第5章
Winterbones，notawhitoffended，againhidhiscupunderhiscoat-tailandvanished。
"Sitdown，Thorne，sitdown，"saidthecontractor，speakinginquiteadifferentmannerfromanythathehadyetassumed。"Iknowyou"reinahurry，butyoumustgivemehalfanhour。Imaybedeadbeforeyoucangivemeanother；whoknows？"
Thedoctorofcoursedeclaredthathehopedtohavemanyahalf-hour"schatwithhimformanyayeartocome。
"Well，that"sasmaybe。Youmuststopnow，atanyrate。Youcanmakethecobpayforit，youknow。"
Thedoctortookachairandsatdown。Thusentreatedtostop，hehadhardlyanyalternativebuttodoso。
"Itwasn"tbecauseI"millthatIsentforyou，orratherletherladyshipsendforyou。Lordblessyou，Thorne；doyouthinkIdon"tknowwhatitisthatmakesmelikethis？WhenIseethatpoorwretchWinterbones，killinghimselfwithgin，doyouthinkIdon"tknowwhat"scomingtomyselfaswellashim？
"Whydoyoutakeitthen？Whydoyoudoit？Yourlifeisnotlikehis。Oh，Scatcherd！Scatcherd！"andthedoctorpreparedtopouroutthefloodofhiseloquenceinbeseechingthissingularmantoabstainfromhiswell-knownpoison。
"Isthatallyouknowofhumannature，doctor？Abstain。Canyouabstainfrombreathing，andlivelikeafishdoesunderwater？"
"ButNaturehasnotorderedyoutodrink，Scatcherd。"
"Habitissecondnature，man；andastrongernaturethanthefirst。AndwhyshouldInotdrink？WhatelsehastheworldgivenmeforallthatIhavedoneforit？WhatotherresourcehaveI？Whatothergratification？"
"Oh，myGod！Haveyounotunboundedwealth？Canyounotdoanythingyouwish？beanythingyouchoose？"
"No，"andthesickmanshriekedwithanenergythatmadehimaudibleallthroughthehouse。"IcandonothingthatIwouldchoosetodo；benothingthatIwouldwishtobe！WhatcanIdo？WhatcanIbe？WhatgratificationcanIhaveexceptthebrandybottle？IfIgoamonggentlemen，canItalktothem？Iftheyhaveanythingtosayaboutarailway，theywillaskmeaquestion：iftheyspeaktomebeyondthat，Imustbedumb。IfIgoamongmyworkmen，cantheytalktome？No；I
amtheirmaster，andasternmaster。Theybobtheirheadsandshakeintheirshoeswhentheyseeme。Wherearemyfriends？Here！"saidhe，andhedraggedabottlefromunderhisverypillow。"Wherearemyamusements？Here！"andhebrandishedthebottlealmostinthedoctor"sface。"Whereismyoneresource，myonegratification，myonlycomfortafterallmytoils。Here，doctor；here，here，here！"and，sosaying，hereplacedhistreasurebeneathhispillow。
Therewassomethingsohorrifyinginthis，thatDrThorneshrankbackamazed，andwasforamomentunabletospeak。
"But，Scatcherd，"hesaidatlast；"surelyyouwouldnotdieforsuchapassionasthat？""Dieforit？Aye，wouldI。LiveforitwhileIcanlive；anddieforitwhenIcanlivenolonger。Dieforit！Whatisthatforamantodo？Whatisamantheworsefordying？WhatcanIbetheworsefordying？Amancandiebutonce，yousaidjustnow。I"ddietentimesforthis。"
"Youarespeakingnoweitherinmadness，orelseinfolly，tostartleme。"
"Follyenough，perhaps，andmadnessenough，also。Suchalifeasminemakesamanafool，andmakeshimmadtoo。WhathaveaboutmethatI
shouldbeafraidtodie？I"mworththreehundredthousandpounds；andI"dgiveitalltobeabletogotoworkto-morrowwithahodandmortar，andhaveafellowclaphishanduponmyshoulder，andsay：
“Well，Roger，shallushavethat"ereotherhalf-pintthismorning？”
I"lltellyouwhat，Thorne，whenamanhasmadethreehundredthousandpounds，there"snothingleftforhimbuttodie。It"sallhe"sgoodforthen。Whenmoney"sbeenmade，thenextthingistospendit。Nowthemanwhomakesithasnotthehearttodothat。"
Thedoctor，ofcourse，inhearingallthis，saidsomethingofatendencytocomfortandconsolethemindofhispatient。Notthatanythinghecouldsaywouldcomfortorconsoletheman；butthatitwasimpossibletositthereandhearsuchfearfultruths——forasregardedScatcherdtheyweretruths——withoutmakingsomeanswer。"
"Thisisasgoodasaplay，isn"t，doctor？"saidthebaronet。"Youdidn"tknowhowIcouldcomeoutlikeoneofthoseactorfellows。Well，now，come；atlastI"lltellyouwhyIhavesentforyou。BeforethatlastburstofmineImademywill。"
"Youhadmadeawillbeforethat。"
"Yes，Ihad。Thatwillisdestroyed。Iburntitwithmyownhand，sothatthereshouldbenomistakeaboutit。InthatwillIhadnamedtwoexecutors，youandJackson。IwasthenpartnerwithJacksonintheYorkandYeovilGrandCentral。IthoughtadealofJacksonthen。He"snotworthashillingnow。"
"Well，I"mexactlyinthesamecategory。"
"No，you"renot。Jacksonisnothingwithoutmoney；butmoney"llnevermakeyou。"
"No，norIshan"tmakemoney，"saidthedoctor。
"No，youneverwill。Nevertheless，there"smyotherwill，there，underthatdeskthere；andI"veputyouinassoleexecutor。"
"Youmustalterthat，Scatcherd；youmustindeed；withthreehundredthousandpoundstobedisposedof，thetrustisfartoomuchforanyoneman：besidesyoumustnameayoungerman；youandIareofthesameage，andImaydiefirst。"
"Now，doctor，nohumbug；let"shavenohumbugfromyou。Rememberthis；
ifyou"renottrue，you"renothing。"
"Well，but，Scatcherd——"
"Well，butdoctor，there"sthewill，it"salreadymade。Idon"twanttoconsultyouaboutthat。Youarenamedasexecutor，andifyouhavethehearttorefusetoactwhenI"mdead，why，ofcourse，youcandoso。"
Thedoctorwasnotlawyer，andhardlyknewwhetherhehadanymeansofextricatinghimselffromthispositioninwhichhisfriendwasdeterminedtoplacehim。
"You"llhavetoseethatwillcarriedout，Thorne。NowI"lltellyouwhatIhavedone。"
"You"renotgoingtotellmehowyouhavedisposedofyourproperty？"
"Notexactly；atleastnotallofit。OnehundredthousandI"veinlegacies，including，youknow，whatLadyScatcherdwillhave。"
"HaveyounotleftthehousetoLadyScatcherd？"
"No；whatthedevilwouldshedowithahouselikethis？Shedoesn"tknowhowtoliveinitnowshehasgotit。Ihaveprovidedforher；itmattersnothow。Thehouseandtheestate，andtheremainderofmymoneyIhavelefttoLouisPhilippe。"
"What！twohundredthousandpounds？"saidthedoctor。
"Andwhyshouldn"tIleavetwohundredthousandpoundstomyson，eventomyeldestsonifIhavemorethanone？DoesnotMrGreshamleaveallhispropertytohisheir？WhyshouldnotImakeaneldestsonaswellasLorddeCourcyortheDukeofOmnium？IsupposearailwaycontractoroughtnottobeallowedaneldestsonbyActofParliament！
Won"tmysonhaveatitletokeepup？Andthat"smorethantheGreshamshaveamongthem。"
Thedoctorexplainedawaywhathesaidaswellashecould。Hecouldnotexplainthatwhathehadreallymeantwasthis，thatSirRogerScatcherd"ssonwasnotamanfittobetrustedwiththeentirecontrolofanenormousfortune。
