第11章
CHAPTERXXVI
WAR
WeneednotfollowSirRogertohisgrave，norpartakeofthebakedmeatswhichwerefurnishedforhisfuneralbanquet。SuchmenasSirRogerScatcherdarealwayswellburied，andwehavealreadyseenthathisgloriesweredulytoldtoposterityinthegraphicdictionofhissepulchralmonument。InafewdaysthedoctorhadreturnedtohisquitehomeandSirLouisfoundhimselfreigningatBoxallHillinhisfather"sstead——with，however，amuchdiminishedsway，and，ashethoughtit，butapoorexchequer。Wemustsoonreturntohimandsaysomethingofhiscareerasabaronet；butforthepresent，wemaygobacktoourmorepleasantfriendsatGreshamsbury。
ButourfriendsatGreshamsburyhadnotbeenmakingthemselvespleasant——notsopleasanttoeachotherascircumstanceswouldhaveadmitted。Inthosedayswhichthedoctorhadfelthimselfboundtopass，ifnotaltogetheratBoxallHill，yetaltogetherawayfromhisownhome，soastoadmitofhisbeingasmuchaspossiblewithhispatient，MaryhadbeenthrownmorethaneverwithPatienceOriel，and，also，almostmorethaneverwithBeatriceGresham。AsregardedMary，shewoulddoubtlesshavepreferredthecompanionshipofPatience，thoughshelovedBeatricefarthebest；butshehadnochoice。WhenshewenttotheparsonageBeatricecametherealso，andwhenPatiencecametothedoctor"shouseBeatriceeitheraccompaniedorfollowedher。Marycouldhardlyhaverejectedtheirsociety，evenhadshefeltitwisetodoso。Shewouldinsuchcasehavebeenallalone，andherseverancefromtheGreshamsburyhouseandhousehold，fromthebigfamilyinwhichshehadforsomanyyearsbeenalmostathome，wouldhavemadesuchsolitudealmostunendurable。
Andthenthesetwogirlsbothknew——nothersecret；shehadnosecret——butthelittlehistoryofherill-treatment。Theyknewthatthoughshehadbeenblamelessinthismatter，yetshehadbeentheonetobearthepunishment；and，asgirlsandbosomfriends，theycouldnotbutsympathizewithher，andendowherwithheroicattributes；makeher，infact，aswearedoing，theirlittleheroineforthenonce。Thiswas，perhaps，notserviceableforMary；butitwasfarfrombeingdisagreeable。
Thetendencytofindingmatterforhero-worshipinMary"sendurancewasmuchstrongerwithBeatricethanwithMissOriel。MissOrielwastheelder，andnaturallylessafflictedwiththesentimentationofromance。ShehadthrownherselfintoMary"sarmsbecauseshehadseenthatitwasessentiallynecessaryforMary"scomfortthatsheshoulddoso。Shewasanxioustomakeherfriendsmile，andtosmilewithher。
Beatricewasquiteastrueinhersympathy；butsheratherwishedthatsheandMarymightweepinunison，shedmutualtears，andbreaktheirheartstogether。
PatiencehadspokenofFrank"sloveasamisfortune，ofhisconductaserroneous，andtobeexcusedonlybyhisyouth，andhadneverappearedtosurmisethatMaryalsomightbeinloveaswellashe。ButtoBeatricetheaffairwasatragicdifficulty，admittingofnosolution；
aGordianknot，nottobecut；amiserynowandforever。ShewouldalwaystalkaboutFrankwhensheandMarywerealone；and，tospeakthetruth，Marydidnotstopherassheperhapsshouldhavedone。
Asforamarriagebetweenthem，thatwasimpossible；Beatricewaswellsureofthat：itwasFrank"sunfortunatedestinythathemustmarrymoney——money，and，asBeatricesometimesthoughtlesslyadded，cuttingMarytothequick，——moneyandfamilyalso。Undersuchcircumstancesamarriagebetweenthemwasquiteimpossible；butnotthelessdidBeatricedeclare，thatshewouldhavelovedMaryashersister-in-lawhaditbeenpossible；andhowworthyFrankwasofagirl"slove，hadsuchlovebeenpossible。
"Itissocruel，"Beatricewouldsay；"sovery，very，cruel。
Youwouldhavesuitedhimineveryway。"
"Nonsense，Trichy；Ishouldhavesuitedhiminnopossiblewayatall；
norheme。"
"Oh，butyouwould——exactly。Papalovesyousowell。"
"Andmamma；thatwouldhavebeensonice。"
"Yes；andmamma，too——thatis，hadyouhadafortune，"saidthedaughter，naively。"Shealwayslikedyoupersonally，always。"
"Didshe？"
"Always。Andweallloveyouso。"
"EspeciallyLadyAlexandrina。"
"Thatwouldnothavesignified，forFrankcannotenduretheDeCourcyshimself。"
"Mydear，itdoesnotmatteronestrawwhomyourbrothercanendureornotendurejustatpresent。Hischaracteristobeformed，andhistastes，andhisheartalso。"
"Oh，Mary！——hisheart。"
"Yes，hisheart；notthefactofhishavingaheart。Ithinkhehasaheart；buthehimselfdoesnotyetunderstandit。"
"Oh，Mary！youdonotknowhim。"
SuchconversationswerenotwithoutdangertopoorMary"scomfort。ItcamesoontobethecasethatshelookedratherforthissortofsympathyfromBeatrice，thanforMissOriel"spleasantbutlesspiquantgaiety。
Sothedaysofthedoctor"sabsencewerepassed，andsoalsothefirstweekafterhisreturn。Duringthisweekitwasalmostdailynecessarythatthesquireshouldbewithhim。ThedoctorwasnowthelegalholderofSirRoger"sproperty，and，assuch，theholderalsoofallthemortgagesonMrGresham"sproperty；anditwasnaturalthattheyshouldbemuchtogether。Thedoctorwouldnot，however，gouptoGreshamsburyonanyotherthanmedicalbusiness；anditthereforebecamenecessarythatthesquireshouldbeagooddealatthedoctor"shouse。
ThentheLadyArabellabecameunhappyinhermind。Frank，itwastrue，wasawayatCambridge，andhadbeensuccessfullykeptoutofMary"swaysincethesuspicionofdangerhadfallenuponLadyArabella"smind。
Frankwasaway，andMarywassystematicallybanished，withdueacknowledgementfromallthepowersinGreshamsbury。ButthiswasnotenoughforLadyArabellaaslongasherdaughterstillhabituallyconsortedwiththefemaleculprit，andaslongasherhusbandconsortedwiththemaleculprit。ItseemedtoLadyArabellaatthismomentasthough，inbanishingMaryfromthehouse，shehadineffectbanishedherselffromthemostintimateoftheGreshamsburysocialcircles。Shemagnifiedinherownmindtheimportanceoftheconferencesbetweenthegirls，andwasnotwithoutsomefearthatthedoctormightbetalkingthesquireoverintoverydangerouscompliance。
HerobjectwastobreakofallconfidentialintercoursebetweenBeatriceandMary，andtointerrupt，asfarasshecoulddoit，thatbetweenthedoctorandthesquire。This，itmaybesaid，couldbemoreeasilydonebyskilfulmanagementwithinherownhousehold。Shehad，however，triedthatandfailed。ShehadsaidmuchtoBeatriceastotheimprudenceofherfriendshipwithMary，andshehaddonethispurposelybeforethesquire；injudiciouslyhowever——forthesquirehadimmediatelytakenMary"spart，andhaddeclaredthathehadnowishtoseeaquarrelbetweenhisfamilyandthatofthedoctor；thatMaryThornewasineverywayagoodgirl，andaneligiblefriendforhisownchild；andhadendedbydeclaring，thathewouldnothaveMarypersecutedforFrank"sfault。Thishadnotbeentheend，nornearlytheendofwhathadbeensaidonthematteratGreshamsbury；buttheend，whenitcame，cameinthiswise，thatLadyArabelladeterminedtosayafewwordstothedoctorastotheexpediencyofforbiddingfamiliarintercoursebetweenMaryandanyoftheGreshamsburypeople。
WiththisviewLadyArabellaabsolutelybeardedthelioninhisden，thedoctorinhisshop。ShehadheardthatbothMaryandBeatriceweretopassacertainafternoonattheparsonage，andtookthatopportunityofcallingatthedoctor"shouse。Aperiodofmanyyearshadpassedsinceshehadlastsohonouredthatabode。Mary，indeed，hadbeensomuchoneofherownfamilythattheceremonyofcallingonherhadneverbeenthoughtnecessary；andthus，unlessMaryhadbeenabsolutelyill，therewouldhavebeennothingtobringherladyshiptothehouse。
Allthissheknewwouldaddtotheimportanceoftheoccasion，andshejudgeditprudenttomaketheoccasionasimportantasitmightwellbe。
