第10章
Beatricedidnotquiteseeitall；butshesawenoughofittoknowthatMarywastobepitied；so，insteadofscoldingherfriendforbeingcross，shethrewherarmsroundherandkissedheraffectionately。
Butthedoctorallthistimesufferedmuchmorethanhisniecedid。Hecouldnotcomplainoutloudly；hecouldnotaverthathispetlambhadbeenilltreated；hecouldnotevenhavethepleasureofopenlyquarrellingwithLadyArabella；butnotthelessdidhefeelittobemostcruelthatMaryshouldhavetolivebeforetheworldasanoutcast，becauseithadpleasedFrankGreshamtofallinlovewithher。
ButhisbitternesswasnotchieflyagainstFrank。ThatFrankhadbeenveryfoolishhecouldnotbutacknowledge；butitwasakindoffollyforwhichthedoctorwasabletofindexcuse。ForLadyArabella"scoldproprietyhecouldfindnoexcuse。
Withthesquirehehadspokennowordonthesubjectuptothisperiodofwhichwearenowwriting。WithherladyshiphehadneverspokenonitsincethatdaywhenshehadtoldhimthatMarywastocomenomoretoGreshamsbury。HenevernowdinedorspenthiseveningsatGreshamsbury，andseldomwastobeseenatthehouse，exceptwhencalledinprofessionally。Thesquire，indeed，hefrequentlymet；butheeitherdidsointhevillage，oroutonhorseback，orathisownhouse。
WhenthedoctorfirstheardthatSirRogerhadlosthisseat，andhadreturnedtoBoxallHill，heresolvedtogooverandseehim。Butthevisitwaspostponedfromdaytoday，asvisitsarepostponedwhichmaybemadeanyday，andhedidnotinfactgotillsummonedtheresomewhatperemptorily。AmessagewasbroughttohimoneeveningtosaythatSirRogerhadbeenstruckbyparalysis，andthatnotamomentwastobelost。
"Italwayshappensatnight，"saidMary，whohadmoresympathyforthelivingunclewhomshedidknow，thanfortheotherdyingunclewhomshedidnotknow。
"Whatmatters？——there——justgivememyscarf。InallprobabilityImaynotbehometo-night——perhapsnottilllateto-morrow。Godblessyou，Mary！"andawaythedoctorwentonhiscoldbleakridetoBoxallHill。
"Whoistobehisheir？"Asthedoctorrodealong，hecouldnotquiteridhismindofthequestion。Thepoormannowabouttodiehadwealthenoughtomakemanyheirs。Whatifhisheartshouldhavesoftenedtowardshissister"schild！WhatifMaryshouldbefoundtobepossessedofsuchwealththattheGreshamsshouldbeagainbehappytowelcomeheratGreshamsbury！
Thedoctorwasnotaloverofmoney——andhedidhisbesttogetridofsuchperniciousthoughts。Buthislongings，perhaps，werenotsomuchthatMaryshouldberich，asthatsheshouldhavethepowerofheapingcoalsoffireupontheheadsofthosepeoplewhohadsoinjuredher。
CHAPTERXXIV
LOUISSCATCHERD
WhenDrThornereachedBoxallHillhefoundMrRerechildfromBarchestertherebeforehim。PoorLadyScatcherd，whenherhusbandwasstrickenbythefit，hardlyknewinherdismaywhatadequatestepstotake。Shehad，asamatterofcourse，sentforDrThorne；butshehadthoughtitsograveaperilthatthemedicalskillofnoonemancouldsuffice。Itwas，sheknew，quiteoutofthequestionforhertoinvoketheaidofDrFillgrave，whomnoearthlypersuasioncouldhavebroughttoBoxallHill；andasMrRerechildwassupposedintheBarchesterworldtobesecond——thoughatalonginterval——tothatgreatman，shehadappliedforhisassistance。
NowMrRerechildwasafollowerandhumblefriendofDrFillgrave；andwaswonttoregardanythingthatcamefromtheBarchesterdoctorassureaslightfromthelampofAesculapius。HecouldnotthereforebeotherthananenemyofDrThorne。Buthewasaprudent，discreetman，withalongfamily，aversetoprofessionalhostilities，asknowingthathecouldmakemorebymedicalfriendsthanmedicalfoes，andnotatallinclinedtotakeupanyman"scudgeltohisowndetriment。Hehad，ofcourse，heardofthatdreadfulaffrontwhichhadbeenputuponhisfriend，ashadallthe"medicalworld"——andallthemedicalworldatleastofBarsetshire；andhehadoftenexpressedsympathywithDrFillgraveandhisabhorrenceofDrThorne"santi-professionalpractices。ButnowthathefoundhimselfabouttobebroughtincontactwithDrThorne，hereflectedthattheGalenofGreshamsburywasatanyrateequalinreputationtohimofBarchester；thattheonewasprobablyontherise，whereastheotherwasalreadyconsideredbysomeasratherantiquated；andhethereforewiselyresolvedthatthepresentwouldbeanexcellentopportunityforhimtomakeafriendofDrThorne。
PoorLadyScatcherdhadaninklingthatDrFillgraveandMrRerechildwereaccustomedtorowinthesameboat，andshewasnotaltogetherfreefromfearthattheremightbeanoutbreak。ShethereforetookanopportunitybeforeDrThorne"sarrivaltodeprecateanywrathfultendency。
"Oh，LadyScatcherd！IhavethegreatestrespectforDrThorne，"saidhe；"thegreatestpossiblerespect；amostskilfulpractitioner——somethingbrusque，certainly，andperhapsalittleobstinate。Butwhatthen？wehaveallourfaults，LadyScatcherd。"
"Oh——yes；weallhave，MrRerechild；that"sacertain。"
"There"smyfriendFillgrave——LadyScatcherd。Hecannotbearanythingofthatsort。NowIthinkhe"swrong；andsoItellhim。"MrRerechildwasinerrorhere；forhehadneveryetventuredtotellDrFillgravethathewaswronginanything。"Wemustbearandforbear，youknow。DrThorneisanexcellentman——inhiswayveryexcellent，LadyScatcherd。"
ThislittleconversationtookplaceafterMrRerechild"sfirstvisittohispatient：whatstepswereimmediatelytakenforthereliefofthesuffererweneednotdescribe。Theyweredoubtlesswellintended，andwere，perhaps，aswelladaptedtostaveoffthecomingevildayasanythatDrFillgrave，oreventhegreatSirOmicronPiemighthaveused。
AndthenDrThornearrived。
"Oh，doctor！doctor！"exclaimedLadyScatcherd，almosthangingroundhisneckinthehall。"Whatarewetodo？Whatarewetodo？He"sverybad。"
"Hashespoken？"
"No；nothinglikeaword：hehasmadeoneortwomutteredsounds；but，poorsoul，youcouldmakenothingofit——oh，doctor！doctor！hehasneverbeenlikethisbefore。
ItwaseasytoseewhereLadyScatcherdplacedanysuchfaithasshemightstillhaveinthehealingart。"MrRerechildishereandhasseenhim，"shecontinued。"Ithoughtitbesttosendfortwo，forfearofaccidents。Hehasdonesomething——Idon"tknowwhat。But，doctor，dotellthetruthnow；Ilooktoyoutotellmethetruth。"
DrThornewentupandsawhispatient；andhadheliterallycompliedwithLadyScatcherd"srequest，hemighthavetoldheratoncethattherewasnohope。As，however，hehadnotthehearttodothis，hemystifiedthecaseasdoctorssowellknowhowtodo，andtoldherthat"therewascausetofear，greatcauseforfear；hewassorrytosay，verygreatcauseformuchfear。"
DrThornepromisedtostaythenightthere，and，ifpossible，thefollowingnightalso；andthenLadyScatcherdbecametroubledinhermindastowhatsheshoulddowithMrRerechild。Healsodeclared，withmuchmedicalhumanity，that，lettheinconveniencebewhatitmight，hetoowouldstaythenight。"Theloss，"hesaid，"ofsuchamanasSirRogerScatcherdwasofsuchparamountimportanceastomakeothermatterstrivial。HewouldcertainlynotallowthewholeweighttofallontheshouldersofhisfriendDrThorne：healsowouldstayatanyratethatnightbythesickman"sbedside。Bythefollowingmorningsomechangemightbeexcpected。"
