeendowed，andbeingalsoaprotegefromthecastle。Thecastle，inGreshamsburyparlance，alwaysmeantthatofCourcy。SoonafterthisavaluedlittlelocketbelongingtoAugustaGreshamwasmissing。TheFrenchgovernesshadobjectedtoitsbeingwornintheschoolroom，andithadbeensentuptothebedroombyayoungservant-girl，thedaughterofasmallfarmerontheestate。Thelocketwasmissing，andafterawhile，aconsiderablenoiseinthematterhavingbeenmade，wasfound，bythediligenceofthegoverness，somewhereamongthebelongingsoftheEnglishservant。GreatwastheangerofLadyArabella，loudweretheprotestationsofthegirl，mutethewoeofherfather，piteousthetearsofhermother，inexorablethejudgmentoftheGreshamsburyworld。Butsomethingoccurred，itmattersnownotwhat，toseparateMaryThorneinopinionfromthatworldatlarge。Outshethenspoke，andtoherfaceaccusedthegovernessoftherobbery。FortwodaysMarywasindisgracealmostasdeepasthatofthefarmer"sdaughter。Butshewasneitherquietordumbinherdisgrace。WhenLadyArabellawouldnothearher，shewenttoMrGresham。Sheforcedheruncletomoveinthematter。Shegainedovertoherside，onebyone，thepotentatesoftheparish，andendedbybringingMam"selleLarrondownonherkneeswithaconfessionofthefacts。FromthattimeMaryThornewasdeartothetenantryofGreshamsbury；andspeciallydeartoonesmallhousehold，wherearough-spokenfatherofafamilywasoftenheardtodeclare，thatforMissMaryThornehe"dfacemanormagistrate，dukeordevil。
AndsoMaryThornegrewupunderthedoctor"seye，andatthebeginningofourtaleshewasoneoftheguestsassembledatGreshamsburyonthecomingofageoftheheir，sheherselfhavingthenarrivedatthesameperiodofherlife。
CHAPTERIV
LESSONSFROMCOURCYCASTLE
ItwasthefirstofJuly，youngFrankGresham"sbirthday，andtheLondonseasonwasnotyetover；nevertheless，LadydeCourcyhadmanagedtogetdownintothecountrytogracethecomingofageoftheheir，bringingwithheralltheLadiesAmelia，Rosina，Margaretta，andAlexandrina，togetherwithsuchoftheHonourableJohnsandGeorgesascouldbecollectedfortheoccasion。
TheLadyArabellahadcontrivedthisyeartospendtenweeksintown，which，byalittlestretching，shemadetopassfortheseason；andhadmanaged，moreover，atlasttorefurnish，notingloriously，thePortmanSquaredrawing-room。ShehadgoneuptoLondonunderthepretext，imperativelyurged，ofAugusta"steeth——youngladies"teetharenotinfrequentlyofvalueinthisway；——andhavingreceivedauthorityforanewcarpet，whichwasreallymuchwanted，hadmadesuchdexteroususeofthatsanctionastorunupanupholsterer"sbillofsixorsevenhundredpounds。Shehadofcoursehadhercarriageandhorses；thegirlsofcoursehadgoneout；ithadbeenpositivelynecessarytohaveafewfriendsinPortmanSquare；and，altogether，thetenweekshadnotbeenunpleasant，andnotinexpensive。
Forafewconfidentialminutesbeforedinner，LadydeCourcyandhersister-in-lawsatetogetherinthelatter"sdressing-room，discussingtheunreasonablenessofthesquire，whohadexpressedhimselfwithmorethanordinarybitternessastothefolly——hehadprobablyusedsomestrongerword——oftheseLondonproceedings。
"Heavens！，"saidthecountess，withmucheageranimation；"whatcanthemanexpect？Whatdoeshewishyoutodo？"
"HewouldliketosellthehouseinLondon，andburyusallhereforever。Mind，Iwasthereonlyfortenweeks。"
"Barelytimeforthegirlstogettheirteethproperlylookedat！ButArabella，whatdoeshesay？"LadydeCourcywasveryanxioustolearntheexacttruthofthematter，andascertain，ifshecould，whetherMrGreshamwasreallyaspoorashepretendedtobe。
"Why，hesaidyesterdaythathewouldhavenomoregoingtotownatall；thathewasbarelyabletopaytheclaimsmadeonhim，andkeepupthehousehere，andthathewouldnot——"
"Wouldnotwhat？"askedthecountess。
"Why，hesaidthathewouldnotutterlyruinpoorFrank。"
"RuinFrank！"
"That"swhathesaid。"
"But，surely，Arabella，itisnotsobadasthat？Whatpossiblereasoncantherebeforhimtobeindebt？"
"Heisalwaystalkingofthoseelections。"
"But，mydear，BoxallHillpaidallthatoff。OfcourseFrankwillnothavesuchanincomeastherewaswhenyoumarriedintothefamily；weallknowthat。Andwhomwillhehavetothankbuthisfather？ButBoxallHillpaidallthosedebts，andwhyshouldtherebeanydifficultynow？"
"Itwasthosenastydogs，Rosina，"saidtheLadyArabella。
"Well，IforoneneverapprovedofthehoundscomingtoGreshamsbury。
Whenamanhasonceinvolvedhispropertyheshouldnotincuranyexpensesthatarenotabsolutelynecessary。ThatisagoldenrulewhichMrGreshamoughttohaveremembered。Indeed，Iputittohimnearlyinthoseverywords；butMrGreshamneverdid，andneverwillreceivewithcommoncivilityanythingthatcomesfromme。"
"Iknow，Rosina，heneverdid；andyetwherewouldhehavebeenbutfortheDeCourcys？"Soexclaimed，inhergratitude，theLadyArabella；tospeakthetruth，however，butfortheDeCourcys，MrGreshammighthavebeenatthismomentonthetopofBoxallHill，monarchofallhesurveyed。
