第9章
Thiswasratheradifficultquestiontoanswer；andFrankwasnotveryquickinattemptingit。"Iknowyouwillnotforgiveme，"hesaidatlast；"and，indeed，Idonotseehowyoucan。Idon"tknowhowitcameabout；butthisiscertain，MissDunstable；Ihaveneverforamomentthoughtaboutyourfortune；thatis，thoughtaboutitinthewayofcovetingit。"
"Youneverthoughtofmakingmeyourwife，then？"
"Never，"saidFrank，lookingboldlyintoherface。
"Youneverintendedreallytoproposetogowithmetothealtar，andthenmakeyourselfrichbyonegreatperjury？"
"Neverforamoment，"saidhe。
"Youhavenevergloatedovermeasthebirdofpreygloatsoverthepoorbeastthatissoontobecomecarrionbeneathitsclaws？Youhavenotcountedmeoutasequaltosomuchland，andcalculatedonmeasabalanceatyourbanker"s？Ah，MrGresham，"shecontinued，seeingthathestaredasthoughstruckalmostwithawebyherstronglanguage；"youlittleguesswhatawomansituatedasIamhastosuffer。"
"Ihavebehavedbadlytoyou，MissDunstable，andIbegyourpardon；
butIhaveneverthoughtofyourmoney。"
"Thenwewillbefriendsagain，MrGresham，won"twe？Itissonicetohaveafriendlikeyou。There，IthinkIunderstanditnow；youneednottellme。"
"Itwashalfbywayofmakingafoolofmyaunt，"saidFrank，inanapologetictone。
"Thereismeritinthat，atanyrate，"saidMissDunstable。"I
understanditallnow；youthoughttomakeafoolofmeinrealearnest。Well，Icanforgivethat；atanyrateitisnotmean。"
Itmaybe，thatMissDunstabledidnotfeelmuchacuteangeratfindingthatthisyoungmanhadaddressedherwithwordsofloveinthecourseofanordinaryflirtation，althoughthatflirtationhadbeenunmeaningandsilly。Thiswasnottheoffenceagainstwhichherheartandbreasthadfoundpeculiarcausetoarmitself；thiswasnottheinjuryfromwhichshehadhithertoexperiencedsuffering。
Atanyrate，sheandFrankagainbecamefriends，and，beforetheeveningwasover，theyperfectlyunderstoodeachother。Twiceduringthislongtete-a-teteLadydeCourcycameintotheroomtoseehowthingsweregoingon，andtwiceshewentoutalmostunnoticed。Itwasquitecleartoherthatsomethinguncommonhadtakenplace，wastakingplace，orwouldtakeplace；andthatshouldthisbeforwealorforwoe，nogoodcouldnotcomefromherinterference。Oneachoccasion，therefore，shesmiledsweetlyonthepairofturtle-doves，andglidedoutoftheroomasquietlyasshehadglidedintoit。
Butatlastitbecamenecessarytoremovethem；fortheworldhadgonetobed。Frank，inthemeantime，hadtoldtoMissDunstableallhisloveforMaryThorne，andMissDunstablehadenjoinedhimtobetruetohisvows。Tohereyestherewassomethingofheavenlybeautyinyoung，truelove——ofbeautythatwasheavenlybecauseithadbeenunknowntoher。
"Mindyouletmehear，MrGresham，"saidshe。"Mindyoudo；and，MrGresham，never，neverforgetherforonemoment；notforonemoment，MrGresham。"
Frankwasabouttoswearthatheneverwould——again，whenthecountess，forthethirdtime，sailedintotheroom。
"Youngpeople，"saidshe，"doyouknowwhato"clockitis？"
"Dearme，LadydeCourcy，Ideclareitispasttwelve；Ireallyamashamedofmyself。Howgladyouwillbetogetridofmeto-morrow！"
"No，no，indeedweshan"t；shallwe，Frank？"andsoMissDunstablepassedout。
Thenonceagaintheaunttappedhernephewwithherfan。Itwasthelasttimeinherlifethatshedidso。Helookedupinherface，andhislookwasenoughtotellherthattheacresofGreshamsburywerenottobereclaimedbytheointmentofLebanon。
Nothingfurtheronthesubjectwassaid。OnthefollowingmorningMissDunstabletookherdeparture，notmuchheedingtherathercoldwordsoffarewellwhichherhostessgaveher；andonthefollowingdayFrankstartedforGreshamsbury。
CHAPTERXXI
MRMOFFATFALLSINTOTROUBLE
Wewillnow，withthereader"skindpermission，skipoversomemonthsinournarrative。FrankreturnedfromCourcyCastletoGreshamsbury，andhavingcommunicatedtohismother——muchinthesamemannerashehadtothecountess——thefactthathismissionhadbeenunsuccessful，hewentupafteradayortwotoCambridge。DuringhisshortstayatGreshamsburyhedidnotevencatchaglimpseofMary。Heaskedforher，ofcourse，andwastoldthatitwasnotlikelythatshewouldbeatthehousejustatpresent。Hecalledatthedoctor"s，butshewasdeniedtohimthere；"shewasout，"Janetsaid，——"probablywithMissOriel。"HewenttotheparsonageandfoundMissOrielathome；butMaryhadnotbeenseenthatmorning。Hethenreturnedtothehouse；
and，havingcometotheconclusionthatshehadnotthusvanishedintoair，otherwisethanbypreconcertedarrangement，heboldlytaxedBeatriceonthesubject。
Beatricelookedverydemure；declaredthatnooneinthehousehadquarrelledwithMary；confessedthatithadbeenthoughtprudentthatsheshouldforawhilestayawayfromGreshamsbury；and，ofcourse，endedbytellingherbrothereverything，includingallthescenesthathadpassedbetweenMaryandherself。
"Itisoutofthequestionyourthinkingofmarryingher，Frank，"saidshe。"YoumustknowthatnobodyfeelsitmorestronglythanpoorMaryherself；"andBeatricelookedtheverypersonificationofdomesticprudence。
"Iknownothingofthekind，"saidhe，withtheheadlongimperativeairthatwasusualwithhimindiscussingmatterswithhissisters。"I
knownothingofthekind。OfcourseIcannotsaywhatMary"sfeelingsmaybe：aprettylifeshemusthavehadofitamongyou。Butyoumaybesureofthis，Beatrice，andsomaymymother，thatnothingonearthshallmakemegiveherup——nothing。"AndFrank，ashemadethisprotestation，strengthenedhisownresolutionbythinkingofallthecounselthatMissDunstablehadgivenhim。
Thebrotherandsistercouldhardlyagree，asBeatricewasdeadagainstthematch。NotthatshewouldnothavelikedMaryThorneforasister-in-law，butthatshesharedtoacertaindegreethefeelingwhichwasnowcommontoalltheGreshams——thatFrankmustmarrymoney。
Itseemed，atanyrate，tobeimperativethatheshouldeitherdothatornotmarryatall。PoorBeatricewasnotverymercenaryinherviews：shehadnowishtosacrificeherbrothertoanyMissDunstable；
butyetshefelt，astheyallfelt——MaryThorneincluded——thatsuchasamatchasthat，oftheyoungheirwiththedoctor"sniece，wasnottobethoughtof；——nottobespokenofasathingthatwasinanywaypossible。Therefore，Beatrice，thoughshewasMary"sgreatfriend，thoughshewasherbrother"sfavouritesister，couldgiveFranknoencouragement。PoorFrank！circumstanceshadmadebutonebridepossibletohim：hemustmarrymoney。
Hismothersaidnothingtohimonthesubject：whenshelearntthattheaffairwithMissDunstablewasnottocomeoff，shemerelyremarkedthatitwouldperhapsbebestforhimtoreturntoCambridgeassoonaspossible。Hadshespokenhermindout，shewouldprobablyhavealsoadvisedhimtoremainthereaslongaspossible。ThecountesshadnotomittedtowritetoherwhenFrankhadleftCourcyCastle；andthecountess"slettercertainlymadetheanxiousmotherthinkthatherson"seducationhadhardlyyetbeencompleted。Withthissecondaryobject，butwiththatofkeepinghimoutofthewayofMaryThorneinthefirstplace，LadyArabellawasnowquitesatisfiedthathersonshouldenjoysuchadvantagesasaneducationcompletedattheuniversitymightgivehim。
WithhisfatherFrankhadalongconversation；but，alas！thegistofhisfather"sconversationwasthis，thatitbehovedhim，Frank，tomarrymoney。Thefather，however，didnotputittohiminthecold，callouswayinwhichhislady-aunthaddone，andhislady-mother。Hedidnotbidhimgoandsellhimselftothefirstfemalehecouldfindpossessedofwealth。Itwaswithinwardself-reproaches，andtruegriefofspirit，thatthefathertoldthesonthatitwasnotpossibleforhimtodoasthosewhomaydowhoarebornreallyrich，orreallypoor。
"Ifyoumarryagirlwithoutafortune，Frank，howareyoutolive？"
thefatherasked，afterhavingconfessedhowdeephehimselfhadinjuredhisownheir。
"Idon"tcareaboutmoney，sir，"saidFrank。"IshallbejustashappyifBoxallHillhadneverbeensold。Idon"tcareastrawaboutthatsortofthing。"
"Ah！myboy；butyouwillcare：youwillsoonfindthatyoudocare。"
"Letmegointosomeprofession。LetmegototheBar。IamsureI
couldearnmyownliving。Earnit！ofcourseIcould，whynotIaswellasothers？Ishouldlikeofallthingstobeabarrister。"
