第4章
Butwhenhetookhertohimself，hadhenotrescuedherfromtheverydepthsofthelowestmisery：fromthedegradationoftheworkhouse；
fromthescornofhonest-borncharity-children；fromthelowestoftheworld"slowconditions？Wasshenotnowtheappleofhiseye，hisonegreatsovereigncomfort——hispride，hishappiness，hisglory？Washetomakeherover，tomakeanyportionofherovertoothers，if，bydoingso，shemightbeabletosharethewealth，aswellasthecoarsemannersanduncouthsocietyofheratpresentunknownconnexions？He，whohadneverworshippedwealthonhisownbehalf；he，whohadscornedtheidolofthegold，andhadeverbeenteachinghertoscornit；washenowtoshowthathisphilosophyhadallbeenfalseassoonasthetemptationtodosowasputinhisway？
Butyet，whatmanwouldmarrythisbastardchild，withoutasixpence，andbringnotonlypoverty，butillbloodalsoonhisownchildren？Itmightbeverywellforhim，DrThorne；forhimwhosecareerwasmade，whosename，atanyrate，washisown；forhimwhohadafixedstanding-groundintheworld；itmightbewellforhimtoindulgeinlargeviewsofaphilosophyantagonistictotheworld"spractice；buthadhearighttodoitforhisniece？Whatmanwouldmarryagirlsoplaced？Forthoseamongwhomshemighthavelegitimatelyfoundalevel，educationhadnowutterlyunfittedher。Andthen，hewellknewthatshewouldneverputoutherhandintokenoflovetoanyonewithouttellingallsheknewandallshesurmisedastoherownbirth。
Andthatquestionofthisevening；haditnotbeeninstigatedbysomeappealonherpart？Wastherenotalreadywithinherbreastsomecausefordisquietudewhichhadmadehersopertinacious？Whyelsehadshetoldhimthen，forthefirsttime，thatshedidnotknowwheretorankherself？Ifsuchanappealhadbeenmadetoher，itmusthavecomefromyoungFrankGresham。What，insuchcase，woulditbehovehimtodo？Shouldhepackuphisall，hislancet-case，pestleandmortar，andseekanewfreshgroundinanewworld，leavingbehindahugetriumphtothoselearnedenemiesofhis，Fillgrave，Century，andRerechild？BetterthatthanremainatGreshamsburyatthecostofthechild"sheartandpride。
Andsohewalkedslowlybackwardsandforwardsthroughhisgarden，meditatingthesethingspainfullyenough。
CHAPTERVIII
MATRIMONIALPROSPECTS
ItwillofcourseberememberedthatMary"sinterviewwiththeothergirlsatGreshamsburytookplacesometwoorthreedayssubsequentlytoFrank"sgenerousofferofhishandandheart。Maryhadquitemadeuphermindthatthewholethingwastoberegardedasafolly，andthatitwasnottobespokenoftoanyone；butyetherheartwassoreenough。Shewasfullofpride，andyetsheknewshemustbowhernecktotheprideofothers。Being，asshewasherself，nameless，shecouldnotbutfeelastern，unflinchingantagonism，theantagonismofademocrat，tothepretensionsofotherswhowereblessedwiththatofwhichshehadbeendeprived。Shehadthisfeeling；andyet，ofallthethingsthatshecoveted，shemostcovetedthat，forgloryinginwhich，shewasdeterminedtoheapscornonothers。Shesaidtoherself，proudly，thatGod"shandiworkwastheinnerman，theinnerwoman，thenakedcreatureanimatedbyalivingsoul；thatallotheradjunctswerebutman"sclothingforthecreature；allothers，whetherstitchedbytailorsorcontrivedbykings。Wasitnotwithinhercapacitytodoasnobly，toloveastruly，toworshipherGodinheavenwithasperfectafaith，andhergodonearthwithaslealatroth，asthoughbloodhaddescendedtoherpurelythroughscoresofpurelybornprogenitors？Sotoherselfshespoke；andyet，asshesaidit，sheknewthatweresheaman，suchamanastheheirofGreshamsburyshouldbe，nothingwouldtempthertosullyherchildren"sbloodbymatingherselfwithanyonethatwasbaseborn。ShefeltthatweresheAugustaGresham，noMrMoffat，lethiswealthbewhatitmight，shouldwinherhandunlesshetoocouldtelloffamilyhonoursandalineofancestors。
Andso，withamindatwarwithitself，shecamefortharmedtodobattleagainsttheworld"sprejudices，thoseprejudicessheherselflovedsowell。
Andwasshethustogiveupheroldaffections，herfeminineloves，becauseshefoundthatshewasacousintonobody？WasshenolongertopouroutherhearttoBeatriceGreshamwithallthegirlishvolubilityofanequal？WasshetobeseveredfromPatienceOriel，andbanished——orratherwasshetobanishherself——fromthefreeplaceshehadmaintainedinthevariousyouthfulfemaleconclaveswithinthatparishofGreshamsbury？
Hitherto，whatMaryThornewouldsay，whatMissThornesuggestedinsuchandsuchamatter，wasquiteasfrequentlyaskedasanyopinionfromAugustaGresham——quiteasfrequently，unlesswhenitchancedthatanyoftheDeCourcygirlswereatthehouse。Wasthistobegivenup？Thesefeelingshadgrownupamongthemsincetheywerechildren，andhadnothithertobeenquestionedamongthem。NowtheywerequestionedbyMaryThorne。Wassheinfacttofindthatherpositionhadbeenafalseone，andmustbechanged？
SuchhadbeenherfeelingswhensheprotestedthatshewouldnotbeAugustaGresham"sbridesmaid，andofferedtoputherneckbeneathBeatrice"sfoot；whenshedrovetheLadyMargarettaoutoftheroom，andgaveherownopinionastothepropergrammaticalconstructionofthewordhumble；suchalsohadbeenherfeelingswhenshekeptherhandsorigidlytoherselfwhileFrankheldthedining-roomdooropenforhertopassthrough。
"PatienceOriel，"saidshetoherself，"cantalktohimofherfatherandmother：letPatiencetakehishand；lethertalktohim；"andthen，notlongafterwards，shesawthatPatiencedidtalktohim；andseeingit，shewalkedalongsilent，amongsomeoftheoldpeople，andwithmucheffortdidpreventatearfromfallingdownhercheek。
Butwhywasthetearinhereye？HadshenotproudlytoldFrankthathislove-makingwasnothingbutaboy"ssillyrhapsody？Hadshenotsaidsowhileshehadyetreasontohopethatherbloodwasasgoodashisown？Hadshenotseenataglancethathislovetiradewasworthyofridicule，andofnoothernotice？Andyettherewasatearnowinhereyebecausethisboy，whomshehadscoldedfromher，whosehand，offeredinpurefriendship，shehadjustrefused，becausehe，sorebuffedbyher，hadcarriedhisfunandgallantrytoonewhowouldbelesscrosstohim！
Shecouldhearasshewaswalking，thatwhileLadyMargarettawaswiththem，theirvoiceswereloudandmerry；andhersharpearcouldalsohear，whenLadyMargarettaleftthem，thatFrank"svoicebecamelowandtender。Soshewalkedon，sayingnothing，lookingstraightbeforeher，andbydegreesseparatingherselffromalltheothers。
TheGreshamsburygroundswereononesidesomewhattoocloselyhemmedinbythevillage。Onthissidewasapathrunningthelengthofoneofthestreetsofthevillage；andfardownthepath，neartheextremityofthegardens，andnearalsotoawicket-gatewhichledoutintothevillage，andwhichcouldbeopenedfromtheinside，wasaseat，underabigyew-tree，fromwhich，throughabreachinthehouses，mightbeseentheparishchurch，standingintheparkontheotherside。HitherMarywalkedalone，andheresheseatedherself，determinedtogetridofhertearsandtheirtracesbeforesheagainshowedherselftotheworld。
"Ishallneverbehappyhereagain，"saidshetoherself；"never。Iamnolongeroneofthem，andIcannotliveamongthemunlessIamso。"