"AsIwassaying，"continuedthecountess，"IneverapprovedofthehoundscomingtoGreshamsbury；butyet，mydear，thehoundscan"thaveeatenupeverything。Amanwithtenthousandayearoughttobeabletokeephounds；particularlyashehadasubscription。"
"Hesaysthesubscriptionwaslittleornothing。"
"That"snonsense，mydear。Now，Arabella，whatdoeshedowithhismoney？That"sthequestion。Doeshegamble？"
"Well，"saidLadyArabella，veryslowly，"Idon"tthinkhedoes。"Ifthesquiredidgamblehemusthavedoneitveryslyly，forherarelywentawayfromGreshamsbury，andcertainlyveryfewmenlookinglikegamblerswereinthehabitofcomingthitherasguests。"Idon"tthinkhedoesgamble。"LadyArabellaputheremphasisonthewordgamble，asthoughherhusband，ifhemightperhapsbecharitablyacquittedofthatvice，wascertainlyguiltyofeveryotherknowninthecivilizedworld。
"Iknowheused，"saidLadydeCourcy，lookingverywise，andrathersuspicious。Shecertainlyhadsufficientdomesticreasonsfordislikingthepropensity；"Iknowheused；andwhenamanbegins，heishardlyevercured。"
"Well，ifhedoes，Idon"tknowit，"saidtheLadyArabella。
"Themoney，mydear，mustgosomewhere。Whatexcusedoeshegivewhenyoutellhimyouwantthisandthat——allthecommonnecessariesoflife，thatyouhavealwaysbeenusedto？"
"Hegivesnoexcuse；sometimeshesaysthefamilyissolarge。"
"Nonsense！Girlscostnothing；there"sonlyFrank，andhecan"thavecostanythingyet。CanhebesavingmoneytobuybackBoxallHill？"
"Ohno！"saidtheLadyArabella，quickly。"Heisnotsavinganything；
heneverdid，andneverwillsave，thoughheissostingytome。Heishardpushedformoney，Iknowthat。"
"Thenwherehasitgone？"saidtheCountessdeCourcy，withalookofsterndecision。
"Heavenonlyknows！Now，Augustaistobemarried。Imustofcoursehaveafewhundredpounds。YoushouldhaveheardhowhegroanedwhenI
askedhimforit。Heavenonlyknowswherethemoneygoes！"Andtheinjuredwifewipedapiteoustearfromhereyewithherfinedresscambrichandkerchief。"Ihaveallthesufferingsandprivationsofapoorman"swife，butIhavenoneoftheconsolations。Hehasnoconfidenceinme；henevertellsmeanything；henevertalkstomeabouthisaffairs。Ifhetalkstoanyoneitistothathorriddoctor。"
"What，DrThorne？"NowtheCountessdeCourcyhatedDrThornewithaholyhatred。
"Yes；DrThorne。Ibelievethatheknowseverything；andadviseseverything，too。WhateverdifficultiespoorGreshammayhave，IdobelieveDrThornehasbroughtthemabout。Idobelieveit，Rosina。"
"Well，thatissurprising。MrGreshamwithallhisfaultsisagentleman；andhowhecantalkabouthisaffairswithalowapothecarylikethatI，forone，cannotimagine。LorddeCourcyhasnotalwaysbeentomeallthatheshouldhavebeen；farfromit。"AndLadydeCourcythoughtoverinhermindinjuriesofamuchgraverdescriptionthananythathersister-in-lawhadeversuffered；"butIhaveneverknownanythinglikethatatCourcyCastle。SurelyUmblebyknowsallaboutit，doesn"the？"
"Nothalfsomuchasthedoctor，"saidLadyArabella。
Thecountessshookherheadslowly；theideaofMrGresham，acountrygentlemanofgoodestatelikehim，makingaconfidantofacountrydoctorwastoogreatashockforhernerves；andforawhileshewasconstrainedtositsilentbeforeshecouldrecoverherself。
"Onethingatanyrateiscertain，Arabella，"saidthecountess，assoonasshefoundherselfagainsufficientlycomposedtooffercounselinaproperlydictatorialmanner。"Onethingatanyrateiscertain；
ifMrGreshambeinvolvedsodeeplyasyousay，Frankhasbutonlyonedutybeforehim。Hemustmarrymoney。Theheiroffourteenthousandayearmayindulgehimselfinlookingforblood，asMrGreshamdid，mydear"——itmustbeunderstoodthattherewasverylittlecomplimentinthis，astheLadyArabellahadalwaysconceivedherselftobeabeauty——"orforbeauty，assomemendo，"continuedthecountess，thinkingofthechoicethatthepresentEarldeCourcyhadmade；"butFrankmustmarrymoney。Ihopehewillunderstandthisearly；domakehimunderstandthisbeforehemakesafoolofhimself：whenamanthoroughlyunderstandsthis，whenheknowswhathiscircumstancesrequire，why，thematterbecomeseasytohim。IhopethatFrankunderstandsthathehasnoalternative。Inhispositionhemustmarrymoney。"
But，alas！alas！FrankGreshamhadalreadymadeafoolofhimself。
"Well，myboy，Iwishyoujoywithallmyheart，"saidtheHonourableJohn，slappinghiscousinontheback，ashewalkedroundtothestable-yardwithhimbeforedinner，toinspectasetterpuppyofpeculiarlyfinebreedwhichhadbeensenttoFrankasabirthdaypresent。"IwishIwereanelderson；butwecan"tallhavethatluck。"
"Whowouldn"tsoonerbetheyoungersonofanearlthantheeldestsonofaplainsquire？"saidFrank，wishingtosaysomethingcivilinreturnforhiscousin"scivility。
"Iwouldn"tforone，"saidtheHonourableJohn。"WhatchancehaveI？
There"sPorlockasstrongasahorse；andthenGeorgecomesnext。Andthegovernor"sgoodforthesetwentyyears。"Andtheyoungmansighedashereflectedwhatsmallhopetherewasthatallthosewhowerenearestanddearesttohimshoulddieoutofhisway，andleavehimtothesweetenjoymentofanearl"scoronetandfortune。"Now，you"resureofyourgamesomeday；andasyou"venobrothers，Isupposethesquire"llletyoudoprettywellwhatyoulike。Besides，he"snotsostrongasmygovernor，thoughhe"syounger。"
