第3章
CHAPTERV
FRANKGRESHAM"SFIRSTSPEECH
Wehavesaid，thatoverandabovethoseassembledinthehouse，therecametotheGreshamsburydinneronFrank"sbirthdaytheJacksonsoftheGrange，consistingofMrandMrsJackson；theBatesonsfromAnnesgrove，viz。，MrandMrsBateson，andMissBateson，theirdaughter——anunmarriedladyofaboutfifty；theBakersofMillHill，fatherandson；andMrCalebOriel，therector，withhisbeautifulsister，Patience。DrThorne，andhisnieceMary，wecountamongthosealreadyassembledatGreshamsbury。
TherewasnothingverymagnificentinthenumberofthegueststhusbroughttogethertodohonourtoyoungFrank；buthe，perhaps，wascalledontotakeamoreprominentpartintheproceedings，tobemademoreofaherothanwouldhavebeenthecasehadhalfthecountybeenthere。InthatcasetheimportanceoftheguestswouldhavebeensogreatthatFrankwouldhavegotoffwithahalf-mutteredspeechortwo；
butnowhehadtomakeaseparateorationtoeveryone，andverywearyworkhefoundit。
TheBatesons，Bakers，andJacksonswereverycivil；nodoubtthemoresofromanunconsciousfeelingontheirpart，thatasthesquirewasknowntoalittleoutatelbowsasregardsmoney，anydeficiencyontheirpartmightbeconsideredasowingtothepresentstateofaffairsatGreshamsbury。Fourteenthousandayearwillreceivehonour；inthatcasethereisnodoubt，andthemanalreadypossessingitisnotapttobesuspiciousastothetreatmenthemayreceive；buttheghostoffourteenthousandayearisnotalwayssoself-assured。MrBaker，withhismoderateincome，wasaverymuchrichermanthanthesquire；
and，therefore，hewaspeculiarlyforwardincongratulatingFrankonthebrilliancyofhisprospects。
PoorFrankhadhardlyanticipatedwhattherewouldbetodo，andbeforedinnerwasannouncedhewasverytiredofit。Hehadnowarmerfeelingforanyofthegrandcousinsthanaveryordinarycousinlylove；andhehadresolved，forgetfulofbirthandblood，andallthosegiganticconsiderationswhichnowthatmanhoodhadcomeuponhim，hewasboundalwaystobearinmind，——hehadresolvedtosneakouttodinnercomfortablywithMaryThorneifpossible；andifnotwithMary，thenwithhisotherlove，PatienceOriel。
Great，therefore，washisconsternationatfindingthat，afterbeingkeptcontinuallyintheforegroundforhalfanhourbeforedinner，hehadtowalkouttothedining-roomwithhisauntthecountess，andtakehisfather"splaceforthedayatthebottomofthetable。
"Itwillnowdependaltogetheruponyourself，Frank，whetheryoumaintainorlosethathighpositioninthecountywhichhasbeenheldbytheGreshamsforsomanyyears，"saidthecountess，asshewalkedthroughthespacioushall，resolvingtolosenotimeinteachingtohernephewthatgreatlessonwhichitwassoimperativethatheshouldlearn。
Franktookthisasanordinarylecture，meanttoinculcategeneralgoodconduct，suchasoldboresofauntsareapttoinflictonyouthfulvictimsintheshapeofnephewsandnieces。
"Yes，"saidFrank；"Isupposeso；andImeantogoalongallsquare，aunt，andnomistake。WhenIgetbacktoCambridge，I"llreadlikebricks。"
Hisauntdidnotcaretwostrawsabouthisreading。ItwasnotbyreadingthattheGreshamsofGreshamsburyhadheldtheirheadsupinthecounty，butbyhavinghighbloodandplentyofmoney。Thebloodhadcomenaturallytothisyoungman；butitbehovedhimtolookforthemoneyinagreatmeasurehimself。She，LadydeCourcy，coulddoubtlesshelphim；shemightprobablybeabletofithimwithawifewhowouldbringhermoneyontohisbirth。Hisreadingwasamatterinwhichshecouldinnowayassisthim；whetherhistastemightleadhimtopreferbooksorpictures，ordogsandhorses，orturnipsindrills，oroldItalianplatesanddishes，wasamatterwhichdidnotmuchsignify；
withwhichitwasnotatallnecessarythathisnobleauntshouldtroubleherself。
"Oh！youaregoingtoCambridgeagain，areyou？Well，ifyourfatherwishesit；——thoughverylittleisevergainednowbyauniversityconnexion。"
"IamtotakemydegreeinOctober，aunt；andIamdetermined，atanyrate，thatIwon"tbeplucked。"
"Plucked！"
"No；Iwon"tbeplucked。Bakerwaspluckedlastyear，andallbecausehegotintothewrongsetatJohn"s。He"sanexcellentfellowifyouknewhim。Hegotamongasetofmenwhodidnothingbutsmokeanddrinkbeer。Malthusians，wecallthem。"
"Malthusians！"
"“Malt“，youknow，aunt，and“use“；meaningthattheydrinkbeer。SopoorHarryBakergotplucked。Idon"tknowthatafellow"sanytheworse；however，Iwon"tgetplucked。"
Bythistimethepartyhadtakentheirplaceroundthelongboard，MrGreshamsittingatthetop，intheplaceusuallyoccupiedbyLadyArabella。She，onthepresentoccasion，satnexttohersonontheoneside，asthecountessdidontheother。If，therefore，Franknowwentastray，itwouldnotbefromwantofproperleading。
"Aunt，willyouhavesomebeef？"saidhe，assoonasthesoupandfishhadbeendisposedof，anxioustoperformtheritesofhospitalitynowforthefirsttimecommittedtohischarge。
"Donotbeinahurry，Frank，"saidhismother；"theservantswill——"
"Oh！ah！Iforgot；therearecutletsandthosesortofthings。Myhandisnotyetinforthiswork，aunt。Well，asIwassayingaboutCambridge——"
"IsFranktogobacktoCambridge，Arabella？"saidthecountesstohersister-in-law，speakingacrosshernephew。
"Sohisfatherseemstosay。"
"Isitnotawasteoftime？"askedthecountess。
"YouknowIneverinterfere，"saidtheLadyArabella；"IneverlikedtheideaofCambridgemyselfatall。AlltheDeCourcyswereChristchurchmen；buttheGreshams，itseems，werealwaysatCambridge。"
"Woulditnotbebettertosendhimabroadatonce？"
"Muchbetter，Iwouldthink，"saidtheLadyArabella；"butyouknow，I
neverinterfere：perhapsyouwouldspeaktoMrGresham。"
Thecountesssmiledgrimly，andshookherheadwithadecidedlynegativeshake。Hadshesaidoutloudtotheyoungman，"Yourfatherissuchanobstinate，pig-headed，ignorantfool，thatitisnousespeakingtohim；itwouldbewastingfragranceonthedesertair，"shecouldnothavespokenmoreplainly。TheeffectonFrankwasthis：thathesaidtohimself，speakingquiteasplainlyasLadyDeCourcyhadspokenbyhershakeoftheface，"Mymotherandauntarealwaysdownonthegovernor，always；butthemoretheyaredownonhimthemoreI"llsticktohim。Icertainlywilltakemydegree：Iwillreadlikebricks；andI"llbegintomorrow。"
"Nowwillyoutakesomebeef，aunt？"Thiswassaidoutloud。
TheCountessdeCourcywasveryanxioustogoonwithherlessonwithoutlossoftime；butshecouldnot，whilesurroundedbyguestsandservants，enunciatethegreatsecret："Youmustmarrymoney，Frank；
thatisyouronegreatduty；thatisthemattertobebornesteadfastlyinyourmind。"Shecouldnotnow，withsufficientweightandimpressofemphasis，pourthiswisdomintohisears；themoreespeciallyashewasstandinguptohisworkofcarving，andwasdeeptohiselbowsinhorse-radish，fatandgravy。Sothecountesssatsilentwhilethebanquetproceeded。
"Beef，Harry？"shoutedtheyoungheirtohisfriendBaker。"Oh！butI
seeitisn"tyourturnyet。Ibegyourpardon，MissBateson，"andhesenttothatladyapoundandahalfofexcellentmeat，cutoutwithgreatenergyinoneslice，abouthalfaninchthick。
Andsothebanquetwenton。
BeforedinnerFrankhadfoundhimselfobligedtomakenumeroussmallspeechesinanswertothenumerousindividualcongratulationsofhisfriends；butthesewereasnothingtotheonegreataccumulatedonusofanorationwhichhehadlongknownthatheshouldhavetosustainaftertheclothwastakenaway。Someoneofcoursewouldproposehishealth，andthentherewouldbeaclatterofvoices，ladiesandgentlemen，menandgirls；andwhenthatwasdonehewouldfindhimselfstandingonhislegs，withtheroomabouthim，goingroundandroundandround。