"Isay，DrThorne，"saidherladyship，callingthedoctorintothehousekeeping-room，inwhichsheandHannahspentanytimethattheywerenotrequiredupstairs；"justcomein，doctor：youwouldn"ttellhimwedon"twanthimnomore，couldyou？"
"Tellwhom？"saidthedoctor。
"Why——MrRerechild：mightn"thegoaway，doyouthink？"
DrThorneexplainedthatMrRerechildmightgoawayifhepleased；butthatitwouldbynomeansbeproperforonedoctortotellanothertoleavethehouse。AndsoMrRerechildwasallowedtosharethegloriesofthenight。
Inthemeantimethepatientremainedspeechless；butitsoonbecameevidentthatNaturewasusingallhereffortstomakeonefinalrally。
Fromtimetotimehemoanedandmutteredasthoughhewasconscious，anditseemedasthoughhestrovetospeak。Hegraduallybecameawake，atanyratetosuffering，andDrThornebegantothinkthatthelastscenewouldbepostponedforyetawhilelonger。
"Wonderfulconstitution——eh，DrThorne？wonderful！"saidMrRerechild。
"Yes；hehasbeenastrongman。"
"Strongasahorse，DrThorne。Lord，whatthatmanwouldhavebeenifhehadgivenhimselfachance！Youknowhisconstitutionofcourse。"
"Yes；prettywell。I"veattendedhimformanyyears。"
"Alwaysdrinking，Isuppose；alwaysatit——eh？"
"Hehasnotbeenatemperateman，certainly。"
"Thebrain，yousee，cleangone——andnotaparticleofcoatinglefttothestomach；andyetwhatastrugglehemakes——aninterestingcase，isn"tit？"
"It"sverysadtoseesuchanintellectsodestroyed。"
"Verysad，verysadindeed。HowFillgravewouldhavelikedtohaveseenthiscase。Heisaverycleverman，isFillgrave——inhisway，youknow。"
"I"msureheis，"saidDrThorne。
"Notthathe"dmakeanythingofacaselikethisnow——he"snot，youknow，quite——quite——perhapsnotquiteuptothenewtimeofday，onemightsayso。"
"Hehashadaveryextensiveprovincialpractice，"saidDrThorne。
"Oh，very——very；andmadeatidylotofmoneytoo，hasFillgrave。He"sworthsixthousandpounds，Isuppose；nowthat"sagooddealofmoneytoputbyinalittletownlikeBarchester。"
"Yes，indeed。"
"WhatIsaytoFillgraveis——keepyoureyesopen；oneshouldneverbetoooldtolearn——there"salwayssomethingnewworthpickingup。Butno——hewon"tbelievethat。Hecan"tbelievethatanynewideascanbeworthanything。Youknowamanmustgotothewallinthatway——eh，doctor？"
Andthenagaintheywerecalledtotheirpatient。"He"sdoingfinely，finely，"saidMrRerechildtoLadyScatcherd。"There"sfairgroundtohopehe"llrally；fairground，istherenot，doctor？"
"Yes；he"llrally；buthowlongthatmaylast，thatwecanhardlysay。"
"Oh，no，certainlynot，certainlynot——thatisnotwithanycertainty；
butstillhe"sdoingfinely，LadyScatcherd，consideringeverything。"
"Howlongwillyougivehim，doctor？"saidMrRerechildtohisnewfriend，whentheywereagainalone。"Tendays？Idaresaytendays，orfromthattoafortnight。"
"Perhapsso，"saidthedoctor。"Ishouldnotliketosayexactlytoaday。"
"No，certainlynot。Wecannotsayexactlytoaday；butIsaytendays；asforanythinglikearecovery，thatyouknow——"
"Isoutofthequestion，"saidDrThorne，gravely。
"Quiteso；quiteso；coatingofthestomachcleangone，youknow；braindestroyed：didyouobservetheperiporollida？Ineversawthemsoswelledbefore：nowwhentheperiporollidaareswollenlikethat——"
"Yes，verymuch；it"salwaysthecasewhenparalysishasbeenbroughtaboutbyintemperance。"
"Always，always；Ihaveremarkedthatalways；theperiporollidainsuchcasesarealwaysextended；mostinterestingcase，isn"tit？IdowishFillgravecouldhaveseenit。But，IbelieveyouandDrFillgravedon"tquite——eh？"
"No，notquite，"saidDrThorne；who，ashethoughtofhislastinterviewwithDrFillgrave，andofthatgentleman"sexceedingangerashestoodinthehallbelow，couldnotkeephimselffromsmiling，sadastheoccasionwas。
NothingwouldinducedLadyScatcherdtogotobed；butthetwodoctorsagreedtoliedown，eachinaroomononesideofthepatient。Howwasitpossiblethatanythingbutgoodshouldcometohim，beingsoguarded？"He"sgoingonfinely，LadyScatcherd，quitefinely，"werethelastwordsMrRerechildsaidashelefttheroom。
AndthenDrThorne，takingLadyScatcherd"shandandleadingheroutintoanotherchamber，toldherthetruth。
"LadyScatcherd，"saidhe，inhistenderestvoice——andhisvoicecouldbeverytenderwhenoccasionrequiredit——"LadyScatcherd，donothope；
youmustnothope；itwouldbecrueltobidyoutodoso。"
"Oh，doctor！oh，doctor！"
"Mydearfriend，thereisnohope。"
"Oh，DrThorne！"saidthewife，lookingwildlyupintohercompanion"sface，thoughshehardlyyetrealizedthemeaningofwhathesaid，althoughhersenseswerehalfstunnedbytheblow。
"DearLadyScatcherd，isitnotbetterthatIshouldtellyouthetruth？"
"Oh，Isupposeso；ohyes，ohyes；ahme！ahme！ahme！"Andthenshebeganrockingherselfbackwardsandforwardsonherchair，withherapronuptohereyes。
"LooktoHim，LadyScatcherd，whoonlycanmakesuchgriefendurable。"
"Yes，yes，yes；Isupposeso。Ahme！ahme！But，DrThorne，theremustbesomechance——isn"tthereanychance？Thatmansayshe"sgoingonsowell。"
"Ifearthereisnochance——asfarasmyknowledgegoesthereisnochance。"
"Thenwhydoesthatchatteringmagpietellsuchliestoawoman？Ahme！ahme！oh，doctor！doctor！whatshallIdo？whatshallIdo？"andpoorLadyScatcherd，fairlyovercomebyhersorrow，burstoutcryinglikeagreatschool-girl。
Andyetwhathadherhusbanddoneforherthatsheshouldthusweepforhim？Wouldnotherlifebemuchmoreblessedwhenthiscauseofallhertroublesshouldberemovedfromher？Wouldshenotthenbeafreewomaninsteadofaslave？Mightshenotthenexpecttobegintotastethecomfortsoflife？Whathadthatharshtyrantofhersdonethatwasgoodorserviceableforher？Whyshouldshethusweepforhiminparoxysmsoftruestgrief？
Wehearagooddealofjollywidows；andtheslanderousrailleryoftheworldtellmuchofconjugaldisturbancesasacureforwhichwomenwilllookforwardtoastateofwidowhoodwithnotunwillingeyes。Therailleryoftheworldisveryslanderous。Inourdailyjestsweattributetoeachothervicesofwhichneitherwe，norourneighbours，norourfriends，norevenourenemiesareeverguilty。ItisourfavouriteparlancetotalkofthefamilytroublesofMrsGreenonourright，andtotellnowMrsYoungonourleftisstronglysuspectedofhavingraisedherhandtoherlordandmaster。Whatrighthavewetomakethesecharges？Whathaveweseeninourownpersonalwalksthroughlifetomakeusbelievethatwomenaredevils？TheremaypossiblyhavebeenXantippehereandthere，butImogenesaretobefoundineverybush。LadyScatcherd，inspiteofthelifeshehadled，wasoneofthem。
"YoushouldsendamessageuptoLondonforLouis，"saidthedoctor。
"Wedidthat，doctor；wedidthatto-day——wesentupatelegraph。Ohme！ohme！poorboy，whatwillhedo？Ishallneverknowwhattodowithhim，never！never！"Andwithsuchsorrowfulwailingsshesatrockingherselfthroughthelongnight，everynowandthencomfortingherselfbytheperformanceofsomemenialserviceinthesickman"sroom。