Frankhadneverlookedathisfortuneinthislightbefore，andwassoslowandgreenthathewasnotmuchdelightedattheprospectnowthatitwasofferedtohim。Hehadalways，however，beentaughttolooktohiscousins，theDeCourcys，asmenwithwhomitwouldbeveryexpedientthatheshouldbeintimate；hethereforeshowednooffence，butchangedtheconversation。
"ShallyouhuntwiththeBarsetshirethisseason，John？Ihopeyouwill；Ishall。"
"Well，Idon"tknow。It"sveryslow。It"salltillagehere，orelsewoodland。IratherfancyIshallgotoLeicestershirewhenthepartridge-shootingisover。Whatsortofalotdoyoumeantocomeoutwith，Frank？"
Frankbecamealittleredasheanswered，"Oh，Ishallhavetwo，"hesaid；"thatis，themareIhavehadthesetwoyears，andthehorsemyfathergavemethismorning。"
"What！onlythosetwo？andthemareisnothingmorethanapony。"
"Sheisfifteenhands，"saidFrank，offended。
"Well，Frank，Icertainlywouldnotstandthat，"saidtheHonourableJohn。"What，gooutbeforethecountywithoneuntrainedhorseandapony；andyoutheheirtoGreshamsbury！"
"I"llhavehimtrainedbeforeNovember，"saidFrank，"thatnothinginBarsetshirewillstophim。Petersays"——PeterwastheGreshamsburystud-groom——"thathetucksuphislegsbeautifully。"
"Butwhothedeucewouldthinkofgoingtoworkwithonehorse；ortwoeither，ifyouinsistoncallingtheoldponyahuntress？I"llputyouuptoatrick，mylad：ifyoustandthatyou"llstandanything；andifyoudon"tmeantogoinleading-stringsallyourlife，nowisthetimetoshowit。There"syoungBaker——HarryBaker，youknow——hecameofagelastyear，andhehasasprettyastringofnagsasanyonewouldwishtoseteyeson；fourhuntersandahack。Now，ifoldBakerhasfourthousandayearit"severyshillinghehasgot。"
Thiswastrue，andFrankGresham，whointhemorninghadbeenmadesohappybyhisfather"spresentofahorse，begantofeelthathardlyenoughhadbeendoneforhim。ItwastruethatMrBakerhadonlyfourthousandayear；butitwasalsotruethathehadnootherchildthanHarryBaker；thathehadnogreatestablishmenttokeepup；thatheowedashillingtonoone；and，also，thathewasagreatfoolinencouragingamereboytoapeallthecapricesofamanofwealth。
Nevertheless，foramoment，FrankGreshamdidfeelthat，consideringhisposition，hewasbeingtreatedratherunworthily。
"Takethematterinyourownhands，Frank，"saidtheHonourableJohn，seeingtheimpressionthathehadmade。"Ofcoursethegovernorknowsverywellthatyouwon"tputupwithsuchastableasthat。Lordblessyou！Ihaveheardthatwhenhemarriedmyaunt，andthatwaswhenhewasaboutyourage，hehadthebeststudinthewholecounty；andthenhewasinParliamentbeforehewasthree-and-twenty。"
"Hisfather，youknow，diedwhenhewasveryyoung，"saidFrank。
"Yes；Iknowhehadastrokeofluckthatdoesn"tfalltoeveryone；
but——"
YoungFrank"sfacegrewdarknowinsteadofred。Whenhiscousinsubmittedtohimthenecessityofhavingmorethantwohorsesforhisownusehecouldlistentohim；butwhenthesamemonitortalkedofthechanceofafather"sdeathasastrokeofluck，Frankwastoomuchdisgustedtobeablepassitoverwithindifference。What！washethustothinkofhisfather，whosefacewasalwayslightedupwithpleasurewhenhisboycameneartohim，andsorarelybrightatanyothertime？Frankhadwatchedhisfathercloselyenoughtobeawareofthis；heknewhowhisfatherdelightedinhim；hehadhadcausetoguessthathisfatherhadmanytroubles，andthathestrovehardtobanishthememoryofthemwhenhissonwaswithhim。Helovedhisfathertruly，purely，andthoroughly，likedtobewithhim，andwouldbeproudtobehisconfidant。Couldhelistenquietlywhilehiscousinspokeofthechanceofhisfather"sdeathasastrokeofluck？
"Ishouldn"tthinkitastrokeofluck，John。Ishouldthinkitthegreatestmisfortuneintheworld。"
Itissodifficultforayoungmantoenumeratesententiouslyaprincipleofmorality，orevenanexpressionofordinarygoodfeeling，withoutgivinghimselfsomethingofaridiculousair，withoutassumingsomethingofamockgrandeur！
"Oh，ofcourse，mydearfellow，"saidtheHonourableJohn，laughing；
"that"samatterofcourse。Weallunderstandthatwithoutsayingit。
Porlock，ofcourse，wouldfeelexactlythesameaboutthegovernor；butifthegovernorweretowalk，IthinkPorlockwouldconsolehimselfwiththethirtythousandayear。"
"Idon"tknowwhatPorlockwoulddo；he"salwaysquarrellingwithmyuncle，Iknow。Ionlyspokeofmyself；Ineverquarrelledwithmyfather，andIhopeInevershall。"
"Allright，myladofwax，allright。Idaresayyouwon"tbetried；
butityouare，you"llfindbeforesixmonthsareover，thatit"saverynicethingtomasterofGreshamsbury。"
"I"msureIshouldn"tfindanythingofthekind。"
"Verywell，sobeit。Youwouldn"tdoasyoungHatherlydid，atHatherlyCourt，inGloucestershire，whenhisfatherkickedthebucket。
YouknowHatherly，don"tyou？"
"No；Ineversawhim。"