AndthenanideacameacrosshermindthatshehatedPatienceOriel；
andthen，instantlyanotherideafollowed——quickassuchthoughtsarequick——thatshedidnothatePatienceOrielatall；thatshelikedher，nay，lovedher；thatPatienceOrielwasasweetgirl；andthatshehopedthetimewouldcomewhenshemightseehertheladyofGreshamsbury。Andthenthetear，whichhadbeennowhitcontrolled，whichindeedhadnowmadeitselfmasterofher，cametoahead，and，burstingthroughthefloodgatesoftheeye，camerollingdown，andinitsfall，wettedherhandasitlayonherlap。"Whatafool！whatanidiot！whatanempty-headedcowardlyfoolIam！"saidshe，springingupfromthebenchonherfeet。
Asshedidso，sheheardvoicesclosetoher，atthelittlegate。TheywerethoseofheruncleandFrankGresham。
"Godblessyou，Frank！"saidthedoctor，ashepassedoutofthegrounds。"Youwillexcusealecture，won"tyou，fromsooldafriend？——thoughyouareamannow，anddiscreetofcourse，byActofParliament。"
"IndeedIwill，doctor，"saidFrank。"Iwillexcusealongerlecturethanthatfromyou。"
"Atanyrateitwon"tbetonight，"saidthedoctor，ashedisappeared。
"AndifyouseeMary，tellherthatIamobligedtogo；andthatIwillsendJanetdowntofetchher。"
NowJanetwasthedoctor"sancientmaid-servant。
Marycouldnotmoveon，withoutbeingperceived；shethereforestoodstilltillsheheardtheclickofthedoor，andthenbeganwalkingrapidlybacktothehousebythepathwhichhadbroughtherthither。
Themoment，however，thatshedidso，shefoundthatshewasfollowed；
andinaveryfewmomentsFrankwasalongsideofher。
"Oh，Mary！"saidhe，callingtoher，butnotloudly，beforehequiteovertookher，"howoddthatIshouldcomeacrossyoujustwhenIhaveamessageforyou！andwhyareyouallalone？"
Mary"sfirstimpulsewastoreiteratehercommandtohimtocallhernomorebyherChristianname；buthersecondimpulsetoldherthatsuchaninjunctionatthepresentmomentwouldnotbeprudentonherpart。
Thetracesofhertearswerestillthere；andshewellknewthataverylittle，theslightestshowoftendernessonhispart，theslightesteffortonherowntoappearindifferent，wouldbringdownmorethanoneothersuchintruder。Itwould，moreover，bebetterforhertodropalloutwardsignthatsherememberedwhathadtakenplace。Solong，then，asheandshewereatGreshamsburytogether，heshouldcallherMaryifhepleased。Hewouldsoonbegone；andwhileheremained，shewouldkeepoutofhisway。
"YourunclehasbeenobligedtogoawaytoseeanoldwomanatSilverbridge。"
"AtSilverbridge！why，hewon"tbebackallnight。WhycouldnottheoldwomansendforDrCentury？"
"Isupposeshethoughttwooldwomencouldnotgetonwelltogether。"
Marycouldnothelpsmiling。Shedidnotlikeherunclegoingoffsolateonsuchajourney；butitwasalwaysfeltatriumphwhenhewasinvitedintothestrongholdsoftheenemies。
"AndJanetistocomeoverforyou。However，Itoldhimitwasquiteunnecessarytodisturbanotheroldwoman，forthatIshouldseeyouhome。"
"Oh，no，MrGresham；indeedyou"llnotdothat。"
"Indeed，andindeed，Ishall。"
"What！onthisgreatday，wheneveryladyislookingforyou，andtalkingofyou。Isupposeyouwanttosetthecountessagainstmeforever。Think，too，howangryLadyArabellawillbeifyouareabsentonsuchanderrandasthis。"
"Tohearyoutalk，Mary，onewouldthinkthatyouweregoingtoSilverbridgeyourself。"
"PerhapsIam。"
"IfIdidnotgowithyou，someoftheotherfellowswould。John，orGeorge——"
"Goodgracious，Frank！FancyeitheroftheMrDeCourceyswalkinghomewithme！"
Shehadforgottenherself，andthestrictproprietyonwhichshehadresolved，intheimpossibilityofforgoingherlittlejokeagainsttheDeCourcygrandeur；shehadforgottenherself，andhadcalledhimFrankinherold，former，eager，freetoneofvoice；andthen，rememberingshehaddoneso，shedrewherselfup，butherlips，anddeterminedtobedoublyonherguardinthefuture。
"Well，itshallbeeitheroneofthem，orI，"saidFrank："perhapsyouwouldprefermycousinGeorgetome？"
"IshouldpreferJanettoeither，seeingthatwithherIshouldnotsuffertheextremenuisanceofknowingthatIwasabore。"
"Abore！Mary，tome？"
"Yes，MrGresham，aboretoyou。Havingtowalkhomethroughthemudwithvillageyoungladiesisboring。Allgentlemenfeelitso。"
"Thereisnomud；iftherewereyouwouldnotbeallowedtowalkatall。"
"Oh！villageyoungladiesnevercareforsuchthings，thoughfashionablegentlemendo。"
"Iwouldcarryyouhome，Mary，ifitwoulddoyouaservice，"saidFrank，withconsiderablepathosinhisvoice。
"Oh，dearme！praydonot，MrGresham。Ishouldnotlikeitatall，"
saidshe："awheelbarrowwouldbepreferabletothat。"
"Ofcourse。Anythingwouldbepreferabletomyarm，Iknow。"
"Certainly；anythinginthewayofaconveyance。IfIweretoactbaby；andyouweretoactnurse，itreallywouldnotbecomfortableforeitherofus。"
FrankGreshamfeltdisconcerted，thoughhehardlyknewwhy。Hewasstrivingtosaysomethingtendertohislady-love；buteverywordthathespokesheturnedintojoke。Marydidnotanswerhimcoldlyorunkindly；but，nevertheless，hewasdispleased。Onedoesnotliketohaveone"slittleofferingsofsentimentalserviceturnedintoburlesquewhenoneisinloveinearnest。Mary"sjokeshadappearedsoeasytoo；theyseemedtocomefromaheartsolittletroubled。This，also，wascauseofvexationtoFrank。Ifhecouldbuthaveknownitall，hewould，perhaps，havebeenbetterpleased。
Hedeterminednottobeabsolutelylaughedoutofhistenderness。When，threedaysago，hehadbeenrepulsed，hehadgoneawayowningtohimselfthathehadbeenbeaten；owningsomuch，butowningitwithgreatsorrowandmuchshame。Sincethathehadcomeofage；sincethathehadmadespeeches，andspeecheshadbeenmadetohim；sincethathehadgainedcouragebyflirtingwithPatienceOriel。Nofainthearteverwonafairlady，ashewaswellaware；heresolved，therefore，thathisheartshouldnotbefaint，andthathewouldseewhetherthefairladymightnotbewonbybecomingaudacity。
"Mary，"saidhe，stoppinginthepath——fortheywerenownearthespotwhereitbrokeoutuponthelawn，andtheycouldalreadyhearthevoicesoftheguests——"Mary，youareunkindtome。"
"Iamnotawareofit，MrGresham；butifIam，donotyouretaliate。I
amweakerthanyou，andinyourpower；donotyou，therefore，beunkindtome。"
"Yourefusedmyhandjustnow，"continuedhe。"OfallthepeoplehereatGreshamsbury，youaretheonlyonethathasnotwishedmejoy；theonlyone——"
"Idowishyoujoy；Iwillwishyoujoy：thereismyhand，"andshefranklyputoutherunglovedhand。"Youarequitemanenoughtounderstandme：thereismyhand；Itrustyouuseitonlyasitismeanttobeused。"
Hetookitinhishandandpresseditcordially，ashemighthavedonethatofanyotherfriendinsuchacase；andthen——didnotdropitasheshouldhavedone。HewasnotaStAnthony，anditwasmostimprudentinMissThornetosubjecthimtosuchatemptation。
"Mary，"saidhe；"dearMary！dearestMary！ifyoudidbutknowhowI
loveyou！"
Ashesaidthis，holdingMissThorne"shandhestoodonthepathwaywithhisbacktowardsthelawnandhouse，and，therefore，didnotatfirstseehissisterAugusta，whohadjustatthatmomentcomeuponthem。Maryblusheduptoherstrawhat，and，withaquickjerk，recoveredherhand。Augustasawthemotion，andMarysawthatAugustahadseenit。