Therewasmuchmoreofthesamekind，inwhichFranksaidallthathecouldthinkoftolessenhisfather"sregrets。IntheirconversationnotawordwasspokenaboutMaryThorne。Frankwasnotawarewhetherornohisfatherhadbeentoldofthegreatfamilydangerwhichwasdreadedinthatquarter。Thathehadbeentold，wemaysurmise，asLadyArabellawasnotwonttoconfinethefamilydangerstoherownbosom。Moreover，Mary"spresencehad，ofcourse，beenmissed。Thetruthwas，thatthesquirehadbeentold，withgreatbitterness，ofwhathadcometopass，andalltheevilhadbeenlaidathisdoor。HeithadbeenwhohandencouragedMarytoberegardedalmostasadaughterofthehouseofGreshamsbury：heitwaswhotaughtthatodiousdoctor——odiousonallbuthisaptitudeforgooddoctoring——tothinkhimselfafitmatchforthearistocracyofthecounty。Ithadbeenhisfault，thisgreatnecessitythatFrankshouldmarrymoney；andnowitwashisfaultthatFrankwasabsolutelytalkingofmarryingapauper。
Bynomeansinquiescencedidthesquirehearthesechargesbroughtagainsthim。TheLadyArabella，ineachattack，gotquiteasmuchasshegave，and，atlast，wasdriventoretreatinastateofheadache，whichshedeclaredtobechronic；andwhich，sosheassuredherdaughterAugusta，mustpreventherfromhavinganymorelengthenedconversationswithherlord——atanyrateforthenextthreemonths。Butthoughthesquiremaybesaidtohavecomeoffonthewholeasthevictorinthesecombats，theydidnotperhapshave，onthataccount，thelesseffectuponhim。Heknewitwastruethathehaddonemuchtowardsruininghisson；andhealsocouldthinkofnootherremedythanmatrimony。ItwasFrank"sdoom，pronouncedevenbythevoiceofhisfather，thathemustmarrymoney。
Andso，FrankwentoffagaintoCambridge，feelinghimself，ashewent，tobeamuchlessermaninGreshamsburyestimationthanhehadbeensometwomonthsearlier，whenhisbirthdayhadbeencelebrated。OnceduringhisshortstayatGreshamsburyhehadseenthedoctor；butthemeetinghadbeenanythingbutpleasant。HehadbeenafraidtoaskafterMary；andthedoctorhadbeentoodiffidentofhimselftospeakofher。Theyhadmetcasuallyontheroad，and，thougheachinhisheartlovedtheother，themeetinghadbeenanythingbutpleasant。
AndsoFrankwenttoCambridge；and，ashedidso，hestoutlyresolvedthatnothingshouldmakehimuntruetoMaryThorne。"Beatrice，"saidhe，onthemorninghewentaway，whenshecameintohisroomtosuperintendhispacking——"Beatrice，ifsheevertalksaboutme——"
"Oh，Frank，mydarlingFrank，don"tthinkofit——itismadness；sheknowsitismadness。"
"Nevermind；ifsheevertalksaboutme，tellherthatthelastwordI
saidwas，thatIwouldneverforgether。Shecandoasshelikes。"
Beatricemadenopromise，neverhintedthatshewouldgivethemessage；
butitmaybetakenforgrantedthatshehadnotbeenlongincompanywithMaryThornebeforeshedidgiveit。
AndthentherewereothertroublesatGreshamsbury。IthadbeendecidedthatAugusta"smarriagewastotakeplaceinSeptember；butMrMoffathad，unfortunately，beenobligedtopostponethehappyday。HehimselfhadtoldAugusta——not，ofcourse，withoutprotestationsastohisregret——andhadwrittentothiseffecttoMrGresham，"Electioneeringmatters，andothertroubleshad，"hesaid，"madethispeculiarlypainfulpostponementabsolutelynecessary。"
Augustaseemedtobearhermisfortunewithmoreequanimitythanis，webelieve，usualwithyoungladiesundersuchcircumstances。Shespokeofittohermotherinaverymatter-of-factway，andseemedalmostcontentedattheideaofremainingatGreshamsburytillFebruary；whichwasthetimenownamedforthemarriage。ButLadyArabellawasnotequallywellsatisfied，norwasthesquire。
"Ihalfbelievethatfellowisnothonest，"hehadoncesaidoutloudbeforeFrank，andthissetFranka-thinkingofwhatdishonestyinthematteritwasprobablethatMrMoffatmightbeguilty，andwhatwouldbethefittingpunishmentforsuchacrime。Nordidhethinkonthesubjectinvain；especiallyafteraconferenceonthematterwhichhehadwithhisfriendHarryBaker。ThisconferencetookplaceduringtheChristmasvacation。
Itshouldbementioned，thatthetimespentbyFrankatCourcyCastlehadnotdonemuchtoassisthiminhisviewsastoanearlydegree，andthatithadatlastbeensettledthatheshouldstayupatCambridgeanotheryear。WhenhecamehomeatChristmashefoundthatthehousewasnotpeculiarlylively。MarywasabsentonavisitwithMissOriel。BoththeseyoungladieswerestayingwithMissOriel"saunt，intheneighbourhoodofLondon；andFranksoonlearntthattherewasnochancethateitherofthemwouldbehomebeforehisreturn。NomessagehadbeenleftforhimbyMary——noneatleasthadbeenleftwithBeatrice；andhebeganinhishearttoaccuseherofcoldnessandperfidy；——not，certainly，withmuchjustice，seeingthatshehadnevergivenhimtheslightestencouragement。
TheabsenceofPatienceOrieladdedtothedullnessoftheplace。ItwascertainlyharduponFrankthatalltheattractionofthevillageshouldberemovedtomakewayandprepareforhisreturn——harder，perhaps，onthem；for，totellthetruth，MissOriel"svisithadbeenentirelyplannedtoenablehertogiveMaryacomfortablewayofleavingGreshamsburyduringthetimethatFrankshouldremainathome。
Frankthoughthimselfcruellyused。ButwhatdidMrOrielthinkwhendoomedtoeathisChristmaspuddingalone，becausetheyoungsquirewouldbeunreasonableinhislove？Whatdidthedoctorthink，ashesatsolitarybyhisdesertedhearth——thedoctor，whonolongerpermittedhimselftoenjoythecomfortsoftheGreshamsburydining-table？Frankhintedandgrumbled；talkedtoBeatriceofthedeterminedconstancyofhislove，andoccasionallyconsoledhimselfbyastraysmilefromsomeoftheneighbouringbelles。Theblackhorsewasmadeperfect；theoldgreyponywasbynomeansdiscarded；andmuchthatwassatisfactorywasdoneinthesportingline。Butstillthehousewasdull，andFrankfeltthathewasthecauseofitsbeingso。Ofthedoctorhesawbutlittle：henevercametoGreshamsbury，unlesstoseeLadyArabellaasdoctor，ortobeclosetedwiththesquire。Therewerenospecialeveningswithhim；noanimatedconfabulationsatthedoctor"shouse；nodiscoursesbetweenthem，astherewaswonttobe，aboutthemeritsofthedifferentcovers，andthecapacitiesofthedifferenthounds。TheseweredulldaysonthewholeforFrank；andsadenough，wemaysay，forourfriendthedoctor。
InFebruaryFrankagainwentbacktocollege；havingsettledwithHarryBakercertainaffairswhichweighedonhismind。HewentbacktoCambridge，promisingtobehomeonthetwentiethofthemonth，soastobepresentathissister"swedding。Acoldandchillingtimehadbeennamedforthesehymenealjoys，butonenotaltogetherunsuitedtothefeelingsofthehappypair。Februaryiscertainlynotawarmmonth；
butwiththerichitisgenerallyacosy，comfortabletime。Goodfires，wintercheer，groaningtables，andwarmblankets，makeafictitioussummer，which，tosometastes，ismoredelightfulthanthelongdaysandthehotsun。Andsomemarriagesareespeciallywintermatches。Theydependfortheircharmonthesamesubstantialattractions：insteadofheartbeatingtoheartinsympatheticunison，pursechinkstopurse。Therichnewfurnitureofthenewabodeislookedtoinsteadoftheraptureofapureembrace。Thenewcarriageisdependedonratherthanthenewheart"scompanion；andthefirstbrightgloss，preparedbytheupholsterer"shands，standsinlieuoftherosytintswhichyounglovelendstohistruevotaries。
MrMoffathadnotspenthisChristmasatGreshamsbury。Thateternalelectionpetition，thoseeternallawyers，theeternalcareofhiswell-managedwealth，forbadehimtheenjoymentofanysuchpleasures。
HecouldnotcometoGreshamsburyforChristmas，noryetforthefestivitiesofthenewyear；butnowandthenhewroteprettilywordednotes，sendingoccasionallyasilver-giltpencil-case，orasmallbrooch，andinformedLadyArabellathathelookedforwardtothetwentiethofFebruarywithgreatsatisfaction。But，inthemeanwhile，thesquirebecameanxious，andatlastwentuptoLondon；andFrank，whowasatCambridge，boughttheheaviest-cuttingwhiptobefoundinthattown，andwroteaconfidentiallettertoHarryBaker。
PoorMrMoffat！Itiswellknownthatnonebutthebravedeservethefair；butthou，withoutmuchexcuseforbravery，hadsecuredforthyselfonewho，atanyrate，wasfairenoughforthee。Woulditnothavebeenwellhadstthoulookedtothyselftoseewhatrealbraverymightbeinthee，beforethouhadstpreparedtodesertthisfaironethouhadstalreadywon？Thatlastachievement，onemaysay，didrequiresomespecialcourage。