"He"sSirFredericknow，andhas，orhad，oneofthefinestfortunesinEngland，foracommoner；themostofitisgonenow。Well，whenheheardofhisgovernor"sdeath，hewasinParis，buthewentofftoHatherlyasfastasspecialtrainandpost-horseswouldcarryhim，andgottherejustintimeforthefuneral。AshecamebacktoHatherlyCourtfromthechurch，theywereputtingupthehatchmentoverthedoor，andMasterFredsawthattheundertakershadputatthebottom“Resurgam“。Youknowwhatthatmeans？"
"Oh，yes，"saidFrank。
"“I"llcomebackagain。“"saidtheHonourableJohn，construingtheLatinforthebenefitofhiscousin。"“NO，“saidFredHatherly，lookingupatthehatchment；“I"mblessedifyoudo，oldgentleman。
Thatwouldbetoomuchofajoke；I"lltakecareofthat。“Sohegotupatnight，andhegotsomefellowswithhim，andtheyclimbedupandpaintedout“Resurgam“，andtheypaintedintoitsplace，“Requiescatinpace“；whichmeans，youknow，“you"dagreatdealbetterstaywhereyouare“。NowIcallthatgood。FredHatherlydidthatassureas——assureas——assureasanything。"
Frankcouldnothelplaughingatthestory，especiallyathiscousin"smodeoftranslatingtheundertaker"smottoes；andthentheysaunteredbackfromthestablesintothehousetodressfordinner。
DrThornehadcometothehousesomewhatbeforedinner-time，atMrGresham"srequest，andwasnowsittingwiththesquireinhisownbook-room——socalled——whileMarywastalkingtosomeofthegirlsupstairs。
"Imusthavetenortwelvethousandpounds；tenattheveryleast，"
saidthesquire，whowassittinginhisusualarm-chair，closetohislitteredtable，withhisheadsupportedonhishand，lookingveryunlikethefatherofanheirofanobleproperty，whohadthatdaycomeofage。
ItwasthefirstofJuly，andofcoursetherewasnofireinthegrate；
but，nevertheless，thedoctorwasstandingwithhisbacktothefireplace，withhiscoat-tailsoverhisarms，asthoughhewereengaged，nowinsummerashesooftenwasinwinter，intalking，androastinghishinderpersonatthesametime。
"Twelvethousandpounds！It"saverylargesumofmoney。"
"Isaidten，"saidthesquire。
"Tenthousandpoundsisaverylargesumofmoney。Thereisnodoubthe"llletyouhaveit。Scatcherdwillletyouhaveit；butIknowhe"llexpecttohavethetitledeeds。"
"What！fortenthousandpounds？"saidthesquire。"ThereisnotaregistereddebtagainstthepropertybuthisownandArmstrong"s。"
"Buthisownisverylargealready。"
"Armstrong"sisnothing；aboutfour-and-twentythousandpounds。"
"Yes；buthecomesfirst，MrGresham。"
"Well，whatofthat？Tohearyoutalk，onewouldthinkthattherewasnothingleftofGreshamsbury。What"sfour-and-twentythousandpounds？DoesScatcherdknowwhatrent-rollis？"
"Oh，yes，heknowsitwellenough：Iwishhedidnot。"
"Whathemeansis，thathemusthaveamplesecuritytocoverwhathehasalreadyadvancedbeforehegoeson。Iwishtogoodnessyouhadnofurtherneedtoborrow。Ididthinkthatthingsweresettledlastyear。"
"Ohifthere"sanydifficulty，Umblebywillgetitforme。"
"Yes；andwhatwillyouhavetopayforit？"
"I"dsoonerpaydoublethatbetalkedtointhisway，"saidthesquire，angrily，and，ashespoke，hegotuphurriedlyfromhischair，thrusthishandsintohistrousers-pockets，walkedquicklytothewindow，andimmediatelywalkingbackagain，threwhimselfoncemoreintohischair。
"Therearesomethingsamancannotbear，doctor，"saidhe，beatingthedevil"stattooonthefloorwithoneofhisfeet，"thoughGodknowsI
oughttobepatientnow，forIammadetobearagoodmanythings。YouhadbettertellScatcherdthatIamobligedtohimforhisoffer，butthatIwillnottroublehim。"
Thedoctorduringthislittleoutbursthadstoodquitesilentwithhisbacktothefireplaceandhiscoat-tailshangingoverhisarms；butthoughhisvoicesaidnothing，hisfacesaidmuch。Hewasveryunhappy；hewasgreatlygrievedtofindthatthesquirewassosoonagaininwantofmoney，andgreatlygrievedalsotofindthatthiswanthadmadehimsobitterandunjust。MrGreshamhadattackedhim；butashewasdeterminednottoquarrelwithMrGresham，herefrainedfromanswering。
Thesquirealsoremainedsilentforafewminutes；buthewasnotendowedwiththegiftofsilence，andwassoon，asitwere，compelledtospeakagaain。
"PoorFrank！"saidhe。"IcouldyetbeeasyabouteverythingifitwerenotfortheinjuryIhavedonehim。PoorFrank！"
Thedoctoradvancedafewpacesfromofftherug，andtakinghishandoutofhispocket，helaiditgentlyonthesquire"sshoulder。"Frankwilldoverywellyet，"saidthehe。"Itisnotabsolutelynecessarythatamanshouldhavefourteenthousandpoundsayeartobehappy。"
"Myfatherleftmethepropertyentire，andIshouldleaveitentiretomyson；——butyoudon"tunderstandthis。"
Thedoctordidunderstandthefeelingfully。Thefact，ontheotherhand，wasthat，longashehadknownhim，thesquiredidnotunderstandthedoctor。
"Iwouldyoucould，MrGresham，"saidthedoctor，"sothatyourmindmightbehappier；butthatcannotbe，and，therefore，Isayagain，thatFrankwilldoverywellyet，althoughhewillnotinheritfourteenthousandpoundsayear；andIwouldhaveyousaythesamethingtoyourself。"