Frommytediouswayoftellingit，thereaderwillbeledtoimaginethatthehand-squeezinghadbeenprotractedtoadurationquiteincompatiblewithanyobjectiontosuchanarrangementonthepartofthelady；butthefaultismine：innoparthers。WereIpossessedofaquickspasmodicstyleofnarrative，Ishouldhavebeenabletoincludeitall——Frank"smisbehaviour，Mary"simmediateanger，Augusta"sarrival，andkeen，Argus-eyedinspection，andthenMary"ssubsequentmisery——infivewordsandhalfadozendashesandinvertedcommas。Thethingwouldhavebeensotold；for，todoMaryjustice，shedidnotleaveherhandinFrank"samomentlongerthanshecouldhelpherself。
Frank，feelingthehandwithdrawn，andhearing，whenitwastoolate，thesteponthegravel，turnedsharplyround。"Oh，it"syou，isit，Augusta？Well，whatdoyouwant？"
Augustawasnotnaturallyveryill-natured，seeingthatinherveinsthehighDeCourcybloodwassomewhattemperedbyanadmixtureoftheGreshamattributes；norwasshepredisposedtomakeherbrotherherenemybypublishingtotheworldanyofhislittletenderpeccadilloes；
butshecouldnotbutbethinkherselfofwhatheraunthadbeensayingastothedangerofanysuchencountersasthatshejustnowhadbeheld；shecouldnotbutstartatseeingherbrotherthus，ontheverybrinkoftheprecipiceofwhichthecountesshadspeciallyforewarnedhermother。She，Augusta，was，asshewellknew，doingherdutybyherfamilybymarryingatailor"ssonforwhomshedidnotcareachip，seeingthatthetailor"ssonwaspossessedofuntoldwealth。Nowwhenonememberofahouseholdismakingastruggleforafamily，itispainfultoseethebenefitofthatstrugglenegativedbythefollyofanothermember。ThefutureMrsMoffatdidfeelaggrievedbythefatuityoftheyoungheir，and，consequently，tookuponherselftolookasmuchlikeherAuntDeCourcyasshecoulddo。
"Well，whatisit？"saidFrank，lookingratherdisgusted。"Whatmakesyoustickyourchinupandlookinthatway？"Frankhadhithertobeenratheradespotamonghissisters，andforgotthattheeldestofthemwasnowpassingaltogetherfromunderhisswaytothatofthetailor"sson。
"Frank，"saidAugusta，inatoneofvoicewhichdidhonourtothegreatlessonsshehadlatelyreceived。"AuntDeCourcywantstoseeyouimmediatelyinthesmalldrawing-room；"and，asshesaidso，sheresolvedtosayafewwordsofadvicetoMissThorneassoonasherbrothershouldhaveleftthem。
"Inthesmalldrawing-room，doesshe？Well，Mary，wemayaswellgotogether，forIsupposeitistea-timenow。"
"Youhadbettergoatonce，Frank，"saidAugusta；"thecountesswillbeangryifyoukeepherwaiting。Shehasbeenexpectingyouthesetwentyminutes。MaryThorneandIcanreturntogether。"
Therewassomethinginthetoneinwhichtheword，"MaryThorne"，wereuttered，whichmadeMaryatoncedrawherselfup。"Ihope，"saidshe，"thatMaryThornewillneverbeahindrancetoeitherofyou。"
Frank"searhadalsoperceivedthattherewassomethinginthetoneofhissister"svoicenotbodingcomforttoMary；heperceivedthattheDeCourcybloodinAugusta"sveinswasalreadyrebellingagainstthedoctor"snieceonhispart，thoughithadcondescendedtosubmititselftothetailor"ssononherownpart。
"Well，Iamgoing，"saidhe；"butlookhereAugusta，ifyousayonewordofMary——"
Oh，Frank！Frank！youboy，youveryboy！yougoose，yousillygoose！
Isthatthewayyoumakelove，desiringonegirlnottotellanother，asthoughyouwerethreechildren，tearingyourfrocksandtrousersingettingthroughthesamehedgetogether？Oh，Frank！Frank！you，thefull-blownheirofGreshamsbury？You，amanalreadyendowedwithaman"sdiscretion？You，theforwardrider，thatdidbutnowthreatenyoungHarryBakerandtheHonourableJohntoeclipsethembyprowessinthefield？You，ofage？Why，thoucanstnotasyethaveleftthymother"sapron-string。
"IfyousayonewordofMary——"
Sofarhadhegotinhisinjunctiontohissister，butfurtherthanthat，insuchacase，washeneverdestinedtoproceed。Mary"sindignationflasheduponhim，strikinghimdumblongbeforethesoundofhervoicereachedhisears；andyetshespokeasquickasthewordswouldcometohercall，andsomewhatloudlytoo。
"SayonewordofMary，MrGresham！AndwhyshouldshenotsayasmanywordsofMaryasshemayplease？Imusttellyouallnow，Augusta！andImustalsobegyounottobesilentformysake。AsfarasIamconcerned，tellittowhomyouplease。Thiswasthesecondtimeyourbrother——"
"Mary，Mary，"saidFrank，deprecatingherloquacity。
"Ibegyourpardon，MrGresham；youhavemadeitnecessarythatI
shouldtellyoursisterall。Hehasnowtwicethoughtitwelltoamusehimselfbysayingtomewordswhichitwasill-naturedinhimtospeak，and——"
"Ill-natured，Mary！"
"Ill-naturedinhimtospeak，"continuedMary，"andtowhichitwouldbeabsurdformetolisten。Heprobablydoesthesametoothers，"sheadded，beingunableinhearttoforgetthatsharpestofherwounds，thatflirtationofhiswithPatienceOriel；"buttomeitisalmostcruel。Anothergirlmightlaughathim，orlistentohim，ashewouldchoose；butIcandoneither。IshallnowkeepawayfromGreshamsbury，atanyratetillhehasleftit；and，Augusta，Icanonlybegyoutounderstand，that，asfarasIamconcerned，thereisnothingwhichmaynotbetoldtoalltheworld。"
And，sosaying，shewalkedonalittleinadvanceofthem，asproudasaqueen。HadLadydeCourcyherselfmetheratthismoment，shewouldalmosthavefeltherselfforcedtoshrinkoutofthepathway。"Notsayawordofme！"sherepeatedtoherself，butstilloutloud。"Nowordneedbeleftunsaidonmyaccount；none，none。"
Augustafollowedher，dumfoundedatherindignation；andFrankalsofollowed，butnotinsilence。WhenhisfirstsurpriseatMary"sgreatangerwasover，hefelthimselfcalledupontosaysomewordthatmightexoneratehislady-love；andsomewordalsoofprotestationastohisownpurpose。
"Thereisnothingtobetold，atleastofMary，"hesaid，speakingtohissister；"butofme，youmaytellthis，ifyouchoosetodisobligeyourbrother——thatIloveMaryThornewithallmyheart；andthatIwillneverloveanyoneelse。"
Bythistimetheyhadreachedthelawn，andMarywasabletoturnawayfromthepathwhichleduptothehouse。Assheleftthemshesaidinavoice，nowlowenough，"Icannotpreventhimfromtalkingnonsense，Augusta；butyouwillbearmewitness，thatIdonotwillinglyhearit。"And，sosaying，shestartedoffalmostinaruntowardsthedistantpartofthegardens，inwhichshesawBeatrice。
Frank，ashewalkeduptothehousewithhissister，endeavouredtoinducehertogivehimapromisethatshewouldtellnotalesastowhatshehadheardandseen。
"Ofcourse，Frank，itmustbeallnonsense，"shehadsaid；"andyoushouldn"tamuseyourselfinsuchaway。"
"Well，but，Guss，come，wehavealwaysbeenfriends；don"tletusquarreljustwhenyouaregoingtobemarried。"ButAugustawouldmakenopromise。
Frank，whenhereachedthehouse，foundthecountesswaitingforhim，sittinginthelittledrawing-roombyherself，——somewhatimpatiently。
Asheenteredhebecameawarethattherewassomepeculiargravityattachedtothecominginterview。Threepersons，hismother，oneofhisyoungersisters，andtheLadyAmelia，eachstoppedhimtolethimknowthatthecountesswaswaiting；andheperceivedthatasortofguardwaskeptuponthedoortosaveherladyshipfromanyundesirableintrusion。