Havinghadaprevioushintofthis，hehadsoughtadvicefromhiscousin，theHonourableGeorge，whomheregardedasadabatspeaking；
atleast，sohehadheardtheHonourableGeorgesayofhimself。
"Whatthedeuceisafellowtosay，George，whenhestandsupaftertheclatterisdone？"
"Oh，it"stheeasiestthinginlife，"saidthecousin。"Onlyrememberthis：youmustn"tgetastray；thatiswhattheycallpresenceofmind，youknow。I"lltellyouwhatIdo，andI"moftencalledup，youknow；
atouragriculturalsIalwaysproposethefarmers"daughters：well，whatIdoisthis——Ikeepmyeyesteadfastlyfixedononeofthebottles，andnevermoveit。"
"Ononeofthebottles！"saidFrank；"wouldn"titbebetterifImadeamarkofsomeoldcovey"shead？Idon"tlikelookingatthetable。"
"Theoldcovey"dmove，andthenyou"dbedone；besidestheeisn"ttheleastuseintheworldinlookingup。I"veheardpeoplesay，whogotothosesortofdinnerseverydayoftheirlives，thatwheneveranythingwittyissaid；thefellowwhosaysitissuretobelookingatthemahogany。"
"Oh，youknowIshan"tsayanythingwitty；I"llbequitetheotherway。"
"Butthere"snoreasonyoushouldn"tlearnthemanner。That"sthewayIsucceed。Fixyoureyeononeofthebottles；putyourthumbsinyourwaist-coatpockets；stickoutyourelbows，bendyourkneesalittle，andthengoahead。"
"Oh，ah！goahead；that"sallverywell；butyoucan"tgoaheadifyouhaven"tgotanysteam。"
"Averylittledoesit。Therecanbenothingsoeasyasyourspeech。
Whenonehastosayanythingneweveryyearaboutthefarmers"
daughters，whyonehastouseone"sbrainsabit。Let"ssee：howwillyoubegin？Ofcourse，you"llsaythatyouarenotaccustomedtothissortofthing；thatthehonourconferreduponyouistoomuchforyourfeelings；thatthebrightarrayofbeautyandtalentaroundyouquiteoverpowersyourtongue，andallthatsortofthing。Thendeclareyou"reaGreshamtothebackbone。"
"Oh，theyknowthat。"
"Well，tellthemagain。Thenofcourseyoumustsaysomethingaboutus；oryou"llhavethecountessasblackasoldNick。"
"Abutmyaunt，George？WhatonearthcanIsayaboutherwhenshe"sthereherselfbeforeme？"
"Beforeyou！ofcourse；that"sjustthereason。Oh，sayanylieyoucanthinkof；youmustsaysomethingaboutus。Youknowwe"vecomedownfromLondononpurpose。"
Frank，inspiteofthebenefitofreceivingfromhiscousin"serudition，couldnothelpwishinginhisheartthattheyhadalremainedinLondon；butthishekepttohimself。Hethankedhiscousinforhishints，andthoughhedidnotfeelthatthetroubleofhismindwascompletelycured，hebegantohopethathemightgothroughtheordealwithoutdisgracinghimself。
Nevertheless，hefeltrathersickatheartwhenMrBakergotuptoproposethetoastassoonastheservantsweregone。Theservants，thatis，weregoneofficially；buttheywerethereinabody，menandwomen，nurses，cooks，andladies"maids，coachmen，grooms，andfootmen，standingintwodoorwaystohearwhatMasterFrankwouldsay。Theoldhousekeeperheadedthemaidsatonedoor，standingboldlyinsidetheroom；andthebutlercontrolledthemenattheother，marshallingthembackwithadrawncorkscrew。
MrBakerdidnotsaymuch；butwhathedidsay，hesaidwell。TheyhadallseenFrankGreshamgrowupfromachild；andwerenowrequiredtowelcomeasamanamongstthemonewhowaswellqualifiedtocarryonthehonourofthatlovedandrespectedfamily。Hisyoungfriend，Frank，waseveryinchaGresham。MrBakeromittedtomakementionoftheinfusionofDeCourcyblood，andthecountess，therefore，drewherselfuponherchairandlookedasthoughshewereextremelybored。
Hethenalludedtenderlytohisownlongfriendshipwiththepresentsquire，FrancisNewboldGreshamtheelder；andsatdown，beggingthemtodrinkhealth，prosperity，longlife，andexcellentwifetotheirdearfriendFrancisNewboldGreshamtheyounger。
Therewasagreatjinglingofglasses，ofcourse；madethemerrierandthelouderbythefactthattheladieswerestillthereaswellasthegentlemen。Ladiesdon"tdrinktoastsfrequently；and，therefore，theoccasioncomingrarelywasthemoreenjoyed。"Godblessyou，Frank！"
"Yourgoodhealth，Frank！""Andespeciallyagoodwife，Frank！""Twoorthreeofthem，Frank！""Goodhealthandprosperitytoyou，MrGresham！""Morepowertoyou，Frank，myboy！""MayGodblessyouandpreserveyou，mydearboy！"andthenamerry，sweet，eagervoicefromthefarendofthetable，"Frank！Frank！Dolookatme，praydoFrank；Iamdrinkingyourhealthinrealwine；ain"tI，papa？"SuchweretheaddresseswhichgreetedMrFrancisNewboldGreshamtheyoungerasheessayedtoriseuponhisfeetforthefirsttimesincehehadcometoman"sestate。
Whentheclatterwasatanend，andhewasfairlyonhislegs，hecastaglancebeforehimonthetable，tolookforadecanter。Hehadnotmuchlikedhiscousin"stheoryofstickingtothebottle；nevertheless，inthedifficultyofthemoment，itwaswelltohaveanysystemtogoby。But，asmisfortunewouldhaveit，thoughthetablewascoveredwithbottles，hiseyecouldnotcatchone。Indeed，hiseyefirstcouldcatchnothing，forthethingsswambeforehim，andtheguestsallseemedtodanceintheirchairs。
Uphegot，however，andcommencedhisspeech。Ashecouldnotfollowhispreceptor"sadvice，astouchingthebottle，headoptedhisowncrudeplanof"makingamarkonsomeoldcovey"shead，"andthereforelookeddeadatthedoctor。
"Uponmyword，Iamverymuchobligedtoyou，gentlemenandladies，ladiesandgentlemen，Ishouldsay，fordrinkingmyhealth，anddoingmesomuchhonour，andallthatsortofthing。UponmywordIam。
Especiallytoyou，MrBaker。Idon"tmeanyou，Harry，you"renotMrBaker。"
"Asmuchasyou"reMrGresham，MasterFrank。"
"ButIamnotMrGresham；andIdon"tmeantobeformanyalongyearifIcanhelpit；notatanyratetillwehavehadanothercomingofagehere。"
"Bravo，Frank；andwhosewillthatbe？"
"Thatwillbemyson，andaveryfineladhewillbe；andIhopehe"llmakeabetterspeechthanhisfather。MrBakersaidIwaseveryinchaGresham。Well，IhopeIam。"Herethecountessbegantolookcoldandangry。"Ihopethedaywillnevercomewhenmyfatherwon"townmeforone。"
"There"snofear，nofear，"saidthedoctor，whowasalmostputoutofcountenancebytheorator"sintensegaze。Thecountesslookedcolderandmoreangry，andmutteredsomethingtoherselfaboutabear-garden。
"GardezGresham；eh？Harry！mindthatwhenyou"restickinginagapI"mcomingafteryou。Well，IamsureIamveryobligedtoyouforthehonouryouhavealldoneme，especiallytheladieswhodon"tdothissortofthingsonordinaryoccasions。Iwishtheydid；don"tyou，doctor？Andtalkingoftheladies，myauntyandcousinshavecomeallthewayfromLondontohearmetakethisspeechwhichcertainlyisnotworththetrouble；but，allthesameIamverymuchobligedtothem。"
Andhelookedroundandmadealittlebowatthecountess。"AndsoI
amtoMrandMrsJackson，andMrandMrsandMissBateson，andMrBaker——I"mnotatallobligedtoyou，Harry——andtoMrOrielandMissOriel，andtoMrUmbleby，andtoDrThorne，andtoMary——Ibegherpardon，ImeanMissThorne。"Andthenhesatdown，amidtheloudplauditsofthecompany，andastringofblessingswhichcamefromtheservantsbehindhim。
Afterthistheladiesroseanddeparted。Asshewent，LadyArabella，kissedherson"sforehead，andthenhissisterskissedhim，andoneortwoofhislady-cousins；andthenMissBatesonshookhimbythehand。
"Oh，MissBateson，"saidhe，"Ithoughthekissingwastogoallround。"
SoMissBatesonlaughedandwentherway；andPatienceOrielnoddedathim，butMaryThorne，asshequietlylefttheroom，almosthiddenamongtheextensivedraperiesofthegranderladies，hardlyallowedhereyestomeethis。
