第6章
CHAPTERXIII
THETWOUNCLES
"Ha！ha！ha！Ha！ha！ha！"laughedSirRoger，lustily，asDrThorneenteredtheroom。"Well，ifthatain"trich，Idon"tknowwhatis。Ha！
ha！ha！Butwhydidn"ttheyputhimunderthepump，doctor？"
Thedoctor，however，hadtoomuchtact，andtoomanythingsofimportancetosay，toallowofhisgivingupmuchtimetothediscussionofDrFillgrave"swrath。Hehadcomedeterminedtoopenthebaronet"seyesastowhatwouldbetherealeffectofhiswill，andhehadalsotonegotiatealoanforMrGresham，ifthatmightbepossible。DrThornethereforebeganabouttheloan，thatbeingtheeasiersubject，andfoundthatSirRogerwasquiteclear-headedastohismanymoneyconcerns，inspiteofhisillness。SirRogerwaswillingenoughtolendMrGreshammoremoney——six，eight，ten，twentythousand；butthen，indoingso，heshouldinsistonpossessionofthetitle-deeds。
"What！thetitle-deedsofGreshamsburyforafewthousandpounds？"saidthedoctor。
"Idon"tknowwhetheryoucallninetythousandpoundsafewthousands；
butthedebtwillaboutamounttothat。"
"Ah！that"stheolddebt。"
"Oldandnewtogether，ofcourse；everyshillingIlendmoreweakensmysecurityforwhatIhavelentbefore。"
"Butyouhavethefirstclaim，SirRoger。"
"Itoughttobefirstandlasttocoversuchadebtasthat。Ifhewantsfurtheraccommodation，hemustpartwithhisdeeds，doctor。"
Thepointwasarguedbackwardsandforwardsforsometimewithoutavail，andthedoctorthenthoughtitwelltointroducetheothersubject。
"SirRoger，you"reahardman。"
"NoIain"t，"saidSirRoger；"notabithard；thatis，notabittoohard。Moneyisalwayshard。IknowIfoundithardtocomeby；andthereisnoreasonwhySquireGreshamshouldexpecttofindmesoverysoft。"
"Verywell；thereisanendofthat。Ithoughtyouwouldhavedoneasmuchtoobligeme，thatisall。"
"What！takebadsecuritytooobligeyou？"
"Well，there"sanendofthat。"
"I"lltellyouwhat；I"lldoasmuchtoobligeafriendasanyone。
I"lllendyoufivethousandpounds，youyourself，withoutsecurityatall，ifyouwantit。"
"ButyouknowIdon"twantit；or，atanyrate，shan"ttakeit。"
"Buttoaskmetogoonlendingmoneytoathirdparty，andheoverheadandearsindebt，bywayofobligingyou，why，it"salittletoomuch。"
"Well，there"sandendofit。NowI"vesomethingtosaytoyouaboutthatwillofyours。"
"Oh！that"ssettled。"
"No，Scatcherd；itisn"tsettled。Itmustbeagreatdealmoresettledbeforewehavedonewithit，asyou"llfindwhenyouhearwhatIhavetotellyou。"
"Whatyouhavetotellme！"saidSirRoger，sittingupinbed；"andwhathaveyoutotellme？"
"Yourwillsaysyousister"seldestchild。"
"Yes；butthat"sonlyintheeventofLouisPhilippedyingbeforeheistwenty-five。"
"Exactly；andnowIknowsomethingaboutyoursister"seldestchild，and，therefore，Ihavecometotellyou。"
"YouknowsomethingaboutMary"seldestchild？"
"Ido，Scatcherd；itisastrangestory，andmaybeitwillmakeyouangry。Icannothelpitifitdoesso。IshouldnottellyouthisifIcouldavoidit；butasIdotellyou，foryoursake，asyouwillsee，andnotformyown，Imustimploreyounottotellmysecrettoothers。"
SirRogernowlookedathimwithanalteredcountenance。Therewassomethinginhisvoiceoftheauthoritativetoneofotherdays，somethinginthedoctor"slookwhichhadonthebaronetthesameeffectwhichinformerdaysithadsometimeshadonthestone-mason。
"Canyougivemeapromise，Scatcherd，thatwhatIamabouttotellyoushallnotberepeated？"
"Apromise！Well，Idon"tknowwhatit"sabout，youknow。Idon"tlikepromisesinthedark。"
"ThenImustleaveittoyourhonour；forwhatIhavetosaymustbesaid。Youremembermybrother，Scatcherd？"
Rememberhisbrother！thoughttherichmantohimself。Thenameofthedoctor"sbrotherhadnotbeenalludedtobetweenthemsincethedaysofthattrial；butstillitwasimpossiblebutthatScatcherdshouldwellrememberhim。
"Yes，yes；certainly。Irememberyourbrother，"saidhe。"Irememberhimwell；there"snodoubtaboutthat。"
"Well，Scatcherd，"and，ashespoke，thedoctorlaidhishandwithkindnessontheother"sarm。"Mary"seldestchildwasmybrother"schildaswell。
"Butthereisnosuchchildliving，"saidSirRoger；and，inhisviolence，ashespokehethrewfromoffhimthebedclothes，andtriedtostanduponthefloor。Hefound，however，thathehadnostrengthforsuchaneffort，andwasobligedtoremainleaningonthebedandrestingonthedoctor"sarm。
"Therewasnosuchchildeverlived，"saidhe。"Whatdoyoumeanbythis？"
DrThornewouldsaynothingfurthertillhehadgotthemanintobedagain。Thisheatlastaffected，andthenhewentonwiththestoryinhisownway。
"Yes，Scatcherd，thatchildisalive；andforfearthatyoushouldunintentionallymakeheryourheir，Ihavethoughtitrighttotellyouthis。"
"Agirl，isit？"
"Yes，agirl。"
"Andwhyshouldyouwanttospiteher？IfsheisMary"schild，sheisyourbrother"schildalso。Ifsheismyniece，shemustbeyourniecealso。Whyshouldyouwanttospiteher？Whyshouldyoutrytodohersuchaterribleinjury？"
"Idonotwanttospiteher。"
"Whereisshe？Whoisshe？Whatisshecalled？Wheredoesshelive？"
Thedoctordidnotatonceanswerallthesequestions。HehadmadeuphismindthathewouldtellSirRogerthatthischildwasliving，buthehadnotasyetresolvedtomakeknownallthecircumstancesofherhistory。Hewasnotevenyetquiteawarewhetheritwouldbenecessarytosaythatthisfoundlingorphanwasthecherisheddarlingofhisownhouse。
"Suchachild，is，atanyrate，living，"saidhe；"ofthatIgiveyoumyassurance；andunderyourwill，asnowworded，itmightcometopassthatthatchildshouldbeyourheir。Idonotwanttospiteher，butI
shouldbewrongtoletyoumakeyourwillwithoutsuchknowledge，seeingthatIaminpossessionofitmyself。"
"Butwhereisthegirl？"
"Idonotknowthatthatsignifies。"
"Signifies！Yes；itdoessignify，agreatdeal。But，Thorne，Thorne，nowthatIrememberit，nowthatIcanthinkofthings，itwas——wasitnotyouyourselfwhotoldmethatthebabydidnotlive？"
"Verypossibly。"
"Andwasitaliethatyoutoldme？"
"Ifso，yes。ButitisnoliethatItellyounow。"
"Ibelievedyouthen，Thorne；then，whenIwasapoor，broken-downday-labourer，lyinginjail，rottingthere；butItellyoufairly，Idonotbelieveyounow。Youhavesomeschemeinthis。"
"WhateverschemeImayhave，youcanfrustratebymakinganotherwill。
WhatcanIgainbytellingyouthis？Ionlydosotoinduceyoutobemoreexplicitinnamingyourheir。"
Theybothremainedsilentforawhile，duringwhichthebaronetpouredoutfromhishiddenresourceaglassofbrandyandswallowedit。