SirRogerScatcherdhadbutonechild；thatchildwhichhadbeenborninthedaysofhisearlytroubles，andhadbeendismissedfromhismother"sbreastinorderthatthemother"smilkmightnourishtheyoungheirofGreshamsbury。Theboyhadgrownup，buthadbecomestrongneitherinmindnorbody。Hisfatherhaddeterminedtomakeagentlemanofhim，andhadsenttoEtonandCambridge。Buteventhisreceipt，generallyasitisrecognized，willnotmakeagentleman。Itishard，indeed，todefinewhatreceiptwilldoso，thoughpeopledohaveintheirownmindssomecertainundefined，butyettolerablycorrectideasonthesubject。Bethatasitmay，twoyearsatEton，andthreetermsatCambridge，didnotmakeagentlemanofLouisPhilippeScatcherd。
Yes；hewaschristenedLouisPhilippe，aftertheKingoftheFrench。Ifonewishestolookoutintheworldforroyalnomenclature，tofindchildrenwhohavebeenchristenedafterkingsandqueens，ortheunclesandauntsofkingsandqueens，thesearchshouldbemadeinthefamiliesofdemocrats。Nonehavesoservileadeferencefortheverynail-paringsofroyalty；nonefeelsowonderinganaweattheexaltationofacrownedhead；nonearesoanxioustosecurethemselvessomeshredorfragmentthathasbeenconsecratedbytheroyaltouch。Itisthedistancewhichtheyfeeltoexistbetweenthemselves，andthethronewhichmakesthemcovetthecrumbsofmajesty，theoddsandendsandchancesplintersofroyalty。
TherewasnothingroyalaboutLouisPhilippeScatcherdbuthisname。Hehadnowcometoman"sestate，andhisfather，findingtheCambridgereceipttobeinefficacious，hadsenthimabroadtotravelwithatutor。Thedoctorhadfromtimetotimeheardtidingsofthisyouth；
heknewthathehadalreadyshownsymptomsofhisfather"svices，butnosymptomsofhisfather"stalents；heknewthathehadbegunlifebybeingdissipated，withoutbeinggenerous；andthatattheageoftwenty-onehehadalreadysufferedfromdeliriumtremens。
Itwasonthisaccountthathehadexpresseddisapprobation，ratherthansurprise，whenheheardthathisfatherintendedtobequeaththebulkofhislargefortunetotheuncontrolledwillofthisunfortunateboy。
"Ihavetoiledformymoneyhard，andIhavearighttodoasIlikewithit。Whatothersatisfactioncanitgiveme？"
Thedoctorassuredhimthathedidnotatallmeantodisputethis。
"LouisPhilippewilldowellenough，you"llfind，"continuedthebaronet，understandingwhatwaspassingwithinhiscompanion"sbreast。
"Letayoungfellowsowhiswildoatswhileheisyoung，andhe"llbesteadyenoughwhenhegrowsold。"
"Butwhatifheneverlivestogetthroughthesowing？"thoughtthedoctortohimself。"Whatifthewild-oatsoperationiscarriedoninsoviolentamannerastoleavenostrengthinthesoilfortheproductofamorevaluablecrop？"Itwasofnousesayingthis，however，soheallowedScatcherdtocontinue。
"IfI"dhadafreeflingwhenIwasayoungster，Ishouldn"thavebeensofondofthebrandybottlenow。Butanyway，mysonshallbemyheir。I"vehadthegumptiontomakethemoney，butIhaven"tthegumptiontospendit。Myson，however，shallbeabletoruffleitwiththebestofthem。I"llgobailheshallholdhisheadhigherthaneveryoungGreshamwillbeabletoholdhis。Theyaremuchofthesameage，aswellIhavecausetoremember；——andsohasherladyshiphere。"
Nowthefactwas，thatSirRogerScatcherdfeltinhisheartnospecialloveforyoungGresham；butwithherladyshipitmightalmostbeaquestionwhethershedidnotlovetheyouthwhomshehadnursedalmostaswellasthatotheronewhowasherownproperoffspring。
"Andwillyounotputanycheckonthoughtlessexpenditure？Ifyoulivetenortwentyyears，aswehopeyoumay，itwillbecomeunnecessary；
butinmakingawill，amanshouldalwaysrememberhemaygooffsuddenly。"
"Especiallyifhegoestobedwithabrandybottleunderhishead；eh，doctor？But，mind，that"samedicalsecret，youknow；notawordofthatoutofthebedroom。"
DrThornecouldbutsigh。Whatcouldhesayonsuchasubjecttosuchamanasthis？
"Yes，Ihaveputacheckonhisexpenditure。Iwillnotlethisdailybreaddependonanyman；Ihavethereforelethimfivehundredayearathisowndisposal，fromthedayofmydeath。Lethimmakewhatducksanddrakesofthathecan。"
"Fivehundredayeariscertainlynotmuch，"saidthedoctor。
"No；nordoIwanttokeephimtothat。Lethimhavewhateverhewantsifhesetsaboutspendingitproperly。Butthebulkoftheproperty——thisestateofBoxallHill，andtheGreshamsburymortgage，andthoseothermortgages——Ihavetiedupinthisway：theyshallbeallhisattwenty-five；anduptothatageitshallbeinyourpowertogivehimwhathewants。Ifheshalldiewithoutchildrenbeforeheshallbetwenty-fiveyearsofage，theyarealltogotoMary"seldestchild。"
NowMarywasSirRoger"ssister，themother，therefore，ofMissThorne，and，consequently，thewifeoftherespectableironmongerwhowenttoAmerica，andthemotherofafamilythere。
"Mary"seldestchild！"saidthedoctor，feelingthattheperspirationhadnearlybrokenoutonhisforehead，andthathecouldhardlycontrolhisfeelings。"Mary"seldestchild！Scatcherd，youshouldbemoreparticularinyourdescription，oryouwillleaveyourbestlegacytothelawyers。"
"Idon"tknow，andneverheardthenameofoneofthem。"
"Butdoyoumeanaboyoragirl？"
"TheymaybeallgirlsforwhatIknow，orallboys；besides，Idon"tcarewhichitis。Agirlwouldprobablydobestwithit。Onlyyou"dhavetoseethatshemarriedsomedecentfellow；you"dbeherguardian。"
"Pooh，nonsense，"saidthedoctor。"Louiswillbefive-and-twentyinayearortwo。"
"Inaboutfouryears。"
"Andforallthat"scomeandgoneyet，Scatcherd，youarenotgoingtoleaveusyourselfquitesosoonasallthat。"
"NotifIcanhelpit；butthat"sasmaybe。"
"Thechancesaretentoonethatsuchaclauseinyourwillwillnevercometobear。"
"Quiteso，quiteso。IfIdie，LouisPhilippewon"t，butIthoughtitrighttoputinsomethingtopreventhissquanderingitallbeforehecomestohissenses。"
"Oh！quiteright，quiteright。IthinkIwouldhavenamedalateragethantwenty-five。"
"SowouldnotI。LouisPhilippewillbeallrightbythattime。That"smylookout。Andnow，doctor，youknowmywill；andifIdieto-morrow，youwillknowwhatIwantyoutodoforme。"
"Youhavemerelysaidtheeldestchild，Scatcherd？"
"That"sall；giveithere；andI"llreadittoyou。"
"No；no；nevermind。Theeldestchild！Youshouldbemoreparticular，Scatcherd；youshould，indeed。Considerwhatanenormousinterestmayhavetodependonthosewords。"
"Why，whatthedevilcouldIsay？Idon"tknowtheirnames；neverevenheardthem。Buttheeldestistheeldest，alltheworldover。PerhapsIoughttosaytheyoungest，seeingthatIamonlyarailwaycontractor。"
ScatcherdbegantothinkthatthedoctormightnowaswellgoawayandleavehimtothesocietyofWinterbonesandthebrandy；but，muchasourfriendhadbeforeexpressedhimselfinahurry，henowseemedinclinedtomoveveryleisurely。Hesattherebythebedside，restinghishandsonhiskneesandgazingunconsciouslyatthecounterpane。Atlasthegaveadeepsigh，andthenhesaid，"Scatcherd，youmustbemoreparticularinthis。IfIamtohaveanythingtodowithit，youmust，indeed，bemoreexplicit。"