PoorMrMoffat！Itiswonderfulthatashesatinthatgig，goingtoGatherumCastle，planninghowhewouldbeoffwithMissGreshamandafterwardsonwithMissDunstable，itiswonderfulthatheshouldnotthenhavecasthiseyebehindhim，andlookedatthatstalwartpairofshoulderswhichweresoclosetohisownback。Asheafterwardsponderedonhisschemewhilesippingtheduke"sclaret，itisoddthatheshouldnothaveobservedthefieryprideofpurposeandpowerofwrathwhichwassoplainlywrittenonthatyoungman"sbrow：or，whenhematured，andfinished，andcarriedouthispurpose，thathedidnotthinkofthatkeengraspwhichhadalreadysqueezedhisownhandwithsomewhattoowarmavigour，eveninthewayoffriendship。
PoorMrMoffat！itisprobablethatheforgottothinkofFrankatallasconnectedwithhispromisedbride；itisprobablethathelookedforwardonlytothesquire"sviolenceandtheenmityofthehouseofCourcy；andthathefoundfromenquiryathisheart"spulses，thathewasmanenoughtomeetthese。CouldhehaveguessedwhatawhipFrankGreshamwouldhaveboughtatCambridge——couldhehavedivinedwhataletterwouldhavebeenwrittentoHarryBaker——itisprobable，nay，wethinkwemaysaycertain，thatMissGreshamwouldhavebecomeMrsMoffat。
MissGresham，however，neverdidbecomeMrsMoffat。AbouttwodaysafterFrank"sdepartureforCambridge——itisjustpossiblethatMrMoffatwassoprudentastomakehimselfawareofthefact——butjusttwodaysafterFrank"sdeparture，averylong，elaborate，andclearlyexplanatoryletterwasreceivedatGreshamsbury。MrMoffatwasquitesurethatMissGreshamandherveryexcellentparentswoulddohimthejusticetobelievethathewasnotactuated，&c，&c，&c。Thelongandtheshortofthiswas，thatMrMoffatsignifiedhisintentionofbreakingoffthematchwithoutofferinganyintelligiblereason。
Augustaagainboreherdisappointmentwell：not，indeed，withoutsorrowandheartache，andinward，hiddentears；butstillwell。Sheneitherraved，norfainted，norwalkedaboutbymoonlightalone。Shewrotenopoetry，andneveroncethoughtofsuicide。When，indeed，sherememberedtherosy-tintedlining，theunfathomablesoftnessofthatLong-acrecarriage，herspiritdidforonemomentgiveway；but，onthewhole，sheboreitasastrong-mindedwomanandaDeCourcyshoulddo。
ButbothLadyArabellaandthesquireweregreatlyvexed。Theformerhadmadethematch，andthelatter，havingconsentedtoit，hadincurreddeeperresponsibilitiestoenablehimtobringitabout。ThemoneywhichwastohavebeengiventoMrMoffatwasstilltothefore；
butalas！howmuch，howmuchthathecouldillspare，hadbeenthrownawayinbridalpreparations！Itis，moreover，anunpleasantthingforagentlemantohavehisdaughterjilted；perhapspeculiarlysotohaveherjiltedbyatailor"sson。
LadyArabella"swoewasreallypiteous。ItseemedtoherasthoughcruelfatewereheapingmiseryaftermiseryuponthewretchedhouseofGreshamsbury。Afewweekssincethingsweregoingsowellwithher！
Frankthenwasstillallbuttheacceptedhusbandofalmostuntoldwealth——so，atleast，shewasinformedbyhersister-in-law——whereas，Augusta，wastheacceptedwifeofwealth，notindeeduntold，butofdimensionsquitesufficientlyrespectabletocausemuchjoyinthetelling。Wherenowwerehergoldenhopes？Wherenowthesplendidfutureofherpoordupedchildren？Augustawaslefttopinealone；andFrank，inastillworseplight，insistedonmaintaininghisloveforabastardandapauper。
ForFrank"saffairsshehadreceivedsomepoorconsolationbylayingalltheblameonthesquire"sshoulders。Whatshehadthensaidwasnowrepaidtoherwithinterest；fornotonlyhadshebeenthemakerofAugusta"smatch，butshehadboastedofthedeedwithallamother"spride。
ItwasfromBeatricethatFrankhadobtainedhistidings。ThislastresolveonthepartofMrMoffathadnotaltogetherbeenunsuspectedbysomeoftheGreshams，thoughaltogetherunsuspectedbytheLadyArabella。FrankhadspokenofitasapossibilitytoBeatrice，andwasnotquiteunpreparedwhentheinformationreachedhim。Heconsequentlyboughthiscutting-whip，andwrotehisconfidentiallettertoHarryBaker。
OnthefollowingdayFrankandHarrymighthavebeenseen，withtheirheadsnearlyclosetogether，leaningoveroneofthetablesinthelargebreakfast-roomattheTavistockHotelinCoventGarden。Theominouswhip，tothehandleofwhichFrankhadalreadymadehishandwellaccustomed，waslyingonthetablebetweenthem；andeverandanonHarryBakerwouldtakeitupandfeelitsweightapprovingly。Oh，MrMoffat！poorMrMoffat！gonotoutintothefashionableworldto-day；
aboveall，gonottothatclubofthineinPallMall；but，oh！
especiallygonotthere，asisthywonttodo，atthreeo"clockintheafternoon！
Withmuchcaredidthosetwoyounggeneralslaytheirplansofattack。
Letitnotforamomentbethoughtthatitwaseverinthemindsofeitherofthemthattwomenshouldattackone。ButitwasthoughtthatMrMoffatmightberathercoyincomingoutfromhisseclusiontomeettheprofferedhandofhisonceintendedbrother-in-lawwhenheshouldseethathandarmedwithaheavywhip。Baker，therefore，wascontenttoactasadecoyduck，andremarkedthathemightnodoubtmakehimselfusefulinrestrainingthepublicmercy，and，probably，incontrollingtheinterferenceofpolicemen。
"ItwillbedeucedhardifIcan"tgetfiveorsixshiesathim，"saidFrank，againclutchinghisweaponalmostspasmodically。Oh，MrMoffat！fiveorsixshieswithsuchawhip，andsuchanarm！Formyself，IwouldsoonerjointhesecondBalaclavagallopthanencounterit。
AttenminutesbeforefourthesetwoheroesmightbeseenwalkingupPallMall，towardsthe——Club。YoungBakerwalkedwithaneagerdisengagedair。MrMoffatdidnotknowhisappearance；hehad，therefore，noanxietytopassalongunnoticed。ButFrankhadinsomemysteriouswaydrawnhishatveryfaroverhisforehead，andhadbuttonedhisshooting-coatuproundhischin。Harryhadrecommendedtohimagreat-coat，inorderthathemightthebetterconcealhisface；
butFrankhadfoundthegreat-coatwasanencumbrancetohisarm。Heputiton，andwhenthusclothedhehadtriedthewhip，hefoundthathecuttheairwithmuchlesspotencythaninthelightergarment。Hecontentedhimself，therefore，withlookingdownonthepavementashewalkedalong，lettingthelongpointofthewhipstickupfromhispocket，andflatteringhimselfthatevenMrMoffatwouldnotrecognisehimatthefirstglance。PoorMrMoffat！Ifhehadbuthadthechance！
Andnow，havingarrivedatthefrontoftheclub，thetwofriendsforamomentseparate：Frankremainsstandingonthepavement，undertheshadeofthehighstonearea-railing，whileHarryjauntilyskipsupthreestepsatatime，andwithaverycivilwordofinquiryofthehallporter，sendshiscardtoMrMoffat——
"MRHARRYBAKER"
MrMoffat，neverhavingheardofsuchagentlemaninhislife，unwittinglycomesoutintothehall，andHarry，withthesweetestsmile，addresseshim。
Nowtheplanofthecampaignhadbeensettledinthiswise：BakerwastosendintotheclubforMrMoffat，andinvitethatgentlemandownintothestreet。Itwasprobablethattheinvitationmightbedeclined；andithadbeencalculatedinsuchcasethetwogentlemenwouldretireforparleyintothestrangers"room，whichwasknowntobeimmediatelyoppositethehalldoor。Frankwastokeephiseyeontheportals，andifhefoundthatMrMoffatdidnotappearasreadilyasmightbedesired，healsowastoascendthestepsandhurryintothestrangers"room。Then，whetherhemetMrMoffatthereorelsewhere，orwherever，hemightmeethim，hewastogreethimwithallthefriendlyvigourinhispower，whileHarrydisposedoftheclubporters。
Butfortune，whoeverfavoursthebrave，speciallyfavouredFrankGreshamonthisoccasion。JustasHarryBakerhadputhiscardintotheservant"shand，MrMoffat，withhishaton，preparedforthestreet，appearedinthehall；MrBakeraddressedhimwithhissweetestsmile，andbeggedthepleasureofsayingawordortwoastheydescendedintothestreet。HadnotMrMoffatbeengoingthitheritwouldhavebeenveryimprobablethatheshouldhavedonesoatHarry"sinstance。But，asitwas，hemerelylookedrathersolemnathisvisitor——itwashiswonttolooksolemn——andcontinuedthedescentofthesteps。