Shewassofarsuccessfulthatshesoonfoundherselftete-a-tetewiththedoctorinhisownstudy。Shewasnowhitdismayedbythepairofhumanthigh-boneswhichlayclosetohishand，andwhich，whenhewastalkinginthatdenofhisown，hewasintheconstanthabitofhandlingwithmuchenergy；norwasshefrightenedoutofherproprietyevenbythelittlechild"sskullwhichgrinnedatherfromoffthechimney-piece。
"Doctor，"shesaid，assoonasthefirstcomplimentarygreetingswereover，speakinginherkindestandmostwould-be-confidentialtone。
"Doctor，Iamstilluneasyaboutthatboyofmine，andIhavethoughtitbesttocomeandseeyouatonce，andtellyoufreelywhatIthink。"
Thedoctorbowed，andsaidthathewasverysorrythatsheshouldhaveanycauseforuneasinessabouthisyoungfriendFrank。
"Indeed，Iamveryuneasy，doctor；andhaving，asIdohave，suchrelianceonyourprudence，andsuchperfectconfidenceinyourfriendship，Ihavethoughtitbesttocomeandspeaktoyouopenly："
thereupontheLadyArabellapaused，andthedoctorbowedagain。
"Nobodyknowssowellasyoudothedreadfulstateofthesquire"saffairs。"
"Notsodreadful；notsoverydreadful，"saidthedoctor，mildly："thatis，asfarasIknow。"
"Yestheyare，doctor；verydreadful；verydreadfulindeed。Youknowhowmuchheowestothisyoungman：Idonot，forthesquirenevertellsanythingtome；butIknowthatitisaverylargesumofmoney；
enoughtoswamptheestateandruinFrank。NowIcallthatverydreadful。"
"No，notruinhim，LadyArabella；notruinhim，Ihope。"
"However，Ididnotcometotalktoyouaboutthat。AsIsaidbefore，Iknownothingofthesquire"saffairs，and，asamatterofcourse，I
donotaskyoutotellme。ButIamsureyouwillagreewithmeinthisthat，asamother，Icannotbutbeinterestedaboutmyonlyson，"
andLadyArabellaputhercambrichandkerchieftohereyes。
"Ofcourseyouare；ofcourseyouare，"saidthedoctor；"and，LadyArabella，myopinionofFrankissuch，thatIfeelsurethathewilldowell；"and，inhisenergy，DrThornebrandishedoneofthethigh-bonesalmostinthelady"sface。
"Ihopehewill；IamsureIhopehewill。But，doctor，hehassuchdangerstocontendwith；heissowarmandimpulsivethatIfearhisheartwillbringhimintotrouble。Now，youknow，unlessFrankmarriesmoneyheislost。"
Thedoctormadenoanswertothislastappeal，butashesatandlistenedaslightfrowncameacrosshisbrow。
"Hemustmarrymoney，doctor。Nowwehave，yousee，withyourassistance，contrivedtoseparatehimfromdearMary——"
"Withmyassistance，LadyArabella！Ihavegivennoassistance，norhaveImeddledinthematter；norwillI。"
"Well，doctor，perhapsnotmeddled；butyouagreedwithme，youknow，thatthetwoyoungpeoplehadbeenimprudent。"
"Iagreedtonosuchthing，LadyArabella；never，never。InotonlyneveragreedthatMaryhadbeenimprudent，butIwillnotagreetoitnow，andwillnotallowanyonetoassertitinmypresencewithoutcontradictingit："andthenthedoctorworkedawayatthethigh-bonesinamannerthatdidratheralarmherladyship。
"Atanyrate，youthoughtthattheyoungpeoplehadbetterbekeptapart。"
"No；neitherdidIthinkthat：myniece，Ifeltsure，wassafefromdanger。Iknewthatshewoulddonothingthatwouldbringeitherherormetoshame。"
"Nottoshame，"saidtheladyapologetically，asitwere，usingthewordperhapsnotexactlyinthedoctor"ssense。
"Ifeltnoalarmforher，"continuedthedoctor，"anddesirednochange。Frankisyourson，anditisforyoutolooktohim。YouthoughtpropertodosobydesiringMarytoabsentherselffromGreshamsbury。"
"Oh，no，no，no！"saidLadyArabella。
"Butyoudid，LadyArabella；andasGreshamsburyisyourhome，neitherInormyniecehadanygroundofcomplaint。Weacquiesced，notwithoutmuchsuffering，butwedidacquiesce；andyou，Ithink，canhavenogroundofcomplaintagainstme。"
LadyArabellahadhardlyexpectedthatthedoctorwouldreplytohermildandconciliatoryexordiumwithsomuchsternness。Hehadyieldedsoeasilytoherontheformeroccasion。ShedidnotcomprehendthatwhensheutteredhersentenceofexileagainstMary，shehadgivenanorderwhichshehadthepowerofenforcing；butthatobediencetothatorderhadnowplacedMaryaltogetherbeyondherjurisdiction。Shewas，therefore，alittlesurprised，andforafewmomentsoverawedbythedoctor"smanner；butshesoonrecoveredherself，remembering，doubtless，thatfortunefavoursnonebutthebrave。
"Imakenocomplaint，DrThorne，"shesaid，afterassumingatonemorebefittingaDeCourcythanthathithertoused，"ImakenocomplainteitherasregardsyouorMary。"
"Youareverykind，LadyArabella。"
"ButIthinkthatitismydutytoputastop，aperemptorystoptoanythinglikealoveaffairbetweenmysonandyourniece。"
"Ihavenottheleastobjectioninlife。Ifthereissuchaloveaffair，putastoptoit——thatis，ifyouhavethepower。"
Herethedoctorwasdoubtlessimprudent。Buthehadbeguntothinkthathehadyieldedsufficientlytothelady；andhehadbeguntoresolve，also，thatthoughitwouldnotbecomehimtoencourageeventheideaofsuchamarriage，hewouldmakeLadyArabellaunderstandthathethoughthisniecequitegoodenoughforherson，andthatthematch，ifregardedasimprudent，wastoberegardedasequallyimprudentonbothsides。HewouldnotsufferthatMaryandherheartandfeelingsandinterestshouldbealtogetherpostponedtothoseoftheyoungheir；and，perhaps，hewasunconsciouslyencouragedinthisdeterminationbythereflectionthatMaryherselfmightperhapsbecomeayoungheiress。
"Itismyduty，"saidLadyArabella，repeatingherwordswithevenastrongerDeCourcyintonation；"andyourdutyalso，DrThorne。"
"Myduty！"saidhe，risingfromhischairandleaningonthetablewiththetwothigh-bones。"LadyArabella，prayunderstandatonce，thatI
repudiateanysuchduty，andwillhavenothingwhatevertodowithit。"
"Butyoudonotmeantosaythatyouwillencouragethisunfortunateboytomarryyourniece？"
"Theunfortunateboy，LadyArabella——whom，bytheby，Iregardasaveryfortunateyoungman——isyourson，notmine。Ishalltakenostepsabouthismarriage，eitheronewayortheother。"
"Youthinkitright，then，thatyournieceshouldthrowherselfinhisway？"
"Throwherselfinhisway！WhatwouldyousayifIcameuptoGreshamsbury，andspokeofyourdaughtersinsuchlanguage？Whatwouldmydearfriend，MrGreshamsay，ifsomeneighbour"swifeshouldcomeandsospeaktohim？Iwilltellyouwhathewouldsay：hewouldquietlybeghertogobacktoherownhomeandmeddleonlywithherownmatters。"
ThiswasdreadfultoLadyArabella。EvenDrThornehadneverbeforedaredthustolowerhertothelevelofcommonhumanity，andlikenhertoanyotherwifeinthecountry-side。Moreover，shewasnotquitesurewhetherhe，theparishdoctor，wasnotdesiringher，theearl"sdaughter，togohomeandmindherownbusiness。Onthisfirstpoint，however，thereseemedtobenoroomfordoubt，ofwhichshegaveherselfthebenefit。
"Itwouldnotbecomemetoarguewithyou，DrThorne，"shesaid。
"Notatleastonthissubject，"saidhe。
"IcanonlyrepeatthatImeannothingoffensivetoourdearMary；forwhom，IthinkImaysay，Ihavealwaysshownalmostamother"scare。"
"NeitheramI，norisMary，ungratefulforthekindnessshehasreceivedatGreshamsbury。"
"ButImustdomyduty：myownchildrenmustbemyfirstconsideration。"
"Ofcoursetheymust，LadyArabella；that"sofcourse。"
"And，therefore，IhavecalledonyoutosaythatIthinkitisimprudentthatBeatriceandMaryshouldbesomuchtogether。"
Thedoctorhadbeenstandingduringthelatterpartofthisconversation，butnowhebegantowalkabout，stillholdingthetwoboneslikeapairofdumb-bells。
"Godblessmysoul！"hesaid；"Godblessmysoul！Why，LadyArabella，doyoususpectyourowndaughteraswellasyourownson？DoyouthinkthatBeatriceisassistingMaryinpreparingthiswickedclandestinemarriage？Itellyoufairly，LadyArabella，thepresenttoneofyourmindissuchthatIcannotunderstandit。"