Hegotuptoholdthedoorforthemasthepassed；andastheywent，hemanagedtotakePatiencebythehand；hetookherhandandpresseditforamoment，butdroppeditquickly，inorderthathemightgothroughthesameceremonywithMary，butMarywastooquickforhim。
"Frank，"saidMrGresham，assoonasthedoorwasclosed，"bringyourglasshere，myboy；"andthefathermaderoomforhissonclosebesidehimself。"Theceremonyisnowover，soyoumayhaveyourplaceofdignity。"Franksathimselfdownwherehewastold，andMrGreshamputhishandonhisson"sshoulderandhalfcaressedhim，whilethetearsstoodinhiseyes。"Ithinkthedoctorisright，Baker，Ithinkhe"llnevermakeusashamedofhim。"
"Iamsureheneverwill，"saidBaker。
"Idon"tthinkheeverwill，"saidDrThorne。
Thetonesofthemen"svoiceswereverydifferent。MrBakerdidnotcareastrawaboutit；whyshouldhe？Hehadanheirofhisownaswellasthesquire；onealsowhowastheappleofhiseye。Butthedoctor，——hedidcare；hehadaniece，tobesure，whomheloved，perhapsaswellasthesemenlovedtheirsons；buttherewasroominhisheartalsoforyoungFrankGresham。
Afterthissmallexposeoffeelingtheysatsilentforamomentortwo。ButsilencewasnotdeartotheheartoftheHonourableJohn，andsohetookuptherunning。
"That"saniceishnagyougaveFrankthismorning，"hesaidtohisuncle。"Iwaslookingathimbeforedinner。HeisaMonsoon，isn"the？"
"WellIcan"tsayIknowhowhewasbred，"saidthesquire。"Heshouldagooddealofbreeding。"
"He"saMonsoon，I"msure，"saidtheHonourableJohn。"They"veallthoseears，andthatpeculiardipintheback。Isupposeyougaveagoodishfigureforhim？"
"Notsoverymuch，"saidthesquire。
"He"satrainedhunter，Isuppose？"
"Ifnot，hesoonwillbe，"saidthesquire。
"LetFrankaloneforthat，"saidHarryBaker。
"Hejumpsbeautifully，sir，"saidFrank。"Ihaven"ttriedhimmyself，butPetermadehimgooverthebartwoorthreetimesthismorning。"
TheHonourableJohnwasdeterminedtogivehiscousinahelpinghand，asheconsideredit。HethoughtthatFrankwasveryillusedinbeingputoffwithsoincompletestud，andthinkingalsothatthesonhadnotspiritenoughtoattackhisfatherhimselfonthesubject，theHonourableJohndeterminedtodoitforhim。
"He"sthemakingofaverynicehorse，Idon"tdoubt。Iwishyouhadastringlikehim，Frank。"
Frankfeltthebloodrushtohisface。Hewouldnotforworldshavehisfatherthinkthathewasdiscontented，orotherwisethanpleasedwiththepresenthehadreceivedthatmorning。Hewasheartilyashamedofhimselfinthathehadlistenedwithacertaindegreeofcomplacencytohiscousin"stempting；buthehadnoideathatthesubjectwouldberepeated——andthenrepeated，too，beforehisfather，inamannertovexhimonsuchadayasthis，beforesuchpeopleaswereassembledhere。
Hewasveryangrywithhiscousin，andforamomentforgotallhishereditaryrespectforaDeCourcy。
"Itellyouwhat，John，"saidhe，"doyouchooseyourday，somedayearlyintheseason，andcomeoutonthebestthingyouhave，andI"llbring，nottheblackhorse，butmyoldmare；andthendoyoutrytokeepnearme。IfIdon"tleaveyouatthebackofGod-speedbeforelong，I"llgiveyouthemareandthehorsetoo。"
TheHonourableJohnwasnotknowninBarsetshireasoneofthemostforwardofitsriders。Hewasamanmuchaddictedtohunting，asfarastheget-upofthethingwasconcerned；hewasgreatinbootsandbreeches；wondrouslyconversantwithbitsandbridles；hehadquiteacollectionofsaddles；andpatronizedeverynewestinventionforcarryingspareshoes，sandwiches，andflasksofsherry。Hewasprominentatthecoverside；——somepeople，includingthemasterofhounds，thoughthimperhapsalittletooloudlyprominent；heaffectedafamiliaritywiththedogs，andwasonspeakingacquaintancewitheveryman"shorse。Butwhentheworkwascutout，whenthepacebegantobesharp，whenitbehovedamaneithertorideorvisiblytodeclinetoride，then——soatleastsaidtheywhohadnottheDeCourcyinterestquitecloselyatheart——then，inthoseheart-stirringmoments，theHonourableJohnwastoooftenfounddeficient。
Therewas，therefore，aconsiderablelaughathisexpensewhenFrank，instigatedtothisinnocentboastbyadesiretosavehisfather，challengedhiscousintoatrialofprowess。TheHonourableJohnwasnot，perhaps，asmuchaccustomedtothereadyuseofhistongueaswashishonourablebrother，seeingthatitwasnothisannualbusinesstodepictthegloriesofthefarmers"daughters；atanyrate，onthisoccasionheseemedtobeatsomelossforwords；heshutup，astheslangphrasegoes，andmadenofurtherallusiontothenecessityofsupplyingyoungGreshamwithaproperstreamofhunters。
Buttheoldsquirehadunderstooditall；hadunderstoodthemeaningofhisnephew"sattack；hadthoroughlyunderstoodthemeaningofhisson"sdefence，andthefeelingwhichactuatedit。Healsohadthoughtofthestablefulofhorseswhichhadbelongedtohimselfwhenhebecameofage；andofthemuchmorehumblepositionwhichhissonwouldhavetofillthanthatwhichhisfatherhadpreparedforhim。Hethoughtofthis，andwassadenough，thoughhehadsufficientspirittohidefromhisfriendsaroundhimthefact，thattheHonourableJohn"sarrowhadnotbeendischargedinvain。
"HeshallhaveChampion，"saidthefathertohimself。"Itistimeformetogiveup。"
NowChampionwasoneofthetwofineoldhunterswhichthesquirekeptforhisownuse。Anditmighthavebeensaidofhimnow，attheperiodofwhichwearespeaking，thattheonlyreallyhappymomentsofhislifewerethosewhichhespentinthefield。Somuchastoitsbeingtimeforhimtogiveup。
CHAPTERVI
FRANKGRESHAM"SEARLYLOVES
Itwas，wehavesaid，thefirstofJuly，andsuchbeingthetimeoftheyear，theladies，aftersittinginthedrawing-roomforhalfanhourorso，begantothinkthattheymightaswellgothroughthedrawing-roomwindowsontothelawn。Firstoneslippedoutalittleway，andthenanother；andthentheygotontothelawn；andthentheytalkedoftheirhats；till，bydegrees，theyoungeronesoftheparty，andthelastoftheelderalso，foundthemselvesdressedforwalking。
Thewindows，bothofthedrawing-room，andthedining-room，lookedoutontothelawn；anditwasonlynaturalthatthegirlsshouldwalkfromtheformertothelatter。Itwasonlynaturalthatthey，beingthere，shouldtempttheirswainstocometothembythesightoftheirbroad-brimmedhatsandeveningdresses；andnatural，also，thatthetemptationshouldnotberesisted。Thesquire，therefore，andtheeldermaleguestssoonfoundthemselvesaloneroundtheirwine。
"Uponmyword，wewereenchantedbyyoureloquence，MrGresham，werewenot？"saidMissOriel，turningtooneoftheDeCourcygirlswhowaswithher。
MissOrielwasaveryprettygirl；alittleolderthanFrankGresham，——perhapsayearorso。Shehaddarkhair，largerounddarkeyes，anosealittletoobroad，aprettymouth，abeautifulchin，and，aswehavesaidbefore，alargefortune；——thatis，moderatelylarge——letussaytwentythousandpounds，thereorthereabouts。SheandherbrotherhadbeenlivingatGreshamsburyforthelasttwoyears，thelivinghavingbeenpurchasedforhim——suchwereMrGresham"snecessities——duringthelifetimeofthelastoldincumbent。MissOrielwasineveryrespectaniceneighbour；shewasgood-humoured，lady-like，lively，neithertooclevernortoostupid，belongingtoagoodfamily，sufficientlyfondofthisworld"sgoodthings，asbecameaprettyyoungladysoendowed，andsufficientlyfond，also，oftheotherworld"sgoodthings，asbecamethemistressofaclergyman"shouse。
"Indeed，yes；"saidtheLadyMargaretta。"Frankisveryeloquent。WhenhedescribedourrapidjourneyfromLondon，henearlymovedmetotears。Butwellashetalks，Ithinkhecarvesbetter。"
"Iwishyou"dhadtodoit，Margaretta；boththecarvingandthetalking。"
"Thankyou，Frank；you"reverycivil。"