SirRogerpassedthenightmuchashehadpassedtheday，exceptthatheappearedgraduallytobegrowingnearertoastateofconsciousness。OnthefollowingmorningtheysucceededatlastinmakingMrRerechildunderstandthattheywerenotdesirousofkeepinghimlongerfromhisBarchesterpractice；andatabouttwelveo"clockDrThornealsowent，promisingthathewouldreturnintheevening，andagainpassthenightatBoxallHill。
InthecourseoftheafternoonSirRogeroncemoreawoketohissenses，andwhenhedidsohissonwasstandingathisbedside。LouisPhilippeScatcherd——orasitmaybemoreconvenienttocallhim，Louis——wasayoungmanjustoftheageofFrankGresham。Buttherecouldhardlybetwoyouthsmoredifferentintheirappearance。Louis，thoughhisfatherandmotherwerebothrobustpersons，wasshortandslight，andnowofasicklyframe。Frankwasapictureofhealthandstrength；
but，thoughmanlyindisposition，wasbynomeansprecociouseitherinappearanceormanners。LouisScatcherdlookedasthoughhewasfouryearstheother"ssenior。HehadbeensenttoEtonwhenhewasfifteen，hisfatherbeingundertheimpressionthatthiswasthemostreadyandbest-recognizedmethodofmakinghimagentleman。Herehedidnotaltogetherfailasregardedthecovetedobjectofhisbecomingthecompanionofgentlemen。Hehadmorepocket-moneythananyotherladintheschool，andwaspossessedofacertaineffronterywhichcarriedhimaheadamongboysofhisownage。Hegained，therefore，adegreeofeclat，evenamongthosewhoknew，andveryfrequentlysaidtoeachother，thatyoungScatcherdwasnotfittobetheircompanionexceptonsuchopenoccasionsasthoseofcricket-matchesandboat-
races。Boys，inthisrespect，areatleastasexclusiveasmen，andunderstandaswellthedifferencebetweenaninnerandoutercircle。
ScatcherdhadmanycompanionsatschoolwhoweregladenoughtogouptoMaidenheadwithhimhisboat；buttherewasnotoneamongthemwhowouldhavetalkedtohimofhissister。
SirRogerwasvastlyproudofhisson"ssuccess，anddidhisbesttostimulateitbylavishexpenditureattheChristopher，wheneverhecouldmanagetorundowntoEton。Butthispractice，thoughsufficientlyunexceptionabletotheboys，wasnotheldinequaldelightbythemasters。Totellthetruth，neitherSirRogernorhissonwerefavouriteswiththesesterncustodians。Atlastitwasfeltnecessarytogetridofthemboth；andLouiswasnotlongingivingthemanopportunity，bygettingtipsytwiceinoneweek。Onthesecondoccasionhewassentaway，andheandSirRoger，thoughlongtalkedof，wereseennomoreatEton。
ButtheuniversitieswerestillopentoLouisPhilippe，andbeforehewaseighteenhewasenteredasagentleman-commoneratTrinity。Ashewas，moreover，theeldestsonofabaronet，andhadalmostunlimitedcommandofmoney，herealsohewasenabledforawhiletoshine。
Toshine！butveryfitfully；andonemaysayalmostwithaghastlyglare。Theveryladswhohadeatenhisfather"sdinnersatEton，andsharedhisfour-oaratEton，knewmuchbetterthantoassociatewithhimatCambridgenowthattheyhadputonthetogavirilis。Theywerestillasproneasevertofun，frolic，anddevilry——perhapsmoresothanever，seeingthatmorewasintheirpower；buttheyacquiredanideathatitbehovedthemtobesomewhatcircumspectastothemenwithwhomtheirprankswereperpetrated。So，inthosedays，LouisScatcherdwascoldlylookedonbyhiswhilomEtonfriends。
ButyoungScatcherddidnotfailtofindcompanionsatCambridgealso。
Therearefewplacesindeedinwhicharichmancannotbuycompanionship。Butthesetwithwhomhelived，weretheworstoftheplace。Theywerefast，slangmen，whowerefastandslang，andnothingelse——menwhoimitatedgroomsinmorethantheirdress，andwholookedonthecustomaryheroesofrace-coursesasthehighestlordsoftheascendantuponearth。AmongthoseatcollegeyoungScatcherddidshineaslongassuchlustrewaspermittedhim。Here，indeed，hisfather，whohadstrivenonlytoencouragehimatEton，didstrivesomewhattocontrolhim。Butthatwasnotnoweasy。Ifhelimitedhisson"sallowance，heonlydrovehimtodohisdebaucheryoncredit。Therewereplentytolendmoneytothesonofagreatmillionaire；andso，aftereighteenmonths"trialofauniversityeducation，SirRogerhadnoalternativebuttowithdrawhissonfromhisalmamater。
Whatwashetodowithhim？Unluckilyitwasconsideredquiteunnecessarytotakeanystepstowardsenablinghimtoearnhisbread。
Nownothingonearthcanbemoredifficultthanbringingupwellayoungmanwhohasnottoearnhisownbread，andwhohasnorecognizedstationamongothermensimilarlycircumstanced。Juveniledukes，andsproutingearls，findtheirdutiesandtheirplacesaseasilyasembryoclergymenandsuckingbarristers。Provisionismadefortheirpeculiarpositions：and，thoughtheymaypossiblygoastray，theyhaveafairchancegiventothemofrunningwithintheposts。ThesamemaybesaidofsuchyouthsasFrankGresham。Thereareenoughoftheminthecommunitytohavemadeitnecessarythattheirwell-beingshouldbeamatterofcareandforethought。ButtherearebutfewmenturnedoutintheworldinthepositionofLouisScatcherd；and，ofthosefew，butveryfewentertherealbattleoflifeundergoodauspices。
PoorSirRogerthoughhehadhardlytimewithallhismultitudinousrailwaystolookintothisthoroughly，hadaglimmeringofit。Whenhesawhisson"spaleface，andpaidhiswinebills，andheardofhisdoingsinhorse-flesh，hedidknowthatthingswerenotgoingwell；hedidunderstandthattheheirtoabaronetcyandafortuneofsometenthousandayearmightbedoingbetter。Butwhatwashetodo？hecouldnotwatchoverhisboyhimself；sohetookatutorforhimandsenthimabroad。
LouisandthetutorgotasfarasBerlin，withwhatmutualsatisfactiontoeachotherneednotbespeciallydescribed。ButfromBerlinSirRogerreceivedaletterinwhichthetutordeclinedtogoanyfurtherinthetaskwhichhehadundertaken。Hefoundthathehadnoinfluenceoverhispupil，andhecouldnotreconcileittohisconsciencetobethespectatorofsuchalifeasthatwhichMrScatcherdled。HehadnopowerininducingMrScatcherdtoleaveBerlin；buthewouldremaintherehimselftillheshouldhearfromSirRoger。SoSirRogerhadtoleavethehugeGovernmentworkswhichhewasthenerectingonthesoutherncoast，andhurryofftoBerlintoseewhatcouldbedonewithyoungHopeful。
TheyoungHopefulwasbynomeansafool；andinsomematterswasmorethanamatchforhisfather。SirRoger，inhisanger，threatenedtocasthimoffwithoutashilling。Louis，withmixedpenitenceandeffrontery，remindedhimthathecouldnotchangethedescentofthetitle；promisedamendment；declaredthathehaddoneonlyasdootheryoungmenoffortune；andhintedthatthetutorwasastrait-lacedass。ThefatherandthesonreturnedtogethertoBoxallHill，andthreemonthsafterwardsMrScatcherdsetupforhimselfinLondon。
Andnowhislife，ifnotmorevirtuous，wasmorecraftythanithadbeen。Hehadnotutortowatchhisdoingsandcomplainofthem，andhehadsufficientsensetokeephimselffromabsolutepecuniaryruin。Helived，itistrue，wheresharpersandblacklegshadtoooftenopportunitiesofpluckinghim；but，youngashewas，hehadbeensufficientlylongabouttheworldtotakecarehewasnotopenlyrobbed；andashewasnotopenlyrobbed，hisfather，inacertainsense，wasproudofhim。