"Isuspectnobody，DrThorne；butyoungpeoplewillbeyoung。"
"Andoldpeoplemustbeold，Isuppose；themore"sthepity。LadyArabella，Maryisthesametomeasmyowndaughter，andowesmetheobedienceofachild；butasIdonotdisapproveofyourdaughterBeatriceasanacquaintanceforher，butrather，ontheotherhand，regardwithpleasuretheirfriendship，youcannotexpectthatIshouldtakeanystepstoputanendtoit。"
"ButsupposeitshouldleadtorenewedintercoursebetweenFrankandMary？"
"Ihavenoobjection。Frankisaveryniceyoungfellow，gentlemanlikeinhismanners，andneighbourlyinhisdisposition。"
"DrThorne——"
"LadyArabella——"
"Icannotbelievethatyoureallyintendtoexpressawish——"
"Youarequiteright。Ihavenotintendedtoexpressanywish；nordoIintendtodoso。Maryisatliberty，withincertainbounds——whichI
amsureshewillnotpass——tochooseherownfriends。IthinkshehasnotchosenbadlyasregardsMissBeatriceGresham；andshouldsheevenaddFrankGreshamtothenumber——"
"Friends！whytheyweremorethanfriends；theyweredeclaredlovers。"
"Idoubtthat，LadyArabella，becauseIhavenotheardofitfromMary。Butevenifitwereso，IdonotseewhyIshouldobject。"
"Notobject！"
"AsIsaidbefore，Frankis，tomythinking，anexcellentyoungman。
WhyshouldIobject？"
"DrThorne！"saidherladyship，nowalsorisingfromherchairinastateoftooevidentperturbation。
"WhyshouldIobject？Itisforyou，LadyArabella，tolookafteryourlambs；formetoseethat，ifpossible，noharmshallcometomine。IfyouthinkthatMaryisanimproperacquaintanceforyourchildren，itisforyoutoguidethem；foryouandtheirfather。Saywhatyouthinkfittoyourowndaughter；butprayunderstand，onceforall，thatI
willallownoonetointerferewithmyniece。"
"Interfere！"saidLadyArabella，nowabsolutelyconfusedbytheseverityofthedoctor"smanner。
"Iwillallownoonetointerferewithher；noone，LadyArabella。Shehassufferedverygreatlyfromimputationswhichyouhavemostunjustlythrownonher。Itwas，however，yourundoubtedrighttoturnheroutofyourhouseifyouthoughtfit；——though，asawomanwhohadknownherforsomanyyears，youmight，Ithink，havetreatedherwithmoreforbearance。That，however，wasyourright，andyouexercisedit。
Thereyourprivilegestops；yes，andmuststop，LadyArabella。Youshallnotpersecuteherhere，ontheonlyspotofgroundshecancallherown。"
"Persecuteher，DrThorne！YoudonotmeantosaythatIhavepersecutedher？"
"Ah！butIdomeantosayso。Youdopersecuteher，andwouldcontinuetodosodidInotdefendher。Itisnotsufficientthatsheisforbiddentoenteryourdomain——andsoforbiddenwiththeknowledgeofallthecountryround——butyoumustcomeherealsowiththehopeofinterruptingalltheinnocentpleasuresofherlife。Fearinglestsheshouldbeallowedeventospeaktoyourson，tohearofwordofhimthroughhisownsister，youwouldputherinprison，tieherup，keepherfromthelightofday——"
"DrThorne！howcanyou——"
Butthedoctorwasnottobeinterrupted。
"Itneveroccurstoyoutotiehimup，toputhiminprison。No；heistheheirofGreshamsbury；heisyourson，anearl"sgrandson。Itisonlynatural，afterall，thatheshouldthrowafewfoolishwordsatthedoctor"sniece。Butshe！itisanoffencenottobeforgivenonherpartthatsheshould，however，unwillingly，havebeenforcedtolistentothem！Nowunderstandme，LadyArabella；ifanyofyourfamilycometomyhouseIshallbedelightedtowelcomethem；ifMaryshouldmeetanyofthemelsewhereIshallbedelightedtohearofit。
Shouldshetellmeto-morrowthatshewasengagedtomarryFrank，I
shouldtalkthematteroverwithher，quitecoolly，solelywithaviewtoherinterest，aswouldbemyduty；feeling，atthesametime，thatFrankwouldbeluckyinhavingsuchawife。Nowyouknowmymind，LadyArabella。ItissoIshoulddomyduty；——youcandoyoursasyoumaythinkfit。"
LadyArabellahadbythistimeperceivedthatshewasnotdestined，onthisoccasiontogainanygreatvictory。She，however，wasangryaswellasthedoctor。Itwasnottheman"svehemencethatprovokedhersomuchashisevidentdeterminationtobreakdowntheprestigeofherrank，andplaceheronafootinginnorespectsuperiortohisown。Hehadneverbeforebeensoaudaciouslyarrogant；and，asshemovedtowardsthedoor，shedeterminedinherwraththatshewouldneveragainhaveconfidentialintercoursewithhiminanyrelationoflifewhatsoever。
"DrThorne，"saidshe。"Ithinkyouhaveforgottenyourself。YoumustexcusemeifIsaythatafterwhathaspassedI——I——I——"
"Certainly，"saidhe，fullyunderstandingwhatshemeant；andbowinglowasheopenedfirstthestudy-door，thenthefront-door，thenthegarden-gate。
AndthentheLadyArabellastalkedoff，notwithoutfullobservationfromMrsYatesUmblebyandherfriendMissGustring，wholivedcloseby。
CHAPTERXXVII
MISSTHORNEGOESONAVISIT
AndnowbegantheunpleasantthingsatGreshamsburyofwhichwehaveheretold。WhenLadyArabellawalkedawayfromthedoctor"shousesheresolvedthat，letitcostwhatitmight，thereshouldbewartotheknifebetweenherandhim。Shehadbeeninsultedbyhim——soatleastshesaidtoherself，andsoshewaspreparedtosaytoothersalso——anditwasnottobebornethataDeCourcyshouldallowherparishdoctortoinsultherwithimpunity。Shewouldtellherhusbandwithallthedignitythatshecouldassume，thatithadnowbecomeabsolutelynecessarythatheshouldprotecthiswifebybreakingentirelywithhisunmanneredneighbour；and，asregardedtheyoungmembersofherfamily，shewouldusetheauthorityofamother，andabsolutelyforbidthemtoholdanyintercoursewithMaryThorne。Soresolving，shewalkedquicklybacktoherownhouse。
Thedoctor，whenleftalone，wasnotquitesatisfiedwiththeparthehadtakenintheinterview。Hehadspokenfromimpulseratherthanfromjudgement，and，asisgenerallythecasewithmenwhodosospeak，hehadafterwardstoacknowledgetohimselfthathehadbeenimprudent。Heaccusedhimselfprobablywithmoreviolencethanhehadreallyused，andwasthereforeunhappy；but，nevertheless，hisindignationwasnotatrest。Hewasangrywithhimself；butnotonthataccountthelessangrywithLadyArabella。Shewascruelofmanners，sohethought；butnotonthataccountwashejustifiedinforgettingtheforbearanceduefromagentlemantoalady。Mary，moreover，hadowedmuchtothekindnessofthiswoman，and，therefore，DrThornefeltthatheshouldhaveforgivenmuch。
Thusthedoctorwalkedabouthisroom，muchdisturbed；nowaccusinghimselfforhavingbeensoangrywithLadyArabella，andthenfeedinghisownangerbythinkingofhermisconduct。
Theonlyimmediateconclusionatwhichheresolvedwasthis，thatitwasunnecessarythatheshouldsayanythingtoMaryonthesubjectofherladyship"svisit。Therewasnodoubt，sorrowenoughinstoreforhisdarling；whyshouldheaggravateit？LadyArabellawoulddoubtlessnotstopnowinhercourse；butwhyshouldheacceleratetheevilwhichshewoulddoubtlessbeabletoeffect？
LadyArabella，whenshereturnedtothehouse，allowednograsstogrowunderherfeet。AssheenteredthehouseshedesiredthatMissBeatriceshouldbesenttoherdirectlyshereturned；andshedesiredalso，thatassoonasthesquireshouldbeinhisroomamessagetothateffectmightbeimmediatelybroughttoher。
"Beatrice，"shesaid，assoonastheyoungladyappearedbeforeher，andinspeakingsheassumedherfirmesttoneofauthority，"Beatrice，I
amsorry，mydear，tosayanythingthatisunpleasanttoyou，butI
mustmakeitapositiverequestthatyouwillforthefuturedropallintercoursewithDrThorne"sfamily。"