"Ah！youdon"tunderstandit，"persistedthesquire。"Youdon"tknowhowamanfeelswhenhe——Ah，well！it"snousemytroublingyouwithwhatcannotbemended。IwonderwhetherUmblebyisabouttheplaceanywhere？"
Thedoctorwasagainstandingwithhisbackagainstthechimney-piece，andwithhishandsinhispockets。
"YoudidnotseeUmblebyasyoucamein？"againaskedthesquire。
"No，Ididnot；andifyouwilltakemyadviceyouwillnotseehimnow；atanyratewithreferencetothismoney。"
"ItellyouImustgetitfromsomeone；yousayScatcherdwon"tletmehaveit。"
"No，MrGresham；Ididnotsaythat。"
"Well，yousaidwhatwasasbad。AugustaistobemarriedinSeptember，andthemoneymustbehad。IhaveagreedtogiveMoffatsixthousandpounds，andheistohavethemoneydowninhardcash。"
"Sixthousandpounds，"saidthedoctor。"Well，Isupposethatisnotmorethanyourdaughtershouldhave。Butthen，fivetimessixarethirty；thirtythousandpoundswillbealargesumtomakeup。"
Thefatherthoughttohimselfthathisyoungergirlswerebutchildren，andthatthetroubleofarrangingtheirmarriageportionsmightwellbepostponedawhile。Sufficientforthedayistheevilthereof。
"ThatMoffatisagripping，hungryfellow，"saidthesquire。"IsupposeAugustalikeshim；and，asregardsmoney，itisagoodmatch。"
"IfMissGreshamloveshim，thatiseverything。Iamnotinlovewithhimmyself；butthen，Iamnotayounglady。"
"TheDeCourcysareveryfondofhim。LadydeCourcysaysthatheisaperfectgentleman，andthoughtverymuchofinLondon。"
"Oh！ifLadydeCourcysaysthat，ofcourse，it"sallright，"saidthedoctor，withaquietsarcasm，thatwasaltogetherthrownawayonthesquire。
ThesquiredidnotlikeanyoftheDeCourcys；especially，hedidnotlikeLadydeCourcy；butstillhewasaccessibletoacertainamountofgratificationinthenearconnexionwhichhehadwiththeearlandcountess；andwhenhewantedtosupporthisfamilygreatness，wouldsometimesweaklyfallbackuponthegrandeurofCourcyCastle。Itwasonlywhentalkingtohiswifethatheinvariablysnubbedthepretensionsofhisnoblerelatives。
Thetwomenafterthisremainedsilentforawhile；andthenthedoctor，renewingthesubjectforwhichhehadbeensummonedintothebook-room，remarkedthatasScatcherdwasnowinthecountry——hedidnotsay，wasnowatBoxallHill，ashedidnotwishtowoundthesquire"sears——perhapshehadbettergoandseehim，andascertaininwhatwaythisaffairofthemoneymightbearranged。Therewasnodoubt，hesaid，thatScatcherdwouldsupplythesumrequiredatalowerrateofinterestthanthatwhichitcouldbeprocuredthroughUmbleby"smeans。
"Verywell，"saidthesquire。"I"llleaveitinyourhands，then。I
thinktenthousandpoundswilldo。AndnowI"lldressfordinner。"Andthenthedoctorlefthim。
Perhapsthereaderwillsupposeafterthisthatthedoctorhadsomepecuniaryinterestofhisowninarrangingthesquire"sloans；or，atanyrate，hewillthinkthatthesquiremusthavesothought。Notintheleast；neitherhadheanysuchinterest，nordidthesquirethinkthathehadany。WhatDrThornedidinthismatterthesquirewellknewwasdoneforlove。ButthesquireofGreshamsburywasagreatmanatGreshamsbury；anditbehovedhimtomaintainthegreatnessofhissquirehoodwhendiscussinghisaffairswiththevillagedoctor。SomuchhehadatanyratelearntfromhiscontactwiththeDeCourcys。
Andthedoctor——proud，arrogant，contradictory，headstrongashewas——whydidhebeartobethussnubbed？BecauseheknewthatthesquireofGreshamsbury，whenstrugglingwithdebtandpoverty，requiredanindulgenceforhisweakness。HadMrGreshambeenineasycircumstances，thedoctorwouldbynomeanshavestoodsoplacidlywithhishandsinhispockets，andhavehadMrUmblebythusthrowninhisteeth。Thedoctorlovedthesquire，lovedhimashisownoldestfriend；buthelovedhimtentimesbetterasbeinginadversitythanhecouldeverdonehadthingsgonewellatGreshamsburyinhistime。
Whilethiswasgoingondownstairs，MarywassittingupstairswithBeatriceGreshamintheschoolroom。Theoldschoolroom，socalled，wasnowasitting-room，devotedtotheuseofthegrown-upladiesofthefamily，whereasoneoftheoldnurserieswasnowthemodernschoolroom。Marywellknewherwaytothesanctum，and，withoutaskinganyquestions，walkeduptoitwhenherunclewenttothesquire。OnenteringtheroomshefoundthatAugustaandtheLadyAlexandrinawerealsothere，andshehesitatedforamomentatthedoor。
"Comein，Mary，"saidBeatrice，"youknowmycousinAlexandrina。"Marycamein，andhavingshakenhandswithhertwofriends，wasbowingtothelady，whentheladycondescended，putouthernoblehand，andtouchedMissThorne"sfingers。
BeatricewasMary"sfriend，andmanyheart-burningsandmuchmentalsolicitudedidthatyoungladygivetohermotherbyindulginginsuchafriendship。ButBeatrice，withsomefaults，wastrueatheart，andshepersistedinlovingMaryThorneinspiteofthehintswhichhermothersofrequentlygaveastotheimproprietyofsuchanaffection。