Tidings，however，came——cameatleastinthoselastdays——whichcutSirRogertothequick；tidingsofviceinthesonwhichthefathercouldnotbutattributetohisownexample。Twicehismotherwascalleduptothesick-bedofheronlychild，whilehelayravinginthathorridmadnessbywhichtheoutragedmindavengesitselfonthebody！Twicehewasfoundragingindeliriumtremens，andtwicethefatherwastoldthatacontinuanceofsuchlifemustendinearlydeath。
ItmayeasilybeconceivedthatSirRogerwasnotahappyman。Lyingtherewiththatbrandybottlebeneathhispillow，reflectinginhismomentsofrestthatthatsonofhishadhisbrandybottlebeneathhispillow，hecouldhardlyhavebeenhappy。Buthewasnotamantosaymuchabouthismisery。Thoughhecouldrestrainneitherhimselfnorhisheir，hecouldendureinsilence；andinsilencehedidendure，till，openinghiseyestotheconsciousnessofdeath，heatlastspokeafewwordstotheonlyfriendheknew。
LouisScatcherdwasnotafool，norwashenaturally，perhaps，ofadepraveddisposition；buthehadtoreapthefruitsoftheworsteducationwhichEnglandwasabletogivehim。Thereweremomentsinhislifewhenhefeltthatabetter，ahigher，nay，amuchhappiercareerwasopentohimthanthatwhichhehadpreparedhimselftolead。Nowandthen，hewouldreflectwhatmoneyandrankmighthavedoneforhim；hewouldlookwithwishfuleyestotheprouddoingsofothersofhisage；woulddreamofquietjoys，ofasweetwife，ahousetowhichmightbeaskedfriendswhowereneitherjockeysnordrunkards；
hewoulddreamofsuchthingsinhisshortintervalsofconstrainedsobriety；butthedreamwouldonlyservetomakehimmoody。
Thiswasthebestsideofhischaracter；theworst，probably，wasthatwhichwasbroughtintoplaybythefactthathewasnotafool。Hewouldhaveabetterchanceofredemptioninthisworld——perhapsalsoinanother——hadhebeenafool。Asitwas，hewasnofool：hewasnottobedone，nothe；heknew，noonebetter，thevalueofashilling；heknew，also，howtokeephisshillings，andhowtospendthem。Heconsortedmuchwithblacklegsandsuch-likebecauseblacklegsweretohistaste。Butheboasteddaily，nay，hourlytohimself，andfrequentlytothosearoundhim，thattheleecheswhowerestuckroundhimcoulddrawbutlittlebloodfromhim。Hecouldspendhismoneyfreely；buthewouldsospenditthathehimselfmightreapthegratificationoftheexpenditure。Hewasacute，crafty，knowing，anduptoeverydamnabledodgepractisedbymenoftheclasswithwhomhelived。Atone-and-twentyhewasthatmostodiousofallodiouscharacters-aclose-fistedreprobate。
Hewasasmallman，notill-madebyNature，butreducedtounnaturaltenuitybydissipation-acorporealattributeofwhichhewasapttoboast，asitenabledhim，ashesaid，toputhimselfupat7st7lbwithoutany"d——nonsenseofnoteatinganddrinking"。Thepower，however，wasoneofwhichhedidnotoftenavailhimself，ashisnerveswereseldominafitstateforriding。Hishairwasdarkred，andheworeredmoustaches，andagreatdealofredbeardbeneathhischin，cutinamannertomakehimlooklikeanAmerican。HisvoicealsohadaYankeetwang，beingacrossbetweenthatofanAmericantraderandanEnglishgroom；andhiseyeswerekeenandfixed，andcoldandknowing。
SuchwasthesonwhomSirRogersawstandingathisbedsidewhenfirstheawoketohisconsciousness。ItmustnotbesupposedthatSirRogerlookedathimwithoureyes。Tohimhewasanonlychild，theheirofhiswealth，thefuturebearerofhistitle；themostheart-stirringremembrancerofthosedays，whenhehadbeensomuchapoorer，andsomuchahappierman。Letthatboybebadorgood，hewasallSirRogerhad；andthefatherwasstillabletohope，whenothersthoughtthatallgroundforhopewasgone。
Themotheralsolovedhersonwithamother"snaturallove；butLouishadeverbeenashamedofhismother，andhad，asfaraspossible，estrangedhimselffromher。Herheart，perhaps，fixeditselfalmostwithalmostawarmerloveonFrankGresham，herfoster-son。Frankshesawbutseldom，butwhenshedidseehimheneverrefusedherembrace。
Therewas，too，ajoyous，geniallustreaboutFrank"sfacewhichalwaysendearedhimtowomen，andmadehisformernurseregardhimasthepetcreationoftheage。Thoughshebutseldominterferedwithanymonetaryarrangementofherhusband"s，yetonceortwiceshehadventuredtohintthatalegacylefttotheyoungsquirewouldmakeherahappywoman。SirRoger，however，ontheseoccasionshadnotappearedverydesirousofmakinghiswifehappy。
"Ah，Louis！isthatyou？"ejaculatedSirRoger，intoneshardlymorethanhalf-formed：afterwardsinadayortwothatis，hefullyrecoveredhisvoice；butjustthenhecouldhardlyopenhisjaws，andspokealmostthroughhisteeth。Hemanaged，however，toputouthishandandlayitonthecounterpane，sothathissoncouldtakeit。
"Why，that"swell，governor，"saidtheson；"you"llbeasrightasatrivetinadayortwo——eh，governor？"
The"governor"smiledwithaghastlysmile。Healreadyprettywellknewthathewouldneveragainbe"right"ashissoncalledit，onthatsideofthegrave。Itdidnot，moreover，suithimtosaymuchjustatthatmoment，sohecontentedhimselfwithholdinghisson"shand。Helaystillinthispositionforamoment，andthen，turningroundpainfullyonhisside，endeavouredtoputhishandtotheplacewherehisdireenemyusuallywasconcealed。SirRoger，however，wastooweaknowtobehisownmaster；hewasatlength，thoughtoolate，acaptiveinthehandsofnursesanddoctors，andthebottlehadnowbeenremoved。
ThenLadyScatcherdcamein，andseeingthatherhusbandwasnotlongerunconscious，shecouldnotbutbelievethatDrThornehadbeenwrong；
shecouldnotbutthinkthattheremustbesomegroundforhope。Shethrewherselfonherkneesatthebedsideburstingintotearsasshedidso，andtakingSirRoger"shandinhersandcovereditwithkisses。
"Bother！"saidSirRoger。
Shedidnot，however，longoccupyherselfwiththeindulgenceofherfeelings；butgoingspeedilytowork，producedsuchsustenanceasthedoctorshadorderedtobegivenwhenthepatientmightawake。A
breakfast-cupwasbroughttohim，andafewdropswereputintohismouth；buthesoonmadeitmanifestthathewouldtakenothingmoreofadescriptionsoperfectlyinnocent。
"Adropofbrandy——justalittledrop，"saidhe，half-ordering，half-entreating。
"Ah，Roger，"saidLadyScatcherd。
"Justalittledrop，Louis，"saidthesickman，appealingtohisson。
"Alittlewillbegoodforhim；bringthebottle，mother，"saidtheson。
Aftersomealtercationthebrandybottlewasbrought，andLouis，withwhatathoughtaverysparinghand，proceededtopourabouthalfawine——glassintothecup。Ashedidso，SirRoger，weakashewas，contrivedtoshakehisson"sarm，soasgreatlytoincreasethedose。
"Ha！ha！ha！"laughedthesickman，andthengreedilyswallowedthedose。
CHAPTERXXV
SIRROGERDIES
ThatnightthedoctorstayedatBoxallHill，andthenextnight；sothatitbecameacustomarythingforhimtosleepthereduringthelatterpartofSirRoger"sillness。HereturnedhometoGreshamsbury；
forhehadhispatientsthere，towhomhewasasnecessaryastoSirRoger，theforemostofwhomwasLadyArabella。Hehad，therefore，noslightworkonhishands，seeingthathisnightswerebynomeanswhollydevotedtorest。