Frank，hisheartleapingthewhile，sawhisprey，andretreatedtwostepsbehindthearea-railing，thedreadweaponalreadywellpoisedinhishand。Oh！MrMoffat！MrMoffat！iftherebeanygoddesstointerfereinthyfavour，lethercomeforwardnowwithoutdelay；lethernowbeartheeoffonacloudiftherebeonetowhomthouartsufficientlydear！Butthereisnosuchgoddess。
Harrysmiledblandlytilltheywerewellonthepavement，sayingsomenothing，andkeepingthevictim"sfaceavertedfromtheavengingangel；
andthen，whentheraisedhandwassufficientlynigh，hewithdrewtwostepstowardsthenearestlamp-post。Notforhimwasthehonouroftheinterview；——unless，indeed，succouringpolicemenmightgiveoccasionforsomegleamofglory。
Butsuccouringpolicemenwerenomoretobecomebythangoddesses。
Wherewereye，men，whenthatsavagewhipfellabouttheearsofthepoorex-legislator？InScotlandYard，sittingdozingonyourbenches，ortalkingsoftnothingstothehousemaidsroundthecorner；foryewerenotwalkingonyourbeats，norstandingatcoignofvantage，towatchthetumultsoftheday。HadSirRichardhimselfbeenonthespotFrankGreshamwouldstill，wemaysay，havehadhisfiveshiesatthatunfortunateone。
WhenHarryBakerquicklysecededfromtheway，MrMoffatatoncesawthefatebeforehim。Hishairdoubtlessstoodonend，andhisvoicerefusedtogivetheloudscreechwithwhichhesoughttoinvoketheclub。Anashypalenesssuffusedhischeeks，andhistotteringstepswereunabletobearhimawayinflight。Once，andtwice，thecuttingwhipcamewelldownacrosshisback。Hadhebeenwiseenoughtostandstillandtakehisthrashinginthatattitude，itwouldhavebeenwellforhim。Butmensocircumstancedhaveneversuchprudence。Aftertwoblowshemadeadashatthesteps，thinkingtogetbackintotheclub；
butHarry，whohadbynomeansreclinedinidlenessagainstthelamp-post，herestoppedhim："Youhadbettergobackintothestreet，"
saidHarry；"indeedyouhad，"givinghimashovefromoffthesecondstep。
ThenofcourseFrankcoulddonootherthanhithimanywhere。Whenagentlemanisdancingaboutwithmuchenergyitishardlypossibletostrikehimfairlyonhisback。Theblows，therefore，camenowonhislegsandnowonhishead；andFrankunfortunatelygotmorethanhisfiveorsixshiesbeforehewasinterrupted。
Theinterruptionhowevercame，alltoosoonforFrank"sideaofjustice。ThoughtherebenopolicemantotakepartinaLondonrow，therearealwaysothersreadyenoughtodoso；amateurpolicemen，whogenerallysympathizewiththewrongside，and，inninecasesoutoften，expendtheirgenerousenergyinprotectingthievesandpickpockets。Whenitwasseenwithwhattremendousardourthatdreadweaponfellabouttheearsofthepoorundefendedgentleman，interferencewasatlast，inspiteofHarryBaker"sbestendeavours，andloudestprotestations。
"Donotinterruptthem，sir，"saidhe；"praydonot。Itisafamilyaffair，andtheywillneitherofthemlikeit。"
Intheteeth，however，oftheseassurances，rudepeopledidinterfere，andaftersomenineortenshiesFrankfoundhimselfencompassedbythearms，andencumberedbytheweightofaverystoutgentleman，whohungaffectionatelyabouthisneckandshoulders；whereas，MrMoffatwasalreadysittinginastateofsyncopeonthegood-naturedkneesofafishmonger"sapprentice。
Frankwasthoroughlyoutofbreath：nothingcamefromhislipsbuthalf-mutteredexpletivesandunintelligibledenunciationsoftheiniquityofhisfoe。Butstillhestruggledtobeathimagain。Weallknowhowdangerousisthetasteofblood；nowcruellyitwillbecomeacustomevenwiththemosttender-hearted。Frankfeltthathehadhardlyfleshedhisvirginlash：hethought，almostwithdespair，thathehadnotyetatallsucceededasbecameamanandabrother；hismemorytoldhimofbutoneortwooftheslightesttouchesthathadgonewellhometotheoffender。Hemadeadesperateefforttothrowoffthatincubusroundhisneckandrushagaintothecombat。
"Harry——Harry；don"tlethimgo——don"tlethimgo，"hebarelyarticulated。
"Doyouwanttomurdertheman，sir；tomurderhim？"saidthestoutgentlemanoverhisshoulder，speakingsolemnlyintohisveryear。
"Idon"tcare，"saidFrank，strugglingmanfullybutuselessly。"Letmeout，Isay；Idon"tcare——don"tlethimgo，Harry，whateveryoudo。"
"Hehasgotitprettilytidily，"saidHarry；"Ithinkthatwillperhapsdoforthepresent。"
Bythistimetherewasaconsiderableconcourse。Theclubstepswerecrowdedwithmembers；amongwhomthereweremayofMrMoffat"sacquaintance。Policemennowflockedup，andthequestionaroseastowhatshouldbedonewiththeoriginatorsoftheaffray。FrankandHarryfoundthattheyweretoconsiderthemselvesunderagentlearrest，andMrMoffat，inafaintingstate，wascarriedintotheinterioroftheclub。
Frank，inhisinnocence，hadintendedtohavecelebratedthislittleaffairwhenitwasoverbyalightrepastandabottleofclaretwithhisfriend，andthentohavegonebacktoCambridgebythemailtrain。
Hefound，however，thathisschemesinthisrespectwerefrustrated。HehadtogetbailtoattendatMarlboroughStreetpolice-officeshouldhebewantedwithinthenexttwoorthreedays；andwasgiventounderstandthathewouldbeundertheeyeofthepolice，atanyrateuntilMrMoffatshouldbeoutofdanger。
"Outofdanger！"saidFranktohisfriendwithastartledlook。"WhyI
hardlygotathim。"Nevertheless，theydidhavetheirslightrepast，andalsotheirbottleofclaret。
Onthesecondmorningafterthisoccurrence，FrankwasagainsittinginthatpublicroomattheTavistock，andHarrywasagainsittingoppositetohim。Thewhipwasnotnowsoconspicuouslyproducedbetweenthem，havingbeencarefullypackedupandputawayamongFrank"sothertravellingproperties。Theyweresositting，ratherglum，whenthedoorswungopen，andaheavyquickstepwasheardadvancingtowardsthem。Itwasthesquire；whosearrivaltherehadbeenmomentarilyexpected。
"Frank，"saidhe——"Frank，whatonearthisallthis？"andashespokehestretchedoutbothhands，therighttohissonandthelefttohisfriend。
"Hehasgivenablackguardalicking，thatisall，"saidHarry。
Frankfeltthathishandwasheldwithapeculiarlywarmgrasp；andhecouldnotbutthinkthathisfather"sface，raisedthoughhiseyebrowswere——thoughtherewasonitanintendedexpressionofamazementand，perhaps，regret——neverthelesshecouldnotbutthinkthathisfather"sfacelookedkindlyathim。
"Godblessmysoul，mydearboy！whathaveyoudonetotheman？"
"He"snotaha"porththeworse，sir，"saidFrank，stillholdinghisfather"shand。
"Oh，isn"the！"saidHarry，shrugginghisshoulders。"Hemustbemadeofsomeverystrongarticlethen。"
"Butmydearboys，Ihopethere"snodanger。Ihopethere"snodanger。"
"Danger！"saidFrank，whocouldnotyetinducehimselftobelievethathehadbeenallowedafairchancewithMrMoffat。
"Oh，Frank！Frank！howcouldyoubesorash？InthemiddleofPallMall，too。Well！well！well！AllthewomendownatGreshamsburywillhaveitthatyouhavekilledhim。"
"IalmostwishIhad，"saidFrank。
"Oh，Frank！Frank！Butnowtellme——"
Andthenthefathersatwellpleasedwhileheheard，chieflyfromHarryBaker，thefullstoryofhisson"sprowess。Andthentheydidnotseparatewithoutanotherslightrepastandanotherbottleofclaret。
MrMoffatretiredtothecountryforawhile，andthenwentabroad；
havingdoubtlesslearntthatthepetitionwasnotlikelytogivehimaseatforthecityofBarchester。AndthiswastheendofthewooingwithMissGresham。
CHAPTERXXII
SIRROGERISUNSEATED
Afterthis，littleoccurredatGreshamsbury，oramongGreshamsburypeople，whichitwillbenecessaryforustorecord。Somenoticewas，ofcourse，takingofFrank"sprolongedabsencefromhiscollege；andtidings，perhapsexaggeratedtidings，ofwhathadhappenedatPallMallwerenotslowtoreachtheHighStreetofCambridge。Butthataffairwasgraduallyhushedup；andFrankwentonwithhisstudies。
Hewentbacktohisstudies：itthenbeinganunderstoodarrangementbetweenhimandhisfatherthatheshouldnotreturntoGreshamsburytillthesummervacation。Onthisoccasion，thesquireandLadyArabellahad，strangetosay，beenofthesamemind。TheybothwishedtokeeptheirsonawayfromMissThorne；andbothcalculated，thatathisageandwithhisdisposition，itwasnotprobablethatanypassionwouldlastoutasixmonthabsence。"Andwhenthatsummercomesitwillbeanexcellentopportunityforustogoabroad，"saidLadyArabella。"PoorAugustawillrequiresomechangetorenovateherspirits。"
Tothislastpropositionthesquiredidnotassent。Itwas，however，allowedtopassover；andthismuchwasfixed，thatFrankwasnottoreturntillmidsummer。