"Why，howthedeucecanIbemoreexplicit？Isn"thereldestlivingchildplainenough，whetherhebeJack，orshebeGill？"
"Whatdidyourlawyersaytothis，Scatcherd？"
"Lawyer！Youdon"tsupposeIletmylawyerknowwhatIwasputting。
No；Igottheformandthepaper，andallthatfromhim，andIdiditinanother。It"sallrightenough。ThoughWinterboneswroteit，hediditinsuchawayhedidnotknowwhathewaswriting。"
Thedoctorsatawhilelonger，stilllookingatthecounter-pane，andthengotuptodepart。"I"llseeyouagainsoon，"saidhe；"to-morrow，probably。"
"To-morrow！"saidSirRoger，notatallunderstandingwhyDrThorneshouldtalkofreturningsosoon。"To-morrow！whyIain"tsobadasthat，man，amI？Ifyoucomesooftenasthatyouwillruinme。"
"Oh，notasamedicalman；notasthat；butaboutthiswill，Scatcherd。Imustthinkifover；Imust，indeed。"
"YouneednotgiveyourselftheleasttroubleintheworldaboutmywilltillI"mdead；nottheleast。Andwhoknows——maybe，Imaybesettlingyouraffairsyet；eh，doctor？lookingafteryourniecewhenyou"redeadandgone，andgettingahusbandforher，eh？Ha！ha！ha！"
Andthen，withoutfurtherspeech，thedoctorwenthisway。
CHAPTERXI
THEDOCTORDRINKSHISTEA
Thedoctorgotonhiscobandwenthisway，returningdulytoGreshamsbury。But，intruth，ashewenthehardlyknewwhitherhewasgoing，orwhathewasdoing。SirRogerhadhintedthatthecobwouldbecompelledtomakeupforlosttimebyextraexertionontheroad；
butthecobhadneverbeenpermittedtohavehisownwayastopacemoresatisfactorilythanonthepresentoccasion。Thedoctor，indeed，hardlyknewthathewasonhorseback，socompletelywasheenvelopedinthecloudofhisownthoughts。
Inthefirstplace，thatalternativewhichithadbecomehimtoputbeforethebaronetasoneunlikelytooccur——thatofthespeedydeathofbothfatherandson——wasonewhichhefeltinhisheartofheartsmightveryprobablycometopass。
"Thechancesaretentoonethatsuchaclausewillneverbebroughttobear。"Thishehadsaidpartlytohimself，soastoeasethethoughtswhichcamecrowdingonhisbrain；partly，also，inpityforthepatientandthefather。Butnowthathethoughtthematterover，hefeltthattherewerenosuchodds。Werenottheoddstheotherway？Wasitnotalmostprobablethatboththesemenmightbegatheredtotheirlongaccountwithinthenextfouryears？One，theelder，wasastrongman，indeed；onewhomightyetliveforyearstocomeifhecouldbutgivehimselffairplay。Butthen，hehimselfprotested，andprotestedwithatruthtoosurelygrounded，thatfairplaytohimselfwasbeyondhisownpowertogive。Theother，theyounger，hadeverythingagainsthim。Notonlywasheapoor，punycreature，withoutphysicalstrength，oneofwhoselifeafriendcouldneverfeelsureunderanycircumstances，buthealsowasalreadyaddictedtohisfather"svices；
healsowasalreadykillinghimselfwithalcohol。
Andthen，ifthesetwomendiddiewithintheprescribedperiod，ifthisclauseofSirRoger"swillwerebroughttobear，itshouldbecomehis，DrThorne"s，dutytoseethatclausecarriedout，howwouldhebeboundtoact？Thatwoman"seldestchildwashisownniece，hisadoptedbairn，hisdarling，theprideofhisheart，thecynosureofhiseye，hischildalso，hisownMary。Ofallhisdutiesonthisearth，nexttothatonegreatdutytohisGodandconscience，washisdutytoher。
What，underthesecircumstances，didhisdutytoherrequireofhim？
Butthen，thatonegreatduty，thatdutywhichshewouldbethefirsttoexpectfromhim；whatdidthatdemandofhim？HadScatcherdmadehiswillwithoutsayingwhatitsclauseswere，itseemedtoThornethatMarymusthavebeentheheiress，shouldthatclausebecomenecessarilyoperative。Whethersheweresoornotwouldatanyratebeforlawyerstodecide。Butnowthecasewasverydifferent。Thisrichmanhadconfidedinhim，andwoulditnotbeabreachofconfidence，anactofabsolutedishonesty——anactofdishonestybothtoScatcherdandtothatfar-distantAmericanfamily，tothatfather，who，informerdays，hadbehavedsonobly，andtothateldestchildofhis，woulditnotbegrossdishonestytothemallifheallowedthismantoleaveawillbywhichhispropertymightgotoapersonneverintendedtobehisheir？
LongbeforehehadarrivedatGreshamsburyhismindonthispointhadbeenmadeup。Indeed，ithadbeenmadeupwhilesittingtherebyScatcherd"sbedside。Ithadnotbeendifficulttomakeuphismindtosomuch；butthen，hiswayoutofthisdishonestywasnotsoeasyforhimtofind。Howshouldhesetthismatterrighttoastoinflictnoinjuryonhisniece，andnosorrowtohimself——ifthatindeedcouldbeavoided？
Andthenotherthoughtscrowdedonhisbrain。Hehadalwaysprofessed——professedatanyratetohimselfandtoher——thatofallthevileobjectsofaman"sambition，wealth，wealthmerelyforitsownsake，wasthevilest。They，intheirjointschoolofinherentphilosophy，hadprogressedtoideaswhichtheymightfinditnoteasytocarryout，shouldtheybecalledonbyeventstodoso。Andifthiswouldhavebeendifficulttoeitherwhenactingonbehalfofselfalone，howmuchmoredifficultwhenonemighthavetoactfortheother！Thisdifficultyhadnowcometotheuncle。Shouldhe，inthisemergency，takeuponhimselftoflingawaythegoldenchancewhichmightaccruetohisnieceifScatcherdshouldbeencouragedtomakeherpartlyhisheir？
"He"dwanthertogoandlivethere——tolivewithhimandhiswife。
AllthemoneyintheBankofEnglandwouldnotpayherforsuchmisery，"
saidthedoctortohimself，asheslowlyrodeintoisownyard。
Ononepoint，andoneonly，hadhedefinitelymadeuphismind。OnthefollowingdayhewouldgooveragaintoBoxallHill，andwouldtellScatcherdthewholetruth。Comewhatmight，thetruthmustbebest。
Andso，withsomegleamofcomfort，hewentintothehouse，andfoundhisnieceinthedrawing-roomwithPatienceOriel。
"MaryandIhavebeenquarrelling，"saidPatience。"Shesaysthedoctoristhegreatestmaninavillage；andIsaytheparsonisofcourse。"
"Ionlysaythatthedoctoristhemostlookedafter，"saidMary。
"There"sanotherhorridmessageforyoutogotoSilverbridge，uncle。
Whycan"tthatDrCenturymanagehisownpeople？"
"Shesays，"continuedMissOriel，"thatifaparsonwasawayforamonth，noonewouldmisshim；butthatadoctorissopreciousthathisveryminutesarecounted。"
"Iamsureuncle"sare。Theybegrudgehimhismeals。MrOrielnevergetscalledawaytoSilverbridge。"
"No；weintheChurchmanageourparisharrangementsbetterthanyoudo。Wedon"tletstrangepractitionersinamongourflocksbecausethesheepmaychancetofancythem。Oursheephavetoputupwithourspiritualdoseswhethertheylikethemornot。Inthatrespectwearemuchthebestoff。Iadviseyou，Mary，tomarryaclergyman，byallmeans。"