MrRerechildhadnotbeenmuchwrongastotheremainingspaceoflifewhichhehadallottedtothedyingman。OnceortwiceDrThornehadthoughtthatthegreatoriginalstrengthofhispatientwouldhaveenabledhimtofightagainstdeathforasomewhatlongerperiod；butSirRogerwouldgivehimselfnochance。Wheneverhewasstrongenoughtohaveawillofhisown，heinsistedonhavinghisverymedicinemixedwithbrandy；andinthehoursofthedoctor"sabsence，hewastoooftensuccessfulinhisattempts。
"Itdoesnotmuchmatter，"DrThornehadsaidtoLadyScatcherd。"Dowhatyoucantokeepdownthequantity，butdonotirritatehimbyrefusingtoobey。Itdoesnotmuchsignifynow。"SoLadyScatcherdstilladministeredthealcohol，andhefromdaytodayinventedlittleschemesforincreasingtheamount，overwhichhechuckledwithghastlylaughter。
TwoorthreetimesthesedaysSirRogeressayedtospeakseriouslytohisson；butLouisalwaysfrustratedhim。Heeithergotoutoftheroomonsomeexcuse，ormadehismotherinterfereonthescorethatsomuchtalkingwouldbebadforhisfather。Healreadyknewwithtolerableaccuracywhatwasthepurportofhisfather"swill，andbynomeansapprovedofit；butashecouldnotnowhopetoinducehisfathertoalteritsoastomakeitmorefavourabletohimself，heconceivedthatnoconversationonmattersofbusinesscouldbeofusetohim。
"Louis，"saidSirRoger，oneafternoontohisson；"Louis，IhavenotdonebyyouasIoughttohavedone——Iknowthatnow。"
"Nonsense，governor；nevermindaboutitnow；IshalldowellenoughI
daresay。Besides，itisn"ttoolate；youcanmakeittwenty-threeyearsinsteadoftwenty-five。"
"Idonotmeanastomoney，Louis。Therearethingsbesidesmoneywhichafatheroughttolookto。"
"Now，father，don"tfretyourself——I"mallright；youmaybesureofthat。"
"Louis，it"sthataccursedbrandy——it"sthatthatI"mafraidof：youseemehere，myboy，I"mlyingherenow。"
"Don"tyoubeannoyingyourself，governor；I"mallright——quiteright；
andasforyou，why，you"llbeupandaboutyourselfinanothermonthorso。"
"Ishallneverbeoffthisbed，myboy，tillI"mcarriedintomycoffin，onthosechairsthere。ButI"mnotthinkingofmyself，Louis，butyou；thinkwhatyoumayhavebeforeyouifyoucan"tavoidthataccursedbottle。"
"I"mallright，governor；rightasatrivet。It"sverylittleItake，exceptatanoddtimeortwo。"
"Oh，Louis！Louis！"
"Come，father，cheerup；thissortofthingisn"tthethingforyouatall。Iwonderwheremotheris：sheoughttobeherewiththebroth；
justletmego，andI"llseeforher。"
Thefatherunderstooditall。Hesawthatitwasnowmuchbeyondhisfadedpowerstotouchtheheartorconscienceofsuchayouthashissonhadbecome。Whatnowcouldhedoforhisboyexceptdie？Whatelse，whatotherbenefit，didhissonrequireofhimbuttodie；todiesothathismeansofdissipationmightbeunbounded？Heletgotheunresistinghandwhichheheld，and，astheyoungmancreptoutoftheroom，heturnedhisfacetothewall。Heturnedhisfacetothewall，andheldbittercommunewithhisownheart。Towhathadhebroughthimself？Towhathadhebroughthisson？Oh，howhappywouldithavebeenforhimcouldhehaveremainedallhisdaysaworkingstone-masoninBarchester！Howhappycouldhehavediedassuch，yearsago！Suchtearsasthosewhichwetthepillowarethebitterestwhichhumaneyescanshed。
Butwhiletheyweredropping，thememoirofhislifewasinquickcourseofpreparation。Itwas，indeed，nearlycompleted，withconsiderabledetail。Hehadlingeredonfourdayslongerthanmighthavebeenexpected，andtheauthorhadthushadmorethanusualtimeforthework。Inthesedaysamanisnobodyunlesshisbiographyiskeptsofarpostedupthatitmaybereadyforthenationalbreakfast-tableonthemorningafterhisdemise。Whenitchancesthatthedeadheroisonewhoistakeninhisprimeoflife，ofwhosedeparturefromamongusthemostfar-seeing，biographicalscribecanhavenopropheticinkling，thismustbedifficult。Ofgreatmen，fullofyears，whoareripeofthesickle，whointhecourseofNaturemustsoonfall，itisofcoursecomparativelyeasyforanactivecompilertohavehiscompletememoirreadyinhisdesk。Butinorderthattheideaofomnipresentandomniscientinformationmaybekeptup，theyoungmustbechronicledasquicklyastheold。Insomecasesthistaskmust，onewouldsay，bedifficult。Neverthelessitisdone。
ThememoirofSirRogerScatcherdwasprogressingfavourably。Inthisitwastoldhowfortunatehadbeenhislife；now，inhiscase，industryandgeniuscombinedhadtriumphedoverthedifficultieswhichhumblebirthanddeficienteducationhadthrowninhisway；howhehadmadeanameamongEngland"sgreatmen；howtheQueenhaddelightedtohonourhim，andnobleshadbeenproudtohavehimasaguestattheirmansions。Thenfollowedalistofallthegreatworkswhichhehadachieved，oftherailroads，canals，docks，harbours，jails，andhospitalswhichhehadconstructed。Hisnamewasheldupasanexampletothelabouringclassesofhiscountrymen，andhewaspointedatasonewhohadlivedanddiedhappy——everhappy，saidthebiographer，becauseeverindustrious。Andsoagreatmoralquestionwasinculcated。AshortparagraphwasdevotedtohisappearanceinParliament；andunfortunateMrRomerwasagainheldupfordisgrace，forthethirtiethtime，ashavingbeenthemeansofdeprivingourlegislativecouncilsofthegreatassistanceofSirRoger"sexperience。
"SirRoger，"saidthebiographerinhisconcludingpassage，"waspossessedofanironframe；butevenironwillyieldtotherepeatedblowsofthehammer。Inthelatteryearsofhislifehewasknowntoovertaskhimself；andatlengththebodygaveway，thoughthemindremainedfirmtothelast。Thesubjectofthismemoirwasonlyfifty-ninewhenhewastakenfromus。"
AndthusSirRoger"slifewaswritten，whilethetearswereyetfallingonhispillowatBoxallHill。Itwasapitythataproof-sheetcouldnothavebeensenttohim。Nomanwasvainerofhisreputation，anditwouldhavegreatlygratifiedhimtoknowthatposteritywasabouttospeakofhiminsuchterms——tospeakofhimwithavoicethatwouldbeaudiblefortwenty-fourhours。
SirRogermadenofurtherattempttogivecounseltohisson。Itwastooevidentlyuseless。Theolddyinglionfeltthatthelion"spowerhadalreadypassedfromhim，andthathewashelplessinthehandsoftheyoungcubwhowassosoontoinheritthewealthoftheforest。ButDrThornewasmorekindtohim。Hehadsomethingyettosayastohisworldlyhopesandworldlycares；andhisoldfrienddidnotturnadeafeartohim。
ItwasduringthenightthatSirRogerwasmostanxioustotalk，andmostcapableoftalking。Hewouldliethroughthedayinastatehalf-comatose；buttowardseveningwouldrousehimself，andbymidnighthewouldbefulloffitfulenergy。Onenight，ashelaywakefulandfullofthought，hethuspouredforthhiswholehearttoDrThorne。
"Thorne，"saidhe，"Itoldyouaboutmywill，youknow。"
"Yes，"saidtheother；"andIhaveblamedmyselfgreatlythatIhavenotagainurgedyoutoalterit。Yourillnesscametoosuddenly，Scatcherd；andthenIwasaversetospeakofit。"
"WhyshouldIalterit？Itisagoodwill；asgoodasIcanmake。NotbutthatIhavealtereditsinceIspoketoyou。Ididitthatdayafteryouleftme。"