ItwillberememberedthatSirRogerScatcherdhadbeenelectedassittingmemberforthecityofBarchester；butitwillalsoberememberedthatapetitionagainsthisreturnwasthreatened。HadthepetitiondependedsolelyonMrMoffat，SirRoger"sseatnodoubtwouldhavebeensavedbyFrankGresham"scuttingwhip。Butsuchwasnotthecase。MrMoffathadbeenputforwardbytheDeCourcyinterest；andthatnoblefamilywithitsdependantswasnottogotothewallbecauseMrMoffathadhadathrashing。No；thepetitionwastogoon；andMrNearthewindedeclared，thatnopetitioninhishandshadhalfsogoodachanceofsuccess。"Chance，no，butcertainty，"saidMrNearthewinde；
forMrNearthewindehadlearntsomethingwithreferencetothathonestpublicanandthepaymentofhislittlebill。
Thepetitionwaspresentedanddulybacked；therecognisancesweresigned，andalltheproperformalitiesformallyexecuted；andSirRogerfoundthathisseatwasinjeopardy。Hisreturnhadbeenagreattriumphtohim；and，unfortunately，hehadcelebratedthattriumphashehadbeeninthehabitofcelebratingmostoftheverytriumphantoccasionsofhislife。Thoughhewasthanhardlyyetrecoveredfromtheeffectsofhislastattack，heindulgedinanotherviolentdrinkingbout；and，strangetosay，didsowithoutanyimmediatevisiblebadeffects。
InFebruaryhetookhisseatamidstthewarmcongratulationsofallmenofhisownclass，andearlyinthemonthofAprilhiscasecameonfortrial。Everykindofelectioneeringsinknowntotheelectioneeringworldwasbroughttohischarge；hewasaccusedoffalseness，dishonesty，andbriberyofeverysort：hehad，itwassaidinthepaperofindictment，boughtvotes，obtainedthembytreating，carriedthemoffbyviolence，conqueredthembystrongdrink，polledthemtwiceover，countedthoseofdeadmen，stolenthem，forgedthem，andcreatedthembyeverypossible，fictitiouscontrivance：therewasnodescriptionofwickednessappertainingtothetaskofprocuringvotesofwhichSirRogerhadnotbeenguilty，eitherbyhimselforbyhisagents。Hewasquitehorror-struckatthelistofhisownenormities。
ButhewassomewhatcomfortedwhenMrCloserstiltoldhimthatthemeaningofitallwasthatMrRomer，thebarrister，hadpaidaformerbillduetoMrReddypalm，thepublican。
"Ifearhewasindiscreet，SirRoger；Ireallyfearhewas。Thoseyoungmeanalwaysare。Beingenergetic，theyworklikehorses；butwhat"stheuseofenergywithoutdiscretion，SirRoger？"
"But，MrCloserstil，Iknewnothingofitfromfirsttolast。"
"Theagencycanbeproved，SirRoger，"saidMrCloserstil，shakinghishead。Andthentherewasnothingfurthertobesaidonthematter。
Inthesedaysofsnow-whitepurityallpoliticaldelinquencyisabominableintheeyesofBritishpoliticians；butnodelinquencyissoabominablethanthevenalityatelections。Thesinofbriberyisdamnable。Itistheonesinforwhich，intheHouseofCommons，therecanbenoforgiveness。Whendiscovered，itshouldrendertheculpritliabletopoliticaldeath，withouthopeofpardon。ItistreasonagainstahigherthronethanthatonwhichtheQueensits。Itisaheresywhichrequiresanauto-da-fe。ItisapollutiontothewholeHouse，whichcanonlybecleansedbyagreatsacrifice。Anathemamaranatha！outwithitfromamongstus，eventhoughhalfofourheart"sbloodbepouredfromtheconflict！Outwithit，andforever！
Suchisthelanguageofpatrioticmemberswithregardtobribery；anddoubtless，ifsincere，theyareintheright。Itisabadthing，certainly，thatarichmanshouldbuyvotes；badalsothatapoormanshouldsellthem。Byallmeansletusrepudiatesuchasystemwithheartfeltdisgust。
Withheartfeltdisgust，ifwecandoso，byallmeans；butnotwithdisgustpretendedonlyandnotfeltintheheartatall。Thelawsagainstbriberyatelectionsarenowsostringentthatanunfortunatecandidatemayeasilybecomeguilty，eventhoughactuatedbythepurestintentions。Butnotthelessonthataccountdoesanygentleman，ambitiousofthehonourofservinghiscountryinParliament，thinkitnecessaryasapreliminarymeasuretoprovidearoundsumofmoneyathisbanker"s。Acandidatemustpayfornotreating，norefreshments，nobandofmusic；hemustgiveneitherribbonstothegirlsnoraletothemen。Ifahuzzabeutteredinhisfavour，itisathisperil；itmaybenecessaryforhimtoprovebeforeacommitteethatitwasthespontaneousresultofBritishfeelinginhisfavour，andnotthepurchasedresultofBritishbeer。Hecannotsafelyaskanyonetosharehishoteldinner。Briberyhidesitselfnowinthemostimpalpableshapes，andmaybeeffectedbytheofferofaglassofsherry。Butnotthelessonthisaccountdoesapoormanfindthatheisquiteunabletoovercomethedifficultiesofacontestedelection。
Westrainatourgnatswithavengeance，butweswallowourcamelswithease。Forwhatpurposeisitthatweemploythosepeculiarlysafemenofbusiness——MessrsNearthewindeandCloserstil——whenwewishtowinourpaththroughallobstaclesintothatsacredrecess？Alas！themoneyisstillnecessary，isstillprepared，oratanyrate，expended。Thepoorcandidateofcourseknowsnothingofthemattertilltheattorney"sbillislaidbeforehim，whenalldangerofpetitionshaspassedaway。
Helittledreamedtillthen，nothe，thattherehadbeenbanquetingsandjunketings，secretdoingsanddeepdrinkingsathisexpense。Poorcandidate！Poormember！Whowassoignorantashe！"Tistruehehaspaidbillsbefore；but"tisequallytruethathespeciallybeggedhismanagingfriendMrNearthewinde，tobeverycarefulthatallwasdoneaccordingtolaw！Hepaysthebill，however，andonthenextelectionwillagainemployMrNearthewinde。
Nowandagain，atrareintervals，someglimpseintotheinnersanctuarydoesreachtheeyesofordinarymortalmenwithout；someslightaccidentalpeepintothosemysteriesfromwhenallcorruptionhasbeensothoroughlyexpelled；andthen，howdelightfullyrefreshingisthesight，when，perhaps，someex-member，hurledfromhisparadiselikeafallenperi，revealsthesecretofthatpureheaven，and，intheagonyofhisdespair，tellsusallthatitcosthimtositfor——throughthosefewhalcyonyears！
ButMrNearthewindeisasafeman，andeasytobeemployedwithbutlittledanger。AllthesestringentbriberylawsonlyenhancethevalueofsuchverysafemenasMrNearthewinde。Tohim，stringentlawsagainstbriberyarethestrongestassuranceofvaluableemployment。
Weretheselawsofanaturetobeevadedwithease，anyindifferentattorneymightmanageacandidate"saffairsandenablehimtotakehisseatwithsecurity。
ItwouldhavebeenwellforSirRogerifhehadtrustedsolelytoMrCloserstil；wellalsoforMrRomerhadheneverfishedinthosetroubledwaters。Indueprocessoftimethehearingofthepetitioncameon，andthenwhosohappy，sittingathiseaseintheLondoninn，blowinghiscloudfromalongpipe，withmeasurelesscontent，asMrReddypalm？MrReddypalmwastheonegreatmanofthecontest。AlldependedonMrReddypalm；andwellhedidhisduty。
Theresultofthepetitionwasdeclaredbythecommitteetobereadasfollows：——thatSirRoger"selectionwasnullandvoid——thatSirRogerhad，byhisagent，beenguiltyofbriberyinobtainingavote，bythepaymentofabillallegedtohavebeenpreviouslyrefusedpayment——thisisalwaysamatterofcourse；——butthatSirRoger"sagent，MrRomer，hadbeenwillinglyguiltyofbriberywithreferencetothetransactionabovedeclared。PoorSirRoger！PoorMrRomer。
PoorMrRomerindeed！Hisfatewasperhapsassadaswellmightbe，andasfoulablottothepurismoftheseverypuretimesinwhichwelive。Notlongafterthosedays，itsohappeningthatsomeconsiderableamountofyouthfulenergyandquidnuncabilitywererequiredtosetlitigationafloatatHongKong，MrRomerwassentthitherasthefittestmanforsuchwork，withrichassuranceoffutureguerdon。WhoaresohappythenasMrRomer！Butevenamongthepurethereisroomforenvyanddetraction。MrRomerhadnotyetceasedtowonderatnewworlds，asheskimmedamongtheislandsofthatsouthernocean，beforetheedicthadgoneforthforhisreturn。ThereweremensittinginthathugecourtofParliamentonwhosebreastsitlayasanintolerableburden，thatEnglandshouldberepresentedamongtheantipodesbyonewhohadtamperedwiththepurityofthefranchise。Forthemtherewasnoresttillthisgreatdisgraceshouldbewipedoutandatonedfor。Mentheywereofthatcalibre，thattheslightestreflectiononthemofsuchastigmaseemedtothemselvestoblackentheirowncharacter。TheycouldnotbreakbreadwithsatisfactiontillMrRomerwasrecalled。Hewasrecalled，andofcourseruined——andthemindsofthosejustmenwerethenatpeace。