Beatrice，whohadreceivedLadyArabella"smessageimmediatelyonenteringthehouse，andhadrunupstairsimaginingthatsomeinstanthastewasrequired，nowstoodbeforehermotherratheroutofbreath，holdingherbonnetbythestrings。
"Oh，mamma！"sheexclaimed，"whatonearthhashappened？"
"Mydear，"saidthemother，"Icannotreallyexplaintoyouwhathashappened；butImustaskyoutogivemepositiveyourassurancethatyouwillcomplywithmyrequest。"
"Youdon"tmeanthatIamnottoseeMaryanymore？"
"Yes，Ido，mydear；atanyrate，forthepresent。WhenItellyouthatyourbrother"sinterestimperativelydemandsit，Iamsurethatyouwillnotrefuseme。"
Beatricedidnotrefuse，butshedidnotappeartoowillingtocomply。
Shestoodsilent，leaningagainsttheendofasofaandtwistingherbonnet-stringsinherhand。
"Well，Beatrice——"
"But，mamma，Idon"tunderstand。"
LadyArabellahadsaidthatshecouldnotexactlyexplain：butshefounditnecessarytoattempttodoso。
"DrThornehasopenlydeclaredtomethatamarriagebetweenpoorFrankandMaryisallhecoulddesireforhisniece。Aftersuchunparalleledaudacityasthat，evenyourfatherwillseethenecessityofbreakingwithhim。"
"DrThorne！Oh，mamma，youmusthavemisunderstoodhim。"
"Mydear，Iamnotapttomisunderstandpeople；especiallywhenIamsomuchinearnestasIwasintalkingtoDrThorne。"
"But，mamma，IknowsowellwhatMaryherselfthinksaboutit。"
"AndIknowwhatDrThornethinksaboutit；he，atanyrate，hasbeencandidinwhathesaid；therecanbenodoubtonearththathehasspokenhistruethoughts；therecanbenoreasontodoubthim；ofcoursesuchamatchwouldbeallthathecouldwish。"
"Mamma，Ifeelsurethatthereissomemistake。"
"Verywell，mydear。Iknowthatyouareinfatuatedaboutthesepeople，andthatyouarealwaysinclinedtocontradictwhatIsaytoyou；but，remember，IexpectthatyouwillobeymewhenItellyounottogotoDrThorne"shouseanymore。"
"But，mamma——"
"Iexpectyoutoobeyme，Beatrice。Thoughyouaresopronetocontradict，youhaveneverdisobeyedme；andIfullytrustthatyouwillnotdosonow。"
LadyArabellahadbegunbyexacting，ortryingtoexactapromise，butasshefoundthatthiswasnotforthcoming，shethoughtitbettertogiveupthepointwithoutadispute。ItmightbethatBeatricewouldabsolutelyrefusetopaythisrespecttohermother"sauthority，andthenwherewouldshehavebeen？
Atthismomentaservantcameuptosaythatthesquirewasinhisroom，andLadyArabellawasopportunelysavedthenecessityofdiscussingthematterfurtherwithherdaughter。"Iamnow，"shesaid，"goingtoseeyourfatheronthesamesubject；youmaybequitesure，BeatricethatIshouldnotwillinglyspeaktohimonanymatterrelatingtoDrThornedidInotfinditabsolutelynecessarytodoso。"
ThisBeatriceknewwastrue，andshedidthereforefeelconvincedthatsomethingterriblemusthavehappened。
WhileLadyArabellaopenedherbudgetthesquiresatquitesilent，listeningtoherwithappropriaterespect。Shefounditnecessarythatherdescriptiontohimshouldbemuchmoreelaboratethanthatwhichshehadvouchsafedtoherdaughter，and，intellinghergrievance，sheinsistedmostespeciallyonthepersonalinsultwhichhadbeenofferedtoherself。
"Afterwhathasnowhappened，"saidshe，notquiteabletorepressatoneoftriumphasshespoke，"Idoexpect，MrGresham，thatyouwill——will——"
"Willwhat，mydear？"
"Willatleastprotectmefromtherepetitionofsuchtreatment。"
"YouarenotafraidthatDrThornewillcomehereandattackyou？AsfarasIcanunderstand，henevercomesneartheplace，unlessyousendforhim。"
"No；IdonotthinkthathewillcometoGreshamsburyanymore。I
believeIhaveputastoptothat。"
"Thenwhatisit，mydear，thatyouwantmetodo？"
LadyArabellapausedaminutebeforeshereplied。Thegamewhichshenowhadtoplaywasnotveryeasy；sheknew，orthoughtsheknew，thatherhusband，inhisheartofhearts，muchpreferredhisfriendtothewifeofhisbosom，andthathewould，ifhecould，shuffleoutofnoticingthedoctor"siniquities。Itbehovedher，therefore，toputthemforwardinsuchawaythattheymustbenoticed。
"Isuppose，MrGresham，youdonotwishthatFrankshouldmarrythegirl？"
"Idonotthinkthereistheslightestchanceofsuchathing；andIamquitesurethatDrThornewouldnotencourageit。"
"ButItellyou，MrGresham，thathesayshewillencourageit。"
"Oh，youmisunderstandhim。"
"Ofcourse；Ialwaysmisunderstandeverything。Iknowthat。I
misunderstooditwhenItoldyouhowyouwoulddistressyourselfifyoutookthosenastyhounds。"
"Ihavehadothertroublesmoreexpensivethanthehounds，"saidthepoorsquire，sighing。
"Oh，yes；Iknowwhatyoumean；awifeandfamilyareexpensive，ofcourse。Itisalittletoolatetocomplainofthat。"
"Mydear，itisalwaystoolatetocomplainofanytroubleswhentheyarenolongertobeavoided。Weneednot，therefore，talkanymoreabouthoundsatpresent。"
"Idonotwishtospeakofthem，MrGresham。"
"NorI。"
"ButIhopeyouwillnotthinkmeunreasonableifIamanxioustoknowwhatyouintendtodoaboutDrThorne。"
"Todo？"
"Yes；Isupposeyouwilldosomething：youdonotwishtoseeyoursonmarrysuchagirlasMaryThorne。"
"Asfarasthegirlherselfisconcerned，"saidthesquire，turningratherred，"Iamnotsurethathecoulddomuchbetter。IknownothingwhateveragainstMary。Frank，however，cannotaffordtomakesuchamatch。Itwouldbehisruin。"
"Ofcourseitwould；utterruin；henevercouldholduphisheadagain。ThereforeitisIask，Whatdoyouintendtodo？"
Thesquirewasbothered。Hehadnointentionwhateverofdoinganything，annobeliefinhiswife"sassertionastoDrThorne"siniquity。Buthedidnotknowhowtogetheroutoftheroom。Sheaskedhimthesamequestionoverandoveragain，andoneachoccasionurgedonhimtheheinousnessoftheinsulttowhichshepersonallyhadbeensubjected；sothatatlasthewasdriventoaskherwhatitwasshewishedhimtodo。
"Well，then，MrGresham，ifyouaskme，Imustsay，thatIthinkyoushouldabstainfromanyintercoursewithDrThornewhatever。"
"Breakoffallintercoursewithhim？"
"Yes。"
"Whatdoyoumean？Hehasbeenturnedoutofthishouse，andI"mnottogotoseehimathisown。"
"IcertainlythinkthatyououghttodiscontinueyourvisitstoDrThornealtogether。"
"Nonsense，mydear；absolutenonsense。"
"Nonsense！MrGresham；itisnononsense。Asyouspeakinthatway，I
mustletyouknowplainlywhatIfeel。Iamendeavouringtodomydutybymyson。Asyoujustlyobserve，suchamarriageasthiswouldbeutterruintohim。WhenIfoundthattheyoungpeoplewereactuallytalkingofbeinginlovewitheachother，makingvowsandallthatsortofthing，Ididthinkittimetointerfere。Ididnot，however，turnthemoutofGreshamsburyasyouaccusemeofdoing。Inthekindestpossiblemanner——"
"Well——well——well；Iknowallthat。There，theyaregone，andthat"senough。Idon"tcomplain；surelythatoughttobeenough。"
"Enough！MrGresham。No；itisnotenough。Ifindthat，inspiteofwhathasoccurred，theclosestintimacyexistsbetweenthetwofamilies；thatpoorBeatrice，whoissoveryyoung，andnotsoprudentassheshouldbe，ismadetoactasago-between；andwhenIspeaktothedoctor，hopingthathewillassistmeinpreventingthis，henotonlytellsmethathemeanstoencourageMaryinherplans，butpositivelyinsultsmetomyface，laughsatmeforbeinganearl"sdaughter，andtellsme——yes，heabsolutelytoldme——togetoutofhishouse。"
Letitbetoldwithsomeshameastothesquire"sconduct，thathisfirstfeelingonhearingthiswasoneofenvy——ofenvyandregretthathecouldnotmakethesameuncivilrequest。Notthathewishedtoturnhiswifeabsolutelyoutofhishouse；buthewouldhavebeenverygladtohavehadthepowerofdismissinghersummarilyfromhisownroom。
This，however，wasatpresentimpossible；sohewasobligedtomakesomemildreply。
"Youmusthavemistakenhim，mydear。Hecouldnothaveintendedtosaythat。"