"HaveyoudefinitelynamedyourheirindefaultofLouis？"
"No——thatis——yes——Ihaddonethatbefore；IhavesaidMary"seldestchild：Ihavenotalteredthat。"
"But，Scatcherd，youmustalterit。"
"Must！wellthen，Iwon"t；butI"lltellyouwhatIhavedone。Ihaveaddedapostscript——acodiciltheycallit——sayingthatyou，andyouonly，knowwhoishereldestchild。WinterbonesandJackMartinhavewitnessedthat。"
DrThornewasgoingtoexplainhowveryinjudicioussuchanarrangementappearedtobe；butSirRogerwouldnotlistentohim。Itwasnotaboutthatthathewishedtospeaktohim。Tohimitwasamatterofbutminorinterestwhomightinherithismoneyifhissonshoulddieearly；hiscarewassolelyforhisson"swelfare。Attwenty-fivetheheirmightmakehisownwill——mightbequeathallthiswealthaccordingtohisownfancy。SirRogerwouldnotbringhimselftobelievethathissoncouldfollowhimtothegraveinsoshortatime。
"Nevermindthat，doctor，now；butaboutLouis；youwillbehisguardian，youknow。"
"Nothisguardian。Heismorethanofage。"
"Ah！butdoctor，youwillbehisguardian。Thepropertywillnotbehistillhebetwenty-five。Youwillnotdeserthim？"
"Iwillnotdeserthim；butIdoubtwhetherIcandomuchforhim——whatcanIdo，Scatcherd？"
"Usethepowerthatastrongmanhasoveraweakone。Usethepowerthatmywillwillgiveyou。Doforhimasyouwouldforasonofyourownifyousawhimgoinginbadcourses。Doasafriendshoulddoforafriendthatisdeadandgone。Iwoulddosoforyou，doctor，ifourplaceswerechanged。"
"WhatcanIdo，thatIwilldo，"saidThorne，solemnly，takingashespokethecontractor"sowninhisownwithatightgrasp。
"Iknowyouwill；Iknowyouwill。Oh！doctor，mayyouneverfeelasIdonow！Mayyouonyourdeath-bedhavenodreadasIhave，astothefateofthoseyouwillleavebehindyou！"
DoctorThornefeltthathecouldnotsaymuchinanswertothis。ThefuturefateofLouisScatcherdwas，hecouldnotbutowntohimself，greatlytobedreaded。Whatgood，whathappiness，couldbepresagedforsuchaoneashewas？Whatcomfortcouldheoffertothefather？
Andthenhewascalledontocompare，asitwere，theprospectsofthisunfortunatewiththoseofhisowndarling；tocontrastallthatwasmurky，foul，anddisheartening，withallthatwasperfect——fortohimshewasallbutperfect；tolikenLouisScatcherdtotheangelwhobrightenedhisownhearthstone。Howcouldheanswertosuchanappeal？
Hesaidnothing；butmerelytightenedhisgraspoftheother"shand，tosignifythathewoulddo，asbesthecould，allthatwasaskedofhim。
SirRogerlookedupsadlyintothedoctor"sface，asthoughexpectingsomewordofconsolation。Therewasnocomfort，noconsolation。
"Forthreeorfouryears，hemustgreatlydependonyou，"continuedSirRoger。
"IwilldowhatIcan，"saidthedoctor。"WhatIcandoIwilldo。Butheisnotachild，Scatcherd：athisagehemuststandorfallmainlybyhisownconduct。Thebestthingforhimwillbetomarry。"
"Exactly；that"sjustit，Thorne：Iwascomingtothat。Ifhewouldmarry，Ithinkhewoulddowellyet，forallthathascomeandgone。Ifhemarried，ofcourseyouwouldlethimhavethecommandofhisownincome。"
"Iwillbegovernedentirelybyyourwishes：underanycircumstanceshisincomewill，asIunderstand，bequitesufficientforhim，marriedorsingle。"
"Ah！——but，Thorne，Ishouldliketothinkheshouldshinewiththebestofthem。ForwhatIhavemadethemoneyforifnotforthat？Nowifhemarries——decently，thatis——somewomanyouknowthatcanassisthimintheworld，lethimhavewhathewants。ItisnottosavethemoneythatIhaveputitintoyourhands。"
"No，Scatcherd；nottosavethemoney，buttosavehim。Ithinkthatwhileyouareyetwithhimyoushouldadvisehimtomarry。"
"HedoesnotcareastrawforwhatIadvise，notonestraw。Whyshouldhe？HowcanItellhimtobesoberwhenIhavebeenabeastallmylife？HowcanIadvisehim？That"swhereitis！Itisthatthatnowkillsme。Advise！Why，whenIspeaktohimhetreatsmelikeachild。"
"Hefearsthatyouaretooweak，youknow：hethinksthatyoushouldnotbeallowedtotalk。"
"Nonsense！heknowsbetter；youknowbetter。Tooweak！whatsignifies？WouldInotgiveallthatIhaveofstrengthatoneblowifIcouldopenhiseyestoseeasIseebutforoneminute？"Andthesickmanraisedhimselfinhisbedasthoughhewereactuallygoingtoexpendallthatremainedtohimofvigourintheenergyofthemoment。
"Gently，Scatcherd；gently。Hewilllistentoyouyet；butdonotbesounruly。"
"Thorne，youseethatbottlethere？Givemehalfaglassofbrandy。"
Thedoctorturnedroundinhischair；buthehesitatedindoingashewasdesired。
"DoasIaskyou，doctor。Itcandonoharmnow；youknowthatwellenough。Whytorturemenow？"
"No，Iwillnottortureyou；butyouwillhavewaterwithit？"
"Water！No；thebrandybyitself。ItellyouIcannotspeakwithoutit。What"stheuseofcantingnow？Youknowitcanmakenodifference。"
SirRogerwasright。Itcouldmakenodifference；andDrThornegavehimthehalfglassofbrandy。
"Ah，well；you"veastingyhand，doctor；confoundedstingy。Youdon"tmeasureyourmedicinesoutinsuchlightdoses。"
"Youwillbewantingmorebeforemorning，youknow。"
"Beforemorning！indeedIshall；apintortwobeforethat。Irememberthetime，doctor，whenIhavedrunktomyowncheekabovetwoquartsbetweendinnerandbreakfast！aye，andworkedalldayafterit！"
"Youhavebeenawonderfulman，Scatcherd，verywonderful。"
"Aye，wonderful！well，nevermind。It"sovernow。ButwhatwasI
saying？——aboutLouis，doctor；you"llnotdeserthim？"
"Certainlynot。"
"He"snotstrong；Iknowthat。Howshouldhebestrong，livingashehasdone？NotthatitseemedtohurtmewhenIwashisage。"
"Youhadtheadvantageofhardwork。"
"That"sit。SometimesIwishthatLouishadnotashillingintheworld；thathehadtotrudgeaboutwithanapronroundhiswaistasI
did。Butit"stoolatenowtothinkofthat。Ifhewouldmarry，doctor。"
DrThorneagainexpressedanopinionthatnostepwouldbesolikelytoreformthehabitsoftheyoungheirasmarriage；andrepeatedhisadvicetothefathertoimplorehissontotakeawife。
"I"lltellyouwhat，Thorne，"saidhe。Andthen，afterapause，hewenton。"Ihavenothalftoldyouasyetwhatisonmymind；andI"mnearlyafraidtotellit；though，indeed，Idon"tknowwhatIshouldbe。"
"Ineverknewyouafraidofanythingyet，"saidthedoctor，smilinggently。
"Well，then，I"llnotendbyturningcoward。Now，doctor，tellthetruthtome；whatdoyouexpectmetodoforthatgirlofyoursthatweweretalkingof——Mary"schild？"
Therewasapauseforamoment，forThornewasslowtoanswerhim。
"Youwouldnotletmeseeher，youknow，thoughsheismynieceastrulyasyours。"
"Nothing，"atlastsaidthedoctor，slowly。"Iexpectnothing。Iwouldnotletyouseeher，andtherefore，Iexpectnothing。"
"ShewillhaveitallifpoorLouisshoulddie，"saidSirRoger。
"Ifyouintenditsoyoushouldputhernameintothewill，"saidtheother。"NotthatIaskyouorwishyoutodoso。Mary，thankGod，candowithoutwealth。"
"Thorne，ononeconditionIwillputhernameintoit。Iwillalteritononecondition。Letthetwocousinsbemanandwife——letLouismarrypoorMary"schild。"