"Butthere"sonecomfort，MissOriel；it"sovernow，anddone。Afellowcan"tbemadetocomeofagetwice。"
"Butyou"lltakeyourdegree，MrGresham；andthen，ofcourse，there"llbeanotherspeech；andthenyou"llgetmarried，andtherewillbetwoorthreemore。"
"I"llspeakatyourwedding，MissOriel，beforeIdoatmyown。"
"Ishallnothavetheslightestobjection。Itwillbesokindofyoutopatronizemyhusband。"
"But，byJove，willhepatronizeme？Iknowyou"llmarrysomeawfulbigwig，orsometerriblycleverfellow；won"tshe，Margaretta？"
"MissOrielwassayingsomuchinpraiseofyoubeforeyoucameout，"
saidMargaretta，"thatIbegantothinkthathermindwasintentatremainingatGreshamsburyallherlife。"
Frankblushed，andPatiencelaughed。Therewasbutayear"sdifferenceintheirage；butFrank，however，wasstillaboy，thoughPatiencewasfullyawoman。
"Iamambitious，LadyMargaretta，"saidshe。"Iownit；butIammoderateinmyambition。IdoloveGreshamsbury，andifMrGreshamhadayoungerbrother，perhaps，youknow——"
"Anotherjustlikemyself，Isuppose，"saidFrank。
"Oh，yes。Icouldnotpossiblywishforanychange。"
"Justaseloquentasyouare，Frank，"saidtheLadyMargaretta。
"Andasgoodacarver，"saidPatience。
"MissBatesonhaslostherhearttohimforever，becauseofhiscarving，"saidtheLadyMargaretta。
"Butperfectionneverrepeatsitself，"saidPatience。
"Well，yousee，Ihavenotgotanybrothers，"saidFrank；"soallIcandoistosacrificemyself。"
"Uponmyword，MrGresham，Iamundermorethanordinaryobligationstoyou；Iamindeed，"saidMissOriel，stoodstillinthepath，andmadeaverygracefulcurtsy。"Dearme！onlythink，LadyMargaretta，thatI
shouldbehonouredwithanofferfromtheheirtheverymomentheislegallyentitledtomakeone。"
"Anddonewithsomuchtruegallantry，too，"saidtheother；
"expressinghimselfquitewillingtopostponeanyviewsofhisownforyouradvantage。"
"Yes；"saidPatience；"that"swhatIvaluesomuch：hadhelovedmenow，therewouldhavebeennomeritonhispart；butasacrificeyouknow——"
"Yes，ladiesaresofondofsuchsacrifices，Frank，uponmyword，Ihadnoideayouweresoveryexcellentatmakingspeeches。"
"Well，"saidFrank，"Ishouldn"thavesaidsacrifice，thatwasaslip；
whatImeantwas——"
"Oh，dearme，"saidPatience，"waitaminute；nowwearegoingtohavearegulardeclaration。LadyMargaretta，youhaven"tascent-bottle，haveyou？AndifIshouldfaint，where"sthegarden-chair？"
"Oh，butI"mnotgoingtomakeadeclarationatall，"saidFrank。
"Areyounot？Oh！Now，LadyMargaretta，Iappealtoyou；didyounotunderstandhimtosaysomethingveryparticular？"
"Certainly，Ithoughtnothingcouldbeplainer，"saidtheLadyMargaretta。
"Andso，MrGresham，Iamtobetold，thatafterallitmeansnothing，"
saidPatience，puttingherhandkerchiefuptohereyes。
"Itmeansthatyouareanexcellenthandatquizzingafellowlikeme。"
"Quizzing！No；butyouareanexcellenthandatdeceivingapoorgirllikeme。Well，remember，Ihavegotawitness；hereisLadyMargaretta，whohearditall。Whatapityitisthatmybrotherisaclergyman。Youcalculatedonthat，Iknow；oryouwouldneverhadservedmeso。"
Shesaidsojustasherbrotherjoinedthem，orratherjustashehadjoinedLadyMargarettadeCourcy；forherladyshipandMrOrielwalkedoninadvancebythemselves。LadyMargarettahadfounditratherdullwork，makingathirdinMissOriel"sflirtationwithhercousin；themoresoasshewasquiteaccustomedtotakeaprincipalpartherselfinallsuchtransactions。ShethereforenotunwillinglywalkedonwithMrOriel。MrOriel，itmustbeconceived，wasnotacommon，everydayparson，buthadpointsabouthimwhichmadehimquitefittoassociatewithanearl"sdaughter。Andasitwasknownthathewasnotamarryingman，havingveryexaltedideasonthatpointconnectedwithhisprofession，theLadyMargaretta，ofcourse，hadthelessobjectiontotrustherselfalonewithhim。
Butdirectlyshewasgone，MissOriel"stoneofbanterceased。Itwasverywellmakingafoolofaladoftwenty-onewhenotherswereby；buttheremightbedangerinitwhentheywerealonetogether。
"Idon"tknowanypositiononearthmoreenviablethanyours，MrGresham，"saidshe，quitesoberlyandearnestly；"howhappyyououghttobe。"
"What，inbeinglaughedatbyyou，MissOriel，forpretendingtobeaman，whenyouchoosetomakeoutthatIamonlyaboy？Icanbeartobelaughedatprettywellgenerally，butIcan"tsaythatyourlaughingatmemakesmefeelsohappyasyousayIoughttobe。"
FrankwasevidentlyofanopiniontotallydifferentfromthatofMissOriel。MissOriel，whenshefoundherselftete-a-tetewithhim，thoughtitwastimetogiveoverflirting；Frank，however，imaginedthatitwasjustthemomentforhimtobegin。Sohespokeandlookedverylanguishing，andputonhimquitetheairsofanOrlando。
"Oh，MrGresham，suchgoodfriendsasyouandImaylaughateachother，maywenot？"
"Youmaydowhatyoulike，MissOriel：beautifulwomenIbelievealwaysmay；butyourememberwhatthespidersaidtothefly，“Thatwhichissporttoyou，maybedeathtome。“"AnyonelookingatFrank"sfaceashesaidthat，mightwellhaveimaginedthathewasbreakinghisveryheartforloveofMissOriel。Oh，MasterFrank！MasterFrank！ifyouactthusinthegreenleaf，whatwillyoudointhedry？
WhileFrankGreshamwasthusmisbehavinghimself，andgoingonasthoughtohimbelongedtheprivilegeoffallinginlovewithprettyfaces，asitdoestoploughboysandotherordinarypeople，hisgreatinterestswerenotforgottenbythoseguardiansaintswhoweresoanxioustoshowerdownonhisheadallmanneroftemporalblessings。
AnotherconversationhadtakenplaceintheGreshamsburygardens，inwhichnothinglighthadbeenallowedtopresentitself；nothingfrivoloushadbeenspoken。Thecountess，theLadyArabella，andMissGreshamhadbeentalkingoverGreshamsburyaffairs，andtheyhadlatterlybeenassistedbytheLadyAmelia，thanwhomnoDeCourcyeverbornwasmorewise，moresolemn，moreprudent，moreproud。Theponderosityofherqualificationsfornobilitywassometimestoomuchevenforhermother，andherdevotionforthepeeragewassuch，thatshewouldcertainlyhavedeclinedaseatinheavenifofferedtoherwithoutthepromisethatitshouldbeintheupperhouse。
ThesubjectfirstdiscussedhadbeenAugusta"sprospects。MrMoffathadbeeninvitedtoCourcyCastle，andAugustahadbeentakenthithertomeethim，withtheexpressintentiononthepartofthecountess，thattheyshouldbemanandwife。Thecountesshadbeencarefultomakeitintelligibletohersister-in-lawandniece，thatthoughMrMoffatwoulddoexcellentlywellforadaughterofGreshamsbury，hecouldnotbeallowedtoraisehiseyestoafemalescionofCourcyCastle。
"Notthatwepersonallydislikehim，"saidtheLadyAmelia；"butrankhasitsdrawbacks，Augusta。"AstheLadyAmeliawasnowsomewhatnearerfortythanthirty，andwasstillallowedtowalk，"Inmaidenmeditation，fancyfree，"
itmaybepresumedthatinhercaserankhadbeenfoundtohaveseriousdrawbacks。
TothisAugustasaidnothinginobjection。WhetherdesirablebyaDeCourcyornot，thematchwastobehers，andtherewasnodoubtwhateverastothewealthofthemanwhosenameshewastotake；theofferhadbeenmade，nottoher，buttoheraunt；theacceptancehadbeenexpressed，notbyher，butbyheraunt。HadshethoughtofrecapitulatinginhermemoryallthathadeverpassedbetweenMrMoffatandherself，shewouldhavefoundthatitdidnotamounttomorethanthemostordinaryconversationbetweenchancepartnersinaball-room。
Nevertheless，shewastobeMrsMoffat。AllthatMrGreshamknewofhimwas，thatwhenhemettheyoungmanforthefirstandonlytimeinhislife，hefoundhimextremelyhardtodealwithinthematterofmoney。Hehadinsistedonhavingtenthousandpoundswithhiswife，andatlastrefusedtogoonwiththematchunlesshegotsixthousandpounds。Thislattersumthepoorsquirehadundertakentopayhim。