"Whenamanistakenabacksuddenlybysuchtidingsasthese，hemusttakeadropofsomething，eh，doctor？"
DrThornedidnotseenthenecessity；butthepresent，hefelt，wasnotimeforarguingthepoint。
"Come，Thorne，whereisthegirl？Youmusttellmethat。Sheismyniece，andIhavearighttoknow。Sheshallcomehere，andIwilldosomethingforher。BytheLord！Iwouldassoonshehadthemoneyasanyoneelse，ifshe"sanythingofagood"un；——someofit，thatis。Issheagood"un？"
"Good！"saidthedoctor，turningawayhisface。"Yes；sheisgoodenough。"
"Shemustbegrownupbynow。Noneofyourlightskirts，eh？"
"Sheisagoodgirl，"saidthedoctorsomewhatloudlyandsternly。Hecouldhardlytrusthimselftosaymuchonthispoint。
"Marywasagoodgirl，averygoodgirl，till"——andSirRogerraisedhimselfupinhisbedwithhisfistclenched，asthoughhewereagainabouttostrikethatfatalblowatthefarm-yardgate。"Butcome，it"snogoodthinkingofthat；youbehavedwellandmanly，always。AndsopoorMary"schildisalive；atleast，yousayso。"
"Isayso，andyoumaybelieveit。WhyshouldIdeceiveyou？"
"No，no；Idon"tseewhy。Butthenwhydidyoudeceivemebefore？"
Tothisthedoctorchosetomakenoanswer，andagaintherewassilenceforawhile。
"Whatdoyoucallher，doctor？"
"HernameisMary。"
"Theprettiestwomen"snamegoing；there"snonamelikeit，"saidthecontractor，withanunusualtendernessinhisvoice。"Mary——yes；butMarywhat？Whatothernamedoesshegoby？"
Herethedoctorhesitated。
"MaryScatcherd——eh？"
"No。NotMaryScatcherd。"
"NotMaryScatcherd！Marywhat，then？you，withyourd——pride，wouldn"tletherbecalledMaryThorne，Iknow。"
Thiswastoomuchforthedoctor。Hefeltthatthereweretearsinhiseyes，sohewalkedawaytothewindowtodrythem，unseen。Hehadfiftynames，eachmoresacredthantheother，themostsacredofthemallwouldhardlyhavebeengoodenoughforher。
"Marywhat，doctor？Come，ifthegirlistobelongtome，ifIamtoprovideforher，Imustknowwhattocallher，andwheretolookforher。"
"Whotalkedofyourprovidingforher？，"saidthedoctor，turningroundattherivaluncle。"Whosaidthatshewastobelongtoyou？Shewillbenoburdentoyou；youareonlytoldofthisthatyoumaynotleaveyourmoneytoherwithoutknowingit。Sheisprovidedfor——thatis，shewantsnothing；shewilldowellenough；youneednottroubleyourselfabouther。"
"Butisshe"sMary"schild，Mary"schildinrealtruth，Iwilltroublemyselfabouther。Whoelseshoulddoso？Forthematterofthat，I"dsoonsayherasanyofthoseothersinAmerica。WhatdoIcareaboutblood？Ishan"tmindherbeingabastard。Thatistosay，ofcourse，ifshe"sdecentlygood。Didsheevergetanykindofteaching；
book-learning，oranythingofthatsort？"
DrThorneatthismomenthatedhisfriendthebaronetwithalmostadeadlyhatred；thathe，roughbruteashewas——forhewasaroughbrute——thatheshouldspeakinsuchlanguageoftheangelwhogavetothathomeinGreshamsburysomanyofthejoysofParadise——thatheshouldspeakofherasinsomedegreehisown，thatheshouldinquiredoubtinglyastoherattributesandhervirtues。AndthenthedoctorthoughtofherItalianandFrenchreadings，ofhermusic，ofhernicebooks，andsweetladyways，ofherhappycompanionshipwithPatienceOriel，andherdear，bosomfriendshipwithBeatriceGresham。Hethoughtofhergrace，andwinningmanners，andsoft，polishedfemininebeauty；and，ashedidso，hehatedSirRogerScatcherd，andregardedhimwithloathing，ashemighthaveregardedawallowing-hog。
AtlastalightseemedtobreakinuponSirRoger"smind。DrThorne，heperceived，didnotanswerhislastquestion。Heperceived，also，thatthedoctorwasaffectedwithsomemorethanordinaryemotion。WhyshoulditbethatthissubjectofMaryScatcherd"schildmovedhimsodeeply？SirRogerhadneverbeenatthedoctor"shouseatGreshamsbury，hadneverseenMaryThorne，buthehadheardthattherelivedwiththedoctorsomeyoungfemalerelative；andthusaglimmeringlightseemedtocomeinuponSirRoger"sbed。
Hehadtwittedthedoctorwithhispride；hadsaidthatitwasimpossiblethatthegirlshouldbecalledMaryThorne。Whatifsheweresocalled？Whatifshewerenowwarmingherselfatthedoctor"shearth？
"Well，come，Thorne，whatisityoucallher？Tellitout，man。And，lookyou，ifit"syournameshebears，Ishallthinkmoreofyou，adealmorethaneverIdidyet。Come，Thorne，I"mheruncletoo。I
havearighttoknow。SheisMaryThorne，isn"tshe？"
Thedoctorhadnotthehardihoodnortheresolutiontodenyit。"Yes，"
saidhe，"thatishername；sheliveswithme。"
"Yes，andliveswithallthosegrandfolksatGreshamsburytoo。Ihaveheardofthat。"
"Sheliveswithme，andbelongstome，andisasmydaughter。"
"Sheshallcomeoverhere。LadyScatcherdshallhavehertostaywithher。Sheshallcometous。Andasformywill，I"llmakeanother。
I"ll——"
"Yes，makeanotherwill——orelsealterthatone。ButastoMissThornecominghere——"
"What！Mary——"
"Well，Mary。AstoMaryThornecominghere，thatIfearwillnotbepossible。Shecannothavetwohomes。Shehascastherlotwithoneofheruncles，andshemustremainwithhimnow。"
"Doyoumeantosaythatshemusthaveanyrelationbutone？"
"ButonesuchasIam。Shewouldnotbehappyoverhere。Shedoesnotlikenewfaces。Youhaveenoughdependingonyou；Ihavebuther。"
"Enough！why，IhaveonlyLouisPhilippe。Icouldprovideforadozengirls。"
"Well，well，well，wewillnottalkaboutthat。"
"Ah！but，Thorne，youhavetoldmeofthisgirlnow，andIcannotbuttalkofher。Ifyouwishedtokeepthematterdark，youshouldhavesaidnothingaboutit。Sheismynieceasmuchasyours。And，Thorne，IlovedmysisterMaryquiteaswellasyoulovedyourbrother；quiteaswell。"
Anyonewhomighthaveheardandseenthecontractorwouldhavehardlythoughthimtobethesamemanwho，afewhoursbefore，wasurgingthattheBarchesterphysicianshouldbeputunderthepump。
"Youhaveyourson，Scatcherd。Ihavenoonebutthatgirl。"
"Idon"twanttotakeherfromyou。Idon"twanttotakeher；butsurelytherecanbenoharminhercomingheretoseeus？Icanprovideforher，Thorne，rememberthat。IcanprovideforherwithoutreferencetoLouisPhilippe。Whataretenorfifteenthousandpoundstome？Rememberthat，Thorne。"