Thecountessfrownedatthemomentofhisentrance，butsoonsmoothedherbrow，andinvitedhimtotakeachairreadypreparedforhimoppositetotheelbowofthesofaonwhichshewasleaning。Shehadasmalltablebeforeher，onwhichwasherteacup，sothatshewasabletopreachathimnearlyaswellasthoughshehadbeenensconcedinapulpit。
"MydearFrank，"saidshe，inavoicethoroughlysuitabletotheimportanceofthecommunication，"youhaveto-daycomeofage。"
Frankremarkedthatheunderstoodthatsuchwasthecase，andaddedthat"thatwasthereasonforallthefuss。"
"Yes；youhaveto-daycomeofage。PerhapsIshouldhavebeengladtoseesuchanoccasionnoticedatGreshamsburywithsomemoresuitablesignsofrejoicing。"
"Oh，aunt！Ithinkwediditallverywell。"
"Greshamsbury，Frank，is，oratanyrateoughttobe，theseatofthefirstcommonerinBarsetshire。
"Well；soitis。Iamquitesurethereisn"tabetterfellowthanfatheranywhereinthecounty。"
Thecountesssighed。HeropinionofthepoorsquirewasverydifferentfromFrank"s。"Itisnousenow，"saidshe，"lookingbacktothatwhichcannotbecured。ThefirstcommonerinBarsetshireshouldholdaposition——Iwillnotofcoursesayequaltothatofapeer。"
"Ohdearno；ofcoursenot，"saidFrank；andabystandermighthavethoughtthattherewasatouchofsatireinhistone。
"No，notequaltothatofapeer；butstillofveryparamountimportance。OfcoursemyfirstambitionisboundupinPorlock。"
"Ofcourse，"saidFrank，thinkinghowveryweakwasthestaffonwhichhisaunt"sambitionrested；forLordPorlock"syouthfulcareerhadnotbeensuchastogiveunmitigatedsatisfactiontohisparents。
"IsboundupinPorlock："andthenthecountessplumedherself；butthemothersighed。"AndnexttoPorlock，myanxietyisaboutyou。"
"Uponmyhonour，aunt，Iamverymuchobliged。Ishallbeallright，youknow。"
"Greshamsbury，mydearboy，isnotnowwhatitusedtobe。"
"Isn"tit？"askedFrank。
"No，Frank；bynomeans。Idonotwishtosayawordagainstyourfather。Itmay，perhapshavebeenhismisfortune，ratherthanhisfault——"
"Sheisalwaysdownonthegovernor；always，"saidFranktohimself；
resolvingtostickbravelytothesideofthehousetowhichhehadelectedtobelong。
"Butthereisthefact，Frank，tooplaintousall；Greshamsburyisnotwhatitwas。Itisyourdutytorestoreittoitsformerimportance。"
"Myduty！"saidFrank，ratherpuzzled。
"Yes，Frank，yourduty。Italldependsonyounow。Ofcourseyouknowthatyourfatherowesagreatdealofmoney。"
Frankmutteredsomething。Tidingshadinsomeshapereachedhisearthathisfatherwasnotcomfortablycircumstancesasregardsmoney。
"Andthen，hehassoldBoxallHill。ItcannotbeexpectedthatBoxallHillshallbepurchased，assomehorridman，arailway-maker，I
believe——"
"Yes；that"sScatcherd。"
"Well，hehasbuiltahousethere，I"mtold；soIpresumethatitcannotbeboughtback：butitwillbeyourduty，Frank，topayallthedebtsthatthereareontheproperty，andtopurchasewhat，atanyrate，willbeequaltoBoxallHill。"
Frankopenedhiseyeswideandstaredathisaunt，asthoughdoubtingmuchwhetherornoshewereinherrightmind。Hepayoffthefamilydebts！Hebuyuppropertyoffourthousandpoundsayear！Heremained，however，quitequiet，waitingtheelucidationofthemystery。
"Frank，ofcourseyouunderstandme。"
Frankwasobligedtodeclare，thatjustatthepresentmomenthedidnotfindhisauntsoclearasusual。
"Youhavebutonelineofconductleftyou，Frank：yourposition，asheirtoGreshamsbury，isagoodone；butyourfatherhasunfortunatelysohamperedyouwithregardtomoney，thatunlessyousetthematterrightyourself，youcanneverenjoythatposition。Ofcourseyoumustmarrymoney。"
"Marrymoney！"saidhe，consideringforthefirsttimethatinallprobabilityMaryThorne"sfortunewouldnotbeextensive。"Marrymoney！"
"Yes，Frank。Iknownomanwhosepositionsoimperativelydemandsit；
andluckilyforyou，nomancanhavemorefacilityfordoingso。Inthefirstplaceyouareveryhandsome。"
Frankblushedlikeagirlofsixteen。
"Andthen，asthematterismadeplaintoyouatsoearlyanage，youarenotofcoursehamperedbyanyindiscreettie；byanyabsurdengagement。"
Frankblushedagain；andthensayingtohimself，"Howmuchtheoldgirlknowsaboutit！"feltalittleproudofhispassionforMaryThorne，andofthedeclarationhehadmadetoher。
"AndyourconnexionwithCourcyCastle，"continuedthecountess，nowcarryingupthelistofFrank"sadvantagestoitsgreatestclimax，"willmakethemattersoeasyforyou，thatreally，youwillhardlyhaveanydifficulty。"
FrankcouldnotbutsayhowmuchobligedhefelttoCourcyCastleanditsinmates。
"OfcourseIwouldnotwishtointerferewithyouinanyunderhandway，Frank；butIwilltellyouwhathasoccurredtome。Youhaveheard，probably，ofMissDunstable？"
"ThedaughteroftheointmentofLebanonman？"
"Andofcourseyouknowthatherfortuneisimmense，"continuedthecountess，notdeigningtonoticehernephew"sallusiontotheointment。"Quiteimmensewhencomparedwiththewantsandanypositionofanycommoner。NowsheiscomingtoCourcyCastle，andIwishyoutocomeandmeether。"
"But，aunt，justatthismomentIhavetoreadformydegreelikeanything。Igoup，youknow，toOxford。"
"Degree！"saidthecountess。"Why，Frank，Iamtalkingtoyouofyourprospectsinlife，ofyourfutureposition，ofthatonwhicheverythinghangs，andyoutellmeofyourdegree！"
Frank，however，obstinatelypersistedthathemusttakehisdegree，andthatheshouldcommencereadinghardatsixa。m。tomorrowmorning。
"YoucanreadjustaswellatCourcyCastle。MissDunstablewillnotinterferewiththat，"saidhisaunt，whoknewtheexpediencyofyieldingoccasionally；"butImustbegyouwillcomeoverandmeether。Youwillfindheramostcharmingyoungwoman，remarkablywelleducatedIamtold，and——"
"Howoldisshe？"askedFrank。
"Ireallycannotsayexactly，"saidthecountess；"butitisnot，I
imagine，amatterofmuchmoment。"
"Isshethirty？"askedFrank，wholookeduponanunmarriedwomanofthatageasquiteanoldmaid。
"Idaresayshemaybeaboutthatage，"saidthecountess，whoregardedthesubjectfromaverydifferentpointofview。
"Thirty！"saidFrankoutloud，butspeaking，neverthelessasthoughtohimself。
"Itisamatterofnomoment，"saidhisaunt，almostangrily。"Whenasubjectitselfisofsuchvitalimportance，objectionsofnorealweightshouldnotbebroughtintoview。Ifyouwishtoholdupyourheadinthecountry；ifyouwishtorepresentyourcountyinParliament，ashasbeendonebyyourfather，yourgrandfather，andyourgreat-grandfathers；ifyouwishtokeepahouseoveryourhead，andtoleaveGreshamsburytoyoursonafteryou，youmustmarrymoney。WhatdoesitsignifywhetherMissDunstablebetwenty-eightorthirty？Shehasgotmoney；andifyoumarryher，youmaythenconsiderthatyourpositioninlifeismade。"
Frankwasastonishedathisaunt"seloquence；but，inspiteofthateloquence，hemadeuphismindthathewouldnotmarryMissDunstable。
Howcouldhe，indeed，seeingthathistrothwasalreadyplightedtoMaryThorneinthepresenceofhissister？Thiscircumstance，however，hedidnotchoosetopleadtohisaunt，soherecapitulatedanyotherobjectionsthatpresentedthemselvestohismind。