MrMoffathadbeenforayearortwoMPforBarchester；havingbeenassistedinhisviewsonthatancientcitybyalltheDeCourcyinterest。HewasaWhig，ofcourse。NotonlyhadBarchester，departingfromthelightofotherdays，returnedaWhigmemberofParliament，butitwasdeclared，thatatthenextelection，nownearathand，aRadicalwouldbesentup，anmanpledgedtotheballot，toeconomiesofallsorts，onewhowouldcarryoutBarchesterpoliticsinalltheirabrupt，obnoxious，pestilentvirulence。ThiswasoneScatcherd，agreatrailwaycontractor，amanwhowasanativeofBarchester，whohadboughtpropertyintheneighbourhood，andwhohadachievedasortofpopularitythereandelsewherebytheviolenceofhisdemocraticoppositiontothearistocracy。Accordingtothisman"spoliticaltenets，theConservativesshouldbelaughedatasfools，buttheWhigsshouldbehatedasknaves。
MrMoffatwasnowcomingdowntoCourcyCastletolookafterhiselectioneeringinterests，andMissGreshamwastoreturnwithheraunttomeethim。ThecountesswasveryanxiousthatFrankshouldalsoaccompanythem。Hergreatdoctrine，thathemustmarrymoney，hadbeenlaiddownwithauthority，andreceivedwithoutdoubt。Shenowpusheditfurther，andsaidthatnotimeshouldbelost；thatheshouldnotonlymarrymoney，butdosoveryearlyinlife；therewasalwaysadangerindelay。TheGreshams——ofcourseshealludedonlytothemalesofthefamily——werefoolishlysoft-hearted；noonecouldsaywhatmighthappen。TherewasthatMissThornealwaysatGreshamsbury。
ThiswasmorethanLadyArabellacouldstand。SheprotestedthattherewasatleastnogroundforsupposingthatFrankwouldabsolutelydisgracehisfamily。
Stillthecountesscontinued："Perhapsnot，"shesaid；"butwhenyoungpeopleofperfectlydifferentrankswereallowedtoassociatetogether，therewasnosayingwhatdangermightarise。TheyallknowthatoldMrBateson——thepresentMrBateson"sfather——hadgoneoffwiththegoverness；andyoungMrEverbeery，nearTaunton，hadonlytheotherdaymarriedacook-maid。"
"ButMrEverbeerywasalwaysdrunk，aunt，"saidAugusta，feelingcalledupontosaysomethingforherbrother。
"Nevermind，mydear；thesethingsdohappen，andtheyareverydreadful。"
"Horrible！"saidtheLadyAmelia；"dilutingthebestbloodofthecountry，andpavingthewayforrevolution。"Thiswasverygrand；but，nevertheless，Augustacouldnotbutfeelthatsheperhapsmightbeabouttodilutethebloodofhercomingchildreninmarryingthetailor"sson。Sheconsoledherselfbytrustingthat，atanyrate，shepavedthewayfornorevolution。
"Whenathingissonecessary，"saidthecountess，"itcannotbedonetoosoon。Now，Arabella，Idon"tsaythatanythingwillcomeofit；
butitmay；MissDunstableiscomingdowntousnextweek。Now，weallknowthatwhenoldDunstablediedlastyear，heleftovertwohundredthousandtohisdaughter。"
"Itisagreatdealofmoney，certainly，"saidLadyArabella。
"Itwoldpayoffeverything，andagreatdealmore，"saidthecountess。
"Itwasointment，wasitnot，aunt？"saidAugusta。
"Ibelieveso，mydear；somethingcalledtheointmentofLebanon，orsomethingofthatsort：butthere"snodoubtaboutthemoney。"
"Buthowoldisshe，Robina？"askedtheanxiousmother。
"Aboutthirty，Isuppose；butIdon"tthinkthatmuchsignifies。"
"Thirty，"saidLadyArabella，ratherdolefully。"Andwhatisshelike？IthinkthatFrankalreadybeginstolikegirlsthatareyoungandpretty。"
"Butsurely，aunt，"saidtheLadyAmelia，"nowthathehascometoman"sdiscretion，hewillnotrefusetoconsiderallthatheowestohisfamily。AMrGreshamofGreshamsburyhasapositiontosupport。"
TheDeCourcyscionspoketheselastwordsinthesortoftonethataparishclergymanwoulduse，inwarningsomeyoungfarmer"ssonthatheshouldnotputhimselfonanequalfootingwiththeploughboys。
ItwasatlastdecidedthatthecountessshouldherselfconveytoFrankaspecialinvitationtoCourcyCastle，andthatwhenshegothimthere，sheshoulddoallthatlayinherpowertopreventhisreturntoCambridge，andtofurthertheDunstablemarriage。
"WedidthinkofMissDunstableforPorlock，once，"shesaid，naively；
"butwhenwefoundthatitwasn"tmuchovertwohundredthousand，whythatideafelltotheground。"ThetermsonwhichtheDeCourcybloodmightbeallowedtodiluteitselfwere，itmustbepresumed，veryhighindeed。
Augustawassentofftofindherbrother，andtosendhimtothecountessinthesmalldrawing-room。Herethecountesswastohavehertea，apartfromtheoutercommonworld，andher，withoutinterruption，shewastoteachhergreatlessontohernephew。
Augustadidfindherbrother，andfoundhimintheworstofbadsociety——soatleastthesternDeCourcyswouldhavethought。OldMrBatesonandthegoverness，MrEverbeeryandhiscook"sdilutedblood，andwayspavedforrevolutions，allpresentedthemselvestoAugusta"smindwhenshefoundherbrotherwalkingwithnoothercompanythanMaryThorne，andwalkingwithher，too，inmuchtoocloseproximity。
Howhehadcontrivedtobeoffwiththeoldloveandsosoononwiththenew，orrather，tobeoffwiththenewloveandagainonwiththeold，wewillnotstoptoinquire。HadLadyArabella，intruth，knownallherson"sdoingsinthisway，couldshehaveguessedhowverynighhehadapproachedtheiniquityofoldMrBateson，andtothefollyofyoungMrEverbeery，shewouldintruthhavebeeninahurrytosendhimofftoCourcyCastleandMissDunstable。Somedaysbeforethecommencementofourstory，youngFrankhadsworninsoberearnest——inwhatheintendedforhismostsoberearnest，hismostearnestsobriety——thathelovedMaryThornewithaloveforwhichwordscouldfindnosufficientexpression——withalovethatcouldneverdie，nevergrowdim，neverbecomeless，whichnooppositiononthepartofotherscouldextinguish，whichnooppositiononherpartcouldrepel；thathemight，could，would，andshouldhaveherforhiswife，andthatifshetoldhimshedidn"tlovehim，hewould——
"Oh，oh！Mary；doyouloveme？Don"tyouloveme？Won"tyouloveme？Sayyouwill。Oh，Mary，dearestMary，willyou？won"tyou？doyou？don"tyou？Comenow，youhavearighttogiveafellowananswer。"
WithsucheloquencehadtheheirofGreshamsbury，whennotyettwenty-oneyearsofage，attemptedtopossesshimselfoftheaffectionsofthedoctor"sniece。AndyetthreedaysafterwardshewasquitereadytoflirtwithMissOriel。
Ifsuchthingsaredoneinthegreenwood，whatwillbedoneinthedry？
AndwhathadMarysaidwhenthoseferventprotestationsofanundyinglovehadbeenthrownatherfeet？Mary，itmustberemembered，wasverynearlyofthesameageasFrank；but，asIanothershavesooftensaidbefore，"Womengrowonthesunnysideofthewall。"ThoughFrankwasonlyaboy，itbehovedMarytobesomethingmorethanagirl。Frankmightbeallowed，withoutlayinghimselfopentomuchreproach，tothrowallofwhathebelievedtobehisheartintoaprotestationofwhathebelievedtobelove；butMarywasindutyboundtobemorethoughtful，morereticent，moreawareofthefactsoftheirposition，morecarefulofherownfeelings，andmorecarefulalsoofhis。
Andyetshecouldnotputhimdownasanotheryoungladymightputdownanotheryounggentleman。Itisveryseldomthatayoungman，unlesshebetipsy，assumesanunwelcomefamiliarityinhisearlyacquaintancewithanygirl；butwhenacquaintancehasbeenlongandintimate，familiaritiesmustfollowasamatterofcourse。FrankandMaryhadbeensomuchtogetherinhisholidays，hadsoconstantlyconsortedtogetherasboysandgirls，that，asregardedher，hehadnotthatinnatefearofawomanwhichrepressesayoungman"stongue；andshewassousedtohisgood-humour，hisfun，andhighjovialspirits，andwas，withal，sofondofthemandhim，thatitwasverydifficultforhertomarkwithaccuratefeeling，andstopwithreservedbrow，theshadeofchangefromaboy"slikingtoaman"slove。