Toanyhonourablegentlemanwhoreallyfelthisbrowsuffusedwithapatrioticblush，ashethoughtofhiscountrydishonouredbyMrRomer"spresenceatHongKong——toanysuchgentleman，ifanysuchtherewere，letallhonourbegiven，eventhoughtheintensityofhispuritymaycreateamazementtoourlessfinelyorganizedsouls。Butifnosuchblushsuffusedthebrowofanyhonourablegentleman；ifMrRomerwasrecalledfromquiteotherfeelings——whattheninlieuofhonourshallweallottothosehonourablegentlemenwhoweremostconcerned？
SirRoger，however，losthisseat，and，afterthreemonthsofthejoysoflegislation，foundhimselfreducedbyaterribleblowtothelowlevelofprivatelife。
Andtheblowtohimwasveryheavy。Menbutseldomtellthetruthofwhatisinthem，eventotheirdearestfriends；theyareashamedofhavingfeelings，orratherofshowingthattheyaretroubledbyanyintensityoffeeling。Itisthepracticeofthetimetotreatallpursuitsasthoughtheywereonlyhalfimportanttous，asthoughinwhatwedesirewewereonlyhalfinearnest。Tobevisiblyeagerseemschildish，andisalwaysbadpolicy；andmen，therefore，nowadays，thoughtheystriveashardaseverintheserviceofambition——harderthaneverinthatofmammon——usuallydosowithapleasantsmileon，asthoughafteralltheywerebutamusingthemselveswiththelittlematterinhand。
PerhapsithadbeensowithSirRogerinthoseelectioneeringdayswhenhewaslookingforvotes。Atanyrate，hehadspokenofhisseatinParliamentasbutadoubtfulgood。"Hewaswilling，indeed，tostand，havingbeenasked；butthethingwouldinterferewonderfullywithhisbusiness；andthen，whatdidheknowaboutParliament？Nothingonearth：itwasthemaddestscheme，butnevertheless，hewasnotgoingtohangbackwhencalledupon——hehadalwaysbeenroughandreadywhenwanted——andtherehewasnowreadyasever，androughenoughtoo，Godknows。"
"Twasthusthathehadspokenofhiscomingparliamentaryhonours；andmenhadgenerallytakenhimathisword。Hehadbeenreturned，andthissuccesshadbeenhailedasagreatthingforthecauseandclasstowhichhebelonged。Butmendidnotknowthathisinnerheartwillswellingwithtriumph，andthathisbosomcouldhardlycontainhisprideashereflectedthatthepoorBarchesterstone-masonwasnowtherepresentativeofhisnativecity。Andso，whenhisseatwasattacked，hestilllaughedandjoked。"Theywerewelcometoitforhim，"hesaid；"hecouldkeepitorwantit；andofthetwo，perhaps，thewantofitwouldcomemostconvenienttohim。Hedidnotexactlythinkthathehadbribedanyone；butifthebigwigschosetosayso，itwasallonetohim。Hewasroughandready，nowasever，"&c&c。
Butwhenthestrugglecame，itwastohimafearfulone；notthelessfearfulbecausetherewasnoone，no，notonefriendinalltheworld，towhomhecouldopenhismindandspeakouthonestlywhatwasinhisheart。ToDrThornehemightperhapshavedonesohadhisintercoursewiththedoctorbeensufficientlyfrequent；butitwasonlynowandthenwhenhewasill，orwhenthesquirewantedtoborrowmoney，thathesawDrThorne。Hehadplentyoffriends，heapsoffriendsintheparliamentarysense；friendswhotalkedabouthim，andlaudedhimatpublicmeetings；whoshookhandswithhimonplatformsanddrankhishealthatdinners；buthehadnofriendswhocouldsitwithhimoverhisownhearth，intruefriendship，andlistento，andsympathizewith，andmoderatethesighingsoftheinnerman。Forhimtherewasnosympathy；notendernessoflove；noretreat，saveintohimself，fromtheloudbrassbandoftheouterworld。
Theblowhithimterriblyhard。Itdidnotcomealtogetherunexpectedly，andyet，whenitdidcome，itwasallbutunendurable。Hehadmadesomuchofthepowerofwalkingintothataugustchamber，andsittingshouldertoshoulderinlegislativeequalitywiththesonsofdukesandthecurleddarlingsofthenation。Moneyhadgivenhimnothing，nothingbutthemerefeelingofbrutepower：withhisthreehundredthousandpoundshehadfelthimselftobenomorepalpablyneartothegoalofhisambitionthanwhenhehadchippedstonesforthreeshillingsandsixpenceaday。Butwhenhewasledupandintroducedatthattable，whenheshooktheoldpremier"shandontheflooroftheHouseofCommons，whenheheardthehonourablememberforBarchesteralludedtoingravedebateasthegreatestlivingauthorityonrailwaymatters，then，indeed，hefeltthathehadachievedsomething。
Andnowthiscupwasravishedfromhislips，almostbeforeitwastasted。Whenhewasfirsttoldasacertaintythatthedecisionofthecommitteewasagainsthim，heboreupagainstthemisfortunelikeaman。Helaughedheartily，anddeclaredhimselfwellridofaveryprofitlessprofession；cutsomelittlejokeaboutMrMoffatandhisthrashing，andleftonthosearoundhimanimpressionthathewasamansoconstituted，sostronginhisownresolves，sosteadilypursuantofhisownwork，thatnolittlecontentionsofthiskindcouldaffecthim。Menadmiredhiseasylaughter，as，shufflinghishalf-crownswithbothhishandsinhistrouser-pockets，hedeclaredthatMessrsRomerandReddypalmwerethebestfriendshehadknownformanyaday。
Butnotthelessdidhewalkoutfromtheroominwhichhewasstandingabroken-heartedman。Hopecouldnotbuoyhimupasshemaydootherex-membersinsimilarlydisagreeablecircumstances。Hecouldnotaffordtolookforwardtowhatfurtherfavoursparliamentaryfuturehaveinstoreforhimafteralapseoffiveorsixyears。Fiveorsixyears！Why，hislifewasnotworthfouryears"purchase；ofthathewasperfectlyaware：hecouldnotnowlivewithoutthestimulusofbrandy；andyet，whilehetookit，heknewhewaskillinghimself。
Deathhedidnotfear；buthewouldfainhavewished，afterhislifeoflabour，tohavelived，whileyethecouldlive，intheblazeofthathighworldtowhichforamomenthehadattained。
Helaughedloudandcheerilyashelefthisparliamentaryfriends，and，puttinghimselfintothetrain，wentdowntoBoxallHill。Helaughedloudandcheerily；butheneverlaughedagain。IthadnotbeenhishabittolaughmuchatBoxallHill。Itwastherehekepthiswife，andMrWinterbones，andthebrandybottlebehindhispillow。Hehadnotoftentherefounditnecessarytoassumethatloudandcheerylaugh。
Onthisoccasionhewasapparentlywellinhealthwhenhegothome；butbothLadyScatcherdandMrWinterbonesfoundhimmorethanordinarilycross。Hemadeanaffectationatsittingveryhardtobusiness，andeventalkedofgoingabroadtolookatsomeofhisforeigncontracts。
ButevenWinterbonesfoundthathispatrondidnotworkashehadbeenwonttodo；andatlast，withsomemisgivings，hetoldLadyScatcherdthathefearedthateverythingwasnotright。
"He"salwaysatit，mylady，always，"saidMrWinterbones。
"Ishe？"saidLadyScatcherd，wellunderstandingwhatMrWinterbones"sallusionmeant。
"Always，mylady。Ineversawnothinglikeit。Now，there"sme——Icanalwaysgomyhalf-hourwhenI"vehadmydrop；buthe，why，hedon"tgotenminutes，notnow。"
ThiswasnotcheerfultoLadyScatcherd；butwhatwasthepoorwomantodo？Whenshespoketohimonanysubjectheonlysnarledather；andnowthattheheavyfitwasonhim，shedidnotdareeventomentionthesubjectofhisdrinking。Shehadneverknownhimsosavageinhishumourashewasnow，sobearishinhishabits，solittleinclinedtohumanity，sodeterminedtorushheadlongdown，withhisheadbetweenhislegs，intothebottomlessabyss。
ShethoughtofsendingforDrThorne；butshedidnotknowunderwhatguisetosendforhim，——whetherasdoctororasfriend：underneitherwouldhenowbewelcome；andshewellknewthatSirRogerwasnotthemantoacceptingoodparteitheradoctororafriendwhomightbeunwelcome。Sheknewthatthishusbandofhers，thisman，who，withallhisfaults，wasthebestofherfriendswhomshelovedbest——sheknewthathewaskillinghimself，andyetshecoulddonothing。SirRogerwashisownmaster，andifkillhimselfhewould，killhimselfhemust。
Andkillhimselfhedid。Notindeedbyonesuddenblow。Hedidnottakeonehugedoseofhisconsumingpoison，andthenfalldeaduponthefloor。Itwouldperhapshavebeenbetterforhimself，andbetterforthosearoundhim，hadhedoneso。No；thedoctorshadtimetocongregateroundhisbed；LadyScatcherdwasallowedaperiodofnurse-tending；thesickmanwasabletosayhislastfewwordsandbidhisadieutohisportionofthelowerworldwithdyingdecency。Astheselastwordswillhavesomelastingeffectuponthesurvivingpersonagesofourstory，thereadermustbecontenttostandforashortwhilebythesideofSirRoger"ssick-bed，andhelpusbidhimGod-speedonthejourneywhichliesbeforehim。