DrThornedidrememberit。Inthatinterviewherememberedmanythings，andmuchpassedthroughhismindonwhichhefelthimselfcompelledtoresolvesomewhattoosuddenly。Wouldhebejustifiedinrejecting，onbehalfofMary，theofferofpecuniaryprovisionwhichthisrichrelativewouldbesowellinclinedtomake？Or，ifheacceptedti，wouldbeintruthbestudyingherinterests？Scatcherdwasaself-willed，obstinateman——nowindeedtouchedbyunwontedtenderness；buthewasoneofthosewhoselastingtendernessDrThornewouldbeveryunwillingtotrusthisdarling。Hedidresolve，thatonthewholeheshouldbestdischargehisduty，eventoher，bykeepinghertohimself，andrejecting，onherbehalf，anyparticipationinthebaronet"swealth。AsMaryherselfhadsaid，"somepeoplemustbeboundtogether；"andtheirdestiny，thatofhimselfandhisniece，seemedtohavesoboundthem。ShehadfoundherplaceatGreshamsbury，herplaceintheworld；anditwouldbebetterforhernowtokeepit，thantogoforthandseekanotherthatwouldbericher，butatthesametimelesssuitedtoher。
"No，Scatcherd，"hesaidatlast，"shecannotcomehere；shewouldnotbehappyhere，and，totellthetruthIdonotwishhertoknowthatshehasotherrelatives。"
"Ah！shewouldbeashamedofhermother，youmean，andofhermother"sbrothertoo，eh？She"stoofinealady，Isuppose，totakemebythehandandgivemeakiss，andcallmeheruncle？IandLadyScatcherdwouldnotbegrandenoughforher，eh？"
"Youmaysaywhatyouplease，Scatcherd：Iofcoursecannotstopyou。"
"ButIdon"tknowhowyou"llreconcilewhatyouaredoingwithyourconscience。Whatrightcanyouhavetothrowawaythegirl"schance，nowthatshehasachance？Whatfortunecanyougiveher？"
"IhavedonewhatlittleIcould，"saidThorne，proudly。
"Well，well，well，well，Ineverheardsuchathinginmylife；never。
Mary"schild，myownMary"schild，andI"mnottoseeher！But，Thorne，Itellyouwhat；Iwillseeher。I"llgoovertoher，I"llgotoGreshamsbury，andtellherwhoIam，andwhatIcandoforher。I
tellyoufairlyIwill。Youshallnotkeepherawayfromthosewhobelongtoher，andcandoheragoodturn。Mary"sdaughter；anotherMaryScatcherd！IalmostwishshewerecalledMaryScatcherd。Isshelikeher，Thorne？Cometellmethat；isshelikehermother。"
"Idonotrememberhermother；atleastnotinhealth。"
"Notrememberher！ah，well。ShewasthehandsomestgirlinBarchester，anyhow。Thatwasgivenuptoher。Well，Ididn"tthinktobetalkingofheragain。Thorne，youcannotbutexpectthatIshallgooverandseeMary"schild？"
"Now，Scatcherd，lookhere，"andthedoctor，comingawayfromthewindow，wherehehadbeenstanding，sathimselfdownbythebedside，"youmustnotcomeovertoGreshamsbury。"
"Oh！butIshall。"
"Listentome，Scatcherd。Idonotwanttopraisemyselfinanyway；
butwhenthatgirlwasaninfant，sixmonthsold，shewasliketobeathoroughobstacletohermother"sfortuneinlife。Tomlinsonwaswillingtomarryyoursister，buthewouldnotmarrythechildtoo。ThenItookthebaby，andIpromisedhermotherthatIwouldbetoherasafather。IhavekeptmywordasfairlyasIhavebeenable。Shehassatatmyhearth，anddrunkofmycup，andbeentomeasmyownchild。
Afterthat，Ihavetherighttojudgewhatisbestforher。Herlifeisnotlikeyourlife，andherwaysarenotasyourways——"
"Ah，thatisjustit；wearetoovulgarforher。"
"Youmaytakeitasyouwill，"saidthedoctor，whowastoomuchinearnesttobeintheleastafraidofoffendinghiscompanion。"Ihavenotsaidso；butIdosaythatyouandsheareunlikeinthewayofliving。"
"Shewouldn"tlikeanunclewithabrandybottleunderhishead，eh？"
"Youcouldnotseeherwithoutlettingherknowwhatistheconnexionbetweenyou；ofthatIwishtokeepherinignorance。"
"Ineverknewanyoneyetwhoisashamedofarichconnexion。Howdoyoumeantogetahusbandforher，eh？"
"Ihavetoldyouofherexistence，"continuedthedoctor，notappearingtonoticewhatthebaronethadlastsaid，"becauseIfounditnecessarythatyoushouldknowthefactofyoursisterhavingleftachildbehindher；youwouldotherwisehavemadeawilldifferentfromthatintended，andtheremighthavebeenalawsuit，andmischief，andmiserywhenwearegone。YoumustperceivethatIhavedonethisinhonestytoyou；
andyouyourselfaretoohonesttorepaymebytakingadvantageofthisknowledgetomakemeunhappy。"
"Oh，verywell，doctor。Atanyrate，youareabrick，Iwillsaythat。ButI"llthinkofthis，I"llthinkofit；butitdoesstartlemetofindthatpoorMaryhasachildlivingsoneartome。"
"Andnow，Scatcherd，Iwillsaygood-bye。Wepartasfriends，don"twe？"
"Oh，butdoctor，youain"tgoingtoleavemeso。WhatamItodo？WhatdosesshallItake？HowmuchbrandymayIdrink？MayIhaveagrillfordinner？D——me，doctor，youhaveturnedFillgraveoutofthehouse。Youmustn"tgoanddesertme。"
DrThornelaughed，andthen，sittinghimselfdowntowritemedically，gavesuchprescriptionsandordinancesashefoundtobenecessary。
Theyannouncedbuttothis：thatthemanwastodrink，ifpossible，nobrandy；andifthatwerenotpossible，thenaslittleasmightbe。
Thishavingbeendone，thedoctoragainproceededtotakehisleave；
butwhenhegottothedoorhewascalledback。"Thorne！Thorne！
AboutthatmoneyforMrGresham；dowhatyoulike，dojustwhatyoulike。Tenthousandisit？Well，heshallhaveit。I"llmakeWinterboneswriteaboutitatonce。Fivepercent。，isn"tit？No，fourandahalf。Well，heshallhavetenthousandmore。"
"Thankyou，Scatcherd，thankyou，Iamreallyverymuchobligedtoyou，Iamindeed。Iwouldn"taskitifIwasnotsureyourmoneyissafe。
Good-bye，oldfellow，andgetridofthatbedfellowofyours，"andagainhewasatthedoor。
"Thorne，"saidSirRogeroncemore。"Thorne，justcomebackforaminute。Youwouldn"tletmesendapresentwouldyou——fiftypoundsorso，——justtobuyafewflounces？"
Thedoctorcontrivedtoescapewithoutgivingadefiniteanswertothisquestion；andthen，havingpaidhiscomplimentstoLadyScatcherd，remountedhiscobandrodebacktoGreshamsbury。
CHAPTERXIV
SENTENCEOFEXILE
DrThornedidnotatoncegohometohisownhouse。WhenhereachedtheGreshamsburygates，hesenthishorsetoitsownstablebyoneofthepeopleatthelodge，andthenwalkedontothemansion。Hehadtoseethesquireonthesubjectoftheforthcomingloan，andhehadalsotoseetheLadyArabella。
TheLadyArabella，thoughshewasnotpersonallyattachedtothedoctorwithquitesomuchwarmthassomeothersofherfamily，stillhadreasonsofherownfornotdispensingwithhisvisitstothehouse。Shewasoneofhispatients，andapatientfearfulofthediseasewithwhichshewasthreatened。Thoughshethoughtthedoctortobearrogant，deficientastoproperlysubmissivedemeanourtowardsherself，aninstigatortomaritalparsimonyinherlord，onealtogetheropposedtoherselfandherinterestinGreshamsburypolitics，neverthelessshedidfeeltrustinhimasamedicalman。ShehadnowishtoberescuedoutofhishandsbyanyDrFillgrave，asregardedthatcomplaintofhers，muchasshemayhavedesired，anddiddesire，toseverhimfromallGreshamsburycouncilsinallmattersnottouchingthehealingart。