Inthefirstplace，hewassoanxiousabouthisdegreethathecouldnotthinkofmarryingatpresent；thenhesuggestedthatitmightbebettertopostponethequestiontilltheseason"shuntingshouldbeover；hedeclaredthathecouldnotvisitCourcyCastletillhegotanewsuitofclotheshomefromthetailor；andultimatelyrememberedthathehadaparticularengagementtogofly-fishingwithMrOrielonthatdayweek。
None，however，ofthesevalidreasonsweresufficientlypotenttoturnthecountessfromherpoint。
"Nonsense，Frank，"saidshe，"Iwonderthatyoucantalkoffly-fishingwhenthepropertyofGreshamsburyisatstake。YouwillgowithAugustaandmyselftoCourcyCastleto-morrow。"
"To-morrow，aunt！"hesaid，inthetonewhichacondemnedcriminalmightmakehisejaculationonhearingthataveryneardayhadbeennamedforhisexecution。"To-morrow！"
"Yes，wereturnto-morrow，andshallbehappytohaveyourcompany。Myfriends，includingMissDunstable，comeonThursday。IamquitesureyouwilllikeMissDunstable。Ihavesettledallthatwithyourmother，soweneedsaynothingfurtheraboutit。Andnow，good-night，Frank。"
Frank，findingthattherewasnothingmoretobesaid，tookhisdeparture，andwentouttolookforMary。ButMaryhadgonehomewithJanethalfanhoursince，sohebetookhimselftohissisterBeatrice。
"Beatrice，"saidhe，"IamtogotoCourcyCastleto-morrow。"
"SoIheardmammasay。"
"Well；Ionlycameofageto-day，andIwillnotbeginbyrunningcountertothem。ButItellyouwhat，Iwon"tstayaboveaweekatCourcyCastleforalltheDeCourcysinBarsetshire。Tellme，Beatrice，didyoueverhearofaMissDunstable？"
CHAPTERIX
SIRROGERSCATCHERD
EnoughhasbeensaidinthisnarrativetoexplaintothereaderthatRogerScatcherd，whowaswhilomadrunkenstone-masoninBarchester，andwhohadbeensoprompttoavengetheinjurydonetohissister，hadbecomeagreatmanintheworld。Hehadbecomeacontractor，firstforlittlethings，suchashalfamileorsoofarailwayembankment，orthreeorfourcanalbridges，andthenacontractorforgreatthings，suchasGovernmenthospitals，locks，docks，andquays，andhadlatterlyhadinhishandsthemakingofwholelinesofrailway。
Hehadbeenoccasionallyinpartnershipwithonemanforonething，andthenwithanotherforanother；buthad，onthewhole，kepthisintereststohimself，andnowatthetimeofourstory，hewasaveryrichman。
Andhehadacquiredmorethanwealth。TherehadbeenatimewhentheGovernmentwantedtheimmediateperformanceofsomeextraordinarypieceofwork，andRogerScatcherdhadbeenthemantodoit。Therehadbeensomeextremelynecessarybitofarailwaytobemadeinhalfthetimethatsuchworkwouldproperlydemand，somespeculationtobeincurredrequiringgreatmeansandcourageaswell，andRogerScatcherdhadbeenfoundtobethemanforthetime。Hewasthenelevatedforthemomenttothedizzypinnacleofanewspaperhero，andbecameoneofthose"whomthekingdelightethtohonour"。HewentuponedaytokissHerMajesty"shand，andcomedowntohisnewgrandhouseatBoxallHill，SirRogerScatcherd，Bart。
"Andnow，mylady，"saidhe，whenheexplainedtohiswifethehighstatetowhichshehadbeencalledbyhisexertionsandtheQueen"sprerogative，"let"shaveabitofdinner，andadropofsom"athot。"
Nowthedropofsom"athotsignifiedadoseofalcoholsufficienttosendthreeordinarymenverydrunktobed。
WhileconqueringtheworldRogerScatcherdhadnotconqueredhisoldbadhabits。Indeed，hewasthesamemanatallpointsthathehadbeenwhenformerlyseenaboutthestreetsofBarchesterwithhisstone-mason"saprontuckeduproundhiswaist。Theapronhehadabandoned，butnottheheavyprominentthoughtfulbrow，withthewildlyflashingeyebeneathit。Hewasstillthesamegoodcompanion，andstillalsothesamehard-workinghero。Inthisonlyhadhechanged，thatnowhewouldwork，andsomesaidequallywell，whetherheweredrunkorsober。Thosewhoweremostlyinclinedtomakeamiracleofhim——andtherewasaschoolofworshippersreadytoadorehimastheirideaofadivine，superhuman，miracle-moving，inspiredprophet——declaredthathiswondrousworkwasbestdone，hiscalculationsmostquicklyandmosttrulymade，thathesawwithmostaccurateeyeintothefar-distantbalanceofprofitandloss，whenhewasundertheinfluenceoftherosygod。Totheseworshippershisbreakings-out，ashisperiodsofintemperancewerecalledinhisownset，werehismomentsofpeculiarinspiration——hisdivinefrenzies，inwhichhecommunicatedmostcloselywiththosedeitieswhopresideovertradetransactions；hisEleusinianmysteries，toapproachhiminwhichwaspermittedonlyafewofthemostfavoured。
"Scatcherdhasbeendrunkthisweekpast，"theywouldsayonetoanother，whenthemomentcameatwhichitwastobedecidedwhoseoffershouldbeacceptedforconstructingaharbourtoholdallthecommerceofLancashire，ortomakearailwayfromBombaytoCanton。"Scatcherdhasbeendrunkthisweekpast；Iamtoldthathehastakenoverthreegallonsofbrandy。"AndthentheyfeltsurethatnonebutScatcherdwouldbecalledupontoconstructthedockormaketherailway。
Butbethisasitmay，beittrueorfalsethatSirRogerwasmostefficaciouswheninhiscups，therecanbenodoubtthathecouldnotwallowforaweekinbrandy，sixorseventimeseveryyear，withoutinagreatmeasureinjuring，andpermanentlyinjuring，theoutwardman。
Whateverimmediateeffectsuchsymposiumsmighthaveontheinnermind-
symposiumsindeedtheywerenot；posiumsIwillcallthem，ifImaybeallowed；forinlatterlife，whenhedrankheavily，hedrankalone——howeverlittleforevil，orhowevermuchforgoodtheworkingofhisbrainmightbeaffected，hisbodysufferedgreatly。Itwasnotthathebecamefeebleoremaciated，old-lookingorinactive，thathishandshook，orthathiseyewaswatery；butthatinthemomentsofhisintemperancehislifewasoftenworthaday"spurchase。TheframewhichGodhadgiventohimwaspowerfulbeyondthepowerofordinarymen；powerfultoactinspiteoftheseviolentperturbations；powerfultorepressandconquerthequalmsandheadachesandinwardsicknessestowhichthevotariesofBacchusareordinarilysubject；butthispowerwasnotwithoutitslimit。Ifencroachedontoofar，itwouldbreakandfallandcomeasunder，andthenthestrongmanwouldatoncebecomeacorpse。
Scatcherdhadbutonefriendintheworld。And，indeed，thisfriendwasnotfriendintheordinaryacceptanceoftheword。Heneitheratewithhimnordrankwithhim，norevenfrequentlytalkedwithhim。Theirpursuitsinlifewerewideasunder。Theirtasteswerealldifferent。
Thesocietyinwhichtheymovedveryseldomcametogether。Scatcherdhadnothinginunisonwiththissolitaryfriend；buthetrustedhim，andhetrustednootherlivingcreatureinGod"searth。