AndBeatrice，too，haddoneharminthismatter。Withaspiritpainfullyunequaltothatofhergrandrelatives，shehadquizzedMaryandFrankabouttheirearlyflirtations。Thisshehaddone；buthadinstinctivelyavoideddoingsobeforehermotherandsister，andhadthusmadeasecretofit，asitwere，betweenherself，Mary，andherbrother；——hadgivencurrency，asitwere，totheideathattheremightbesomethingseriousbetweenthetwo。NotthatBeatricehadeverwishedtopromoteamarriagebetweenthem，orhadeventhoughtofsuchathing。Shewasgirlish，thoughtless，imprudent，inartistic，andveryunlikeaDeCourcy。VeryunlikeaDeCourcyshewasinallthat；but，nevertheless，shehadtheDeCourcyvenerationforblood，and，morethanthat，shehadtheGreshamfeelingjoinedtothatoftheDeCourcys。TheLadyAmeliawouldnotforworldshavehadtheDeCourcyblooddefiled；butgoldshethoughtcouldnotdefile。NowBeatricewasashamedofhersister"smarriage，andhadoftendeclared，withinherownheart，thatnothingcouldhavemadehermarryaMrMoffat。
ShehadsaidsoalsotoMary，andMaryhadtoldherthatshewasright。Marywasalsoproudofblood，wasproudofheruncle"sblood，andthetwogirlstalkedtogetherinallthewarmthofgirlishconfidence，ofthegreatgloriesoffamilytraditionsandfamilyhonours。Beatricehadtalkedinutterignoranceastoherfriend"sbirth；andMary，poorMary，shehadtalked，beingasignorant；butnotwithoutastrongsuspicionthat，atsomefuturetime，adayofsorrowwouldtellhersomefearfultruth。
OnonepointMary"smindwasstronglymadeup。Nowealth，nomereworldlyadvantagecouldmakeanyonehersuperior。Ifshewerebornagentlewoman，thenwasshefittomatchwithanygentleman。LetthemostwealthymaninEuropepourallhiswealthatherfeet，shecould，ifsoinclined，givehimbackatanyratemorethanthat。Thatofferedatherfeetsheknewshewouldnevertempthertoyieldupthefortressofherheart，theguardianshipofhersoul，thepossessionofhermind；
notthatalone，northat，even，asanypossibleslightestfractionofamake-weight。
Ifshewerebornagentlewoman！Andthencametohermindthosecuriousquestions；whatmakesagentleman？whatmakesagentlewoman？
Whatistheinnerreality，thespiritualisedquintessenceofthatprivilegeintheworldwhichmencallrank，whichforcesthethousandsandhundredsofthousandstobowdownbeforethefewelect？Whatgives，orcangiveit，orshouldgiveit？"
Andsheansweredthequestion。Absolute，intrinsic，acknowledged，individualmeritmustgiveittoitspossessor，lethimbewhom，andwhat，andwhencehemight。Sofarthespiritofdemocracywasstrongwithher。Beyondthisitcouldbehadbutbyinheritance，receivedasitweresecond-hand，ortwenty-secondhand。Andsofarthespiritofaristocracywasstrongwithinher。Allthisshehad，asmaybeimagined，learntinearlyyearsfromheruncle；andallthisshewasatgreatpainstoteachBeatriceGresham，thechosenofherheart。
WhenFrankdeclaredthatMaryhadarighttogivehimananswer，hemeantthathehadarighttoexpectone。Maryacknowledgedthisright，andgaveittohim。
"MrGresham，"shesaid。
"Oh，Mary；MrGresham！"
"Yes，MrGresham。ItmustbeMrGresham，afterthat。And，moreover，itmustbeMissThorneaswell。"
"I"llbeshotifitshall，Mary。"
"Well；Ican"tsaythatIshallbeshotifitbenotso；butifitbenotso，ifyoudonotagreethatitshallbeso，IshallbeturnedoutofGreshamsbury。"
"What！youmeanmymother？"saidFrank。
"Indeed！Imeannosuchthing，"saidMary，withaflashfromhereyethatmadeFrankalmoststart。"Imeannosuchthing。Imeanyou，notyourmother。IamnotintheleastafraidofLadyArabella；butIamafraidofyou。"
"Afraidofme，Mary！"
"MissThorne；pray，pray，remember。ItmustbeMissThorne。DonotturnmeoutofGreshamsbury。DonotseparatemefromBeatrice。Itisyouthatwilldrivemeout；nooneelse。Icouldstandmygroundagainstyourmother——IfeelIcould；butIcannotstandagainstyouifyoutreatmeotherwisethan——than——"
"Otherwisethanwhat？IwanttotreatyouasthegirlIhavechosenfromalltheworldasmywife。"
"Iamsorryyoushouldsosoonhavefounditnecessarytomakeachoice。But，MrGresham，wemustnotjokeaboutthisatpresent。Iamsureyouwouldnotwillinglyinjureme；butifyouspeaktome，orofme，againinthatway，youwillinjureme，injuremesomuchthatI
shallbeforcedtoleaveGreshamsbury，inmyowndefence。Iknowyouaretoogeneroustodrivemetothat。"
Andsotheinterviewhadended。Frank，ofcourse，wentupstairstoseeifhisnewpocket-pistolswereallready，properlycleaned，loaded，andcapped，shouldhefind，afterafewdays"experience，thatprolongedexistencewasunendurable。
However，hemanagedtolivethroughthesubsequentperiod；doubtlesswithaviewofpreventinganyappointmenttohisfather"sguests。
CHAPTERVII
THEDOCTOR"SGARDEN
Maryhadcontrivedtoquietherloverwithconsiderableproprietyofdemeanour。Thencameonherthesomewhathardertaskofquietingherself。Youngladies，onthewhole，areperhapsquiteassusceptibleoftheafterfeelingsasyounggentlemenare。NowFrankGresham，washandsome，amiable，bynomeansafoolinintellect，excellentinheart；
andhewas，moreover，agentleman，beingthesonofMrGreshamofGreshamsbury。Maryhadbeen，asitwere，broughtuptolovehim。Hadaughtbutgoodhappenedtohim，shewouldhavecriedasforabrother。
ItmustnotthereforebesupposedthatwhenFrankGreshamtoldherthathelovedher，shehadhearditaltogetherunconcerned。
Hehadnot，perhaps，madehisdeclarationwiththatproprietyoflanguageinwhichsuchscenesaregenerallydescribedasbeingcarriedon。LadiesmayperhapsthinkthatMaryshouldhavebeendeterred，bytheveryboyishnessofhismanner，fromthinkingatallseriouslyonthesubject。His"willyou，won"tyou——doyou，don"tyou？"doesnotsoundlikethepoeticrapturesofahighlyinspiredlover。But，nevertheless，therehadbeenwarmth，andarealityinitnotinitselfrepulsive；andMary"sanger——anger？no，notanger——herobjectionstothedeclarationswereprobablynotbasedontheabsurdityofherlover"slanguage。
Weareinclinedtothinkthatthesemattersarenotalwaysdiscussedbymortalloversinthepoeticallypassionatephraseologywhichisgenerallythoughttobeappropriatefortheirdescription。Amancannotwelldescribethatwhichhehasneverseenorheard；buttheabsolutewordsandactsofonesuchscenedidoncecometotheauthor"sknowledge。Thecouplewerebynomeansplebeian，orbelowtheproperstandardofhighbearingandhighbreeding；theywereahandsomepair，livingamongeducatedpeople，sufficientlygiventomentalpursuits，andineverywaywhatapairofpoliteloversoughttobe。Theall-importantconversationpassedinthiswise。Thesiteofthepassionatescenewasthesea-shore，onwhichtheywerewalking，inautumn。
Gentleman。"Well，Miss——，thelongandshortofitisthis：hereIam；
youcantakemeorleaveme。"
Lady-scratchingagutteronthesandwithherparasol，soastoallowalittlesaltwatertorunoutofoneholeintoanother。"Ofcourse，I
knowthat"sallnonsense。"
Gentleman。"Nonsense！ByJove，itisn"tnonsenseatall：come，Jane；
hereIam：come，atanyrateyoucansaysomething。"
Lady。"Yes，IsupposeIcansaysomething。"
Gentleman。"Well，whichisittobe；takemeorleaveme？"
Lady——veryslowly，andwithavoiceperhapshardlyarticulate，carryingon，atthesametime，herengineeringworksonawiderscale。"Well，I
don"texactlywanttoleaveyou。"