"Oh！ofcourse，MrGresham。Itisamistake，ofcourse。Itwillbeamistake，onlyamistakewhenyoufindyoursonmarriedtoMaryThorne。"
"Well，mydear，IcannotundertaketoquarrelwithDrThorne。"Thiswastrue；forthesquirecouldhardlyhavequarrelledwithDrThorne，evenhadhewishedit。
"ThenIthinkitrighttotellyouthatIshall。And，MrGresham，I
didnotexpectmuchco-operationfromyou；butIdidthinkthatyouwouldhaveshownsomelittleangerwhenyouheardthatIhadbeensoill-treated。Ishall，however，knowhowtotakecareofmyself；andI
shallcontinuetodothebestIcantoprotectFrankfromthesewickedintrigues。"
Sosaying，herladyshiparoseandlefttheroom，havingsucceededindestroyingtocomfortofallourGreshamsburyfriends。ItwasverywellforthesquiretodeclarethathewouldnotquarrelwithDrThorne，andofcoursehedidnotdoso。Buthe，himself，hadnowishwhateverthathissonshouldmarryMaryThorne；andasafallingdropwillhollowastone，sodidthecontinualharpingofhiswifeonthesubjectgiverisetosomeamountofsuspicioninhisownmind。ThenastoBeatrice，thoughshehadmadenopromisethatshewouldnotagainvisitMary，shewasbynomeanspreparedtosethermother"sauthorityaltogetheratdefiance；andshealsowassufficientlyuncomfortable。
DrThornesaidnothingofthemattertohisniece，andshe，therefore，wouldhavebeenabsolutelybewilderedbyBeatrice"sabsence，hadshenotreceivedsometidingsofwhathadtakenplaceatGreshamsburythroughPatienceOriel。BeatriceandPatiencediscussedthematterfully，anditwasagreedbetweenthemthatitwouldbebetterthatMaryshouldknowwhatsternerordersrespectingherhadgoneforthfromthetyrantatGreshamsbury，andthatshemightunderstandthatBeatrice"sabsencewascompulsory。Patiencewasthusplacedinthisposition，thatononedayshewalkedandtalkedwithBeatrice，andonthenextwithMary；andsomatterswentonforawhileatGreshamsbury——notverypleasantly。
VeryunpleasantlyandveryuncomfortablydidthemonthsofMayandJunepassaway。BeatriceandMaryoccasionallymet，drinkingteatogetherattheparsonage，orinsomeotheroftheordinarymeetingsofthecountrysociety；buttherewerenomoreconfidentiallydistressingconfidentialdiscourses，nomorewhisperingofFrank"sname，nomoresweetallusionstotheinexpediencyofapassion，which，accordingtoBeatrice"sviews，wouldhavebeensodelightfulhaditbeenexpedient。
Thesquireandthedoctoralsometconstantly；therewereunfortunatelymanysubjectsonwhichtheywereobligedtomeet。LouisPhilippe——orSirLouisaswemustcallhim——thoughhehadnopoweroverhisownproperty，waswideawaketoallthecomingprivilegesofownership，andhewouldconstantlypointouttohisguardianthemannerinwhich，accordingtohisideas，themostshouldbemadeofit。Theyoungbaronet"sideasofgoodtastewerenotofthemostrefineddescription，andhedidnothesitatetotellDrThornethathis，thedoctor"sfriendshipwithMrGreshammustbenobartohis，thebaronet"sinterest。SirLouisalsohadhisownlawyer，whogaveDrThornetounderstand，that，accordingtohisideas，thesumdueonMrGresham"spropertywastoolargetobeleftonitspresentfooting；thetitle-deeds，hesaid，shouldbesurrenderedorthemortgageforeclosed。AllthisaddedtothesadnesswhichnowseemedtoenvelopthevillageofGreshamsbury。
EarlyinJulyFrankwastocomehome。Themannerinwhichthecomingsandgoingsof"poorFrank"wereallowedtodisturbthearrangementsofalltheladies，andsomeofthegentlemen，ofGreshamsburywasmostabominable。Andyetitcanhardlybesaidtohavebeenhisfault。Hewouldhavebeenonlytoowellpleasedhadthingsbeenallowedtogoonaftertheiroldfashion。Thingswerenotallowedsotogoon。AtChristmasMissOrielhadsubmittedtobeexiled，inorderthatshemightcarryMaryawayfromthepresenceoftheyoungBashaw，anarrangementbywhichallthewinterfestivitiesofthepoordoctorhadbeenthoroughlysacrificed；andnowitbegantobesaidthatsomesimilarplanforthesummermustbearranged。
ItmustnotbesupposedthatanydirectiontothiseffectwasconveyedeithertoMaryortothedoctor。Thesuggestioncamefromthem，andwasmentionedonlytoPatience。ButPatience，asamatterofcourse，toldBeatrice，andBeatricetoldhermother，somewhattriumphantly，hopingtherebytoconvincetheshe-dragonofMary"sinnocence。Alas！
she-dragonsarenoteasilyconvincedoftheinnocenceofanyone。LadyArabellaquitecoincidedtheproprietyofMary"sbeingsentoff，——whithersheneverinquired，——inorderthatthecoastmightbeclearfor"poorFrank"；butshedidnotawhitthemoreabstainfromtalkingofthewickedintriguesofthoseThornes。Asitturnedout，Mary"sabsencecausedhertotalkallthemore。
TheBoxallHillproperty，includingthehouseandfurniture，hadbeenlefttothecontractor"sson；itbeingunderstoodthatthepropertywouldnotbeatpresentinhisownhands，butthathemightinhabitthehouseifhechosetodoso。ItwouldthusbenecessaryforLadyScatcherdtofindahomeforherself，unlessshecouldremainatBoxallHillbyherson"spermission。Inthispositionofaffairsthedoctorhadbeenobligedtomakeabargainbetweenthem。SirLouisdidwishtohavethecomfort，orperhapsthehonour，ofacountryhouse；buthedidnotwishtohavetheexpenseofkeepingitup。Hewasalsowillingtolethismotherliveatthehouse；butnotwithoutaconsideration。
Afteraprolongeddegreeofhaggling，termswereagreedupon；andafewweeksafterherhusband"sdeath，LadyScatcherdfoundherselfaloneatBoxallHill——aloneasregardssocietyintheordinarysense，butnotquitealoneasconcernedherladyship，forthefaithfulHannahwasstillwithher。
ThedoctorwasofcourseoftenatBoxallHill，andneverleftitwithoutanurgentrequestfromLadyScatcherdthathewouldbringhisnieceovertoseeher。NowLadyScatcherdwasnofitcompanionforMaryThorne，andthoughMaryhadoftenaskedtobetakentoBoxallHill，certainconsiderationshadhithertoinducedthedoctortorefusetherequest；buttherewasaboutLadyScatcherd，——akindofhomelyhonestyofpurpose，anabsenceofallconceitastoherownposition，andastrengthofwomanlyconfidenceinthedoctorasherfriend，whichbydegreeswonuponhisheart。When，therefore，bothheandMaryfeltthatitwouldbebetterforheragaintoabsentherselfforawhilefromGreshamsbury，itwas，aftermuchdeliberation，agreedthatsheshouldgoonavisittoBoxallHill。
ToBoxallHill，accordingly，shewent，andwasreceivedalmostasaprincess。Maryhadallherlifebeenaccustomedtowomenofrank，andhadneverhabituatedherselftofeelmuchtrepidationinthepresenceoftitledgrandees；butshehadpreparedherselftobemorethanordinarilysubmissivetoLadyScatcherd。Herhostesswasawidow，wasnotawomanofhighbirth，wasawomanofwhomherunclespokewell；
and，forallthesereasons，Marywasdeterminedtorespecther，andpaytohereveryconsideration。Butwhenshesettleddowninthehouseshefounditalmostimpossibletodoso。LadyScatcherdtreatedherasafarmer"swifemighthavetreatedaconvalescentyoungladywhohadbeensenttoherchargeforafewweeks，inorderthatshemightbenefitbythecountryair。Herladyshipcouldhardlybringherselftositstillandeatherdinnertranquillyinherguest"spresence。AndthennothingwasgoodenoughforMary。LadyScatcherdbesoughther，almostwithtears，tosaywhatshelikedbesttoeatanddrink；andwasindespairwhenMarydeclaredshedidn"tcare，thatshelikedanything，andthatshewasinnowiseparticularinsuchmatters。
"Aroastfowl，MissThorne？"
"Verynice，LadyScatcherd。"
"Andbreadsauce？"
"Breadsauce——yes；oh，yes——Ilikebreadsauce，"——andpoorMarytriedhardtoshowalittleinterest。
"Andjustafewsausages。Wemakethemallinthehouse，MissThorne；