NorhadAugustaanyobjectiontothesocietyofMissThorne。Augustawasastrong-mindedgirl，withmuchoftheDeCourcyarrogance，butquiteaswellinclinedtoshowitinoppositiontohermotherasinanyotherform。ToheraloneinthehousedidLadyArabellashowmuchdeference。Shewasnowgoingtomakeasuitablematchwithamanoflargefortune，whohadbeenprocuredforherasaneligiblepartibyheraunt，thecountess。Shedidnotpretend，hadneverpretended，thatshelovedMrMoffat，butsheknew，shesaid，thatinthepresentstateofherfather"saffairssuchamatchwasexpedient。MrMoffatwasayoungmanofverylargefortune，inParliament，andinclinedtobusiness，andineverywayrecommendable。Hewasnotamanofbirth，tobesure；thatwastobelamented；——inconfessingthatMrMoffatwasnotamanofbirth，Augustadidnotgosofarastoadmitthathewasthesonofatailor；such，however，wastherigidtruthinthismatter——hewasnotamanofbirth，thatwastobelamented；butinthepresentstateofaffairsatGreshamsbury，sheunderstoodwellthatitwasherdutytopostponeherownfeelingsinsomerespect。MrMoffatwouldbringfortune；shewouldbringbloodandconnexion。Andasshesosaid，herbosomglowedwithstrongpridetothinkthatshewouldbeabletocontributesomuchmoretowardstheproposedfuturepartnershipthanherhusbandwoulddo。
"TwasthusthatMissGreshamspokeofhermatchtoherdearfriends，hercousinstheDeCourcysforinstance，toMissOriel，hersisterBeatrice，andeventoMaryThorne。Shehadnoenthusiasm，sheadmitted，butshethoughtshehadgoodjudgment。ShethoughtshehadshowngoodjudgmentinacceptingMrMoffat"soffer，thoughshedidnotpretendtoanyromanceofaffection。And，havingsosaid，shewenttoworkwithconsiderablementalsatisfaction，choosingfurniture，carriages，andclothes，notextravagantlyashermotherwouldhavedone，notindeferencetosternerdictatesofthelatestfashionasherauntwouldhavedone，withnoneofthegirlishgleeinnewpurchaseswhichBeatricewouldhavefelt，butwithsoundjudgment。Sheboughtthingsthatwererich，forherhusbandwastoberich，andshemeanttoavailherselfofhiswealth；sheboughtthingsthatwerefashionable，forshemeanttoliveinthefashionableworld；butsheboughtwhatwasgood，andstrong，andlasting，andworthitsmoney。
AugustaGreshamhadperceivedearlyinlifethatshecouldnotobtainsuccesseitherasanheiress，orasabeauty，norcouldsheshineasawit；shethereforefellbackonsuchqualitiesasshehad，anddeterminedtowintheworldasastrong-minded，usefulwoman。Thatwhichshehadofherownwasblood；havingthat，shewouldinallwaysdowhatinherlaytoenhanceitsvalue。Hadshenotpossessedit，itwouldtohermindhavebeenthevainestofpretences。
WhenMarycamein，theweddingpreparationswerebeingdiscussed。Thenumberandnamesofthebridesmaidswerebeingsettled，thedresseswereonthetapis，theinvitationstobegivenweretalkedover。
SensibleasAugustawas，shewasnotabovesuchfemininecares；shewas，indeed，ratheranxiousthattheweddingshouldgooffwell。Shewasalittleashamedofhertailor"sson，andthereforeanxiousthatthingsshouldbeasbrilliantaspossible。
Thebridesmaid"snameshadjustbeenwrittenonacardasMaryenteredtheroom。ThereweretheLadiesAmelia，Rosina，Margaretta，andAlexandrinaofcourseattheheadofit；thencameBeatriceandthetwins；thenMissOriel，who，thoughonlyaparson"ssister，wasapersonofnote，birthandfortune。Afterthistherehadbeenhereagreatdiscussionwhetherornotthereshouldbeanymore。Ifthereweretobeonemoretheremustbetwo。NowMissMoffathadexpressedadirectwish，andAugusta，thoughshewouldmuchratherhavedonewithouther，hardlyknewhowtorefuse。Alexandrina——wehopewemaybeallowedtodropthe"lady"forthesakeofbrevity，forthepresentsceneonly——wasdeadagainstsuchanunreasonablerequest。"Wenoneofusknowher，youknow；anditwouldnotbecomfortable。"Beatricestronglyadvocatedthefuturesister-in-law"sacceptanceintothebevy；
shehadherownreasons；shewaspainedthatMaryThorneshouldnotbeamongthenumber，andifMissMoffatwereaccepted，perhapsMarymightbebroughtinashercolleague。
"IfyouhaveMissMoffat，"saidAlexandrina，"youmusthavedearPussytoo；andIreallythinkthatPussyistooyoung；itwillbetroublesome。"PussywastheyoungestMissGresham，whowasnowonlyeightyearsold，andwhoserealnamewasNina。
"Augusta，"saidBeatrice，speakingwithsomeslighthesitation，somesoupconofdoubtbeforethehighestauthorityofhernoblecousin，"ifyoudohaveMissMoffatwouldyoumindaskingMaryThornetojoinher？
IthinkMarywouldlikeit，because，yousee，PatienceOrielistobeone；andwehaveknownMarymuchlongerthanwehaveknownPatience。"
ThenoutandspaketheLadyAlexandrina。
"Beatrice，dear，ifyouthinkofwhatyouareasking，Iamsureyouwillseethatitwouldnotdo；wouldnotdoatall。MissThorneisaverynicegirl，Iamsure；and，indeed，whatlittleIhaveseenofherIhighlyapprove。But，afterall，whoisshe？Mamma，Iknow，thinksthatAuntArabellahasbeenwrongtoletbeheresomuch，but——"
Beatricebecameratherredintheface，and，inspiteofthedignityofhercousin，waspreparingtodefendherfriend。
"Mind，IamnotsayingawordagainstMissThorne。"
"IfIammarriedbeforeher，sheshallbeoneofmybridesmaids，"saidBeatrice。