Andsothematterwassettled：settledwithmuchproprietyandsatisfaction；andboththeladyandgentlemanwouldhavethought，hadtheyeverthoughtaboutthematteratall，thatthis，thesweetestmomentoftheirlives，hadbeengracedbyallthepoetrybywhichsuchmomentsoughttobehallowed。
WhenMaryhad，asshethought，properlysubduedyoungFrank，theofferofwhoseloveshe，atanyrate，knewwas，atsuchaperiodofhislife，anutterabsurdity，thenshefounditnecessarytosubdueherself。Whathappinessonearthcouldbegreaterthanthepossessionofsuchalove，hadthetruepossessionbeenjustlyandhonestlywithinherreach？Whatmancouldbemorelovablethansuchamanaswouldgrowfromsuchaboy？Andthen，didshenotlovehim——lovehimalready，withoutwaitingforanychange？Didshenotfeelthattherewasthatabouthim，abouthimandaboutherself，too，whichmightsowellfitthemforeachother？ItwouldbesosweettobethesisterofBeatrice，thedaughterofthesquire，tobelongtoGreshamsburyasapartandparcelofitself。
Butthoughshecouldnotrestrainthesethoughts，itneverforamomentoccurredtohertotakeFrank"sofferinearnest。Thoughshewasagrownwoman，hewasstillaboy。Hewouldhavetoseetheworldbeforehesettledinit，andwouldchangehismindaboutwomanhalfascoreoftimesbeforehemarried。Then，too，thoughshedidnotliketheLadyArabella，shefeltthatsheowedsomething，ifnottoherkindness，atleasttoherforbearance；andsheknew，feltinwardlycertain，thatshewouldbedoingwrong，thattheworldwouldsaythatshewasdoingwrong，thatherunclewouldthinkherwrong，ifsheendeavouredtotakeadvantageofwhathadpassed。
Shehadnotforaninstantdoubted；notforamomenthadshecontemplateditaspossiblethatsheshouldeverbecomeMrsGreshambecauseFrankhadofferedtomakeherso；but，nevertheless，shecouldnothelpthinkingofwhathadoccurred——ofthinkingofit，mostprobablymuchmorethanFrankdidhimself。
Adayortwoafterwards，ontheeveningbeforeFrank"sbirthday，shewasalonewithheruncle，walkinginthegardenbehindtheirhouse，andshethenessayedtoquestionhim，withtheobjectoflearningifshewerefittedbyherbirthtobethewifeofsuchaoneasFrankGresham。Theywereinthehabitofwalkingtheretogetherwhenhehappenedtobeathomeofasummer"sevening。Thiswasnotoftenthecase，forhishoursoflabourextendedmuchbeyondthoseusualtotheupperworkingworld，thehours，namely，betweenbreakfastanddinner；
butthoseminutesthattheydidthuspasstogether，thedoctorregardedasperhapsthepleasantestofhislife。
"Uncle，"saidshe，afterawhile，"whatdoyouthinkofthismarriageofMissGresham"s？"
"Well，Minnie"——suchwashisnameofendearmentforher——"Ican"tsayI
havethoughtmuchaboutit，andIdon"tsupposeanybodyelsehaseither。"
"Shemustthinkaboutit，ofcourse；andsomusthe，Isuppose。"
"I"mnotsosureofthat。Somefolkswouldnevergetmarriediftheyhadtotroublethemselveswiththinkingaboutit。"
"Isupposethat"swhyyounevergotmarried，uncle？"
"Eitherthat，orthinkingofittoomuch。Oneisasbadastheother。"
"Well，Ihavebeenthinkingaboutit，atanyrate，uncle。"
"That"sverygoodofyou；thatwillsavemethetrouble；andperhapssaveMissGreshamtoo。Ifyouhavethoughtitoverthoroughly，thatwilldoforall。"
"IbelieveMrMoffatisamanofnofamily。"
"He"llmendinthatpoint，nodoubt，whenhehasgotawife。"
"Uncle，you"reagoose；andwhatisworse，averyprovokinggoose。"
"Niece，you"reagander；andwhatisworse，averysillygander。WhatisMrMoffat"sfamilytoyou，andme？MrMoffathasthatwhichranksabovefamilyhonours。Heisaveryrichman。"
"Yes，"saidMary，"Iknowheisrich；andarichmanIsupposecanbuyanything——exceptawomanthatisworthhaving。"
"Arichmancanbuyanything，"saidthedoctor；"notthatImeanttosaythatMrMoffathasboughtMissGresham。Ihavenodoubtthattheywillsuiteachotherverywell，"headdedwithanairofdecisiveauthority，asthoughhehadfinishedthesubject。
Buthisniecewasdeterminednottolethimpassso。"Now，uncle，"saidshe，"youknowyouarepretendingtoagreatdealofworldlywisdom，which，afterall，isnotwisdomatallinyoureyes。"
"AmI？"
"Youknowyouare：andasfortheimproprietyofdiscussingMissGresham"smarriage——"
"Ididnotsayitwasimproper。"
"Oh，yes，youdid；ofcoursesuchthingsmustbediscussed。Howisonetohaveanopinionifonedoesnotgetitbylookingatthethingsthathappenaroundus？"
"NowIamgoingtobeblownup，"saidDrThorne。
"Dearuncle，dobeseriouswithme。"
"Well，then，seriously，IhopeMissGreshamwillbeveryhappyasMrsMoffat。"
"Ofcourseyoudo：sodoI。IhopeitasmuchasIcanhopewhatI
don"tatallseegroundforexpecting。"
"Peopleconstantlyhopewithoutanysuchground。"
"Well，then，I"llhopeinthiscase。But，uncle——"
"Well，mydear？"
"Iwantyouropinion，trulyandreally。Ifyouwereagirl——"
"Iamperfectlyunabletogiveanyopinionfoundedonsostrangeanhypothesis。"
"Well；butifyouwereamarryingman。"
"Thehypothesisisquiteasmuchoutofmyway。"
"But，uncle，Iamagirl，andperhapsImaymarry；——oratanyratethinkofmarryingsomeday。"
"Thelatteralternativeiscertainlypossibleenough。"
"Therefore，inseeingafriendtakingsuchastep，IcannotbutspeculateonthematterasthoughIweremyselfinherplace。IfIwereMissGresham，shouldIberight？"
"But，Minnie，youarenotMissGresham。"
"No，IamMaryThorne；itisaverydifferentthing，Iknow。IsupposeImightmarryanyonewithoutdegradingmyself。"
Itwasalmostill-naturedofhertosaythis；butshehadnotmeanttosayitinthesensewhichthesoundsseemedtobear。Shehadfailedinbeingabletobringheruncletothepointshewishedbytheroadshehadplanned，andinseekinganotherroad，shehadabruptlyfallenintounpleasantplaces。
"Ishouldbeverysorrythatmynieceshouldthinkso，"saidhe；"andamsorry，too，thatsheshouldsayso。But，Mary，totellthetruth，I
hardlyknowatwhatyouaredriving。Youare，Ithink，notsoclearminded——certainly，notsoclearworded——asisusualwithyou。"
"Iwilltellyou，uncle；"and，insteadoflookingupintohisface，sheturnedhereyesdownontothegreenlawnbeneathherfeet。
"Well，Minnie，whatisit？"andhetookbothherhandsinhis。
"IthinkthatMissGreshamshouldnotmarryMrMoffat。Ithinksobecauseherfamilyishighandnoble，andbecauseheislowandignoble。Whenonehasanopiniononsuchmatters，onecannotbutapplyittothingsandpeoplearoundone；andhavingappliedmyopiniontoher，thenextstepnaturallyistoapplyittomyself。WereIMissGresham，IwouldnotmarryMrMoffatthoughherolledingold。IknowwheretorankMissGresham。WhatIwanttoknowis，whereIoughttorankmyself？"
Theyhadbeenstandingwhenshecommencedhelastspeech；butasshefinishedit，thedoctormovedonagain，andshemovedwithhim。Hewalkedonveryslowlywithoutansweringher；andshe，outofherfullmind，pursuedaloudthetenorofherthoughts。
"Thatdoesnotfollow，"saidthedoctorquickly。"Amanraisesawomantohisownstandard，butawomanmusttakethatofherhusband。"
Againtheyweresilent，andagaintheywalkedon，Maryholdingheruncle"sarmwithbothherhands。Shewasdetermined，however，tocometothepoint，andafterconsideringforawhilehowbestshemightdoit，sheceasedtobeatanylongeraboutthebush，andaskedhimaplainquestion。
"TheThornesareasgoodafamilyastheGreshamsaretheynot？"
"Inabsolutegenealogytheyare，mydear。Thatis，whenIchoosetobeanoldfoolandtalkofsuchmattersinasensedifferentfromthatinwhichtheyarespokenofbytheworldatlarge，ImaysaythattheThornesareasgood，orperhapsbetter，thantheGreshams，butIshouldbesorrytosaysoseriouslytoanyone。TheGreshamsnowstandmuchhigherinthecountythantheThornesdo。"