weknowwhattheyare。Andmashedpotatoes——doyoulikethembestmashedorbaked？"
Maryfindingherselfobligedtovote，votedformashedpotatoes。
"Verywell。But，MissThorne，ifyoulikeboiledfowlbetter，withalittlebitofham，youknow，Idohopeyou"llsayso。Andthere"slambinthehouse，quitebeautiful；nowdo"eesaysomething；do"ee，MissThorne。"
Soinvoked，Maryfeltherselfobligedtosaysomething，anddeclaredfortheroastfowlandsausages；butshefounditverydifficulttopaymuchoutwardrespecttoapersonwhowouldpaysomuchoutwardrespecttoher。Adayortwoafterherarrivalitwasdecidedthatsheshouldrideabouttheplaceonadonkey；shewasaccustomedtoriding，thedoctorhavinggenerallytakencarethatoneofhisownhorsesshould，whenrequired，consenttocarryalady；buttherewasnosteedatBoxallHillthatshecouldmount；andwhenLadyScatcherdhadofferedtogetaponyforher，shehadwillinglycompromisedmattersbyexpressingthedelightshewouldhaveinmakingacampaignonadonkey。Uponthis，LadyScatcherdhadherselfsetoffinquestofthedesiredanimal，muchtoMary"shorror；anddidnotreturntillthenecessarypurchasehadbeeneffected。Thenshecamebackwiththedonkeycloseatherheels，almostholdingitscollar，andstoodthereatthehall-doortillMarycametoapprove。
"Ihopeshe"lldo。Idon"tthinkshe"llkick，"saidLadyScatcherd，pattingtheheadofherpurchasequitetriumphantly。
"Oh，youaresokind，LadyScatcherd。I"msureshe"lldoquitenicely；
sheseemsveryquiet，"saidMary。
"Please，mylady，it"sahe，"saidtheboywhoheldthehalter。
"Oh！ahe，isit？"saidherladyship；"butthehe-donkeysarequiteasquietastheshesain"tthey？"
"Oh，yes，mylady；adealquieter，alltheworldover，andtwiceasuseful。"
"I"msogladofthat，MissThorne，"saidLadyScatcherd，hereyesbrightwithjoy。
AndsoMarywasestablishedwithherdonkey，whodidallthatcouldbeexpectedfromananimalinhisposition。
"But，dearLadyScatcherd，"saidMary，astheysattogetherattheopendrawing-roomwindowthesameevening，"youmustnotgooncallingmeMissThorne；mynameisMary，youknow。Won"tyoucallmeMary？"andshecameandkneltatLadyScatcherd"sfeet，andtookholdofher，lookingupintoherface。
LadyScatcherd"scheeksbecameratherred，asthoughshewassomewhatashamedofherposition。
"Youareverykindtome，"continuedMary，"anditseemssocoldtohearyoucallmeMissThorne。"
"Well，MissThorne，I"msureI"dcallyouanythingtopleaseyou。OnlyIdidn"tknowwhetheryou"dlikeitfromme。ElseIdothinkMaryistheprettiestnameinallthelanguage。"
"Ishouldlikeitverymuch。"
"MydearRogeralwayslovedthatnamebetterthananyother；tentimesbetter。IusedtowishsometimesthatI"dbeencalledMary。"
"Didhe！Why？"
"HeoncehadasistercalledMary；suchabeautifulcreature！Ideclarethatsometimesthinkyouarelikeher。"
"Oh，dear！thenshemusthavebeenverybeautifulindeed！"saidMary，laughing。
"Shewasverybeautiful。Ijustrememberher——oh，sobeautiful！shewasquiteapoorgirl，youknow；andsowasIthen。Isn"titoddthatI
shouldhavetobecalled“mylady“now。DoyouknowMissThorne——"
"Mary！Mary！"saidherguest。
"Ah，yes；butsomehow，Ihardlyliketomakesofree；but，asIwassaying，Idosodislikebeingcalled“mylady“：Ialwaysthinkthepeoplearelaughingatme；andsotheyare。"
"Oh，nonsense。"
"Yestheyarethough：poordearRoger，heusedtocallme“mylady“
justtomakefunofme；Ididn"tminditsomuchfromhim。But，MissThorne——"
"Mary，Mary，Mary。"
"Ah，well！Ishalldoitintime。But，Miss——Mary，ha！ha！ha！nevermind，letmealone。ButwhatIwanttosayisthis：doyouthinkI
coulddropit？Hannahsays，thatifIgotherightwayaboutitsheissureIcan。"
"Oh！but，LadyScatcherd，youshouldn"tthinkofsuchathing。"
"Shouldn"tInow？"
"Oh，no；foryourhusband"ssakeyoushouldbeproudofit。Hegainedgreathonour，youknow。"
"Ah，well，"saidshe，sighingafterashortpause；"ifyouthinkitwilldohimanygood，ofcourseI"llputupwithit。AndthenIknowLouiswouldbemadifItalkedofsuchathing。But，MissThorne，dear，awomanlikemedon"tliketohavetobemadeafoolofallthedaysofherlifeifshecanhelpit。"
"But，LadyScatcherd，"saidMary，whenthisquestionofthetitlehadbeendulysettled，andherladyshipmadetounderstandthatshemustbeartheburdenfortherestofherlife，"but，LadyScatcherd，youwerespeakingofSirRoger"ssister；whatbecameofher？"
"Oh，shedidverywellatlast，asSirRogerdidhimself；butinearlylifeshewasveryunfortunate——justatHistoriaAugustatimeofmymarriagetodearRoger——，"andthen，justasshewasabouttocommencesomuchassheknewofthehistoryofMaryScatcherd，sherememberedthattheauthorofhersister-in-law"smiseryhadbeenaThorne，abrotherofthedoctor；and，therefore，asshepresumed，arelativeofherguest；andsuddenlyshebecamemute。
"Well，"saidMary；"justasyouweremarried，LadyScatcherd？"
PoorLadyScatcherdhadverylittleworldlyknowledge，anddidnotintheleastknowhowtoturntheconversationorescapefromthetroubleintowhichshehadfallen。Allmannerofreflectionsbegantocrowduponher。InherearlydaysshehadknownverylittleoftheThornes，norhadshethoughtmuchofthemsince，exceptasregardedherfriendthedoctor；butatthismomentshebegantothinkthatshehadneverheardmorethantwobrothersinthefamily。WhothencouldhaveMary"sfather？ShefeltatoncethatitwouldbeimproperfortosayanythingastoHenryThorne"sterriblefaultsandsuddenfate；——improperalso，tosaymoreaboutMaryScatcherd；butshewasquiteunabletodropthematterotherwisethanabruptly，andwithastart。
"Shewasveryunfortunate，yousay，LadyScatcherd？"
"Yes，MissThorne；Mary，Imean——nevermindme——Ishalldoitintime。
Yes，shewas；butnowIthinkofit，Ihadbettersaynothingmoreaboutit。Therearereasons，andIoughtnottohavespokenofit。Youwon"tbeprovokedwithme，willyou？"
Maryassuredherthatshewouldnotbeprovoked，andofcourseaskednomorequestionsaboutMaryScatcherd；nordidshethinkmuchmoreaboutit。Itwasnotsohoweverwithherladyship，whocouldnotkeepherselffromreflectingthattheoldclergymanattheCloseatBarchestercertainlyhadbuttwosons，oneofwhomwasnowthedoctoratGreshamsbury，andtheotherofwhomhadperishedsowretchedlyatthegateofthatfarmyard。WhothenwasthefatherofMaryThorne？
ThedayspassedveryquietlyatBoxallHill。EverymorningMarywentoutonherdonkey，whojustifiedbyhisdemeanourallthathadbeensaidinhispraise；thenshewouldreadordraw，thenwalkwithLadyScatcherd，thendine，thenwalkagain；andsothedayspassedquietlyaway。Onceortwiceaweekthedoctorwouldcomeoveranddrinkhisteathere，ridinghomeinthecooloftheevening。MaryalsoreceivedonevisitfromherfriendPatience。
SothedayspassedquietlyawaytillthetranquillityofthehousewassuddenlybrokenbytidingsfromLondon。LadyScatcherdreceivedaletterfromherson，containedinthreelines，inwhichheintimatedthatonthefollowingdayhemeanttohonourthemwithavisit。Hehadintended，hesaid，tohavegonetoBrightonwithsomefriends；butashefelthimselfalittleoutofsorts，hewouldpostponehismarinetripanddohismotherthegraceofspendingafewdayswithher。
ThisnewswasnotverypleasanttoMary，bywhomithadbeenunderstood，asithadbeenalsobyheruncle，thatLadyScatcherdwouldhavehadthehousetoherself；butastherewasnomeansofpreventingtheevil，Marycouldonlyinformthedoctor，andprepareherselftomeetSirLouisScatcherd。
CHAPTERXXVIII
THEDOCTORHEARSSOMETHINGTOHISADVANTAGE
SirLouisScatcherdhadtoldhismotherthathewasratheroutofsorts，andwhenhereachedBoxallHillitcertainlydidnotappearthathehadgivenanyexaggeratedstatementofhisownmaladies。Hecertainlywasagooddealoutofsorts。Hehadhadmorethanoneattackofdeliriumtremensafterhisfather"sdeath，andhadalmostbeenatdeath"sdoor。