CHAPTERXXIII
RETROSPECTIVE
ItwasdeclaredintheearlypagesofthisworkthatDrThornewastobeourhero；butitwouldappearverymuchasthoughhehadlatterlybeenforgotten。SincethateveningwhenheretiredtorestwithoutlettingMarysharethegrievousweightwhichwasonhismind，wehaveneitherseennorheardaughtofhim。
Itwasthenfullmidsummer，anditnowearlyspring：andduringtheinterveningmonthsthedoctorhadnothadahappytimeofit。Onthatnight，aswehavebeforetold，hetookhisniecetohisheart；buthecouldnotthenbringhimselftotellherthatwhichitwassoimperativethatsheshouldknow。Likeacoward，hewouldputofftheevilhour，tillthenextmorning，andthusrobbedhimselfofhisnight"ssleep。
Butwhenthemorningcamethedutycouldnotbepostponed。LadyArabellahadgivenhimtounderstandthathisniecewouldnolongerbeaguestatGreshamsbury；anditwasquiteoutofthequestionthatMary，afterthis，shouldbeallowedtoputherfootwithinthegateofthedomainwithouthavinglearntwhatLadyArabellahadsaid。Sohetolditbeforebreakfast，walkingroundtheirlittlegarden，shewithherhandinhis。
Hewasperfectlythunderstruckbythecollected——nay，coolwayinwhichshereceivedhistidings。Sheturnedpale，indeed；hefeltalsothatherhandsomewhattrembledinhisown，andheperceivedthatforamomenthervoiceshook；butnoangrywordescapedherlip，nordidsheevendeigntorepudiatethecharge，whichwas，asitwere，conveyedinLadyArabella"srequest。Thedoctorknew，orthoughtheknew——nay，hedidknow——thatMarywaswhollyblamelessinthematter：thatshehadatleastgivennoencouragementtoanyloveonthepartoftheyoungheir；
but，nevertheless，hehadexpectedthatshewouldavouchherowninnocence。This，however，shebynomeansdid。
"LadyArabellaisquiteright，"shesaid，"quiteright；ifshehasanyfearofthatkind，shecannotbetoocareful。"
"Sheisaselfish，proudwoman，"saidthedoctor；"quiteindifferenttothefeelingsofothers；quitecarelesshowdeeplyshemayhurtherneighbours，if，indoingso，shemaypossiblybenefitherself。"
"Shewillnothurtme，uncle，noryetyou。IcanlivewithoutgoingtoGreshamsbury。"
"Butitisnottobeenduredthatsheshoulddaretocastanimputationonmydarling。"
"Onme，uncle？Shecastsnoimputationonme。Frankhasbeenfoolish：
Ihavesaidnothingofit，foritwasnotworthwhiletotroubleyou。
ButasLadyArabellachoosestointerfere，Ihavenorighttoblameher。Hehassaidwhatheshouldnothavesaid；hehasbeenfoolish。
Uncle，youknowIcouldnotpreventit。"
"Lethersendhimawaythen，notyou；letherbanishhim。"
"Uncle，heisherson。Amothercanhardlysendhersonawaysoeasily：couldyousendmeaway，uncle？"
Hemerelyansweredherbytwininghisarmroundherwaistandpressinghertohisside。Hewaswellsurethatshewasbadlytreated；andyetnowthatshesounaccountablytookLadyArabella"spart，hehardlyknewhowtomakethisoutplainlytobethecase。
"Besides，uncle，Greshamsburyisinamannerhisown；howcanhebebanishedfromhisfather"shouse？No，uncle；thereisanendofmyvisitsthere。TheyshallfindthatIwillnotthrustmyselfintheirway。"
AndthenMary，withacalmbrowandsteadygait，wentinandmadethetea。
AndwhatmightbethefeelingsofherheartwhenshesosententiouslytoldherunclethatFrankhadbeenfoolish？Shewasofthesameagewithhim；asimpressionable，thoughmorepowerfulinhidingsuchimpressions，——asallwomenshouldbe；herheartwasaswarm，herbloodasfulloflife，herinnatedesireforthecompanionshipofsomemuch-lovedobjectasstrongashis。Frankhadbeenfoolishinavowinghispassion。Nosuchfollyasthatcouldbelaidatherdoor。Buthadshebeenproofagainsttheotherfolly？Hadshebeenabletowalkheart-wholebyhisside，whilehechattedhiscommonplacesaboutlove？
Yes，theyarecommonplaceswhenwereadtheminnovels；commonenough，too，tosomeofuswhenwewritethem；buttheyarebynomeanscommonplacewhenfirstheardbyayounggirlintherich，balmyfragranceofJulyeveningstroll。
Noraretheycommonplaceswhensoutteredforthefirstorsecondtimeatleast，orperhapsthethird。"Tisapitythatsoheavenlyapleasureshouldpalluponthesenses。
IfitwassothatFrank"sfollyhadbeenlistenedtowithacertainamountofpleasure，Marydidnotevenadmitsomuchtoherself。Butwhyshouldithavebeenotherwise？Whyshouldshehavebeenlesspronetolovethanhewas？Hadhenoteverythingwhichgirlsdolove？whichgirlsshouldlove？whichGodcreatednoble，beautiful，allbutgodlike，inorderthatwomen，allbutgoddesslike，mightlove？Tolovethoroughly，truly，heartily，withherwholebody，soul，heart，andstrength；shouldnotthatbecountedforameritinawoman？Andyetwearewonttomakeadisgraceofit。Wedosomostunnaturally，mostunreasonably；forweexpectourdaughterstogetthemselvesmarriedoffourhands。Whentheperiodofthatstepcomes，thenloveisproperenough；butuptothat——beforethat——asregardsallthosepreliminarypassageswhichmust，wesuppose，benecessary——inallthoseitbecomesayoungladytobeicy-heartedasariver-godinwinter。
"OwhistleandI"llcometoyoumylad！
OwhistleandI"llcometoyoumylad！
Tho"fatherandmitheranda"shouldgomadOwhistleandI"llcometoyoumylad！"
Thisisthekindoflovewhichagirlshouldfeelbeforesheputsherhandproudlyinthatofherlover，andconsentsthattheytwoshallbemadeoneflesh。
Maryfeltnosuchloveasthis。She，too，hadsomeinnerperceptionofthatdreaddestinybywhichitbehovedFrankGreshamtobeforewarned。
She，too——thoughshehadneverheardsomuchsaidinwords——hadanalmostinstinctiveknowledgethathisfaterequiredhimtomarrymoney。
Thinkingoverthisinherownway，shewasnotslowtoconvinceherselfthatitwasoutofthequestionthatsheshouldallowherselftoloveFrankGresham。Howeverwellherheartmightbeinclinedtosuchafeeling，itwasherdutytorepressit。Sheresolved，therefore，todoso；andshesometimesflatteredherselfthatshehadkeptherresolution。
Thesewerebadtimesforthedoctor，andbadtimesforMarytoo。ShehaddeclaredthatshecouldlivewithoutgoingtoGreshamsbury；butshedidnotfinditsoeasy。ShehadbeengoingtoGreshamburyallherlife，anditwascustomarywithhertobethereasathome。Sucholdcustomsarenotbrokenwithoutpain。Hadshelefttheplaceitwouldhavebeenfardifferent；but，asitwas，shedailypassedthegates，dailysawandspoketosomeoftheservants，whoknewheraswellastheydidtheyoungladiesofthefamily——wasinhourlycontact，asitwere，withGreshamsbury。Itwasnotonlythatshedidnotgothere，butthateveryoneknewthatshehadsuddenlydiscontinueddoingso。Yes，shecouldlivewithoutgoingtoGreshamsbury；butforsometimeshehadbutapoorlifeofit。Shefelt，nay，almostheard，thateverymanandwoman，boyandgirlinthevillagewastellinghisandherneighbourthatMaryThornenolongerwenttothehousebecauseofLadyArabellaandtheyoungsquire。
ButBeatrice，ofcourse，cametoher。WhatwasshetosaytoBeatrice？Thetruth！Nay，butitisnotalwayssoeasytosaythetruth，eventoone"sdearestfriends。
"Butyou"llcomeupnowhehasgone？"saidBeatrice。
"No，indeed，"saidMary；"thatwouldhardlybepleasanttoLadyArabella，nortomeeither。No，Trichy，dearest；myvisitstodearoldGreshamsburyaredone，done，done：perhapsinsometwentyyears"timeI
maybewalkingdownthelawnwithyourbrother，anddiscussingthechildishdays——thatis，always，ifthethenMrsGreshamshallhaveinvitedme。"
"HowcanFrankhavebeensowrong，sounkind，socruel？"saidBeatrice。
This，however，wasalightinwhichMissThornedidnottakeanypleasure，indiscussingthematter。HerideasofFrank"sfault，andunkindnessandcruelty，weredoubtlessdifferentfromthoseofhersister。SuchcrueltywasnotunnaturallyexcusedinhereyesbymanycircumstanceswhichBeatricedidnotfullyunderstand。MarywasquitereadytogohandinhandwithLadyArabellaandtherestofGreshamsburyfoldinputtinganend，ifpossible，toFrank"spassion：
shewouldgivenotonearighttoaccuseherofassistingtoruintheyoungheir；butshecouldhardlybringherselftoadmitthathewassoverywrong——no，noryetevensoverycruel。