Hetrustedthisman；butevenhimhedidnottrustthoroughly；notatleastasonefriendshouldtrustanother。Hebelievedthatthismanwouldnotrobhim；wouldprobablynotlietohim；wouldnotendeavourtomakemoneyofhim；wouldnotcounthimuporspeculateonhim，andmakeoutabalanceofprofitandloss；and，therefore，hedeterminedtousehim。Butheputnotrustwhateverinhisfriend"scounsel，inhismodesofthought；noneinhistheory，andnoneinhispractice。Hedislikedhisfriend"scounsel，and，infact，dislikedhissociety，forhisfriendwassomewhatapttospeaktohiminamannerapproachingtoseverity。NowRogerScatcherdhaddonemanythingsintheworld，andmademuchmoney；whereashisfriendhaddonebutfewthings，andmadenomoney。Itwasnottobeenduredthatthepractical，efficientmanshouldbetakentotaskbythemanwhoprovedhimselftobeneitherpracticalnorefficient；nottobeendured，certainly，byRogerScatcherd，wholookedonmenofhisownclassasthemenoftheday，andonhimselfasbynomeanstheleastamongthem。
ThefriendwasourfriendDrThorne。
Thedoctor"sfirstacquaintancewithScatcherdhasbeenalreadyexplained。Hewasnecessarilythrownintocommunicationwiththemanatthetimeofthetrial，andScatcherdthenhadnotonlysufficientsense，butsufficientfeelingalsotoknowthatthedoctorbehavedverywell。Thiscommunicationhadindifferentwaysbeenkeptupbetweenthem。SoonafterthetrialScatcherdhadbeguntorise，andhisfirstsavingshadbeenentrustedtothedoctor"scare。Thishadbeenthebeginningofapecuniaryconnexionwhichhadneverwhollyceased，andwhichhadledtothepurchaseofBoxallHill，andtotheloanoflargesumsofmoneytothesquire。
Inanotherwayalsotherehadbeenaclosealliancebetweenthem，andonenotalwaysofaverypleasantdescription。Thedoctorwas，andlonghadbeen，SirRoger"smedicalattendant，and，inhisunceasingattemptstorescuethedrunkardfromthefatewhichwassomuchtobedreaded，henotunfrequentlywasdriventoquarrelwithhispatient。
OnethingfurthermustbetoldofSirRoger。InpoliticshewasasviolentaRadicalasever，andwasveryanxioustoobtainapositioninwhichhecouldbringhisviolencetobear。WiththisviewhewasabouttocontesthisnativeboroughofBarchester，inthehopeofbeingreturnedinoppositiontotheDeCourcycandidate；andwiththisobjecthehadnowcomedowntoBoxallHill。
NorwerehisclaimstositforBarchestersuchascouldbedespised。Ifmoneyweretobeofnoavail，hehadplentyofit，andwaspreparedtospendit；whereas，rumoursaidthatMrMoffatwasequallydeterminedtodonothingsofoolish。Thenagain，SirRogerhadasortofrougheloquence，andwasboldtoaddressthemenofBarchesterinlanguagethatwouldcomehometotheirhearts，inwordsthatwouldendearhimtoonepartywhiletheymadehimoffensivelyodioustotheother；butMrMoffatcouldmakeneitherfriendsnorenemiesbyhiseloquence。TheBarchesterroughscalledhimadumbdogthatcouldnotbark，andsometimessarcasticallyaddedthatneithercouldhebite。TheDeCourcyinterest，however，wasathisback，andhehadalsotheadvantageofpossession。SirRoger，therefore，knewthatthebattlewasnottobewonwithoutastruggle。
DrThornegotsafelybackfromSilverbridgethatevening，andfoundMarywaitingtogivehimhistea。HehadbeencalledtheretoaconsultationwithDrCentury，thatamiableoldgentlemanhavingsofarfallenawayfromthehighFillgravetenetsastoconsenttotheoccasionalenduranceofsuchdegradation。
Thenextmorninghebreakfastedearly，and，havingmountedhisstrongiron-greycob，startedforBoxallHill。Notonlyhadhetheretonegotiatethesquire"sfurtherloan，butalsotoexercisehismedicalskill。SirRogerhavingbeendeclaredcontractorforcuttingacanalfromseatosea，throughtheisthmusofPanama，hadbeenmakingaweekofit；andtheresultwasthatLadyScatcherdhadwrittenratherperemptorilytoherhusband"smedicalfriend。
ThedoctorconsequentlytrottedofftoBoxallHillonhisiron-greycob。Amonghisothermeritswasthatofbeingagoodhorseman，andhedidmuchofhisworkonhorseback。ThefactthatheoccasionallytookadaywiththeEastBarsetshires，andthatwhenhedidsohethoroughlyenjoyedit，hadprobablynotfailedtoaddsomethingtothestrengthofthesquire"sfriendship。
"Well，mylady，howishe？Notmuchthematter，Ihope？"saidthedoctor，asheshookhandswiththetitledmistressofBoxallHillinasmallbreakfast-parlourintherearofthehouse。TheshowroomsofBoxallHillwerefurnishedmostmagnificently，buttheyweresetapartforcompany；andasthecompanynevercame——seeingthattheywereneverinvited——thegrandroomsandthegrandfurniturewerenotofmuchmaterialusetoLadyScatcherd。
"Indeedthen，doctor，he"sjustbadenough，"saidherladyship，notinaveryhappytoneofvoice；"justbadenough。There"sbeensome"atthebackofhishead，rapping，andrapping，andrapping；andifyoudon"tdosomething，I"mthinkingitwillraphimtoohardyet。"
"Isheinbed？"
"Why，yes，heisinbed；forwhenhewasfirsttookhecouldn"tverywellhelphisself，soweputhimtobed。Andthen，hedon"tseemtobequiterightyetaboutthelegs，sohehasn"tgotup；buthe"sgotthatWinterboneswithhimtowriteforhim，andwhenWinterbonesisthere，Scatcherdmightaswellbeupforanygoodthatbed"lldohim。"
MrWinterboneswasconfidentialclerktoSirRoger。Thatistosay，hewasawriting-machineofwhichSirRogermadeusetodocertainworkwhichcouldnotwellbeadjustedwithoutsomecontrivance。Hewasalittle，withered，dissipated，broken-downman，whomginandpovertyhadnearlyburnttoacinder，anddriedtoanash。Mindhehadnoneleft，norcareforearthlythings，exceptthesmallestmodicumofsubstantialfood，andthelargestallowanceofliquidsustenance。Allthathehadeverknownhehadforgotten，excepthowtocountupfiguresandtowrite：theresultsofhiscountingandhiswritingneverstayedwithhimfromonehourtoanother；nay，notfromonefoliotoanother。Lethim，however，beadequatelyscrewedupwithgin，andadequatelyscreweddownbythepresenceofhismaster，andthennoamountofcountingandwritingwouldbetoomuchforhim。ThiswasMrWinterbones，confidentialclerktothegreatSirRogerScatcherd。
"WemustsendWinterbonesaway，Itakeit，"saidthedoctor。
"Indeed，doctor，Iwishyouwould。Iwishyou"dsendhimtoBath，oranywhereelseoutoftheway。ThereisScatcherd，hetakesbrandy；andthereisWinterbones，hetakesgin；andit"dpuzzleawomantosaywhichisworst，masterorman。"
Itwillseemfromthis，thatLadyScatcherdandthedoctorwereonveryfamiliartermsasregardedherlittledomesticinconveniences。
"TellSirRogerIamhere，willyou？"saidthedoctor。
"You"lltakeadropofsherrybeforeyougoup？"saidthelady。
"Notadrop，thankyou，"saidthedoctor。
"Or，perhapsalittlecordial？"
"Notofdropofanything，thankyou；Ineverdo，youknow。"
"Justathimblefulofthis？"saidthelady，producingfromsomerecessunderasideboardabottleofbrandy；"justathimbleful？It"swhathetakeshimself。"
WhenLadyScatcherdfoundthateventhisargumentfailed，sheledthewaytothegreatman"sbedroom。
"Welldoctor！welldoctor！，well，doctor！"wasthegreetingwithwhichoursonofGalenwassalutedsometimebeforeheenteredthesick-room。Hisapproachingstepwasheard，andthustheci-devantBarchesterstone-masonsalutedhiscomingfriend。Thevoicewasloudandpowerful，butnotclearandsonorous。Whatvoicethatisnurturedonbrandycaneverbeclear？Ithadaboutitapeculiarhuskiness，adissipatedgutturaltone，whichThorneimmediatelyrecognized，andrecognizedasbeingmoremarked，moreguttural，andmorehuskythanheretofore。
"Soyou"vesmeltmeout，haveyou，andcomeforyourfee？Ha！ha！ha！