NowthecomplaintofwhichtheLadyArabellawasafraid，wascancer：
andheronlypresentconfidantinthismatterwasDrThorne。
ThefirstoftheGreshamsburycirclewhomhesawwasBeatrice，andhemetherinthegarden。
"Oh，doctor，"saidshe，"wherehasMarybeenthisage？ShehasnotbeenupheresinceFrank"sbirthday。"
"Well，thatwasonlythreedaysago。Whydon"tyougodownandferretheroutinthevillage？"
"SoIhavedone。Iwastherejustnow，andfoundherout。ShewasoutwithPatienceOriel。Patienceisallandallwithhernow。Patienceisallverywell，butiftheythrowmeover——"
"MydearMissGresham，Patienceisandalwayswasavirtue。"
"Apoor，beggarly，sneakingvirtueafterall，doctor。Theyshouldhavecomeup，seeinghowdesertedIamhere。There"sabsolutelynobodyleft。"
"HasLadydeCourcygone？"
"Oh，yes！AlltheDeCourcyshavegone。Ithink，betweenourselves，Marystaysawaybecauseshedoesnotlovethemtoowell。Theyhaveallgone，andtakenAugustaandFrankwiththem。"
"HasFrankgonetoCourcyCastle？"
"Oh，yes；didyounothear？Therewasratherafightaboutit。MasterFrankwantedtogetoff，andwasashardtocatchasaneel，andthenthecountesswasoffended；andpapasaidhedidn"tseewhyFrankwastogoifhedidn"tlikeit。Papaisveryanxiousabouthisdegree，youknow。"
Thedoctorunderstooditallaswellasthoughithadbeendescribedtohimatfulllength。Thecountesshadclaimedherprey，inorderthatshemightcarryhimofftoMissDunstable"sgoldenembrace。Theprey，notyetoldenoughandwiseenoughtoconnecttheworshipofPlutuswiththatofVenus，hadmadesundryfutilefeintsanddodgesinthevainhopeofescape。ThentheanxiousmotherhadenforcedtheDeCourcybehestswithallamother"sauthority。Butthefather，whoseideasonthesubjectofMissDunstable"swealthhadprobablynotbeenconsulted，had，asamatterofcourse，takenexactlytheothersideofthequestion。Thedoctordidnotrequiretobetoldallthisinordertoknowhowthebattlehadraged。HehadnotyetheardofthegreatDunstablescheme；buthewassufficientlyacquaintedwithGreshamsburytacticstounderstandthatthewarhadbeencarriedonsomewhatafterthisfashion。
Asarule，whenthesquiretookapointwarmlytoheart，hewaswonttocarryhiswayagainsttheDeCourcyinterest。Hecouldbeobstinateenoughwhenitsopleasedhim，andhadbeforenowgonesofarastotellhiswife，thatherthrice-noblesister-in-lawmightremainathomeatCourcyCastle——or，atanyrate，notcometoGreshamsbury——ifshecouldnotdosowithoutstrivingtorulehimandeveryoneelsewhenshegothere。Thishadofcoursebeenrepeatedtothecountess，whohadmerelyrepliedtoitbyasisterlywhisper，inwhichshesorrowfullyintimatedthatsomemenwerebornbrutes，andalwayswouldremainso。
"Ithinktheyallare，"theLadyArabellahadreplied；wishing，perhaps，toremindhersister-in-lawthatthebreedofbruteswasasrampantinWestBarsetshireasintheeasterndivisionofthatcounty。
Thesquire，however，hadnotfoughtonthisoccasionwithallhisvigour。Therehad，ofcourse，beensomepassagesbetweenhimandhisson，andithadbeenagreedthatFrankshouldgoforafortnighttoCourcyCastle。
"Wemustn"tquarrelwiththem，youknow，ifwecanhelpit，"saidthefather；"and，therefore，youmustgosoonerorlater。"
"Well，Isupposeso；butyoudon"tknowhowdullitis，governor。"
"Don"tI！"saidGresham。
"There"saMissDunstabletobethere；didyoueverhearofher，sir？"
"No，never。"
"She"sagirlwhosefatherusedtomakeointment，orsomethingofthatsort。"
"Oh，yes，tobesure；theointmentofLebanon。HeusedtocoverallthewallsofLondon。Ihaven"theardofhimthisyearpast。"
"No；thatisbecausehe"sdead。Well，shecarriesontheointmentnow，Ibelieve；atanyrate，shehasgotallthemoney。Iwonderwhatshe"slike？"
"You"dbettergoandsee，"saidthefather，whonowbegantohavesomeinklingofanideawhythetwoladiesweresoanxioustocarryhissonofftoCourcyCastleatthisexacttime。AndsoFrankhadpackeduphisbestclothes，givenalastfondlookatthenewblackhorse，repeatedhislastspecialinjunctionstoPeter，andhadthenmadeoneofthestatelycortegewhichproceededthroughthecountyfromGreshamsburytoCourcyCastle。
"Iamverygladofthat，very，"saidthesquire，whenheheardthatthemoneywastobeforthcoming。"Ishallgetitoneasiertermsfromhimthanelsewhere；anditkillsmetohavecontinualbotheraboutsuchthings。"AndMrGresham，feelingthatthatdifficultywastidedoverforatime，andthattheimmediatepressureoflittledebtswouldbeabated，stretchedhimselfonhiseasychairasthoughhewerequitecomfortable；——onemaysayalmostelated。
Howfrequentitisthatmenontheirroadtoruinfeelelationsuchasthis！Amansignsawaymoietyofhissubstance；nay，thatwerenothing；butamoietyofthesubstanceofhischildren；heputshispentothepaperthatruinshimandthem；butindoingsohefreeshimselffromasourceofimmediatelittlepestering，stingingtroubles：and，therefore，feelsasthoughfortunehasbeenalmostkindtohim。
Thedoctorfeltangrywithhimselfforwhathehaddonewhenhesawhoweasilythesquireadaptedhimselftothisnewloan。"ItwillmakeScatcherd"sclaimuponyouveryheavy，"saidhe。
MrGreshamatoncereadallthatwaspassingthroughthedoctor"smind。"Well，whatelsecanIdo？"saidhe。"Youwouldn"thavemeallowmydaughtertolosethismatchforthesakeofafewthousandpounds？Itwillbewellatanyratetohaveoneofthemsettled。LookatthatletterfromMoffat。"
Thedoctortooktheletterandreadit。Itwasalong，wordy，ill-writtenrigmarole，inwhichthatamorousgentlemanspokewithmuchraptureofhisloveanddevotionforMissGresham；butatthesametimedeclared，andmostpositivelyswore，thattheadversecrueltyofhiscircumstanceswassuch，thatitwouldnotallowhimtostanduplikeamanatthehymenealaltaruntilsixthousandpoundshardcashhadbeenpaiddownathisbanker"s。
"Itmaybeallright，"saidthesquire；"butinmytimegentlemenwerenotusedtowritesuchlettersasthattoeachother。"
Thedoctorshruggedhisshoulders。Hedidnotknowhowfarhewouldbejustifiedinsayingmuch，eventohisfriendthesquire，indispraiseofhisfutureson-in-law。
"Itoldhimthatheshouldhavethemoney；andonewouldhavethoughtthatthatwouldhavebeenenoughforhim。Well：IsupposeAugustalikeshim。Isupposeshewishesthematch；otherwise，Iwouldgivehimsuchananswertothatletteraswouldstartlehimalittle。"