"Iwillwhenyoumarryadoctor，"saidshe。
"Iamsurenothingonearthwouldgivemegreaterpleasure，"saidMissOriel，gettingupandcurtseyingverylowtoDrThorne；"butIamnotquitepreparedfortheagitationofanofferthismorning，soI"llrunaway。"
Andsoshewent；andthedoctor，gettingtohisotherhorse，startedagainforSilverbridge，wearilyenough。"She"shappynowwheresheis，"saidhetohimself，asherodealong。"TheyalltreatherthereasanequalatGreshamsbury。WhatthoughshebenocousintotheThornesofUllathorne。Shehasfoundherplacethereamongthemall，andkeepsitonequaltermswiththebestofthem。ThereisMissOriel；herfamilyishigh；sheisrich，fashionable，abeauty，courtedbyeveryone；butyetshedoesnotlookdownonMary。Theyareequalfriendstogether。ButhowwoulditbeifsheweretakentoBoxallHill，evenasarecognizednieceoftherichmanthere？WouldPatienceOrielandBeatriceGreshamgothereafterher？Couldshebehappythereassheisinmyhousehere，poorthoughitbe？ItwouldkillhertopassamonthwithLadyScatcherdandputupwiththatman"shumours，toseehismodeoflife，tobedependentonhim，tobelongtohim。"Andthenthedoctor，hurryingontoSilverbridge，againmetDrCenturyattheoldlady"sbedside，andhavingmadehisendeavourstostaveofftheinexorablecomingofthegrimvisitor，againreturnedtohisownnieceandhisowndrawing-room。
"Youmustbedead，uncle，"saidMary，asshepouredouthisteaforhim，andpreparedthecomfortsofthatmostcomfortablemeal-tea，dinner，andsupper，allinone。"IwishSilverbridgewasfiftymilesoff。"
"Thatwouldonlymakethejourneyworse；butIamnotdeadyet，and，whatismoretothepurpose，neitherismypatient。"Andashespokehecontrivedtoswallowajorumofscaldingtea，containinginmeasuresomewhatnearapint。Mary，notawhitamazedatthisfeat，merelyrefilledthejorumwithoutanyobservation；andthedoctorwentonstirringthemixturewithhisspoon，evidentlyobliviousthatanyceremonyhadbeenperformedbyeitherofthemsincethefirstsupplyhadbeenadministeredtohim。
Whentheclatterofknivesandforkswasover，thedoctorturnedhimselftothehearthrug，andputtingonelegovertheother，hebegantonurseitashelookedwithcomplacencyathisthirdcupoftea，whichstooduntastedbesidehim。Thefragmentsofthesolidbanquethadbeenremoved，butnosacrilegioushandhadbeenlaidontheteapotandthecream-jug。
"Mary，"saidhe，"supposeyouweretofindoutto-morrowmorningthat，bysomeaccident，youhadbecomeagreatheiress，wouldyoubeabletosuppressyourexultation？"
"ThefirstthingI"ddo，wouldbetopronounceapositiveedictthatyoushouldnevergotoSilverbridgeagain；atleastwithoutaday"snotice。"
"Well，andwhatnext？whatwouldyoudonext？"
"Thenextthing——thenextthingwouldbetosendtoParisforaFrenchbonnetexactlyliketheonePatienceOrielhadon。Didyouseeit？"
"WellIcan"tsayIdid；bonnetsareinvisiblenow；besidesIneverremarkanybody"sclothes，exceptyours。"
"Oh！dolookatMissOriel"sbonnetthenexttimeyouseeher。Icannotunderstandwhyitshouldbeso，butIamsureofthis——noEnglishfingersputtogethersuchabonnetasthat；andIamnearlysurethatnoFrenchfingerscoulddoitinEngland。"
"Butyoudon"tcaresomuchaboutbonnets，Mary！"Thisthedoctorsaidasanassertion；buttherewas，nevertheless，somewhatofaquestioninvolvedinit。
"Don"tIthough？"saidshe。"Idocareverymuchaboutbonnets；
especiallysinceIsawPatiencethismorning。Iaskedhowmuchitcost——guess。"
"Oh！Idon"tknow——apound？"
"Apound，uncle！"
"What！agreatdealmore？Tenpounds？"
"Oh，uncle。"
"What！morethantenpounds？ThenIdon"tthinkevenPatienceOrieloughttogiveit。"
"No，ofcourseshewouldnot；but，uncle，itreallycostahundredfrancs！"
"Oh！ahundredfrancs；that"sfourpounds，isn"tit？Well，andhowmuchdidyourlastnewbonnetcost？"
"Mine！oh，nothing——fiveandninepence，perhaps；Itrimmeditmyself。
IfIwereleftagreatfortune，I"dsendtoParisto-morrow；no，I"dgomyselftoParistobuyabonnet，andI"dtakeyouwithmetochooseit。"
Thedoctorsatsilentforawhilemeditatingaboutthis，duringwhichheunconsciouslyabsorbedtheteabesidehim；andMaryagainreplenishedhiscup。
"Come，Mary，"hesaidatlast，"I"minagenerousmood；andasIamrathermorerichthanusual，we"llsendtoParisforaFrenchbonnet。ThegoingforitmustwaitawhilelongerIamafraid。"
"You"rejoking。"
"No，indeed。Ifyouknowthewaytosend——thatImustconfesswouldpuzzleme；butifyou"llmanagethesending，I"llmanagethepaying；
andyoushallhaveaFrenchbonnet。"
"Uncle！"saidshe，lookingupathim。
"Oh，I"mnotjoking；Ioweyouapresent，andI"llgiveyouthat。"
"Andifyoudo，I"lltellyouwhatI"lldowithit。I"llcutitintofragments，andburnthembeforeyourface。Why，uncle，whatdoyoutakemefor？You"renotabitniceto-nighttomakesuchanofferasthattome；notabit，notabit。"Andthenshecameoverfromherseatatthetea-trayandsatdownonafoot-stoolcloseathisknee。
"BecauseI"dhaveaFrenchbonnetifIhadalargefortune，isthatareasonwhyIshouldlikeonenow？ifyouweretopayfourpoundsforabonnetforme，itwouldscorchmyheadeverytimeIputiton。"
"Idon"tseethat：fourpoundswouldnotruinme。However，Idon"tthinkyou"dlookabitbetterifyouhadit；and，certainly，Ishouldnotliketoscorchtheselocks，"andputtinghishanduponhershoulders，heplayedwithherhair。
"Patiencehasapony-phaeton，andI"dhaveoneifIwererich；andI"dhaveallmybooksboundasshedoes；and，perhaps，I"dgivefiftyguineasforadressing-case。"
"Fiftyguineas！"
"Patiencedidnottellme；butsoBeatricesays。Patienceshowedittomeonce，anditisadarling。IthinkI"dhavethedressing-casebeforethebonnet。But，uncle——"
"Well？"
"Youdon"tsupposeIwantsuchthings？"
"Notimproperly。Iamsureyoudonot。"
"Notproperly，orimproperly；notmuch，orlittle。Icovetmanythings；butnothingofthatsort。Youknow，orshouldknow，thatIdonot。WhydoyoutalkofbuyingaFrenchbonnetforme？"
DrThornedidnotanswerthisquestion，butwentonnursinghisleg。
"Afterall，"saidhe，"moneyisafinething。"
"Veryfine，whenitiswellcomeby，"sheanswered；"thatis，withoutdetrimenttotheheartandsoul。"
"IshouldbeahappiermanifyouwereprovidedforasMissOriel。
Suppose，now，Icouldgiveyouuptoarichmanwhowouldbeabletoinsureyouagainstallwants？"
"Insuremeagainstallwants！Oh，thatwouldbeaman。Thatwouldbesellingme，wouldn"tit，uncle？Yes，sellingme；andthepriceyouwouldreceivewouldbefreedomfromfutureapprehensionsasregardsme。Itwouldbeacowardlysaleforyoutomake；andthen，astome——methevictim。No，uncle；youmustbearthemiseryofhavingtoprovideforme——bonnetsandall。Weareinthesameboat，andyoushan"tturnmeoverboard。"
"ButifIweretodie，whatwouldyoudothen？"