Well，Ihavehadasharpishboutofit，asherladyshiptherenodoubthastoldyou。Letheralonetomaketheworstofit。But，yousee，you"retoolate，man。I"vebilkedtheoldgentlemanagainwithouttroublingyou。"
"Anyway，I"mgladyou"resomethingbetter，Scatcherd。"
"Something！Idon"tknowwhatyoucallsomething。Ineverwasbetterinmylife。AskWinterboneshere。"
"Indeed，now，Scatcherd，youain"t；you"rebadenoughifyouonlyknewit。AndasforWinterbones，hehasnobusinesshereupinyourbedroom，whichstinksofginso，itdoes。Don"tyoubelievehim，doctor；heain"twell，noryetnighwell。"
Winterbones，whentheaboveill-naturedallusionwasmadetothearomacomingfromhislibations，mightbeseentodepositsurreptitiouslybeneaththelittletableatwhichhesat，thecupwithwhichhehadperformedthem。
Thedoctor，inthemeantime，hadtakenSirRoger"shandonthepretextoffeelinghispulse，butwasdrawingquiteasmuchinformationfromthetouchofthesickman"sskin，andthelookofthesickman"seye。
"IthinkMrWinterboneshadbettergobacktotheLondonoffice，"saidhe。"LadyScatcherdwillbeyourbestclerkforsometime，SirRoger。"
"ThenI"llbed——ifMrWinterbonesdoesanythingofthekind，"saidhe；"sothere"sanendofthat。"
"Verywell，"saidthedoctor。"Amancandiebutonce。Itismydutytosuggestmeasuresforputtingofftheceremonyaslongaspossible。
Perhaps，however，youmaywishtohastenit。"
"Well，Iamnotanxiousaboutit，onewayortheother，"saidScatcherd。Andashespoketherecameafiercegleamfromhiseye，whichseemedtosay——"Ifthat"sthebugbearwithwhichyouwishtofrightenme，youwillbemistaken。"
"Now，doctor，don"tlethimtalkthatway，don"t，"saidLadyScatcherd，withherhandkerchieftohereyes。
"Now，mylady，doyoucutit；cutatonce，"saidSirRoger，turninghastilyroundtohisbetter-half；andhisbetter-half，knowingthattheprovinceofawomanistoobey，didcutit。Butasshewentshegavethedoctorapullbythecoat"ssleeve，sothattherebyhishealingfacultiesmightbesharpenedtotheveryutmost。
"Thebestwomanintheworld，doctor；theverybest，"saidhe，asthedoorclosedbehindthewifeofhisbosom。
"I"msureofit，"saidthedoctor。
"Yes，tillyoufindabetterone，"saidScatcherd。"Ha！ha！ha！butforgoodorbad，therearesomethingswhichawomancan"tunderstand，andsomethingswhichsheoughtnottobelettounderstand。"
"It"snaturalsheshouldbeanxiousaboutyourhealth，youknow。"
"Idon"tknowthat，"saidthecontractor。"She"llbeverywelloff。
Allthatwhiningwon"tkeepamanalive，atanyrate。"
Therewasapause，duringwhichthedoctorcontinuedhismedicalexamination。Tothisthepatientsubmittedwithabadgrace；butstillhedidsubmit。
"Wemustturnoveranewleaf，SirRoger；indeedwemust。"
"Bother，"saidSirRoger。
"Well，Scatcherd；Imustdomydutytoyou，whetheryoulikeitornot。"
"Thatistosay，Iamtopayyoufortryingtofrightenme。"
"Nohumannaturecanstandsuchshocksasthosemuchlonger。"
"Winterbones，"saidthecontractor，turningtohisclerk，"godown，godown，Isay；butdon"tbeoutoftheway。Ifyougotothepublic-house，byG——youmaystaythereforme。WhenItakeadrop，——thatisifIeverdo，itdoesnotstandinthewayofwork。"SoMrWinterbones，pickinguphiscupagain，andconcealingitinsomewaybeneathhiscoatflap，retreatedoutoftheroom，andthetwofriendswerealone。
"Scatcherd，"saidthedoctor，"youhavebeenasnearyourGod，asanymaneverwaswhoafterwardsateanddrankinthisworld。"
"HaveI，now？"saidtherailwayhere，apparentlysomewhatstartled。
"Indeedyouhave；indeedyouhave。"
"AndnowI"mallrightagain？"
"Allright！Howcanyoubeallright，whenyouknowthatyourlimbsrefusetocarryyou？Allright！whythebloodisstillbeatingroundyoubrainwithaviolencethatwoulddestroyanyotherbrainbutyours。"
"Ha！ha！ha！，"laughedScatcherd。Hewasveryproudofthinkinghimselftobedifferentlyorganizedfromothermen。"Ha！ha！ha！WellandwhatamItodonow？"
Thewholeofthedoctor"sprescriptionwewillnotgiveatlength。TosomeofhisordinancesSirRogerpromisedobedience；toothersheobjectedviolently，andtooneortwoheflatlyrefusedtolisten。Thegreatstumbling-blockwasthis，thattotalabstinencefrombusinessfortwoweekswasenjoined；andthatitwasimpossible，soSirRogersaid，thatheshouldabstainfortwodays。
"Ifyouwork，"saidthedoctor，"inyourpresentstate，youwillcertainlyhaverecoursetothestimulusofdrink；andifyoudrink，mostassuredlywilldie。"
"Stimulus！WhydoyouthinkIcan"tworkwithoutDutchcourage？"
"Scatcherd，Iknowthatthereisbrandyinthisroomatthemoment，andthatyouhavebeentakingitwithinthesetwohours。"
"Yousmellthatfellow"sgin，"saidScatcherd。
"Ifeelthealcoholworkingwithinyourveins，"saidthedoctor，whostillhadhishandonhispatient"sarm。
SirRogerturnedhimselfroughlyinthebedsoastogetawayfromhisMentor，andthenhebegantothreateninhisturn。
"I"lltellyouwhatitis，doctor；I"vemadeupmymind，andI"lldoit。I"llsendforFillgrave。"
"Verywell，"saidheofGreshamsbury，"sendforFillgrave。Yourcaseisoneinwhichevenhecanhardlygowrong。"
"Youthinkyoucanhectorme，anddoasyoulikebecauseyouhadmeunderyourthumbinotherdays。You"reaverygoodfellow，Thorne，butIain"tsurethatyouarethebestdoctorinallEngland。"
"YoumaybesureIamnot；youmaytakemefortheworstifyouwill。
ButwhileIamhereasyourmedicaladviser，Icanonlytellyouthetruthtothebestofmythinking。Nowthetruthis，thatanotherboutofdrinkingwillinallprobabilitykillyou；andanyrecoursetostimulusinyourpresentconditionmaydoso。"
"I"llsendforFillgrave——"
"Well，sendforFillgrave，onlydoitatonce。Believemeatanyrateinthis，thatwhateveryoudo，youshoulddoatonce。Obligemeinthis；letLadyScatcherdtakeawaythatbrandybottletillDrFillgravecomes。"
"I"md——ifIdo。DoyouthinkIcan"thaveabottleofbrandyinmyroomwithoutswigging？"
"Ithinkyou"llbelesslikelytoswigifyoucan"tgetatit。"
SirRogermadeanotherangryturninhisbedaswellashishalf-paralysedlimbswouldlethim；andthen，afterafewmoments"
peace，renewedhisthreatswithincreasedviolence。
"Yes；I"llhaveFillgraveoverhere。Ifamanbeill，reallyill，heshouldhavethebestadvicehecanget。I"llhaveFillgrave，andI"llhavethatotherfellowfromSilverbridgetomeethim。What"shisname？——Century。"
Thedoctorturnedhisheadaway；forthoughtheoccasionwasserious，hecouldnothelpsmilingatthemaliciousvengeancewithwhichhisfriendproposedtogratifyhimself。
"Iwill；andRerechildtoo。What"stheexpense？Isupposefiveorsixpoundsapiecewilldoit；eh，Thorne？"
"Oh，yes；thatwillbeliberalIshouldsay。But，SirRoger，willyouallowmetosuggestwhatyououghttodo？Idon"tknowhowfaryoumaybejoking——"
"Joking！"shoutedthebaronet；"youtellamanhe"sdyingandjokinginthesamebreath。You"llfindI"mnotjoking。"
"WellIdaresaynot。Butifyouhavenotfullconfidenceinme——"
"Ihavenoconfidenceinyouatall。"
"ThenwhynotsendtoLondon？Expenseisnoobjecttoyou。"
"Itisanobject；agreatobject。"
"Nonsense！SendtoLondonforSirOmicronPie：sendforsomemanwhomyouwillreallytrustwhenyouseehim。