"Thatwillprobablydependoncircumstances，"saidtheLadyAlexandrina；IfindthatIcannotbringmycourteouspentodropthetitle。"ButAugustaisverypeculiarlysituated。MrMoffat，is，yousee，notoftheveryhighestbirth；and，therefore，sheshouldtakecarethatonhersideeveryoneaboutheriswellborn。"
"ThenyoucannothaveMissMoffat，"saidBeatrice。
"No；IwouldnotifIcouldhelpit，"saidthecousin。
"ButtheThornesareasgoodafamilyastheGreshams，"saidBeatrice。
Shehadnotquitethecouragetosay，asgoodastheDeCourcys。
"Idaresaytheyare；andifthiswasMissThorneofUllathorne，Augustaprobablywouldnotobjecttoher。ButcanyoutellmewhoMissMaryThorneis？"
"SheisDrThorne"sniece。"
"Youmeanthatsheiscalledso；butdoyouknowwhoherfatherwas，orwhohermotherwas？I，forone，mustownthatIdonot。Mamma，I
believe，does，but——"
AtthismomentthedooropenedgentlyandMaryThorneenteredtheroom。
Itmayeasilybeconceived，thatwhileMarywasmakinghersalutationsthethreeotheryoungladieswerealittlecastaback。TheLadyAlexandrina，however，quicklyrecoveredherself，and，byherinimitablepresenceofmindandfacilegraceofmanner，soonputthematteronaproperfooting。
"WewerediscussingMissGresham"smarriage，"saidshe；"IamsureI
maymentiontoanacquaintanceofsolongstandingasMissThorne，thatthefirstofSeptemberhasbeennowfixedforthewedding。"
MissGresham！Acquaintanceofsolongstanding！Why，MaryandAugustaGreshamhadforyears，wewillhardlysayforhowmany，passedtheirmorningstogetherinthesameschoolroom；hadquarrelled，andsquabbled，andcaressedandkissed，andbeenallbutsisterstoeachother。Acquaintanceindeed！Beatricefeltthatherearsweretingling，andevenAugustawasalittleashamed。Mary，however，knewthatthecoldwordshadcomefromaDeCourcy，andnotfromaGresham，anddidnot，therefore，resentthem。
"Soit"ssettled，Augusta，isit？"saidshe；"thefirstofSeptember。I
wishyoujoywithallmyheart，"and，cominground，sheputherarmoverAugusta"sshoulderandkissedher。TheLadyAlexandrinacouldnotbutthinkthatthedoctor"snieceutteredhercongratulationsverymuchasthoughshewerespeakingtoanequal；verymuchasthoughshehadafatherandmotherofherown。
"Youwillhavedeliciousweather，"continuedMary。"September，andthebeginningofOctober，isthenicesttimeoftheyear。IfIweregoinghoneymooningitisjustthetimeofyearIwouldchoose。"
"Iwishyouwere，Mary，"saidBeatrice。
"SodonotI，dear，tillIhavefoundsomedecentsortofabodytohoneymoonalongwithme。Iwon"tstiroutofGreshamsburytillIhavesentyouoffbeforeme，atanyrate。Andwherewillyougo，Augusta？"
"Wehavenotsettledthat，"saidAugusta。"MrMoffattalksofParis。"
"WhoeverheardofgoingtoParisinSeptember？"saidtheLadyAlexandrina。
TheLadyAlexandrinawasnotpleasedtofindhowcompletelythedoctor"sniecetookuponherselftotalk，andsit，andactatGreshamsburyasthoughshewasonaparwiththeyoungladiesofthefamily。ThatBeatriceshouldhaveallowedthiswouldnothavesurprisedher；butitwastobeexpectedthatAugustawouldhaveshownbetterjudgment。
"Thesethingsrequiresometactintheirmanagement；somedelicacywhenhighinterestsareatstake，"saidshe；"IagreewithMissThorneinthinkingthat，inordinarycircumstances，withordinarypeople，perhaps，theladyshouldhaveherway。Rank，however，hasitsdrawbacks，MissThorne，aswellasitsprivileges。"
"Ishouldnotobjecttothedrawbacks，"saidthedoctor"sniece，"presumingthemtobeofsomeuse；butIfearImightfailingettingonsowellwiththeprivileges。"
TheLadyAlexandrinalookedatherasthoughnotfullyawarewhethersheintendedtobepert。Intruth，theLadyAlexandrinawasratherinthedarkonthesubject。Itwasalmostimpossible，itwasincredible，thatafatherless，motherless，doctor"snieceshouldbeperttoanearl"sdaughteratGreshamsbury，seeingthatthatearl"sdaughterwasthecousinofthemissGreshams。AndyettheLadyAlexandrinahardlyknewwhatotherconstructiontoputonthewordsshehadjustheard。
Itwasatanyratecleartoherthatitwasnotbecomingthatsheshouldjustthenstayanylongerinthatroom。Whethersheintendedtobepertornot，MissMaryThornewas，tosaytheleast，veryfree。TheDeCourcyladiesknewwhatwasduetothem——noladiesbetter；and，therefore，theLadyAlexandrinamadeuphermindatoncetogotoherownbedroom。
"Augusta，"shesaid，risingslowlyfromherchairwithmuchstatelycomposure，"itisnearlytimetodress；willyoucomewithme？Wehaveagreatdealtodiscuss，youknow。"
Sosheswamoutoftheroom，andAugusta，tellingMarythatshewouldseeheragainatdinner，swam——no，triedtoswim——afterher。MissGreshamhadhadgreatadvantages；butshehadnotbeenabsolutelybroughtupatCourcyCastle，andcouldnotasyetquiteassumetheCourcystyleofswimming。
"There，"saidMary，asthedoorclosedbehindtherustlingmuslinsoftheladies。"There，Ihavemadeanenemyforever，perhapstwo；that"ssatisfactory。"
"Andwhyhaveyoudoneit，Mary？WhenIamfightingyourbattlesbehindyourback，whydoyoucomeandupsetitallbymakingthewholefamilyoftheDeCourcysdislikeyou？Insuchamatterasthat，they"llallgotogether。"