NothinghadbeensaidaboutthisbyDrThorneatBoxallHill；buthewasbynomeansignorantofhisward"sstate。TwicehehadgoneuptoLondontovisithim；twicehehadbeggedhimtogodownintothecountryandplacehimselfunderhismother"scare。Onthelastoccasion，thedoctorhadthreatenedhimwithallmannerofpainsandpenalties：withpains，astohisspeedydeparturefromthisworldandallitsjoys；andwithpenalties，intheshapeofpovertyifthatdepartureshouldbyanychanceberetarded。Butthesethreatshadatthemomentbeeninvain，andthedoctorhadcompromisedmattersbyinducingSirLouistopromisethathewouldgotoBrighton。Thebaronet，however，whowasatlengthfrightenedbysomerenewedattack，gaveuphisBrightonscheme，and，withoutnoticetothedoctor，hurrieddowntoBoxallHill。
Marydidnotseehimonthefirstdayofhiscoming，butthedoctordid。Hereceivedsuchintimationofthevisitasenabledhimtobeatthehousesoonaftertheyoungman"sarrival；and，knowingthathisassistancemightbenecessary，herodeovertoBoxallHill。Itwasadreadfultasktohim，thisofmakingthesamefruitlessendeavourforthesonthathehadmadeforthefather，andinthesamehouse。Buthewasboundbyeveryconsiderationtoperformthetask。Hehadpromisedthefatherthathewoulddoforthesonallthatwasinhispower；andhehad，moreover，theconsciousness，thatshouldSirLouissucceedindestroyinghimself，thenextheirtoallthepropertywashisownniece，MaryThorne。
HefoundSirLouisinalow，wretched，miserablestate。Thoughhewasadrunkardashisfatherwas，hewasnotatallsuchadrunkardashisfather。Thephysicalcapacitiesofthemenwereverydifferent。Thedailyamountofalcoholwhichthefatherhadconsumedwouldhaveburntupthesoninaweek；whereas，thoughthesonwascontinuallytipsy，whatheswallowedwouldhardlyhavehadaninjuriouseffectuponthefather。
"Youareallwrong，quitewrong，"saidSirLouispetulantly；"itisn"tthatatall。Ihavetakennothingthisweekpast——literallynothing。I
thinkit"stheliver。"
DrThornewantednoonetotellhimwhatwasthematterwithhisward。
Itwashisliver；hisliver，andhishead，andhisstomach，andhisheart。Everyorganinhisbodyhadbeendestroyed，orwasinthecourseofdestruction。Hisfatherhadkilledhimselfwithbrandy；thesonmoreelevatedinhistastes，wasdoingthesamethingwithcuracoa，maraschino，andcherry-bounce。
"SirLouis，"saidthedoctor——hewasobligedtobemuchmorepunctiliouswithhimthanhehadbeenwiththecontractor——"thematterisinyourhandsentirely：ifyoucannotkeepyourlipsfromthataccursedpoison，youhavenothinginthisworldtolookforwardto；nothing，nothing！"
MaryproposedtoreturnwithheruncletoGreshamsbury，andhewasatfirstinclinedthatsheshoulddoso。Butthisideawasoverruled，partlyincompliancewithLadyScatcherd"sentreaties，andpartlybecauseitwouldhaveseemedasthoughtheyhadboththoughtthepresenceoftheownerhadmadethehouseanunfithabitationfordecentpeople。Thedoctor，therefore，returned，leavingMarythere；andLadyScatcherdbusiedherselfbetweenhertwoguests。
OnthenextdaySirLouiswasabletocomedowntoalatedinner，andMarywasintroducedtohim。Hehaddressedhimselfinhisbestarray；
andashehad——atanyrateforthepresentmoment——beenfrightenedoutofhislibations，hewaspreparedtomakehimselfasagreeableaspossible。Hismotherwaitedonhimalmostasaslavemighthavedone；
butsheseemedtodosowiththefearofaslaveratherthantheloveofamother。Shewasfidgetyinherattentions，andworriedhimbyendeavouringtomakehereveningsitting-roomagreeable。
ButSirLouis，thoughhewasnotverysweetlybehavedunderthesemanipulationsfromhismother"shands，wasquitecomplaisanttoMissThorne；nay，aftertheexpirationofaweekhewasalmostmorethancomplaisant。Hepiquedhimselfonhisgallantry，andnowfoundthat，intheotherwisedullseclusionofBoxallHill，hehadagoodopportunityofexercisingit。Todohimjusticeitmustbeadmittedthathewouldnothavebeenincapableofadecentcareerhadhestumbledonsomegirlwhocouldhavelovedhimbeforehestumbleduponhismaraschinobottle。Suchmighthavebeenthecasewithmanyalostrake。Thethingsthatarebadareacceptedbecausethethingsthataregooddonotcomeeasilyinhisway。Howmanyamiserablefatherrevileswithbitternessofspiritthelowtastesofhisson，whohasdonenothingtoprovidehischildwithhigherpleasures！
SirLouis——partlyinthehopesofMary"ssmiles，andpartlyfrightenedbythedoctor"sthreats——did，forawhile，keephimselfwithindecentbounds。HedidnotusuallyappearbeforeMary"seyestillthreeorfourintheafternoon；butwhenhedidcomeforth，hecameforthsoberandresolutetoplease。Hismotherwasdelighted，andwasnotslowtosinghispraises；andeventhedoctor，whonowvisitedBoxallHillmorefrequentlythanever，begantohavesomehopes。
Oneconstantsubject，Imustnotsayofconversation，onthepartofLadyScatcherd，butratherofdeclamation，hadhithertobeenthebeautyandmanlyattributesofFrankGresham。ShehadhardlyceasedtotalktoMaryoftheinfinitegoodqualitiesoftheyoungsquire，andespeciallyofhisprowessinthematterofMrMoffat。Maryhadlistenedtoallthiseloquence，notperhapswithinattention，butwithoutmuchreply。ShehadnotbeenexactlysorrytohearFranktalkedabout；indeed，hadshebeensominded，shecouldherselfhavesaidsomethingonthesamesubject；butshedidnotwishtotakeLadyScatcherdaltogetherintoherconfidence，andshehadbeenunabletosaymuchaboutFrankGreshamwithoutdoingso。LadyScatcherdhad，therefore，graduallyconceivedthatherdarlingwasnotafavouritewithherguest。
Now，therefore，shechangedthesubject；and，asherownsonwasbehavingwithsuchunexampledpropriety，shedroppedFrankandconfinedhereulogiestoLouis。Hehadbeenalittlewild，sheadmitted；youngmensooftenwereso；butshehopedthatitwasnowover。
"HedoesstilltakealittledropofthoseFrenchdrinksinthemorning，"saidLadyScatcherd，inherconfidence；forshewastoohonesttobefalse，eveninherowncause。"Hedoesthat，Iknow：butthat"snothing，mydear，toswillingallday；andeverythingcan"tbedoneatonce，canit，MissThorne？"
OnthissubjectMaryfoundhertongueloosened。ShecouldnottalkaboutFrankGresham，butshecouldspeakwithhopetothemotherofheronlyson。ShecouldsaythatSirLouiswasstillveryyoung；thattherewasreasontotrustthathemightnowreform；thathispresentconductwasapparentlygood；andthatheappearedcapableofbetterthings。Somuchshedidsay；andthemothertookhersympathyformorethanitwasworth。
Onthismatter，andonthismatterperhapsalone，SirLouisandLadyScatcherdwereinaccord。TherewasmuchtorecommendMarytothebaronet；notonlydidheseehertobebeautiful，andperceivehertobeattractiveandladylike；butshewasalsothenieceofthemanwho，forthepresent，heldthepurse-stringsofhiswealth。Mary，itistrue，hadnofortune。ButSirLouisknewthatshewasacknowledgedtobealady；andhewasambitiousthathis"lady"shouldbealady。TherewasalsomuchtorecommendMarytothemother，toanymother；andthusitcametopass，thatMissThornehadnoobstaclebetweenherandthedignityofbeingLadyScatcherdthesecond；——noobstaclewhatever，ifonlyshecouldbringherselftowishit。
Itwassometime——twoorthreeweeks，perhaps——beforeMary"smindwasfirstopenedtothisnewbrilliancyinherprospects。SirLouisatfirstwasratherafraidofher，anddidnotdeclarehisadmirationinanyverydeterminedterms。Hecertainlypaidhermanycomplimentswhich，fromanyoneelseshewouldhaveregardedasabominable。Butshedidnotexpectgreatthingsfromthebaronet"staste：sheconcludedthathewasonlydoingwhathethoughtagentlemanshoulddo；andshewaswillingtoforgivemuchforLadyScatcherd"ssake。