"There"snotoneofthelotI"dtrustassoonasFillgrave。I"veknownFillgraveallmylifeandItrusthim。I"llsendforFillgraveandputmycaseinhishands。Ifanyonecandoanythingforme，Fillgraveistheman。"
"TheninGod"snamesendforFillgrave，"saidthedoctor。"Andnow，good-bye，Scatcherd；andasyoudosendforhim，givehimafairchance。Donotdestroyyourselfbymorebrandybeforehecomes。"
"That"smyaffair，andhis；notyours，"saidthepatient。
"Sobeit；givemeyourhand，atanyrate，beforeIgo。Iwishyouwellthroughit，andwhenyouarewell，I"llcomeandseeyou。"
"Good-bye——good-bye；andlookhere，Thorne，you"llbetalkingtoLadyScatcherddownstairsIknow；now，nononsense。Youunderstandme，eh？
nononsense。"
CHAPTERX
SIRROGER"SWILL
DrThornelefttheroomandwentdownstairs，beingfullyawarethathecouldnotleavethehousewithouthavingsomecommunicationwithLadyScatcherd。Hewasnotsoonerwithinthepassagethanheheardthesickman"sbellringviolently；andthentheservant，passinghimonthestaircase，receivedorderstosendamountedmessengerimmediatelytoBarchester。DrFillgravewastobesummonedtocomeasquicklyaspossibletothesickman"sroom，andMrWinterboneswastobesentuptowritethenote。
SirRogerwasquiterightinsupposingthattherewouldbesomewordsbetweenthedoctorandherladyship。How，indeed，wasthedoctortogetoutofthehousewithoutsuch，lethimwishiteversomuch？Therewerewords；andthesewereprotracted，whilethedoctor"scobwasbeingorderedround，tillverymanywereutteredwhichthecontractorwouldprobablyhaveregardedasnonsense。
LadyScatcherdwasnofitassociateforthewivesofEnglishbaronets；——wasnodoubtbyeducationandmannersmuchbetterfittedtositintheirservants"halls；butnotonthataccountwassheabadwifeorabadwoman。Shewaspainfully，fearfully，anxiousforthathusbandofhers，whomshehonouredandworshipped，asitbehovedhertodo，aboveallothermen。Shewasfearfullyanxiousastohislife，andfaithfullybelieved，thatifanymancouldprolongit，itwasthatoldandfaithfulfriendwhomshehadknowntobetruetoherlordsincetheirearlymarriedtroubles。
When，therefore，shefoundthatshehadbeendismissed，andthatastrangerwastobesentforinhisplace，herheartsankbelowwithinher。
"But，doctor，"shesaid，withherapronuptohereyes，"youain"tgoingtoleavehim，areyou？"
DrThornedidnotfinditeasytoexplaintoherladyshipthatmedicaletiquettewouldnotpermithimtoremaininattendanceonherhusbandafterhehadbeendismissedandanotherphysiciancalledinhisplace。
"Etiquette！"saidshe，crying。"What"setiquettetodowithitwhenamanisa-killinghisselfwithbrandy？"
"FillgravewillforbidthatquiteasstronglyasIcando。"
"Fillgrave！"saidshe。"Fiddlesticks！Fillgrave，indeed！"
DrThornecouldalmosthaveembracedherforthestrongfeelingofthoroughconfidenceontheoneside，andthoroughdistrustontheother，whichshecontrivedtothrowintothosefewwords。
"I"lltellyouwhat，doctor；Iwon"tletthatmessengergo。I"llbearthebruntofit。Hecan"tdomuchnowheain"tup，youknow。I"llstoptheboy；wewon"thavenoFillgravehere。"
This，however，wasasteptowhichDrThornewouldnotassent。Heendeavouredtoexplaintotheanxiouswife，thatafterwhathadpassedhecouldnottenderhismedicalservicestilltheywereagainaskedfor。
"Butyoucanslipinasafriend，youknow；andthenbydegreesyoucancomeroundhim，eh？can"tyounow，doctor？Andastopayment——"
AllthatDrThornesaidonthesubjectmayeasilybeimagined。Andinthisway，andinpartakingofthelunchwhichwasforceduponhim，anhourhadnearlypassedbetweenhisleavingSirRoger"sbedroomandputtinghisfootinthestirrup。Butnosoonerhadthecobbeguntomoveonthegravel-sweepbeforethehousethanoneoftheupperwindowsopened，andthedoctorwassummonedtoanotherconferencewiththesickman。
"Hesaysyouaretocomeback，whetherorno，"saidMrWinterbones，screechingoutofthewindow，andputtingallhisemphasisonthelastwords。
"Thorne！Thorne！Thorne！"shoutedthesickmanfromhissick-bed，soloudlythatthedoctorheardhim，seatedashewasonhorsebackoutbeforethehouse。
"You"retocomeback，whetherorno，"repeatedWinterbones，withmoreemphasis，evidentlyconceivingthattherewasastrengthofinjunctioninthat"whetherorno"whichwouldbefoundquiteinvincible。
Whetheractuatedbythesemagicwords，orbysomeinternalprocessofthought，wewillnotsay；butthedoctordidslowly，andasthoughunwillingly，dismountagainfromhissteed，andslowlyretracehisstepsintothehouse。
"Itisnouse，"hesaidtohimself，"forthatmessengerhasalreadygonetoBarchester。"
"IhavesentforDrFillgrave，"werethefirstwordswhichthecontractorsaidtohimwhenheagainfoundhimselfbythebedside。
"Didyoucallmebacktotellmethat？"saidThorne，whonowfeltreallyangryattheimpertinentpetulanceofthemanbeforehim："youshouldconsider，Scatcherd，thatmytimemaybeofvaluetoothers，ifnottoyou。"
"Nowdon"tbeangry，oldfellow，"saidScatcherd，turningtohim，andlookingathimwithacountenancequitedifferentfromanythathehadshownthatday；acountenanceinwhichtherewasashowofmanhood，——someshowalsoofaffection。"Youain"tangrynowbecauseI"vesentforFillgrave？"
"Notintheleast，"saidthedoctorverycomplacently。"Notintheleast。FillgravewilldoasmuchgoodasIcando。"
"Andthat"snoneatall，Isuppose；eh，Thorne？"
"Thatdependsonyourself。Hewilldoyougoodifyouwilltellhimthetruth，andwillthenbeguidedbyhim。Yourwife，yourservant，anyonecanbeasgoodadoctortoyouaseitherheorI；asgood，thatis，inthemainpoint。ButyouhavesentforFillgravenow；andofcourseyoumustseehim。Ihavemuchtodo，andyoumustletmego。"
Scatcherd，however，wouldnotlethimgo，butheldhishandfast。
"Thorne，"saidhe，"ifyoulikeit，I"llmakethemputFillgraveunderthepumpdirectlyhecomeshere。Iwillindeed，andpayallthedamagemyself。"
Thiswasanotherpropositiontowhichthedoctorcouldnotconsent；buthewasutterlyunabletorefrainfromlaughing。TherewasanearnestlookofentreatyaboutSirRoger"sfaceashemadethesuggestion；and，joinedtothis，therewasagleamofcomicsatisfactioninhiseyewhichseemedtopromise，thatifhereceivedtheleastencouragementhewouldputhisthreatintoexecution。Nowourdoctorwasnotinclinedtotakinganystepstowardssubjectinghislearnedbrothertopumpdiscipline；buthecouldnotbutadmittohimselfthattheideawasnotabadone。
"I"llhaveitdone，Iwill，byheavens！ifyou"llonlysaytheword，"
protestedSirRoger。
Butthedoctordidnotsaytheword，andsotheideawaspassedoff。
"Youshouldn"tbesotestywithamanwhenheisill，"saidScatcherd，stillholdingthedoctor"shand，ofwhichhehadagaingotpossession；
"speciallynotanoldfriend；andspeciallyagainwhenyou"rebeena-blowinghimup。"
Itwasnotworththedoctor"swhiletoaverthatthetestinesshadallbeenontheotherside，andthathehadneverlosthisgood-humour；sohemerelysmiled，andaskedSirRogerifhecoulddoanythingfurtherforhim。
"Indeedyoucan，doctor；andthat"swhyIsentforyou，——whyIsentforyouyesterday。Getoutoftheroom，Winterbones，"hethensaidgruffly，asthoughheweredismissingfromhischamberadirtydog。