Thepropositionforamomenttookawaythedoctor"sbreath，andhewasunabletoanswer。NotforallthewealthofIndiawouldhehavegivenuphislambtothatyoungwolf，eventhoughhehadhadthepowertodoso。Butthatlamb——lambthoughshewas——had，ashewellknew，awillofherownonsuchamatter。Whatalliancecouldbemoreimpossible，thoughthetohimself，thanonebetweenMaryThorneandLouisScatcherd？
"Iwillalteritallifyouwillgivemeyourhanduponitthatyouwilldoyourbesttobringaboutthismarriage。Everythingshallbehisonthedayhemarriesher；andshouldhedieunmarried，itshallallthenbehersbyname。Saytheword，Thorne，andsheshallcomehereatonce。Ishallyethavetimetoseeher。"
ButDrThornedidnotsaytheword；justatthemomenthesaidnothing，butheslowlyshookhishead。
"Whynot，Thorne？"
"Myfriend，itisimpossible。"
"Whyimpossible？"
"Herhandisnotminetodisposeof，norisherheart。"
"Thenlethercomeoverherself。"
"What！Scatcherd，thatthesonmightmakelovetoherwhilethefatherissodangerouslyill！Bidhercometolookforarichhusband！Thatwouldnotbeseemly，wouldit？"
"No；notforthat：lethercomemerelythatImayseeher；thatwemayallknowher。Iwillleavethemattertheninyourhandsifyouwillpromisemetodoyourbest。"
"But，myfriend，inthismatterIcannotdomybest。Icandonothing。And，indeed，Imaysayatonce，thatitisaltogetheroutofthequestion。Iknow——"
"Whatdoyouknow？"saidthebaronet，turningonhimalmostangrily。
"Whatcanyouknowtomakeyousaythatitisimpossible？Issheapearlofsuchpricethatamanmaynotwinher？"
"Sheisapearlofgreatprice。"
"Believeme，doctor，moneygoesfarinwinningsuchpearls。"
"Perhapsso；Iknowlittleaboutit。ButthisIdoknow，thatmoneywillnotwinher。Letustalkofsomethingelse；believeme，itisuselessforustothinkofthis。"
"Yes；ifyousetyourfaceagainstitobstinately。YoumustthinkverypoorlyofLouisifyousupposethatnogirlcanfancyhim。"
"Ihavenotsaidso，Scatcherd。"
"Tohavethespendingoftenthousandayear，andbeabaronet"slady！
Why，doctor，whatisityouexpectforthisgirl？"
"Notmuch，indeed；notmuch。Aquietheartandaquiethome；notmuchmore。"
"Thorne，ifyouwillberuledbymeinthis，sheshallbethemosttoppingwomaninthiscounty。"
"Myfriend，myfriend，whythusgrieveme？Whyshouldyouthusharassyourself？Itellyouitisimpossible。Theyhaveneverseeneachother；theyhavenothing，andcanhavenothingincommon；theirtastes，andwishes，andpursuitsaredifferent。Besides，Scatcherd，marriagesneveranswerthataresomade；believeme，itisimpossible。"
Thecontractorthrewhimselfbackonhisbed，andlayforsometenminutesperfectlyquiet；somuchsothatthedoctorbegantothinkthathewassleeping。Sothinking，andweariedbythewatching，DrThornewasbeginningtocreepquietlyfromtheroom，whenhiscompanionagainrousedhimself，almostwithvehemence。
"Youwon"tdothisthingforme，then？"saidhe。
"Doit！Itisnotforyouormetodosuchthingsasthat。Suchthingsmustbelefttothoseconcernedthemselves。"
"Youwillnotevenhelpme？"
"Notinthisthing，SirRoger。"
"Thenby——，sheshallnotunderanycircumstanceseverhaveashillingofmine。Givemesomeofthatstuffthere，"andheagainpointedtothebrandybottlewhichstoodeverwithinhissight。"
Thedoctorpouredoutandhandedtohimanothersmallmodicumofspirit。
"Nonsense，man；filltheglass。I"llstandnononsensenow。I"llbemasterofmyownhousetothelast。Giveithere，Itellyou。Tenthousanddevilsaretearingmewithin。You——youcouldhavecomfortedme；butyouwouldnot。FilltheglassItellyou。"
"IshouldbekillingyouwereItodoit。"
"Killingme！killingme！youarealwaystalkingofkillingme。DoyousupposethatIamafraidtodie？DonotIknowhowsoonitiscoming？Givemethebrandy，Isay，orIwillbeoutacrosstheroomtofetchit。"
"No，Scatcherd。Icannotgiveittoyou；notwhileIamhere。Doyourememberhowyouwereengagedthismorning？"——hehadthatmorningtakenthesacramentfromtheparishclergyman——"youwouldnotwishtomakemeguiltyofmurder，wouldyou？"
"Nonsense！Youaretalkingnonsense；habitissecondnature。ItellyouIshallsinkwithoutit。Why，youknow，Ialwaysgetitdirectlyyourbackitturned。Come，Iwillnotbebulliedinmyownhouse；givemethatbottle，Isay！"——andSirRogeressayed，vainlyenough，toraisehimselffromthebed。
"Stop，Scatcherd；Iwillgiveittoyou——Iwillhelpyou。Itmaybethathabitissecondnature。"SirRogerinhisdeterminedenergyhadswallowed，withoutthinkingofit，thesmallquantitywhichthedoctorhadbeforepouredoutforhim，andstillheldtheemptyglasswithinhishand。Thisthedoctornowtookandfillednearlytothebrim。
"Come，Thorne，abumper；abumperforthisonce。“Whateverthedrink，itabumpermustbe。“Youstingyfellow！Iwouldnottreatyouso。
Well——well。"
"It"saboutasfullasyoucanholdit，Scatcherd。"
"Tryme；tryme！myhandisarock；atleastatholdingliquor。"Andthenhedrainedthecontentsoftheglass，whichwereinsufficientquantitytohavetakenawaythebreathofanyordinaryman。
"Ah，I"mbetternow。But，Thorne，Idoloveafullglass，ha！ha！ha！"
Therewassomethingfrightful，almostsickening，inthepeculiarhoarsegutturaltoneofhisvoice。Thesoundscamefromhimasthoughsteepedinbrandy，andtold，alltooplainly，thehavocwhichthealcoholhadmade。Therewasafiretooabouthiseyeswhichcontrastedwithhissunkencheeks：hishangingjaw，unshornbeard，andhaggardfacewereterribletolookat。Hishandsandarmswerehotandclammy，butsothinandwasted！Ofhislowerlimbsthelostusehadnotreturnedtohim，sothatinallhiseffortsatvehemencehewascontrolledbyhisownwantofvitality。Whenhesupportedhimself，half-sittingagainstthepillows，hewasinacontinualtremor；andyet，asheboasted，hecouldstilllifthisglasssteadilytohismouth。Suchnowwastheheroofwhomthatreadycompilerofmemoirshadjustfinishedhiscorrectandsuccinctaccount。
Afterhehadhadhisbrandy，hesatglaringawhileatvacancy，asthoughhewasdeadtoallaroundhim，andwasthinking——thinking——thinkingofthingsintheinfinitedistanceofthepast。
"ShallIgonow，"saidthedoctor，"andsendLadyScatcherdtoyou？"
"Waitawhile，doctor；justoneminutelonger。SoyouwilldonothingforLouis，then？"
"IwilldoeverythingforhimthatIcando。"
"Ah，yes！everythingbuttheonethingthatwillsavehim。Well，I
willnotaskyouagain。Butremember，Thorne，Ishallaltermywillto-morrow。"
"Doso，byallmeans；youmaywellalteritforthebetter。IfImayadviseyou，youwillhavedownyourownbusinessattorneyfromLondon。
Ifyouwillletmesendhewillbeherebeforeto-morrownight。"
"Thankyoufornothing，Thorne：Icanmanagethatmattermyself。Nowleaveme；butremember，youhaveruinedthatgirl"sfortune。"
Thedoctordidleavehim，andwentnotaltogetherhappytohisroom。Hecouldnotbutconfesstohimselfthathehad，despitehimselfasitwere，fedhimselfwithhopethatMary"sfuturemightbemademoresecure，aye，andbrightertoo，bysomesmallunheededfractionbrokenofffromthehugemassofheruncle"swealth。Suchhope，ifithadamountedtohope，wasnowallgone。Butthiswasnotall，norwasthistheworstofit。ThathehaddonerightinutterlyrepudiatingallideaofamarriagebetweenMaryandhercousin——ofthathewascertainenough；thatnoearthlyconsiderationwouldhaveinducedMarytoplighthertrothtosuchaman——that，withhim，wasascertainasdoom。Buthowfarhadhedonerightinkeepingherfromthesightofheruncle？