"Whatsettlementishetomake？"saidThorne。
"Oh，that"ssatisfactoryenough；couldn"tbemoreso；athousandayearandthehouseatWimbledonforher；that"sallverywell。Butsuchalie，youknow，Thorne。He"srollinginmoney，andyethetalksofthisbeggarlysumasthoughhecouldn"tpossiblystirwithoutit。"
"IfImightventuretospeakmymind，"saidThorne。
"Well？"saidthesquire，lookingathimearnestly。
"IshouldbeinclinedtosaythatMrMoffatwantstocryoff，himself。"
"Oh，impossible；quiteimpossible。Inthefirstplace，hewassoveryanxiousforthematch。Inthenextplace，itissuchagreatthingforhim。Andthen，hewouldneverdare；yousee，heisdependentontheDeCourcysforhisseat。"
"Butsupposeheloseshisseat？"
"Butthereisnotmuchfearofthat，Ithink。Scatcherdmaybeaveryfinefellow，butIthinkthey"llhardlyreturnhimatBarchester。"
"Idon"tunderstandmuchaboutit，"saidThorne；"butsuchthingsdohappen。"
"Andyoubelievethatthismanabsolutelywantstogetoffthematch；
absolutelythinksofplayingsuchatrickasthatonmydaughter；——onme？"
"Idon"tsayheintendstodoit；butitlookstomeasthoughheweremakingadoorforhimself，ortryingtomakeadoor：ifso，yourhavingthemoneywillstophimthere。"
"But，Thorne，don"tyouthinkhelovesthegirl？IfIthoughtnot——"
Thedoctorwassilentforamoment，andthenhesaid，"Iamnotalove-makingmanmyself，butIthinkthatifIweremuchinlovewithayounglady，Ishouldnotwritesuchaletterasthattoherfather。"
"Byheavens！IfIthoughtso，"saidthesquire——"but，Thorne，wecan"tjudgeofthosefellowsasonedoesofgentlemen；theyaresousedtomakingmoney，andseeingmoneymade，thattheyhaveaneyetobusinessineverything。"
"Perhapsso，perhapsso，"mutteredthedoctor，showingevidentlythathestilldoubtedthewarmthofMrMoffat"saffection。
"Thematchwasnoneofmymaking，andIcannotinterferenowtobreakitoff：itwillgiveheragoodpositionintheworld；for，afterall，moneygoesagreatway，anditissomethingtobeinParliament。Icanonlyhopeshelikeshim。Idotrulyhopeshelikeshim；"andthesquirealsoshowedbythetoneofhisvoicethat，thoughhemighthopethathisdaughterwasinlovewithherintendedhusband，hehardlyconceivedittobepossiblethatsheshouldbeso。
Andwhatwasthetruthofthematter？MissGreshamwasnomoreinlovewithMrMoffatthanyouare——oh，sweet，young，bloomingbeauty！Notawhitmore；not，atleast，inyoursenseoftheword，norinmine。Shehadbynomeansresolvedwithinherheartthatofallthemenwhomshehadeverseen，orevercouldsee，hewasfarawaythenicestandthebest。Thatiswhatyouwilldowhenyouareinlove，ifyoubegoodforanything。Shehadnolongingtositneartohim——thenearerthebetter；shehadnothoughtofhistasteandhischoicewhensheboughtherribbonsandbonnets；shehadnotindescribabledesirethatallherfemalefriendsshouldbeevertalkingtoherabouthim。Whenshewrotetohim，shedidnotcopyherlettersagainandagain，sothatshemightbe，asitwere，everspeakingtohim；shetooknospecialprideinherselfbecausehehadchosenhertobehislife"spartner。Inpointoffact，shedidnotcareonestrawabouthim。
Andyetshethoughtshelovedhim；was，indeed，quiteconfidentthatshedidso；toldhermotherthatshewassureGustavuswouldwishthis，sheknewGustavuswouldlikethat，andsoon；butasforGustavushimself，shedidnotcareonechipabouthim。
Shewasinlovewithhermatchjustasfarmersareinlovewithwheatandeightyshillingsaquarter；orshareholders——innocentgudgeons——withsevenandhalfpercentinterestontheirpaidupcapital。Eightyshillingsaquarter，andsevenandhalfpercentinterest，suchwerethereturnswhichshehadbeentaughttolookforinexchangeforheryoungheart；and，havingobtainedthem，orbeingthusabouttoobtainthem，whyshouldnotheryoungheartbesatisfied？HadshenotsatherselfdownobedientlyatthefeetofherladyGamaliel，andshouldshenotberewarded？Yes，indeed，sheshallberewarded。
Andthenthedoctorwenttothelady。Ontheirmedicalsecretswewillnotintrude；buttherewereothermattersbearingonthecourseofournarrative，astowhichLadyArabellafounditnecessarytosayawordofsotothedoctor；anditisessentialthatweshouldknowwhatwasthetenorofthosefewwordssospoken。
Howtheaspirations，andinstincts，andfeelingsofahouseholdbecomechangedastheyoungbirdsbegintoflutterthosefeatheredwings，andhavehalf-formedthoughtsofleavingtheparentalnest！Afewmonthsback，FrankhadreignedalmostautocraticoverthelessersubjectsofthekingdomofGreshamsbury。Theservants，forinstance，alwaysobeyedhim，andhissistersneverdreamedoftellinganythingwhichhedirectedshouldnotbetold。Allhismischief，allhistroubles，andallhisloveswereconfidedtothem，withthesureconvictionthattheywouldneverbemadetostandinevidenceagainsthim。
Trustingtothiswell-ascertainedstateofthings，hehadnothesitatedtodeclarehisloveforMissThornebeforehissisterAugusta。ButhissisterAugustahadnow，asitwere，beenreceivedintotheupperhouse；
havingdulyprofitedbythelessonsofhergreatinstructress，shewasnowadmittedtositinconclavewiththehigherpowers：hersympathies，ofcourse，becamechanged，andherconfidencewasremovedfromtheyoungandgiddyandgiventotheancientanddiscreet。Shewasasaschoolboy，who，havingfinishedhisschooling，andbeingfairlyforcedbynecessityintothesternbread-earningworld，undertakesthenewdutiesoftutoring。Yesterdayhewastaught，andfought，ofcourse，againsttheschoolmaster；to-dayheteaches，andfightsaskeenlyforhim。SoitwaswithAugustaGresham，when，withcarefulbrow，shewhisperedtohermotherthattherewassomethingwrongbetweenFrankandMaryThorne。
"Stopitatonce，Arabella：stopitatonce，"thecountesshadsaid；
"that，indeed，willbetheruin。Ifhedoesnotmarrymoney，heislost。Goodheavens！thedoctor"sniece！Agirlthatnobodyknowswhereshecomesfrom！"
"He"sgoingwithyouto-morrow，youknow，"saidtheanxiousmother。
"Yes；andthatissofarwell：ifhewillbeledbyme，theevilmayberemediedbeforehereturns；butitisvery，veryhardtoleadyoungmen。Arabella，youmustforbidthatgirltocometoGreshamsburyagainonanypretextwhatever。Theevilmustbestoppedatonce。"
"Butsheisheresomuchasamatterofcourse。"
"Thenshemustbehereasamatterofcoursenomore：therehasbeenfolly，verygreatfolly，inhavingherhere。Ofcourseshewouldturnouttobeadesigningcreaturewithsuchtemptationbeforeher；withsuchaprizewithinherreach，howcouldshehelpit？"