"AndifIweretodie，whatwouldyoudo？Peoplemustbeboundtogether。Theymustdependoneachother。Ofcourse，misfortunesmaycome；butitiscowardlytobeafraidofthembeforehand。YouandI
areboundtogether，uncle；andthoughyousaythesethingstoteaseme，Iknowyoudonotwishtogetridofme。"
"Well，well；weshallwinthrough，doubtless；ifnotinoneway，theninanother。"
"Winthrough！Ofcourseweshall；whodoubtsourwinning？but，uncle——"
"But，Mary。"
"Well？"
"Youhaven"tgotanothercupoftea，haveyou？"
"Oh，uncle！youhavehadfive。"
"No，mydear！notfive；onlyfour——onlyfour。Iassureyou；Ihavebeenveryparticulartocount。IhadonewhileIwas——"
"Fiveuncle；indeedandindeed。"
"Well，then，asIhatetheprejudicewhichattacheslucktoanoddnumber，I"llhavethesixthtoshowthatIamnotsuperstitious。"
WhileMarywaspreparingthesixthjorum，therecameaknockatthedoor。ThoselatesummonseswerehatefultoMary"sear，fortheywereusuallyforerunnersofamidnightridethroughthedarklanestosomefarmer"shouse。Thedoctorhadbeeninthesaddleallday，and，asJanetbroughtthenoteintotheroom，Marystoodupasthoughtodefendherunclefromanyfurtherinvasiononhisrest。
"Anotefromthehouse，miss，"saidJanet：now"thehouse"，inGreshamsburyparlance，alwaysmeantthesquire"smansion。
"Nooneillatthehouse，Ihope，"saidthedoctor，takingthenotefromMary"shand。"Oh——ah——yes；it"sfromthesquire——there"snobodyill：waitaminute，Janet，andI"llwritealine。Mary，lendmeyourdesk。"
Thesquire，anxiousasusualformoney，hadwrittentoaskwhatsuccessthedoctorhadhadinnegotiatingthenewloanwithSirRoger。Thatfact，however，was，thatinhisvisittoBoxallHill，thedoctorhadbeenaltogetherunabletobringonthecarpetthematterofthisloan。
Subjectshadcrowdedthemselvesintooquicklyduringthatinterview——thosetwointerviewsatSirRoger"sbedside；andhehadbeenobligedtoleavewithoutevenalludingtothequestion。
"Imustatanyrategobacknow，"hesaidtohimself。Sohewrotetothesquire，sayingthathewastobeatBoxallHillagainonthefollowingday，andthathewouldcallatthehouseonhisreturn。
"That"sallsettled，atanyrate，"saidhe。
"What"ssettled？"saidMary。
"Why，ImustgotoBoxallHillagainto-morrow。Imustgoearly，too，sowe"dbetterbothbeofftobed。TellJanetImustbreakfastathalf-pastseven。"
"Youcouldn"ttakeme，couldyou？IshouldsoliketoseethatSirRoger。"
"ToseeSirRoger！Why，he"sillinbed。"
"That"sanobjection，certainly；butsomeday，whenhe"swell，couldyounottakemeover？Ihavethegreatestdesiretoseeamanlikethat；amanwhobeganwithnothingandnowhasmorethanenoughtobuythewholeparishofGreshamsbury。"
"Idon"tthinkyou"dlikehimatall。"
"Whynot？IamsureIshould；IamsureIshouldlikehim，andLadyScatcherdtoo。I"veheardyousaythatsheisanexcellentwoman。"
"Yes，inherway；andhe，too，isgoodinhisway；buttheyareneitheroftheminyourway：theyareextremelyvulgar——"
"Oh！Idon"tmindthat；thatwouldmakethemmoreamusing；onedoesn"tgotothosesortofpeopleforpolishedmanners。"
"Idon"tthinkyou"dfindtheScatcherdspleasantacquaintancesatall，"saidthedoctor，takinghisbed-candle，andkissinghisniece"sforeheadashelefttheroom。
CHAPTERXII
WHENGREEKMEETSGREEK，THENCOMESTHETUGOFWAR
Thedoctor，thatisourdoctor，hadthoughtnothingmoreofthemessagewhichhadbeensenttothatotherdoctor，DrFillgrave；norintruthdidthebaronet。LadyScatcherdhadthoughtofit，butherhusbandduringtherestofthedaywasnotinahumourwhichallowedhertoremindhimthathewouldsoonhaveanewphysicianonhishands；sosheleftthedifficultytoarrangeitself，waitinginsomelittletrepidationtillDrFillgraveshouldshowhimself。
ItwaswellthatSirRogerwasnotdyingforwantofhisassistance，forwhenthemessagereachedBarchester，DrFillgravewassomefiveorsixmilesoutoftown，atPlumstead；andashedidnotgetbacktilllateintheevening，hefelthimselfnecessitatedtoputoffhisvisittoBoxallHilltillnextmorning。Hadhechancedtohavebeenmadeacquaintedwiththatlittleconversationaboutthepump，hewouldprobablyhavepostponeditevenyetawhilelonger。
Hewas，however，bynomeanssorrytobesummonedtothebedsideofSirRogerScatcherd。ItwaswellknownatBarchester，andverywellknowntoDrFillgrave，thatSirRogerandDrThornewereoldfriends。Itwasverywellknowntohimalso，thatSirRoger，inallhisbodilyailments，hadhithertobeencontentedtoentrusthissafetytotheskillofhisoldfriend。SirRogerwasinhiswayagreatman，andmuchtalkedofinBarchester，andrumourhadalreadyreachedtheearsoftheBarchesterGalen，thatthegreatrailwaycontractorwasill。
When，therefore，hereceivedaperemptorysummonstogoovertoBoxallHill，hecouldnotbutthinkthatsomepurelighthadbrokeninuponSirRoger"sdarkness，andtaughthimatlastwheretolookfortruemedicalaccomplishment。
Andthen，also，SirRogerwastherichestmaninthecounty，andtocountypractitionersanewpatientwithlargemeansisagodsend；howmuchgreateragodsendwhennotonlyacquired，buttakenalsofromsomerivalpractitioner，needhardlybeexplained。
DrFillgrave，therefore，wassomewhatelatedwhen，afteranearlybreakfast，hesteppedintothepost-chaisewhichwastocarryhimtoBoxallHill。DrFillgrave"sprofessionaladvancementhadbeensufficienttojustifytheestablishmentofabrougham，inwhichhepaidhisordinaryvisitsroundBarchester；butthiswasaspecialoccasion，requiringspecialspeed，andabouttoproducenodoubtaspecialguerdon，andthereforeapairofpost-horseswereputintorequest。
Itwashardlyyetninewhenthepost-boysomewhatloudlyrangthebellatSirRoger"sdoor；andthenDrFillgrave，forthefirsttime，foundhimselfinthenewgrandhallofBoxallHillhouse。
"I"lltellmylady，"saidtheservant，showinghimintothegranddining-room；andthereforsomefifteenminutesortwentyminutesDrFillgravewalkedupanddownthelengthoftheTurkeycarpetallalone。
DrFillgravewasnotatallman，andwasperhapsrathermoreinclinedtocorpulencethanbecamehisheight。Inhisstocking-feet，accordingtotheusuallyreceivedstyleofmeasurement，hewasfivefeetfive；
andhehadalittleroundabdominalprotuberance，whichaninchandahalfaddedtotheheelsofhisbootshardlyenabledhimtocarryoffaswellashehimselfwouldhavewished。Ofthishewasapparentlyconscious，anditgavetohimanairofnotbeingentirelyathisease。Therewas，however，apersonaldignityinhisdemeanour，aproprietyinhisgait，andanairofauthorityinhisgestureswhichshouldprohibitonefromstigmatizingthoseeffortsataltitudeasafailure。Nodoubthedidachievemuch；but，nevertheless，theeffortwouldoccasionallybetrayitself，andthestoryofthefrogandtheoxwouldirresistiblyforceitselfintoone"smindatthosemomentswhenitmostbehovedDrFillgravetobemagnificent。