Andthenthesquirecametoseeher，andthiswasayethardertrialthanthevisitofBeatrice。Itwassodifficultforhertospeaktohimthatshecouldnotbutwishhimaway；andyet，hadhenotcome，hadhealtogetherneglectedher，shewouldhavefeltittobeunkind。Shehadeverbeenhispet，hadalwaysreceivedkindnessfromhim。
"Iamsorryforallthis，Mary；verysorry，"saidhe，standingup，andholdingbothherhandsinhis。
"Itcan"tbehelped，sir，"saidshe，smiling。
"Idon"tknow，"saidhe；"Idon"tknow——itoughttobehelpedsomehow——I
amquitesureyouhavenotbeentoblame。"
"No，"saidshe，veryquietly，asthoughthepositionwasonequiteamatterofcourse。"Idon"tthinkIhavebeenverymuchtoblame。Therewillbemisfortunessometimeswhennobodyistoblame。"
"Idonotquiteunderstanditall，"saidthesquire；"butifFrank——"
"Oh！wewillnottalkabouthim，"saidshe，stilllaughinggently。
"Youcanunderstand，Mary，howdearhemustbetome；butif——"
"MrGresham，Iwouldnotforworldsbethecauseofanyunpleasantnessbetweenyouandhim。"
"ButIcannotbeartothinkthatwehavebanishedyou，Mary。"
"Itcannotbehelped。Thingswillallcomerightintime。"
"Butyouwillbelonelyhere。"
"Oh！Ishallgotoverallthat。Here，youknow，MrGresham，“IammonarchofallIsurvey“；andthereisagreatdealinthat。"
Thesquiredidnotcatchhermeaning，butaglimmeringofitdidreachhim。ItwascompetenttoLadyArabellatobanishherfromGreshamsbury；itwaswithinthesphereofthesquire"sdutiestoprohibithissonfromanimprudentmatch；itwasfortheGreshamstoguardtheirGreshamsburytreasureasbesttheycouldwithintheirownterritories：butletthembewarethattheydidnotattackheronhers。
Inobediencetothefirstexpressionoftheirwishes，shehadsubmittedherselftothispublicmarkoftheirdisapprovalbecauseshehadseenatonce，withherclearintellect，thattheywereonlydoingthatwhichherconsciencemustapprove。Withoutamurmur，therefore，sheconsentedtobepointedatastheyoungladywhohadbeenturnedoutofGreshamsburybecauseoftheyoungsquire。Shehadnohelpforit。Butletthemtakecarethattheydidnotgobeyondthat。OutsidethoseGreshamsburygatessheandFrankGresham，sheandLadyArabellametonequalterms；letthemeachfighttheirownbattle。
Thesquirekissedherforeheadaffectionatelyandtookhisleave，feelingsomehow，thathehadbeenexcusedandpitied，andmademuchof；
whereashehadcalledonhisyoungneighbourwiththeintentionofexcusing，andpitying，andmakingmuchofher。Hewasnotquitecomfortableasheleftthehouse；but，nevertheless，hewassufficientlyhonest-heartedtoowntohimselfthatMaryThornewasafinegirl。OnlythatitwassoabsolutelynecessarythatFrankshouldmarrymoney——andonly，also，thatpoorMarywassuchabirthlessfoundlingintheworld"sesteem——only，butforthesethings，whatawifeshewouldhavemadeforthatsonofhis！
Toonepersononlydidshetalkfreelyonthesubject，andthatonewasPatienceOriel；andevenwithherthefreedomwasratherofthemindthanoftheheart。SheneversaidawordofherfeelingwithreferencetoFrank，butshesaidmuchofherpositioninthevillage，andofthenecessityshewasundertokeepoutoftheway。
"Itisveryhard，"saidPatience，"thattheoffenceshouldbeallwithhim，andthepunishmentallwithyou。"
"Oh！asforthat，"saidMary，laughing，"Iwillnotconfesstoanyoffence，notyettoanypunishment；certainlynottoanypunishment。"
"Itcomestothesamethingintheend。"
"No，notso，Patience；thereisalwayssomelittlestingofdisgraceinpunishment：nowIamnotgoingtoholdmyselfintheleastdisgraced。"
"But，Mary，youmustmeettheGreshamssometimes。"
"Meetthem！Ihavenottheslightestobjectiononearthtomeetall，oranyofthem。Theyarenotawhitdangeroustome，mydear。"TisthatIamthewildbeast，and"tisthattheymustavoidme，"andthensheadded，afterapause——slightlyblushing——"Ihavenottheslightestobjectioneventomeethimifchancebringshiminmyway。Letthemlooktothat。Myundertakinggoesnofurtherthanthis，thatIwillnotbeseenwithintheirgates。"
ButthegirlssofarunderstoodeachotherthatPatienceundertook，ratherthanpromised，togiveMarywhatassistanceshecould；and，despiteMary"sbravado，shewasinsuchapositionthatshemuchwantedtheassistanceofsuchafriendasPatienceOriel。
Afteranabsenceofsomesixweeks，Frank，aswehaveseen，returnedhome。Nothingwassaidtohim，exceptbyBeatrice，astothosenewGreshamsburyarrangements；andhe，whenhefoundMarywasnotattheplace，wentboldlytothedoctor"shousetoseekher。Butithasbeenseen，also，thatshediscreetlykeptoutofhisway。Thisshehadthoughtfittodowhenthetimecame，althoughshehadbeensoreadywithherboastthatshehadnoobjectiononearthtomeethim。
AfterthattherehadbeentheChristmasvacation，andMaryhadagainfounddiscretionthebetterpartofvalour。Thiswasdoubtlessdisagreeableenough。ShehadnoparticularwishtospendherChristmaswithMissOriel"sauntinsteadofatheruncle"sfireside。Indeed，herChristmasfestivitieshadhithertobeenkeptatGreshamsbury，thedoctorandherselfhavingapartofthefamilycirclethereassembled。
Thiswasoutofthequestionnow；andperhapstheabsolutechangetooldMissOriel"shousewasbetterforherthanthelesserchangetoheruncle"sdrawing-room。Besides，howcouldshehavedemeanedherselfwhenshemetFrankintheirparishchurch？AllthishadbeenfullyunderstoodbyPatience，and，therefore，hadthisChristmasvisitbeenplanned。
AndthenthisaffairofFrankandMaryThorneceasedforawhiletobetalkedofatGreshamsbury，forthatotheraffairofMrMoffatandAugustamonopolizedtheruralattention。Augusta，aswehavesaid，boreitwell，andsustainedthepublicgazewithoutmuchflinching。Herperiodofmartyrdom，however，didnotlastlong，forsoonthenewsarrivedofFrank"sexploitinPallMall；andthentheGreshamburyitesforgottothinkmuchmoreofAugusta，beingfullyoccupiedinthinkingofwhatFrankhaddone。
Thetale，asitwasfirsttold，declaredtheFrankhadfollowedMrMoffatupintohisclub；haddraggedhimthenceintothemiddleofPallMall，andhadthenslaughteredhimonthespot。Thiswasbydegreesmodifiedtillasoberedfictionbecamegenerallyprevalent，thatMrMoffatwaslyingsomewhere，stillalive，butwithallhisbonesinastateofcompoundfracture。ThisadventureagainbroughtFrankintotheascendant，andrestoredtoMaryherformerpositionastheGreshamsburyheroine。
"Onecannotwonderathisbeingveryangry，"saidBeatrice，discussingthematterwithMary——veryimprudently。
"Wonder——no；thewonderwouldhavebeenifhehadnotbeenangry。Onemighthavebeenquitesurethathewouldhavebeenangryenough。"
"IsupposeitwasnotabsolutelyrightforhimtobeatMrMoffat，"saidBeatrice，apologetically。
"Notright，Trichy？Ithinkhewasveryright。"
"Nottobeathimsomuch，Mary！"
"Oh，Isupposeamancan"texactlystandmeasuringhowmuchhedoesthesethings。Ilikeyourbrotherforwhathehasdone，andImaysaysofrankly——thoughIsupposeIoughttoeatmytongueoutbeforeI
shouldsaysuchathing，ehTrichy？"
"Idon"tknowthatthere"sanyharminthat，"saidBeatrice，demurely。
"Ifyoubothlikedeachothertherewouldbenoharminthat——ifthatwereall。"
"Wouldn"tthere？"saidMary，inalowtoneofbanteringsatire；"thatissokind，Trichy，comingfromyou——fromoneofthefamily，youknow。"
"Youarewellaware，Mary，thatifIcouldhavemywishes——"
"Yes：Iamwellawarewhataparagonofgoodnessyouare。IfyoucouldhaveyourwayIshouldbeadmittedintoheavenagain；shouldn"tI？Onlywiththisproviso，thatifastrayangelshouldeverwhispertomewithbatedbreath，mistakingme，perchance，foroneofhisownclass，I
shouldbeboundtoclosemyearstohiswhispering，andremindhimhumblythatIwasonlyapoormortal。Youwouldtrustmesofar，wouldn"tyou，Trichy？"
"Iwouldtrustyouinanyway，Mary。ButIthinkyouareunkindinsayingsuchthingstome。"
"IntowhateverheavenIamadmitted，Iwillgoonlyonthisunderstanding：thatIamtobeasgoodanangelasanyofthosearoundme。"
"But，Marydear，whydoyousaythistome？"
"Because——because——because——ahme！Why，indeed，butbecauseIhavenooneelsetosayitto。Certainlynotbecauseyouhavedeservedit。"
"Itseemsasifyouwerefindingfaultwithme。"
"AndsoIam；howcanIdootherthanfindfault？HowcanIhelpbeingsore？Trichy，youhardlyrealizemyposition；youhardlyseehowIamtreated；howIamforcedtoallowmyselftobetreatedwithoutasignofcomplaint。Youdon"tseeitall。Ifyoudid，youwouldnotwonderthatIshouldbesore。"