"Imustsay，aunt，sheansweredhimveryproperly，"saidAugusta。
"Nonsense，"saidthecountess；"beforeyouofcourseshedid。Arabella，themattermustnotbelefttothegirl"spropriety。Ineverknewtheproprietyofagirlofthatsorttobefittobedependedonyet。Ifyouwishtosavethewholefamilyfromruin，youmusttakestepstokeepherawayfromGreshamsburynowatonce。Nowisthetime；nowthatFrankisgoingaway。Wheresomuch，soverymuchdependsonayoungman"smarryingmoney，notonedayoughttobelost。"
Instigatedinthismanner，LadyArabellaresolvedtoopenhermindtothedoctor，andtomakeitintelligibletohim，thatunderpresentcircumstances，Mary"svisitsatGreshamsburyhadbetterbediscontinued。Shewouldhavegivenmuch，however，tohaveescapedthisbusiness。Shehadinhertimetriedoneortwofallswiththedoctor，andshewasconsciousthatshehadneveryetgotthebetterofhim：andthenshewasinaslightdegreeafraidofMaryherself。ShehadapresentimentthatitwouldnotbesoeasytobanishMaryfromGreshamsbury：shewasnotsurethatthatyoungladywouldnotboldlyassertherrighttoherplaceintheschool-room；appealloudlytothesquire，andperhaps，declareherdeterminationofmarryingtheheir，outbeforethemall。Thesquirewouldbesuretoupholdherinthat，orinanythingelse。
Andthen，too，therewouldbethegreatestdifficultyinwordingherrequesttothedoctor；andLadyArabellawassufficientlyconsciousofherownweaknesstoknowthatshewasnotalwaysverygoodatwords。
Butthedoctor，whenhardpressed，wasneveratfault：hecouldsaythebitterestthingsinthequietesttone，andLadyArabellahadagreatdreadofthesebitterthings。What，also，ifheshoulddesertherhimself；withdrawfromherhisskillandknowledgeofherbodilywantsandailmentsnowthathewassonecessarytoher？ShehadoncebeforetakenthatmeasureofsendingtoBarchesterforDrFillgrave，butithadansweredwithherhardlybetterthanwithSirRogerandLadyScatcherd。
When，therefore，LadyArabellafoundherselfalonewiththedoctor，andcalledupontosayoutinwhatbestlanguageshecouldselectfortheoccasion，shedidnotfeeltoverymuchatherease。Therewasthataboutthemanbeforeherwhichcowedher，inspiteofherbeingthewifeofthesquire，thesisterofanearl，apersonquiteacknowledgedtobeofthegreatworld，andthemotherofaveryimportantyoungmanwhoseaffectionswerenowabouttobecalledinquestion。
Nevertheless，therewasthetasktobedone，andwithamother"scouragesheessayedit。
"DrThorne，"saidshe，assoonastheirmedicalconferencewasatanend，"Iamverygladyoucameoverto-day，forIhavesomethingspecialwhichIwantedtosaytoyou："sofarshegot，andthenstopped；but，asthedoctordidnotseeminclinedtogiveheranyassistance，shewasforcedtoflounderonasbestshecould。
"Somethingveryparticularindeed。Youknowwhatarespectandesteem，andImaysayaffection，weallhaveforyou，"——herethedoctormadealowbow——"andImaysayforMaryalso；"herethedoctorbowedhimselfagain。"Wehavedonewhatlittlewecouldtobepleasantneighbours，andIthinkyou"llbelievemewhenIsaythatIamatruefriendtoyouanddearMary——"
Thedoctorknewthatsomethingveryunpleasantwascoming，buthecouldnotatallguesswhatmightbeitsnature。Hefelt，however，thathemustsaysomething；soheexpressedahopethathewasdulysensibleofalltheactsofkindnesshehadeverreceivedfromthesquireandthefamilyatlarge。
"Ihope，therefore，mydeardoctor，youwon"ttakeamisswhatIamgoingtosay。"
"Well，LadyArabella，I"llendeavournottodoso。"
"IamsureIwouldnotgiveanypainifIcouldhelpit，muchlesstoyou。Butthereareoccasions，doctor，inwhichdutymustbeparamount；
paramounttoallotherconsiderations，youknow，and，certainly，thisoccasionisoneofthem。"
"Butwhatistheoccasion，LadyArabella？"
"I"lltellyou，doctor。YouknowwhatFrank"spositionis？"
"Frank"sposition？"
"Whyhispositioninlife；anonlyson，youknow。"
"Oh，yes；Iknowhispositioninthatrespect；anonlyson，andhisfather"sheir；andaveryfinefellow，heis。Youhavebutoneson，LadyArabella，andyoumaywellbeproudofhim。"
LadyArabellasighed。ShedidnotwishatthepresentmomenttoexpressherselfasbeinginanywayproudofFrank。Shewasdesirousrather，ontheotherhand，ofshowingthatshewasagooddealashamedofhim；onlynotquitesomuchashamedofhimasitbehovedthedoctortobeofhisniece。"
"Well，perhapsso；yes，"saidLadyArabella，"heis，Ibelieve，averygoodyoungman，withanexcellentdisposition；but，doctor，hispositionisveryprecarious；andheisjustatthattimeoflifewhencautionisnecessary。"
Tothedoctor"sears，LadyArabellawasnowtalkingofhersonasamothermightofherinfantwhenwhooping-coughwasabroadourcroupimminent。"Thereisnothingonearththematterwithhim，Ishouldsay，"saidthedoctor。"Hehaseverypossiblesignofperfecthealth。"
"Ohyes；hishealth！Yes，thankGod，hishealthisgood；thatisagreatblessing。"AndLadyArabellathoughtofherfourfloweretsthathadalreadyfaded。"IamsureIammostthankfultoseehimgrowingupsostrong。ButitisnotthatImean，doctor。"
"Thenwhatisit，LadyArabella？"
"Why，doctor，thesquire"spositionwithregardtomoneymatters。"
Nowthedoctorundoubtedlydidknowthesquire"spositionwithregardtomoneymatters，——knewitmuchbetterthanLadyArabella；buthewasbynomeansinclinedtotalkonthatsubjecttoherladyship。Heremainedquitesilent，therefore，althoughLadyArabella"slastspeechhadtakentheformofaquestion。LadyArabellawasalittleoffendedatthiswantoffreedomonhispart，andbecomesomewhatsternerinhertone——athoughtlesscondescendinginhermanner。
"Thesquirehasunfortunatelyembarrassedtheproperty，andFrankmustlookforwardtoinherititwithveryheavyencumbrances；Ifearveryheavyindeed，thoughofwhatexactnatureIamkeptinignorance。"
Lookingatthedoctor"sface，sheperceivedthattherewasnoprobabilitywhateverthatherignorancewouldbeenlightenedbyhim。
"And，therefore，itishighlynecessarythatFrankshouldbeverycareful。"
"Astohisprivateexpenditure，youmean？"saidthedoctor。
"No；notexactlythat：thoughofcoursehemustbecarefulastothat，too；that"sofcourse。ButthatisnotwhatImean，doctor；hisonlyhopeofretrievinghiscircumstancesisbymarryingmoney。"