Butifthebulgyroundnessofhispersonandtheshortnessofhislegsinanywaydetractedfromhispersonalimportance，thesetriflingdefectswere，hewaswellaware，morethanatonedforbythepeculiardignityofhiscountenance。Ifhislegswereshort，hisfacewasnot；
iftherewasanyunduepreponderancebelowthewaistcoat，allwasinduesymmetryabovethenecktie。Hishairwasgrey，notgrizzled，norwhite，butproperlygrey；andstoodupstraightfromhistemplesoneachside，withanunbendingdeterminationofpurpose。Hiswhiskers，whichwereofanadmirableshape，comingdownandturninggracefullyattheangleofhisjaw，weregreyalso，butsomewhatdarkerthanhishair。HisenemiesinBarchesterdeclaredthattheirperfectshadewasproducedbyaleadencomb。Hiseyeswerenotbrilliant，butwereveryeffective，andwellundercommand。Hewasrathershort-sighted，andapairofeye-glasseswasalwaysonhisnose，orinhishand。Hisnosewaslong，andwellpronounced，andhischin，also，wassufficientlyprominent；butthegreatfeatureofhisfacewashismouth。Theamountofsecretmedicalknowledgeofwhichhecouldgiveassurancebythepressureofthoselipswastrulywonderful。Byhislips，also，hecouldbemostexquisitelycourteous，ormoststernlyforbidding。Andnotonlycouldhebeeithertheoneortheother；buthecouldathiswillassumeanyshadeofdifferencebetweenthetwo，andproduceanymixtureofsentiment。
WhenDrFillgravewasfirstshownintoSirRoger"sdining-room，hewalkedupanddowntheroomforawhilewitheasy，jauntystep，withhishandsjoinedtogetherbehindhisback，calculatingthepriceofthefurniture，andcountingtheheadswhichmightbeadequatelyentertainedinaroomofsuchnobleproportions；butinsevenoreightminutesanairofimpatiencemighthavebeenseentosuffusehisface。Whycouldhenotbeshownintothesickman"sroom？Whatnecessitycouldtherebeforkeepinghimthere，asthoughheweresomeapothecarywithaboxofleechesinhispocket？Hethenrangthebell，perhapsalittleviolently。"DoesSirRogerknowthatIamhere？"hesaidtotheservant。"I"lltellmylady，"saidtheman，againvanishing。
Forfiveminutesmorehewalkedupanddown，calculatingnolongerthevalueofthefurniture，butratherthatofhisownimportance。Hewasnotwonttobekeptwaitinginthisway；andthoughSirRogerScatcherdwasatpresentagreatandrichman，DrFillgravehadrememberedhimaverysmallandaverypoorman。HenowbegantothinkofSirRogerasthestone-mason，andtochafesomewhatmoreviolentlyatbeingsokeptbysuchaman。
Whenoneisimpatient，fiveminutesisasthedurationofalltime，andaquarterofanhouriseternity。AttheendoftwentyminutesthestepofDrFillgraveupanddowntheroomhadbecomeveryquick，andhehadjustmadeuphismindthathewouldnotstaytherealldaytotheseriousdetriment，perhapsfatalinjury，ofhisotherexpectantpatients。Hishandwasagainonthebell，andwasabouttobeusedwithvigour，whenthedooropenedandLadyScatcherdentered。
"Oh，laws！"Suchhadbeenherfirstexclamationonhearingthatthedoctorwasinthedining-room。Shewasstandingatthetimewithherhousekeeperinasmallroominwhichshekeptherlinenandjam，andinwhich，incompanywiththesamehousekeeper，shespentthehappiestmomentsofherlife。
"Ohlaws！now，Hannah，whatshallwedo？"
"Send"unupatoncetomaster，mylady！letJohntake"unup。"
"There"llbesucharowinthehouse，Hannah；Iknowtherewill。"
"Butsurelydidn"thesendfor"un？Letthemasterhavetherowhimself，then；that"swhatI"ddo，mylady，"addedHannah，seeingthatherladyshipstillstoodtremblingindoubt，bitingherthumb-nail。
"Youcouldn"tgouptothemasteryourself，couldnow，Hannah？"saidLadyScatcherdinhermostpersuasivetone。
"Whyno，"saidHannah，afteralittledeliberation；"no，I"mafeardI
couldn"t。"
"ThenImustjustfaceitmyself。"Andupwentthewifetotellherlordthatthephysicianforwhomhehadsenthadcometoattendhisbidding。
Intheinterviewwhichthentookplacethebaronethadnotindeedbeenviolent，buthehadbeenverydetermined。Nothingonearth，hesaid，shouldinducehimtoseeDrFillgraveandoffendhisdearoldfriendDrThorne。
"ButRoger，"saidherladyship，halfcrying，orratherpretendingtocryinvexation，"whatshallIdowiththeman？HowshallIgethimoutofthehouse？"
"Puthimunderthepump，"saidthebaronet；andhelaughedhispeculiarlowgutturallaugh，whichtoldsoplainlyofthehavocwhichbrandyhadmadeinhisthroat。
"That"snonsense，Roger；youknowIcan"tputhimunderthepump。Nowyouareill，andyou"dbetterseehimjustforfiveminutes。I"llmakeitrightwithDrThorne。"
"I"llbed——ifIdo，mylady。"AllthepeopleaboutBoxallHillcalledpoorLadyScatcherd"mylady"asiftherewassomeexcellentjokeinit；and，so，indeed，therewas。
"Youknowyouneedn"tmindnothinghesays，noryettakenothinghesends：andI"lltellhimnottocomenomore。Nowdo"eeseehim，Roger。"
ButtherewasnotcoaxingRogerovernow，indeedever：hewasawilful，headstrong，masterfulman；atyrantalwaysthoughneveracruelone；
andaccustomedtorulehiswifeandhouseholdasdespoticallyashedidhisgangsofworkmen。Suchmenitisnoteasytocoaxover。
"YougodownandtellhimIdon"twanthim，andwon"tseehim，andthat"sanendofit。Ifhechosetoearnhismoney，whydidn"thecomeyesterdaywhenhewassentfor？I"mwellnow，anddon"twanthim；andwhat"smore，Iwon"thavehim。Winterbones，lockthedoor。"
SoWinterbones，whoduringthisinterviewhadbeenatworkathislittletable，gotuptolockthedoor，andLadyScatcherdhadnoalternativebuttopassthroughitbeforethelastedictwasobeyed。
LadyScatcherd，withslowstep，wentdownstairsandagainsoughtcounselwithHannah，andthetwo，puttingtheirheadstogether，agreedthattheonlycureforthepresentevilwastofoundinagoodfee。SoLadyScatcherd，withafive-poundnoteinherhand，andtremblingineverylimb，wentforthtoencountertheaugustpresenceofDrFillgrave。
Asthedooropened，DrFillgravedroppedthebell-ropewhichwasinhishand，andbowedlowtothelady。Thosewhoknewthedoctorwell，wouldhaveknownfromhisbowthathewasnotwellpleased；itwasasmuchasthoughhesaid，"LadyScatcherd，Iamyourmostobedientservant；atanyrateitappearsthatitisyourpleasuretotreatmeassuch。"
LadyScatcherddidnotunderstandallthis；butsheperceivedatoncethathewasangry。
"IhopeSirRogerdoesnotfindhimselfworse，"saidthedoctor。"Themorningisgettingon；shallIstepupandseehim？"
"Hem！ha！oh！Why，yousee，DrFillgrave，SirRogerfindshisselfvastlybetterthismorning，vastlyso。"
"I"mverygladtohearit；butasthemorningisgettingon，shallI
stepuptoseeSirRoger？"
"Why，DrFillgrave，sir，yousee，hefindshisselfsomuchhisselfthismorning，thathea"mostthinksitwouldbeashametotroubleyou。"