"Buttheyareofthesameclass。"
"Yes，yes；WilfredThorneofUllathorne，andourfriendthesquirehere，areofthesameclass。"
"But，uncle，IandAugustaGresham——areweofthesameclass？"
"Well，Minnie，youwouldhardlyhavemeboastthatIamthesameclasswiththesquire——I，apoorcountrydoctor？"
"Youarenotansweringmefairly，dearuncle；dearestuncle，doyounotknowthatyouarenotansweringmefairly？YouknowwhatImean。HaveIarighttocalltheThornesofUllathornemycousins？"
"Mary，Mary，Mary！"saidheafteraminute"spause，stillallowinghisarmtohangloose，thatshemightholditwithbothherhands。"Mary，Mary，Mary！Iwouldthatyouhadsparedmethis！"
"Icouldnothavesparedittoyouforever，uncle。"
"Iwouldthatyoucouldhavedoneso；Iwouldthatyoucould！"
"Itisovernow，uncle：itistoldnow。Iwillgrieveyounomore。
Dear，dear，dearest！Ishouldloveyoumorethanevernow；Iwould，I
would，Iwouldifthatwerepossible。WhatshouldIbebutforyou？
WhatmustIhavebeenbutforyou？"Andshethrewherselfonhisbreast，andclingingwithherarmsroundhisneck，kissedhisforehead，cheeks，andlips。
Therewasnothingmoresaidthenonthesubjectbetweenthem。Maryaskednofurtherquestion，nordidthedoctorvolunteerfurtherinformation。Shewouldhavebeenmostanxioustoaskabouthermother"shistoryhadshedaredtodoso；butshedidnotdaretoask；
shecouldnotbeartobetoldthathermotherhadbeen，perhapswas，aworthlesswoman。Thatshewastrulyadaughterofabrotherofthedoctor，thatshedidknow。Littleasshehadheardofherrelativesinherearlyyouth，fewashadbeenthewordswhichhadfallenfromheruncleinherhearingastoherparentage，shedidknowthis，thatshewasthedaughterofHenryThorne，abrotherofthedoctor，andasonoftheoldprebendary。Triflinglittlethingsthathadoccurred，accidentswhichcouldnotbeprevented，hadtoldherthis；butnotawordhadeverpassedanyone"slipsastohermother。Thedoctor，whenspeakingofhisyouth，hadspokenofherfather；butnoonehadspokenofhermother。ShehadlongknownthatshewasthechildofaThorne；
nowsheknewalsothatshewasnocousinoftheThornesofUllathorne；
nocousin，atleast，intheworld"sordinarylanguage，nonieceindeedofheruncle，unlessbyhisspecialpermissionthatsheshouldbeso。
Whentheinterviewwasover，shewentupalonetothedrawing-room，andthereshesatthinking。Shehadnotbeentherelongbeforeherunclecameuptoher。Hedidnotsitdown，oreventakeoffthehatwhichhestillwore；butcomingclosetoher，andstillstanding，hespokethus：-
"Mary，afterwhathaspassedIshouldbeveryunjustandverycrueltoyounottotellyouonethingmorethanyouhavenowlearned。Yourmotherwasunfortunateinmuch，notineverything；buttheworld，whichisveryoftensterninsuchmatters，neverjudgedhertohavedisgracedherself。Itellyouthis，mychild，inorderthatyoumayrespecthermemory；"andsosaying，heagainleftherwithoutgivinghertimetospeakaword。
Whathethentoldherhehadtoldinmercy。Hefeltwhatmustbeherfeelingswhenshereflectedthatshehadtoblushforhermother；thatnotonlycouldshenotspeakofhermother，butthatshemighthardlythinkofherwithinnocence；andtomitigatesuchsorrowasthis，andalsotodojusticetothewomanwhomhisbrotherhadsowronged，hehadforcedhimselftorevealsomuchasisstatedabove。
Andthenhewalkedslowlybyhimself，backwardsandforwardsthroughthegarden，thinkingofwhathehaddonewithreferencetothisgirl，anddoubtingwhetherhehaddonewiselyandwell。Hehadresolved，whenfirstthelittleinfantwasgivenovertohischarge，thatnothingshouldbeknownofherorbyherastohermother。Hewaswillingtodevotehimselftothisorphanchildofhisbrother，thislastseedlingofhisfather"shouse；buthewasnotwillingsotodothisastobringhimselfinanymannerintofamiliarcontactwiththeScatcherds。Hehadboastedtohimselfthathe，atanyrate，wasagentleman；andthatshe，ifsheweretoliveinhishouse，sitathistable，andsharehishearth，mustbealady。Hewouldtellnolieabouther；hewouldnottoanyonemakeherouttobeaughtotheroraughtbetterthanshewas；
peoplewouldtalkaboutherofcourse，onlyletthemnottalktohim；
heconceivedofhimself——andtheconceptionwasnotwithoutdueground——thatshouldanydoso，hehadthatwithinhimwhichwouldsilencethem。Hewouldneverclaimforthislittlecreature——thusbroughtintotheworldwithoutalegitimatepositioninwhichtostand——hewouldneverclaimforheranystationthatwouldnotproperlybeherown。Hewouldmakeforherastationasbesthecould。Ashemightsinkorswim，soshouldshe。
Sohehadresolved；butthingshadarrangedthemselves，astheyoftendo，ratherthanbeenarrangedbyhim。DuringtenortwelveyearsnoonehadheardofMaryThorne；thememoryofHenryThorneandhistragicdeathhadpassedaway；theknowledgethataninfanthadbeenbornwhosebirthwasconnectedwiththattragedy，aknowledgeneverwidelyspread，hadfadeddownintoutterignorance。Attheendofthesetwelveyears，DrThornehadannounced，thatayoungniece，achildofabrotherlongsincedead，wascomingtolivewithhim。Ashehadcontemplated，noonespoketohim；butsomepeopledidnodoubttalkamongthemselves。
Whetherornottheexacttruthwassurmisedbyany，itmattersnottosay；withabsoluteexactness，probablynot；withgreatapproachtoit，probablyyes。Byoneperson，atanyrate，noguesswhateverwasmade；
nothoughtrelativetoDrThorne"snieceevertroubledhim；noideathatMaryScatcherdhadleftachildinEnglandeveroccurredtohim；
andthatpersonwasRogerScatcherd，Mary"sbrother。
Toonefriend，andonlyone，didthedoctortellthewholetruth，andthatwastotheoldsquire。"Ihavetoldyou，"saidthedoctor，"partlythatyoumayknowthatthechildhasnorighttomixwithyourchildrenifyouthinkmuchofsuchthings。Doyou，however，seetothis。Iwouldratherthatnooneelseshouldbetold。"
Nooneelsehadbeentold；andthesquirehad"seentoit，"byaccustominghimselftolookatMaryThornerunningaboutthehousewithhisownchildrenasthoughshewereofthesamebrood。Indeed，thesquirehadalwaysbeenfondofMary，hadpersonallynoticedher，and，intheaffairofMam"selleLarron，haddeclaredthathewouldhaveherplacedatonceonthebenchofmagistrates；——muchtothedisgustoftheLadyArabella。
Andsothingshadgoneonandon，andhadnotbeenthoughtofwithmuchdownrightthinking；tillnow，whenshewasone-and-twentyyearsofage，hisniececametohim，askingastoherposition，andinquiringinwhatrankoflifeshewastofindahusband。
Andsothedoctorwalked，backwardsandforwardsthroughthegarden，slowly，thinkingnowwithsomeearnestnesswhatif，afterall，hehadbeenwrongabouthisniece？Whatifbyendeavouringtoplaceherinthepositionofalady，hehadfalselysoplacedher，androbbedherofherlegitimateposition？Whatiftherewasnorankoflifeinwhichshecouldnowproperlyattachherself？
Andthen，howhaditanswered，thatplanofhisofkeepingheralltohimself？He，DrThorne，wasstillapoorman；thegiftofsavingmoneyhadnotbeenhis；hehadeveracomfortablehouseforhertolivein，and，inspiteofDoctorsFillgrave，Century，Rerechild，andothers，hadmadefromhisprofessionanincomesufficientfortheirjointwants；
buthehadnotdoneasothersdo：hehadnothreeorfourthousandpoundsintheThreeperCents。，onwhichMarymightliveinsomecomfortwhenheshoulddie。Lateinlifehehadinsuredhislifeforeighthundredpounds；andtothat，andthatonly，hadhetotrustforMary"sfuturemaintenance。Howhaditanswered，then，thisplanoflettingherbeunknownto，andundreamedof，by，thosewhowereasneartoheronhermother"ssideashewasonthefather"s？Onthatside，thoughtherehadbeenutterpoverty，therewasnowabsolutewealth。