"Witheveryotherconjugalblessingthatamancanhave，Ihopehemayhavethatalso。"Sothedoctorrepliedwithimperturbableface；butnotthelessdidhebegintohaveashadeofsuspicionofwhatmightbethecomingsubjectoftheconference。Itwouldbeuntruetosaythathehadeverthoughtitprobablethattheyoungheirshouldfallinlovewithhisniece；thathehadeverlookedforwardtosuchachance，eitherwithcomplacencyorwithfear；nevertheless，theideahadoflatepassedthroughhismind。SomewordhadfallenfromMary，somecloselywatchedexpressionofhereye，orsomequiverinherlipwhenFrank"snamewasmentioned，hadoflatemadehiminvoluntarilythinkthatsuchathingmightnotbeimpossible；andthen，whenthechanceofMarybecomingtheheiresstosolargeafortunehadbeenforceduponhisconsideration，hehadbeenunabletopreventhimselffrombuildinghappycastlesintheair，asherodeslowlyhomefromBoxallHill。Butnotawhitthemoreonthataccountwashepreparedtobeuntruetothesquire"sinterestortoencourageafeelingwhichmustbedistastefultoallthesquire"sfriends。
"Yes，doctor；hemustmarrymoney。"
"Andworth，LadyArabella；andapurefeminineheart；andyouthandbeauty。Ihopehewillmarrythemall。"
Coulditbepossible，thatinspeakingofapurefeminineheart，andyouthandbeauty，andsuchlikegewgaws，thedoctorwasthinkingofhisniece？Coulditbethathehadabsolutelymadeuphismindtofosterandencouragethisodiousmatch？
ThebareideamadeLadyArabellawrathful，andherwrathgavehercourage。"Hemustmarrymoney，orhewillbearuinedman。Now，doctor，Iaminformedthatthings——wordsthatis——havepassedbetweenhimandMarywhichneveroughttohavebeenallowed。"
Andnowthedoctorwaswrathful。"Whatthings？whatwords？"saidhe，appearingtoLadyArabellaasthoughheroseinhisangernearlyafootinaltitudebeforehereyes。"Whathaspassedbetweenthem？andwhosaysso？"
"Doctor，therehavebeenlove-makings，youmaytakemywordforit；
love-makingsofavery，veryadvanceddescription。"
This，thedoctorcouldnotstand。No，notforGreshamsburyanditsheir；notforthesquireandallhismisfortunes；notforLadyArabellaandthebloodoftheDeCourcyscouldhestandquietandhearMaryaccused。Hesprangupanotherfootinheight，andexpandedequallyinwidthasheflungbacktheinsinuation。
"Whosaysso？Whoeversaysso，whoeverspeaksofMissThorneinsuchlanguage，sayswhatisnottrue。Iwillpledgemyword——"
"Mydeardoctor，mydeardoctor，whattookplacewasquiteclearlyheard；therewasnomistakeaboutit，indeed。"
"Whattookplace？Whatwasheard？"
"Well，then，Idon"twant，youknow，tomakemoreofitthancanbehelped。Thethingmustbestopped，thatisall。"
"Whatthing？Speakout，LadyArabella。IwillnothaveMary"sconductimpugnedbyinnuendoes。Whatisthateavesdroppershaveheard？"
DrThorne，therehavebeennoeavesdroppers。"
"Andnottalebearerseither？Willyouladyshipobligemebylettingmeknowwhatisthisaccusationwhichyoubringagainstmyniece？"
"Therehasbeenmostpositivelyanoffermade，DrThorne。"
"Andwhomadeit？"
"Oh，ofcourseIamnotgoingtosaybutwhatFrankmusthavebeenveryimprudent。Ofcoursehehasbeentoblame。Therehasbeenfaultonbothsides，nodoubt。"
"Iutterlydenyit。Ipositivelydenyit。Iknownothingofthecircumstances；haveheardnothingaboutit——"
"Thenofcourseyoucan"tsay，"saidLadyArabella。
"Iknownothingofthecircumstance；haveheardnothingaboutit，"
continuedDrThorne；"butIdoknowmyniece，andamreadytoassertthattherehasnotbeenfaultonbothsides。Whethertherehasbeenanyfaultonanyside，thatIdonotknow。"
"Icanassureyou，DrThorne，thatanofferwasmadebyFrank；suchanoffercannotbewithoutitsallurementstoayoungladycircumstancedlikeyourniece。"
"Allurements！"almostshoutedthedoctor，and，ashedidso，LadyArabellasteppedbackapaceortwo，retreatingfromthefirewhichshotoutofhiseyes。"Butthetruthis，LadyArabella，youdonotknowmyniece。IfyouwillhavethegoodnesstoletmeunderstandwhatitisthatyoudesireIwilltellyouwhetherIcancomplywithyourwishes。"
"Ofcourseitwillbeveryinexpedientthattheyoungpeopleshouldbethrowntogetheragain；——forthepresent，Imean。"
"Well！"
"FrankhasnowgonetoCourcyCastle；andhetalksofgoingfromthencetoCambridge。Buthewilldoubtlessbehere，backwardsandforwards；
andperhapsitwillbebetterforallparties——safer，thatis，doctor——ifMissThorneweretodiscontinuehervisitstoGreshamsburyforawhile。"
"Verywell！"thunderedoutthedoctor。"HervisitstoGreshamsburyshallbediscontinued。"
"Ofcourse，doctor，thiswon"tchangeintercoursebetweenus；betweenyouandtheandthefamily。"
"Notchangeit！"saidhe。"DoyouthinkthatIwillbreakbreadinahousefromwhenceshehasbeenignominiouslybanished？DoyouthinkthatIcansitinfriendshipwiththosewhohavespokenofherasyouhavenowspoken？Youhavemanydaughters；whatwouldyousayifI
accusedthemoneofthemasyouhaveaccusedher？"
"Accused，doctor！No，Idon"taccuseher。Butprudence，youknow，doessometimesrequireus——"
"Verywell；prudencerequiresyoutolookafterthosewhobelongtoyou。Andprudencerequiresmetolookaftermyonelamb。Goodmorning，LadyArabella。"
"But，doctor，youarenotgoingtoquarrelwithus？Youwillcomewhenwewantyou；eh！won"tyou？"
Quarrel！quarrelwithGreshamsbury！Angryashewas，thedoctorfeltthathecouldillbeartoquarrelwithGreshamsbury。Amanpastfiftycannoteasilythrowoverthetiesthathavetakentwentyyearstoform，andwrenchhimselfawayfromthevariouscloseligatureswithwhich，insuchaperiod，hehasbecomebound。Hecouldnotquarrelwiththesquire；hecouldillbeartoquarrelwithFrank；thoughhenowbegantoconceivethatFrankhadusedhimbadly，hecouldnotdoso；hecouldnotquarrelwiththechildren，whohadalmostbeenbornintohisarms；
norevenwiththeverywalls，andtrees，andgrassyknollswithwhichhewassodearlyintimate。HecouldnotproclaimhimselfanenemytoGreshamsbury；andyethefeltthatfealtytoMaryrequiredofhimthat，forthepresent，heshouldputonanenemy"sguise。
"Ifyouwantme，LadyArabella，andsendforme，Iwillcometoyou；
otherwise，ifyouplease，sharethesentencewhichhasbeenpassedonMary。Iwillnowwishyougoodmorning。"Andthenbowinglowtoher，helefttheroomandthehouse，andsaunteredslowlyawaytohisownhome。
WhatwashetosaytoMary？Hewalkedveryslowly，downtheGreshamsburyavenuewithhishandsclaspedbehindhisback，thinkingoverthewholematter；thinkingofit，orrathertryingtothinkofit。Whenaman"sheartiswarmlyconcernedinanymatter，itisalmostuselessforhimtoendeavourtothinkofit。Insteadofthinking，hegivesplaytohisfeelings，andfeedshispassionbyindulgingit。
"Allurements！"hesaidtohimself，repeatingLadyArabella"swords。"A