"Ashametotroubleme！"ThiswasthesortofshamewhichDrFillgravedidnotatallcomprehend。"Ashametotroubleme！WhyLadyScatcherd——"
LadyScatcherdsawthatshehadnothingforitbuttomakethewholematterintelligible。Moreover，seeingthatsheappreciatedmorethoroughlythesmallnessofDrFillgrave"spersonmorethoroughlythanshedidthepeculiargreatnessofhisdemeanour，shebegantobeashadelessafraidofhimthanshehadthoughtsheshouldhavebeen。
"Yes，DrFillgrave；yousee，whenamanlikehegetswell，hecan"tabidetheideaofdoctors：now，yesterday，hewasallforsendingforyou；butto-dayhecomestohisself，anddon"tseemtowantnodoctoratall。"
ThendidDrFillgraveseemtogrowoutofhisboots，sosuddenlydidhetakeuponhimselfsundrymodesofexpansiveattitude；——togrowoutofhisbootsandtoswellupwards，tillhisangryeyesalmostlookeddownonLadyScatcherd，andeacherecthairbristleduptowardstheheavens。
"Thisisverysingular，verysingular，LadyScatcherd；verysingularindeed；verysingular；quiteunusual。IhavecomeherefromBarchester，atsomeconsiderableinconvenience，atsomeveryconsiderableinconvenience，Imaysay，tomyregularpatients；and——and——and——Idon"tknowthatanythingsoverysingulareveroccurredtomebefore。"AndthenDrFillgrave，withacompressionofhislipswhichalmostmadethepoorwomansinkintotheground，movedtowardsthedoor。
ThenLadyScatcherdbethoughtofhergreatpanacea。"Itisn"taboutthemoney，youknow，doctor，"saidshe；"ofcourseSirRogerdon"texpectyoutocomeherewithpost-horsesfornothing。"Inthis，bytheby，LadyScatcherddidnotstickquiteclosetoveracity，forSirRoger，hadheknownit，wouldbynomeanshaveassentedtoanypayment；
andthenotewhichherladyshipheldinherhandwastakenfromherownprivatepurse。"Itain"taboutthemoney，doctor；"andthenshetenderedthebank-note，whichshethoughtwouldimmediatelymakeallthingssmooth。
NowDrFillgravedearlylovedafive-poundfee。Whatphysicianissounnaturalasnottoloveit？Hedearlylovedafive-poundfee；buthelovedhisdignitybetter。Hewasangryalso；andlikeallangrymen，helovedhisgrievance。Hefeltthathehadbeenbadlytreated；butifhetookthemoneyhewouldthrowawayhisrighttoindulgeinanysuchfeeling。Atthatmomenthisoutrageddignityandcherishedangerwereworthmorethanafive-poundnote。Helookedatitwithwishfulbutstillavertedeyes，andthensternlyrefusedthetender。
"No，madam，"saidhe；"no，no；"andwithhisrighthandraisedwithhiseye-glassesinit，hemotionedawaythetemptingpaper。"No；IshouldhavebeenhappytohavegivenSirRogerthebenefitofanymedicalskillImayhave，seeingthatIwasspeciallycalledin——"
"But，doctor；iftheman"swell，youknow——"
"Oh，ofcourse；ifhe"swell，anddoesnotchoosetoseeme，there"sanendofit。Shouldhehaveanyrelapse，asmytimeisvaluable，hewillperhapsobligemebysendingelsewhere。Madam，goodmorning。Iwill，ifyouwillallowme，ringformycarriage——thatis，post-chaise。"
"But，doctor，you"lltakethemoney；youmusttakethemoney；indeedyou"lltakethemoney，"saidLadyScatcherd，whohadnowbecomereallyunhappyattheideaofherhusband"sunpardonablewhimhadbroughtthismanwithpost-horsesallthewayfromBarchester，andthathewastobepaidnothingforhistimeorcosts。
"No，madam，no。Icouldnotthinkofit。SirRoger，Ihavenodoubt，willknowbetteranothertime。Itisnotaquestionofmoney；notatall。"
"Butitisaquestionofmoney，doctor；andyoureallyshall，youmust。"AndpoorLadyScatcherd，inheranxietytoacquitherselfatanyrateofanypecuniarydebttothedoctor，cametopersonalclosequarterswithhim，withaviewofforcingthenoteintohishands。
"Quiteimpossible，quiteimpossible，"saidthedoctor，stillcherishinghisgrievance，andvaliantlyrejectingtherootofallevil。"Ishallnotdoanythingofthekind，LadyScatcherd。"
"Nowdoctor，do"ee；toobligeme。"
"Quiteoutofthequestion。"Andso，withhishandsandhatbehindhisback，intokenofhisutterrefusaltoacceptanypecuniaryaccommodationofhisinjury，hemadehiswaybackwardstothedoor，herladyshipperseveringlypressinghiminfront。Soeagerhadbeentheattackonhim，thathehadnotwaitedtogivehisorderaboutthepost-chaise，butmadehiswayatoncetowardsthehall。
"Now，do"eetakeit，do"ee，"pressedLadyScatcherd。
"Utterlyoutofthequestion，"saidDrFillgrave，withgreatdeliberation，ashebackedhiswayintothehall。Ashedidso，ofcourseheturnedround，——andhefoundhimselfalmostinthearmsofDrThorne。
AsBurleymighthaveglaredatBothwellwhentheyrushedtogetherinthedreadencounteronthemountainside；asAchillesmayhaveglaredatHectorwhenatlasttheymet，eachresolvedtotestinfatalconflicttheprowessoftheother，sodidDrFillgraveglareathisfoefromGreshamsbury，when，onturningroundonhisexaltedheel，hefoundhisnoseonalevelwiththetopbuttonofDrThorne"swaistcoat。
Andhere，ifitbenottootedious，letuspauseawhiletorecapitulateandadduptheundoubtedgrievancesoftheBarchesterpractitioner。Hehadmadenoefforttoingratiatehimselfintothesheepfoldofthatothershepherd-dog；itwasnotbyhisseekingthathewasnotatBoxallHill；muchashehatedDrThorne，fullsureashefeltofthatman"sutterignorance，ofhisincapacitytoadministerproperlyevenablackdose，ofhismurderingpropensitiesandhislow，mean，unprofessionalstyleofpractice；nevertheless，hehaddonenothingtounderminehimwiththeseScatcherds。DrThornemighthavesenteverymother"ssonatBoxallHilltohislongaccount，andDrFillgravewouldnothaveinterfered；——wouldnothaveinterferedunlessspeciallyanddulycalledupontodoso。
Buthehadbeenanddulycalledon。BeforesuchastepwastakensomewordsmustundoubtedlyhavepassedonthesubjectbetweenThorneandScatcherds。Thornemusthaveknownwhatwastobedone。Havingbeensocalled，DrFillgravehadcome——hadcomeallthewayinapost-chaise——hadbeenrefusedadmittancetothesickman"sroom，onthepleathatthesickmanwasnolongersick；andjustashewasabouttoretirefee-less——forthewantofthefeewasnotthelessagrievancefromthefactofitshavingbeentenderedandrefused——feeless，dishonoured，andindudgeon，heencounteredthisotherdoctor——thisveryrivalwhomhehadbeesenttosupplant；heencounteredhimintheveryactofgoingtothesickman"sroom。
WhatmadfanaticBurley，whatgod-succouredinsolentAchilles，everhadsuchcausetoswellwithwrathasatthatmomenthadDrFillgrave？HadIthepenofMoliere，Icouldfitlytellofsuchmedicalanger，butwithnootherpencanitbefitlytold。Hedidswell，andwhenthehugebulkofhiswrathwasaddedtohisnaturalproportions，heloomedgiganticbeforetheeyesofthesurroundingfollowersofSirRoger。