Howcouldhejustifyittohimselfifhehadthusrobbedherofherinheritance，seeingthathehaddonesofromaselfishfearlestshe，whowasnowallhisown，shouldbeknowntotheworldasbelongingtoothersratherthantohim？Hehadtakenuponhimonherbehalftorejectwealthasvalueless；andyethehadnosoonerdonesothanhebegantoconsumehishourswithreflectinghowgreattoherwouldbethevalueofwealth。Andthus，whenSirRogertoldhim，ashelefttheroom，thathehadruinedMary"sfortune，hewashardlyabletobearthetauntwithequanimity。
Onthenextmorning，afterpayinghisprofessionalvisittohispatient，andsatisfyinghimselfthattheendwasnowdrawingnearwithstepsterriblyquickened，hewentdowntoGreshamsbury。
"Howlongisthistolast，uncle？"saidhisniece，withsadvoice，asheagainpreparedtoreturntoBoxallHill。
"Notlong，Mary；donotbegrudgehimafewmorehoursoflife。"
"No，Idonot，uncle。Iwillsaynothingmoreaboutit。Ishissonwithhim？"Andthen，perverselyenough，shepersistedinaskingnumerousquestionsaboutLouisScatcherd。
"Ishelikelytomarry，uncle？"
"Ihopeso，mydear。"
"Willhebesoveryrich？"
"Yes；ultimatelyhewillbeveryrich。"
"Hewillbeabaronet，willhenot？"
"Yes，mydear。"
"Whatishelike，uncle？"
"Like——Ineverknowwhatayoungmanislike。Heislikeamanwithredhair。"
"Uncle，youaretheworsthandindescribingIeverknew。IfI"dseenhimforfiveminutes，I"dbeboundtomakeaportraitofhim；andyou，ifyouweredescribingadog，you"donlysaywhatcolourhishairwas。"
"Well，he"salittleman。"
"Exactly，justasIshouldsaythatMrsUmblebyhadared-hairedlittledog。IwishIhadknowntheseScatcherds，uncle。Idoadmirepeoplethatcanpushthemselvesintheworld。IwishIhadknownSirRoger。"
"Youwillneverknowhim，Mary。"
"Isupposenot。Iamsosorryforhim。IsLadyScatcherdnice？"
"Sheisanexcellentwoman。"
"IhopeImayknowhersomeday。Youaresomuchtherenow，uncle；I
wonderwhetheryouevermentionmetothem。Ifyoudo，tellherfrommehowmuchIgrieveforher。"
Thatsamenight，DrThorneagainfoundhimselfalonewithSirRoger。
Thesickmanwasmuchmoretranquil，andapparentlymoreateasethanhehadbeenontheprecedingnight。Hesaidnothingabouthiswill，andnotawordaboutMaryThorne；butthedoctorknewthatWinterbonesandanotary"sclerkfromBarchesterhadbeeninthebedroomagreatpartoftheday；and，asheknewalsothatthegreatmanofbusinesswasaccustomedtodohismostimportantworkbythehandsofsuchtoolsasthese，hedidnotdoubtbutthatthewillhadbeenalteredandremodelled。Indeed，hethoughtitmorethanprobable，thatwhenitwasopeneditwouldbefoundtobewhollydifferentinitsprovisionsfromthatwhichSirRogerhadalreadydescribed。
"Louisiscleverenough，"hesaid，"sharpenough，Imean。Hewon"tsquandertheproperty。"
"Hehasgoodnaturalabilities，"saidthedoctor。
"Excellent，excellent，"saidthefather。"Hemaydowell，verywell，ifhecanonlybekeptfromthis；"andSirRogerhelduptheemptywine-glasswhichstoodbyhisbedside。"Whatalifehemayhavebeforehim！——andtothrowitawayforthis！"andashespokehetooktheglassandtosseditacrosstheroom。"Oh，doctor！wouldthatitwerealltobeginagain！"
"Weallwishthat，Idaresay，Scatcherd。"
"No，youdon"twishit。Youain"tworthashilling，andyetyouregretnothing。Iamworthhalfamillioninonewayoranother，andIregreteverything-everything——everything！"
"Youshouldnotthinkthatway，Scatcherd；youneednotthinkso。
YesterdayyoutoldMrClarkethatyouwerecomfortableinyourmind。"
MrClarkewastheclergymanwhohadvisitedhim。
"OfcourseIdid。WhatelsecouldIsaywhenheaskedme？Itwouldn"thavebeenciviltohavetoldhimthathistimeandwordswereallthrownaway。But，Thorne，believeme，whenaman"sheartissad——sad——sadtothecore，afewwordsfromaparsonatthelastmomentwillnevermakeitright。"
"MayHehavemercyonyou，myfriend！——ifyouwillthinkofHim，andlooktoHim，Hewillhavemercyonyou。"
"Well——Iwilltry，doctor；butwouldthatitwerealltodoagain。
You"llseetotheoldwomanformysake，won"tyou？"
"What，LadyScatcherd？"
"LadyDevil！Ifanythingangersmenowitisthat“ladyship“——hertobemylady！Why，whenIcameoutofjailthattime，thepoorcreaturehadhardlyashoetoherfoot。Butitwasn"therfault，Thorne；itwasnoneofherdoing。Sheneveraskedforsuchnonsense。"
"Shehasbeenanexcellentwife，Scatcherd；andwhatismore，sheisanexcellentwoman。Sheis，andeverwillbe，oneofmydearestfriends。"
"Thank"ee，doctor，thank"ee。Yes；shehasbeenagoodwife——betterforapoormanthanarichone；butthen，thatwaswhatshewasbornto。
Youwon"tletherbeknockedaboutbythem，willyou，Thorne？"
DrThorneagainassuredhim，thataslongashelivedLadyScatcherdshouldneverwantonetruefriend；inmakingthispromise，however，hemanagedtodropallallusiontotheobnoxioustitle。
"You"llbewithhimasmuchaspossible，won"tyou？"againaskedthebaronet，afterlyingquitesilentforaquarterofanhour。
"Withwhom？"saidthedoctor，whowasthenallbutasleep。
"Withmypoorboy，Louis。"
"Ifhewillletme，Iwill，"saidthedoctor。
"And，doctor，whenyouseeaglassathismouth，dashitdown；thrustitdown，thoughyouthrustouttheteethwithit。Whenyouseethat，Thorne，tellhimofhisfather——tellhimwhathisfathermighthavebeenbutforthat；tellhimhowhisfatherdiedlikeabeast，becausehecouldnotkeephimselffromdrink。"
These，reader，werethelastwordsspokenbySirRogerScatcherd。Asheutteredthemheroseupinbedwiththesamevehemencewhichhehadshownontheformerevening。Butintheveryactofdoingsohewasagainstruckbyparalysis，andbeforenineonthefollowingmorningallwasover。
"Oh，myman——myown，ownman！"exclaimedthewidow，rememberingintheparoxysmofhergriefnothingbutthelovesoftheirearlydays；"thebest，thebrightest，thecleverestofthemall！"
SomeweeksafterthisSirRogerwasburied，withmuchpompandceremony，withintheprecinctsofBarchesterCathedral；andamonumentwasputuptohimsoonafter，inwhichhewasportrayed，assmoothingablockofgranitewithamalletandchisel；whilehiseagleeye，disdainingsuchhumblework，wasfixeduponsomeintricatemathematicalinstrumentabovehim。CouldSirRogerhaveseenithimself，hewouldprobablyhavedeclared，thatnoworkmanwaseverworthhissaltwholookedonewaywhileherowedanother。
Immediatelyafterthefuneralthewillwasopened，andDrThornediscoveredthattheclausesofitwereexactlyidenticalwiththosehisfriendhaddescribedtohimsomemonthsback。Nothinghadbeenaltered；norhadthedocumentbeenunfoldedsincethatstrangecodicilhadbeenadded，inwhichitwasdeclaredthatDrThorneknew——andonlyDrThorne——whowastheeldestchildofthetestator"sonlysister。Atthesametime，however，ajointexecutorwithDrThornehadbeennamed——oneMrStock，amanofrailwayfame——andDrThornehimselfwasmadealegateetothehumbleextentofathousandpounds。AlifeincomeofathousandpoundsayearwaslefttoLadyScatcherd。