"Iamsuretheywill，"saidMary；"whethertheywouldbeequallyunanimousinacaseofloveandcharity，that，indeed，isanotherquestion。"
"Butwhyshouldyoutrytomakemycousinangry；youthatoughttohavesomuchsense？Don"tyourememberthatyouweresayingyourselftheotherday，oftheabsurdityofcombattingpretenceswhichtheworldsanctions？"
"Ido，Trichy，Ido；don"tscoldmenow。Itissomucheasiertopreachthantopractise。IdosowishIwasaclergyman。"
"Butyouhavedonesomuchharm，Mary。"
"HaveI？"saidMary，kneelingdownonthegroundatherfriend"sfeet。
"IfIhumblemyselfverylow；ifIkneelthroughthewholeeveninginacorner；ifIputmyneckdownandletallyourcousinstrampleonit，andthenyouraunt，wouldnotthatmakeatonement？Iwouldnotobjecttowearingsackcloth，either；andI"deatalittleashes——or，atanyrate，I"dtry。"
"Iknowyou"reclever，Mary；butstillIthinkyou"reafool。Ido，indeed。"
"Iamafool，Trichy，Idoconfessit；andamnotabitclever；butdon"tscoldme；youseehowhumbleIam；notonlyhumblebutumble，whichIlookupontobethecomparative，or，indeed，superlativedegree。Orperhapstherearefourdegrees；humble，umble，stumble，tumble；andthen，whenoneisabsolutelyinthedirtattheirfeet，perhapsthesebigpeoplewon"twishonetostoopanyfurther。"
"Oh，Mary！"
"And，oh，Trichy！youdon"tmeantosayImayn"tspeakoutbeforeyou。
There，perhapsyou"dliketoputyourfootonmyneck。"AndthensheputherheaddowntothefootstoolandkissedBeatrice"sfeet。
"I"dlike，ifIdared，toputmyhandonyourcheekandgiveyouagoodslapforbeingsuchagoose。"
"Do；do，Trichy：youshalltreadonme，orslapme，orkissme；
whicheveryoulike。"
"Ican"ttellyouhowvexedIam，"saidBeatrice；"Iwantedtoarrangesomething。"
"Arrangesomething！What？arrangewhat？Ilovearranging。Ifancymyselfqualifiedtobeanarranger-generalinfemalematters。Imeanpotsandpans，andsuchlike。OfcourseIdon"talludetoextraordinarypeopleandextraordinarycircumstancesthatrequiretact，anddelicacy，anddrawbacks，andthatsortofthing。"
"Verywell，Mary。"
"Butit"snotverywell；it"sverybadifyoulooklikethat。Well，mypet，thereIwon"t。Iwon"talludetothenoblebloodofyournoblerelativeseitherinjokeorinearnest。Whatisityouwanttoarrange，Trichy？"
"IwantyoutobeoneofAugusta"sbridesmaids。"
"Goodheavens，Beatrice！Areyoumad？What！Putme，evenforamorning，intothesamecategoryoffineryasthenoblebloodfromCourcyCastle！"
"Patienceistobeone。"
"ButthatisnoreasonwhyImpatienceshouldbeanother，andIshouldbeveryimpatientundersuchhonours。No，Trichy；jokingapart，donotthinkofit。EvenifAugustawisheditIwouldrefuse。Ishouldbeobligedtorefuse。I，too，sufferfrompride；apridequiteasunpardonableasthatofothers：Icouldnotstandwithyourfourlady-cousinsbehindyoursisteratthealtar。InsuchagalaxytheywouldbethestarsandI——"
"Why，Mary，alltheworldknowsthatyouareprettierthananyofthem！"
"Iamalltheworld"sveryhumbleservant。But，Trichy，IshouldnotobjectifIwereasuglyastheveiledprophetandtheyallasbeautifulasZuleika。Thegloryofthatgalaxywillbeheldtodependnotonitsbeauty；butonitsbirth。Youknowhowtheywouldlookatme；nowtheywouldscornme；andthere，inchurch，atthealtar，withallthatissolemnroundus，IcouldnotreturntheirscornasImightdoelsewhere。InaroomI"mnotabitafraidofthematall。"AndMarywasagainallowingherselftobeabsorbedbythatfeelingofindomitablepride，ofantagonismtotheprideofothers，whichsheherselfinhercoolermomentswasthefirsttoblame。
"Youoftensay，Mary，thatthatsortofarroganceshouldbedespisedandpassedoverwithoutnotice。"
"Soitshould，Trichy。Itellyouthatasaclergymantellsyoutohateriches。Butthoughtheclergymantellsyouso，heisnotthelessanxioustoberichhimself。"
"IparticularlywishyoutobeoneofAugusta"sbridesmaids。"
"AndIparticularlywishtodeclinethehonour；whichhonourhasnotbeen，andwillnotbe，offeredtome。No，Trichy。IwillnotbeAugusta"sbridesmaid，but——but——but——"
"Butwhat，dearest？"
"But，Trichy，whensomeoneelseismarried，whenthenewwinghasbeenbuilttoahousethatyouknowof——"
"Now，Mary，holdyourtongue，oryouknowyou"llmakemeangry。"
"Idosoliketoseeyouangry。Andwhenthattimecomes，whenthatweddingdoestakeplace，thenIwillbeabridesmaid，Trichy。Yes！eventhoughIamnotinvited。Yes！thoughalltheDeCourcysinBarsetshireshouldtreaduponmeandobliterateme。ThoughIshouldbedustamongthestars，thoughIshouldcreepupincalicoamongtheirsatinsandlace，Iwillneverthelessbethere；close，closetothebride；toholdsomethingforher，totouchherdress，tofeelthatIamneartoher，to——to——to——"andshethrewherarmsroundhercompanion，andkissedheroverandoveragain。"No，Trichy；Iwon"tbeAugusta"sbridesmaid；I"llbidemytimeforbridesmaiding。"
WhatprotestationsBeatricemadeagainsttheprobabilityofsuchaneventasforeshadowedinherfriend"spromisewewillnotrepeat。Theafternoonwasadvancing，andtheladiesalsohadtodressfordinner，todohonourtotheyoungheir。