DrThornesteppedbackthreestepsandtookhishatfromhishead，having，inthepassagefromthehall-doortothedining-room，hithertoomittedtodoso。ItmustbeborneinmindthathehadtoconceptionwhateverthatSirRogerhaddeclinedtoseethephysicianforwhomhehadsent；nonewhateverthatthephysicianwasnotabouttoreturn，feeless，toBarchester。
DrThorneandDrFillgraveweredoubtlesswell-knownenemies。AlltheworldofBarchester，andallthatportionoftheworldofLondonwhichisconcernedwiththelancetandthescalping-knife，werewellawareofthis：theywerecontinuallywritingagainsteachother；continuallyspeakingagainsteachother；butyettheyhadneverhithertocometothatpositivepersonalcollisionwhichisheldtojustifyacutdirect。Theyveryrarelysaweachother；andwhentheydidmeet，itwasinsomecasualwayinthestreetsofBarchesterorelsewhere，andonsuchoccasionstheirhabithadbeentobowwithverycoldpropriety。
Onthepresentoccasion，DrThorneofcoursefeltthatDrFillgravehadthewhip-handofhim；and，withasortofmanlyfeelingonsuchapoint，heconceivedittobemostcompatiblewithhisowndignitytoshow，undersuchcircumstances，morethanhisusualcourtesy——something，perhaps，amountingalmosttocordiality。Hehadbeensupplanted，quoaddoctor，inthehouseofthisrich，eccentric，railwaybaronet，andhewouldshowthatheborenomaliceonthataccount。
Sohesmiledblandlyashetookoffhishat，andinacivilspeechheexpressedahopethatDrFillgravehadnotfoundhispatienttobeinanyveryunfavourablestate。
Herewasanaggravationtothealreadylaceratedfeelingsoftheinjuredman。Hehadbeenbroughtthithertobescoffedatandscornedat，thathemightbealaughing-stocktohisenemies，andfoodformirthtothevile-minded。Heswelledwithnobleangertillhewouldhaveburst，haditnotbeenfortheopportunepaddingofhisfrock-coat。
"Sir，"saidhe；"sir："andhecouldhardlygethislipsopentogiveventtothetumultofhisheart。Perhapshewasnotwrong；foritmaybethathislipsweremoreeloquentthanwouldhavebeenhiswords。
"What"sthematter？"saidDrThorne，openinghiseyeswide，andaddressingLadyScatcherdoverhisheadandacrossthehairsoftheirritatedmanbelowhim。"Whatonearthisthematter？IsanythingwrongwithSirRoger？"
"Oh，laws，doctor！"saidherladyship。"Oh，laws；I"msureitain"tmyfault。Here"sDrFillgrave，inataking，andI"mquitereadytopayhim——quite。Ifamangetspaid，whatmorecanhewant？"Andsheagainheldoutthefive-poundnoteoverDrFillgrave"shead。
Whatmore，indeed，LadyScatcherd，cananyofuswant，ifonlywecouldkeepourtempersandfeelingsalittleinabeyance？DrFillgrave，however，couldnotsokeephis；and，therefore，hedidwantsomethingmore，thoughatthepresentmomenthecouldhardlyhavesaidwhat。
LadyScatcherd"scouragewassomewhatresuscitatedbythepresenceofherancienttrustyally；and，moreover，shebegantoconceivethatthelittlemanbeforeherwasunreasonablebeyondallconsciencewithhisanger，seeingthatthatforwhichhewasreadytoworkhadbeenofferedhimwithoutanyworkatall。
"Madam，"saidhe，againturningroundatLadyScatcherd，"IwasneverbeforetreatedinsuchawayinanyhouseinBarchester——never——never。"
"Goodheavens，DrFillgrave！"saidheofGreshamsbury，"whatisthematter？"
"I"llletyouknowwhatisthematter，sir，"saidhe，turningroundagainasquicklyasbefore。"I"llletyouknowwhatisthematter。
I"llpublishthis，sir，tothemedicalworld；"andasheshriekedoutthewordsofthethreat，hestoodontiptoesandbrandishedhiseye-glassesupalmostintohisenemy"sface。
"Don"tbeangrywithDrThorne，"saidLadyScatcherd。"Anyways，youneedn"tbeangrywithhim。Ifyoumustbeangrywithanybody——"
"Ishallbeangrywithhim，madam，"ejaculatedDrFillgrave，makinganothersuddendemi-pirouette。"Iamangrywithhim——or，rather，I
despisehim；"andcompletingthecircle，DrFillgraveagainbroughthimselfroundinfullfrontofhisfoe。
DrThorneraisedhiseyebrowsandlookedinquiringlyatLadyScatcherd；
buttherewasaquietsarcasticmotionroundhismouthwhichbynomeanshadtheeffectofthrowingoilonthetroubledwaters。
"I"llpublishthewholeofthistransactiontothemedicalworld，DrThorne——thewholeofit；andifthathasnottheeffectofrescuingthepeopleofGreshamsburyoutofyourhands，then——then——then，Idon"tknowwhatwill。Ismycarriage——thatis，thepost-chaisethere？"andDrFillgrave，speakingveryloudly，turnedmajesticallytooneoftheservants。
"WhathaveIdonetoyou，DrFillgrave，"saidDrThorne，nowabsolutelylaughing，"thatyoushoulddeterminedtotakethebreadoutofmymouth？Iamnotinterferingwithyourpatient。IhavecomeheresimplywithreferencetomoneymattersappertainingtoSirRoger。"
"Moneymatters！Verywell——verywell；moneymatters。Thatisyourideaofmedicalpractice。Verywell——verywell。Ismypost-chaiseatthedoor？I"llpublishitalltothemedicalworld——everyword——everywordofit，everywordofit。"
"Publishwhat，youunreasonableman？"
"Man！sir；whomdoyoucallaman？I"llletyouknowwhetherI"maman——post-chaisethere！"
"Don"t"eecallhimnamesnow，doctor；don"t"eepraydon"t"ee，"saidLadyScatcherd。
Bythistimetheyhadallgotsomewherenearerthehall-door；buttheScatcherdretainersweretoofondoftherowtoabsentthemselveswillinglyatDrFillgrave"sbidding，anditdidnotappearthatanyonewentinsearchofthepost-chaise。
"Man！sir；I"llletyouknowwhatitistospeaktomeinthatstyle。I
think，sir，youhardlyknowwhoIam。"
"AllthatIknowofyouatpresentis，thatyouaremyfriendSirRoger"sphysician，andIcannotconceivewhathasoccurredtomakeyousoangry。"Andashespoke，DrThornelookedcarefullyathimtoseewhetherthatpump-disciplinehadintruthbeenapplied。TherewerenosignswhateverthatcoldwaterhadbeenthrownuponDrFillgrave。
"Mypost-chaise——ismaypost-chaisethere？Themedicalworldshallknowall；youmaybesure，sir，themedicalworldshallknowitall；"andthus，orderinghispost-chaiseandthreateningDrThornewiththemedicalworld，DrFillgravemadehiswaytothedoor。
Butthemomentheputonhishathereturned。"No，madam，"saidhe。
"No；quiteoutofthequestion：suchanaffairisnottobearrangedbysuchmeans。I"llpublishitalltothemedicalworld——post-chaisethere！"andthen，usingallhisforce，heflungasfarashecouldintothehallalightbitofpaper。ItfellatDrThorne"sfeet，who，raisingit，foundthatitwasafive-poundnote。
"Iputitintohishatjustwhilehewasinhistantrum，"saidLadyScatcherd。"AndIthoughtthatperhapshewouldnotfindittillhegottoBarchester。WellIwishhe"dbeenpaid，certainly，althoughSirRogerwouldn"tseehim；"andinthismannerDrThornegotsomeglimpseofunderstandingintothecauseofthegreatoffence。
"IwonderwhetherSirRogerwillseeme，"saidhe，laughing。