girlcircumstancedlikemyniece！Howutterlyincapableissuchawomanasthattounderstandthemind，andtheheart，andsoulofsuchaoneasMaryThorne！"AndthenhisthoughtsrecurredtoFrank。"Ithasbeenilldoneofhim；illdoneofhim：youngasheis，heshouldhavehadfeelingenoughtosparedmethis。Athoughtlesswordhasbeenspokenwhichwillnowmakehermiserable！"Andthen，ashewalkedon，hecouldnotdivesthismindoftheremembranceofwhathadpassedbetweenhimandSirRoger。What，ifafterall，Maryshouldbecometheheiresstoallthatmoney？What，ifsheshouldbecome，infact，theownerofGreshamsbury？for，indeeditseemedtoopossiblethatSirRoger"sheirwouldbetheownerofGreshamsbury。
Theideawasonewhichhedislikedtoentertain，butitwouldrecurtohimagainandagain。Itmightbe，thatamarriagebetweenhisnieceandthenominalheirtotheestatemightbeofallthematchesthebestforyoungGreshamtomake。Howsweetwouldbetherevenge，howglorioustheretaliationonLadyArabella，if，afterwhathadnowbeensaid，itshouldcometopassthatallthedifficultiesofGreshamsburyshouldbemadesmoothbyMary"slove，andMary"shand！Itwasadangeroussubjectonwhichtoponder。And，ashesauntereddowntheroad，thedoctordidhisbesttobanishitfromhismind——notaltogethersuccessfully。
ButashewentheagainencounteredBeatrice。"TellMaryIwentuptoherto-day，"saidshe，"andthatIexpectheruphereto-morrow。Ifshedoesnotcomehere，Ishallbesavage。"
"Donotbesavage，"saidhe，puttingouthishand，"eventhoughsheshouldnotcome。"
Beatriceimmediatelysawthathismannerwithherwasnotplayful，andthathisfacewasserious。"Iwasonlyinjoke，"saidshe；"ofcourseIwasonlyjoking。Butisanythingthematter？IsMaryill？"
"Oh，no；notillatall；butshewillnotbehereto-morrow，norprobablyforsometime。But，MissGresham，youmustnotbesavagewithher。"
Beatricetriedtointerrogatehim，buthewouldnotwaittoanswerherquestions。Whileshewasspeakinghebowedtoherinhisusualold-fashionedcourteousway，andpassedonoutofhearing。"Shewillnotcomeupforsometime，"saidBeatricetoherself。"Thenmammamusthavequarrelledwithher。"Andatonceinherheartsheacquittedherfriendofallblameinthematter，whateveritmightbe，andcondemnedhermotherunheard。
Thedoctor，whenhearrivedinhisownhouse，hadinnowisemadeuphismindastothemannerinwhichhewouldbreakthemattertoMary；butbythetimethathehadreachedthedrawing-room，hehadmadeuphismindtothis，thathewouldputofftheevilhourtillthemorrow。Hewouldsleeponthematter——lieawakeonit，moreprobably——andthenatbreakfast，asbesthecould，tellherwhathadbeensaidofher。
Marythateveningwasmorethanusuallyinclinedtobeplayful。Shehadnotbeenquitecertaintillthemorning，whetherFrankhadabsolutelyleftGreshamsbury，andhad，therefore，preferredthecompanyofMissOrieltogoinguptothehouse。TherewasapeculiarcheerfulnessaboutherfriendPatience，afeelingofsatisfactionwiththeworldandthoseinit，whichMaryalwayssharedwithher；andnowshehadbroughthometothedoctor"sfireside，inspiteofheryoungtroubles，asmilingface，ifnotaheartaltogetherhappy。
"Uncle，"shesaidatlast，"whatmakesyousosombre？ShallIreadtoyou？"
"No；notto-night，dearest。"
"Why，uncle；whatisthematter？"
"Nothing，nothing。"
"Ah，butitissomething，andyoushalltellme；"gettingup，shecameovertohisarm-chair，andleantoverhisshoulder。
Helookedupatherforaminuteinsilence，andthen，gettingupfromhischair，passedhisarmroundherwaist，andpressedhercloselytohisheart。
"Mydarling！"hesaid，almostconvulsively。"Mybestown，truestdarling！"andMarylookedupintohisface，sawthatbigtearswererunningdownhischeeks。
Butstillhetoldhernothingthatnight。
CHAPTERXV
COURCY
WhenFrankGreshamexpressedtohisfatheranopinionthatCourcyCastlewasdull，thesquire，asmayberemembered，didnotpretendtodifferfromhim。Tomensuchasthesquire，andsuchasthesquire"sson，CourcyCastlewasdull。Towhatclassofmenitwouldnotbedulltheauthorisnotpreparedtosay；butitmaybepresumedthattheDeCourcysfoundittotheirliking，ortheywouldhavemadeitotherthanitwas。
Thecastleitselfwasahugebrickpile，builtinthedaysofWilliamIII，which，thoughtheyweregrandfordaysoftheconstructionoftheConstitution，werenotverygrandforarchitectureofamorematerialdescription。Ithad，nodoubt，aperfectrighttobecalledacastle，asitwasenteredbyacastle-gatewhichledintoacourttheporter"slodgeforwhichwasbuiltasitwereintothewall；therewereattachedtoitalsotworound，stumpyadjuncts，whichwere，perhapsproperly，calledtowers，thoughtheydidnotdomuchinthewayoftowering；and，moreover，alongonesideofthehouse，overwhatwouldotherwisehavebeenthecornice，thereranacastellatedparapet，throughtheassistanceofwhich，theimaginationnodoubtwasintendedtosupplythemuzzlesofdefiantartillery。Butanyartillerywhichwouldhavesopresenteditsmuzzlemusthavebeenverysmall，anditmaybedoubtedwhetherevenabowmancouldhaveobtainedshelterthere。
Thegroundsaboutthecastlewerenotveryinviting，nor，asgrounds，veryextensive；though，nodoubt，theentiredomainwassuchassuitedtheimportanceofsopuissantanoblemanasEarldeCourcy。What，indeed，shouldhavebeentheparkwasdividedoutintovariouslargepaddocks。Thesurfacewasflatandunbroken；andthoughthereweremagnificentelm-treesstandinginstraightlines，likehedgerows，thetimberhadnotthatbeautiful，wild，scatteredlookwhichgenerallygivesthegreatcharmtoEnglishscenery。
ThetownofCourcy——fortheplaceclaimedtorankasatown——wasinmanyparticularslikethecastle。Itwasbuiltofdingy-redbrick——almostmorebrownthanred——andwassolid，dull-looking，uglyandcomfortable。
Itconsistedoffourstreets，whichwereformedbytworoadscrossingeachother，makingatthepointofjunctionacentreforthetown。HerestoodtheRedLion；haditbeencalledthebrownlion，thenomenclaturewouldhavebeenmorestrictlycorrect；andhere，intheolddaysofcoaching，somelifehadbeenwonttostiritselfatthosehouseinthedayandnightwhentheFreetraders，Tallyhoes，andRoyalMailschangedtheirhorses。Butnowtherewasarailwaystationamileandahalfdistant，andthemovinglifeofthetownofCourcywasconfinedtotheRedLionomnibus，whichseemedtopassitsentiretimeingoingupanddownbetweenthetownandthestation，quiteunembarrassedbyanygreatweightofpassengers。