Hisfirstattemptswere，perhaps，moreludicrousthanpassionate。Hewasstilltoomuchaninvalidtotakewalks，andMarywasthereforesavedfromhiscompanyinherrambles；buthehadahorseofhisownatBoxallHill，andhadbeenadvisedtoridebythedoctor。Maryalsorode——onadonkeyonly，itistrue——butSirLouisfoundhimselfboundingallantrytoaccompanyher。Mary"ssteedhadansweredeveryexpectations，andprovedhimselfveryquiet；soquiet，thatwithouttheadmonitionofacudgelbehindhim，hecouldhardlybepersuadedintothedemuresttrot。Now，asSirLouis"shorsewasofaverydifferentmettle，hefounditratherdifficultnottostepfasterthanhisinamorata；and，letithimstruggleashewould，wasgenerallysofaraheadastobedebarredthedelightsofconversation。
Whenthesecondtimeheproposedtoaccompanyher，Marydidwhatshecouldtohinderit。Shesawthathehadbeenratherashamedofthemannerinwhichhiscompanionwasmounted，andsheherselfwouldhaveenjoyedtheridemuchmorewithouthim。Hewasaninvalid，however；itwasnecessarytomakemuchofhim，andMarydidnotabsolutelyrefusetheoffer。
"LadyScatcherd，"saidhe，astheywerestandingatthedoorprevioustomounting——healwayscalledhismotherLadyScatcherd——"whydon"tyoutakeahorseforMissThorne？Thisdonkeyis——is——reallyis，sovery——very——can"tgoatall，youknow？"
LadyScatcherdbegantodeclarethatshewouldwillinghavegotaponyifMarywouldhaveletherdoit。
"Oh，no，LadyScatcherd；notonanyaccount。Idolikethedonkeysomuch——Idoindeed。"
"Buthewon"tgo，"saidSirLouis。"Andforapersonwhorideslikeyou，MissThorne——suchahorsewomanyouknow——why，youknow，LadyScatcherd，it"spositivelyridiculous；d——absurd，youknow。"
Andthen，withanangrylookathismother，hemountedhishorse，andwassoonleadingthewaydowntheavenue。
"MissThorne，"saidhe，pullinghimselfupatthegate，"ifIhadknownthatIwastobesoextremelyhappyastohavefoundyouhere，Iwouldhavebroughtyoudownthemostbeautifulcreature，andArab。ShebelongstomyfriendJenkins；butIwouldn"thavestoodatanypriceingettingherforyou。ByJove！ifyouwereonthatmare，I"dbackyou，forstyleandappearance，againstanythinginHydePark。"
Theofferofthissportingwager，whichnaturallywouldhavebeenverygratifyingtoMary，waslostuponher，forSirLouishadagainunwittinglygotoninadvance，buthestoppedhimselfintimetohearMaryagaindeclareherpassionwasadonkey。
"IfyoucouldonlyseeJenkins"slittlemare，MissThorne！Onlysayoneword，andsheshallbedownherebeforetheweek"send。Priceshallbenoobstacle——nonewhatever。ByJove，whatapairyouwouldbe！"
Thisgenerousofferwasrepeatedfourorfivetimes；butoneachoccasionMaryonlyhalfheardwhatwassaid，andoneachoccasionthebaronetwasfartoomuchinadvancetohearMary"sreply。Atlastherecollectedthathewantedtocallononeofhistenants，andbeggedhiscompaniontoallowhimtorideon。
"Ifyouatalldislikebeingalone，youknow——"
"Ohdearno，notatall，SirLouis。Iamquiteusedtoit。"
"BecauseIdon"tcareaboutit，youknow；onlyIcan"tmakethishorseofwalkthesamepaceasthatbrute。"
"Youmustn"tabusemypet，SirLouis。"
"It"sad——shameonmymother"spart；"saidSirLouis，who，evenwheninhisbestbehaviour，couldnotquitegiveuphisordinarymodeofconversation。"Whenshewasfortunateenoughtogetsuchagirlasyoutocomeandstaywithher，sheoughttohavehadsomethingproperforhertorideupon；butI"lllooktoitassoonasIamalittlestronger，youseeifIdon"t；"and，sosaying，SirLouistrottedoff，leavingMaryinpeacewithherdonkey。
SirLouishadnowbeenlivingcleanlyandforswearingsackforwhatwastohimaverylongperiod，andhishealthfeltthegoodeffectsofit。
Noonerejoicedatthismorecordiallythandidthedoctor。Torejoiceatitwaswithhimapointofconscience。Hecouldnothelptellinghimselfnowandagainthat，circumstancedashewas，hewasmostspeciallyboundtotakejoyinanysignofreformationthatthebaronetmightshow。NottodosowouldbealmosttantamounttowishingthathemightdieinorderthatMarymightinherithiswealth；and，therefore，thedoctordidwithallhisenergydevotehimselftothedifficulttaskofhopingandstrivingthatSirLouismightyetlivetoenjoywhatwashisown。Butthetaskwasaltogetheradifficultone，forasSirLouisbecamestrongerinhealth，soalsodidhebecomemoreexorbitantinhisdemandsonthedoctor"spatience，andmorerepugnanttothedoctor"stastes。
Inhisworstfitsofdisreputablelivinghewasashamedtoapplytohisguardianformoney；andinhisworstfitsofillnesshewasthroughfear，somewhatpatientunderhisdoctor"shands；butjustatpresenthehadnothingofwhichtobeashamed，andwasnotatallpatient。
"Doctor，"——saidhe，oneday，atBoxallHill——"howaboutthoseGreshamsburytitle-deeds？"
"Oh，thatwillallbeproperlysettledbetweenmylawyerandyourown。"
"Oh——ah——yes；nodoubtthelawyerswillsettleit；settleitwithafinebillofcosts。But，asFinniesays，"——FinniewasSirLouis"slegaladviser——"Ihavegotatremendouslylargeinterestatstakeinthismatter；eightythousandpoundsisnojoke。Itain"teverybodythatcanshellouteightythousandpoundswhenthey"rewanted；andIshouldliketoknowhowthething"sgoingon。I"vearighttoask，youknow；eh，doctor？"
"Thetitle-deedsofalargeportionofGreshamsburyestatewillbeplacedwiththemortgage-deedsbeforetheendofnextmonth。"
"Oh，that"sallright。Ichoosetoknowaboutthesethings；forthoughmyfatherdidmakesuchacon-foun-dedwill，that"snoreasonI
shouldn"tknowhowthingsaregoing。"
"YoushallknoweverythingthatIknow，SirLouis。"
"Andnow，doctor，whatarewetodoaboutmoney？"
"Aboutmoney？"
"Yes；money，rhino，ready！“putmoneyinyourpurseandcutadash“；
eh，doctor？NotthatIwanttocutadash。No，I"mgoingonthequietlinealtogethernow：I"vedonewiththatsortofthing。"
"I"mheartilygladofit；heartily，"saidthedoctor。
"Yes，I"mnotgoingtomakewayformyfar-awaycousinyet；notifI
knowit，atleast。Ishallsoonbeallrightnow，doctor；shan"tI？"
"“Allright“isalongword，SirLouis。ButIdohopeyouwillbeallrightintime，ifyouwilllivewithdecentprudence。Youshouldn"ttakethatfilthinthemorningthough。"
"Filthinthemorning！That"smymother，Isuppose！That"sherladyship！She"sbeentalking，hasshe？Don"tyoubelieveher，doctor。There"snotayoungmaninBarsetshireisgoingmoreregular，allrightwithintheposts，thanIam。"
Thedoctorwasobligedtoacknowledgethattheredidseemtobesomeimprovement。
"Andnow，doctor，howaboutmoney，eh？"
DoctorThorne，likeotherguardianssimilarlycircumstanced，begantoexplainthatSirLouishadalreadyhadagooddealofmoney，andhadbegunalsotopromisethatmoreshouldbeforthcomingintheeventofgoodbehaviour，whenhewassomewhatsuddenlyinterruptedbySirLouis。
"Well，now；I"lltellyouwhat，doctor；I"vegotabitofnewsforyou；
somethingthatIthinkwillastonishyou。"
Thedoctoropenedhiseyes，andtriedtolookasthoughreadytobesurprised。
"Somethingthatwillreallymakeyoulookabout；andsomething，too，thatwillbeverymuchtothehearer"sadvantage，——asthenewspaperadvertisementssay。"
"Somethingtomyadvantage？"saidthedoctor。
"Well，Ihopeyou"llthinkso。Doctor，whatwouldyouthinknowofmygettingmarried？"
"Ishouldbedelightedtohearofit——moredelightedthanIcanexpress；
thatis，ofcourse，ifyouweretomarrywell。Itwasyourfather"smosteagerwishthatyoushouldmarryearly。"
"That"spartlymyreason，"saidtheyounghypocrite。"ButthenifI
marryImusthaveanincomefittoliveon；eh，doctor？"