第12章
Thedoctorhadsomefearthathisinterestingprotegewasdesirousofawifeforthesakeoftheincome，insteadofdesiringtheincomeforthesakeofthewife。Butletthecausebewhatitwould，marriagewouldprobablybegoodforhim；andhehadnohesitation，therefore，intellinghim，thatifhemarriedwell，heshouldbeputinpossessionofsufficientincometomaintainthenewLadyScatcherdinamannerbecomingherdignity。
"Astomarryingwell，"saidSirLouis，"you，Itakeit，willthebethelastman，doctor，toquarrelwithmychoice。"
"WillI？"saidthedoctor，smiling。
"Well，youwon"tdisapprove，Iguess，astheYankeesays。WhatwouldyouthinkofMissMaryThorne？"
ItmustbesaidinSirLouis"sfavourthathehadprobablynoideawhateveroftheestimationinwhichsuchyoungladiesasMaryThorneareheldbythosewhoarenearestanddearesttothem。Hehadnosortofconceptionthatshewasregardedbyheruncleandinestimabletreasure，almosttooprecioustoberendereduptothearmsofanyman；
andinfinitelybeyondanypriceinsilverandgold，baronet"sincomesofeightortenthousandayear，andsuchcoinsusuallycurrentintheworld"smarkets。Hewasarichmanandabaronet，andMarywasanunmarriedgirlwithoutaportion。InLouis"sestimationhewasofferingeverything，andaskingfornothing。Hecertainlyhadsomeideathatgirlswereapttobecoy，andrequiredalittlewooingintheshapeofpresents，civilspeeches——perhapskissesalso。Thecivilspeecheshehad，hethought，done，andimaginedthattheyhadbeenwellreceived。Theotherthingsweretofollow；anArabpony，forinstance——andthekissesprobablywithit；andthenallthesedifficultieswouldbesmoothed。
Buthedidnotforamomentconceivethattherewouldbeanydifficultywiththeuncle。Howshouldtherebe？Washenotabaronetwithtenthousandayearcomingtohim？Hadhenoteverythingwhichfatherswantforportionlessdaughters，andunclesfordependantnieces？Mighthenotwellinformthedoctorthathehadsomethingtotellhimforhisadvantage？
Andyet，totellthetruth，thedoctordidnotseemtobeoverjoyedwhentheannouncementwasfirstmadetohim。Hewasbynomeansoverjoyed。Onthecontrary，evenSirLouiscouldperceivehisguardian"ssurprisewasaltogetherunmixedwithdelight。
Whataquestionwasthisthatwasaskedhim！WhatwouldhethinkofamarriagebetweenMaryThorne——hisMaryandSirLouisScatcherd？Betweenthealphaofthewholealphabet，andhimwhomhecouldnotbutregardastheomega！Thinkofit！Whyhewouldthinkofitasthoughalambandawolfweretostandatthealtartogether。HadSirLouisbeenaHottentot，oranEsquimaux，theproposalcouldnothaveastonishedhimmore。Thetwopersonsweresototallyofadifferentclass，thattheideaoftheonefallinginlovewiththeotherhadneveroccurredtohim。"WhatwouldyouthinkofMissMaryThorne？"SirLouishadasked；
andthedoctor，insteadofansweringhimwithreadyandpleasantalacrity，stoodsilent，thunderstruckwithamazement。
"Well，wouldn"tshebeagoodwife？"saidSirLouis，ratherinatoneofdisgustattheevidentdisapprovalshowninhischoice。"Ithoughtyouwouldhavebeensodelighted。"
"MaryThorne！"ejaculatedthedoctoratlast。"Haveyouspokentomynieceaboutthis，SirLouis？"
"Well，IhaveandyetIhaven"t；Ihaven"t，andyetinamannerI
have。"
"Idon"tunderstandyou，"saidthedoctor。
"Why，yousee，Ihaven"texactlypoppedtoheryet；butIhavebeendoingthecivil；andifshe"suptosnuff，asItakehertobe，sheknowsverywellwhatI"mafterbythistime。"
Uptosnuff！MaryThorne，hisMaryThorne，uptosnuff！Tosnufftooofsuchaverydisagreeabledescription！
"Ithink，SirLouis，thatyouareinmistakeaboutthis。IthinkyouwillfindthatMarywillnotbedisposedtoavailherselfofthegreatadvantages——forgreattheyundoubtedlyare——whichyouareabletooffertoyourintendedwife。Ifyouwilltakemyadvice，youwillgiveupthinkingofMary。Shewouldnotsuityou。"
"Notsuitme！Oh，butIthinkshejustwould。She"sgotnomoney，youmean？"
"No，Ididnotmeanthat。Itwillnotsignifytoyouwhetheryourwifehasmoneyornot。Youneednotlookformoney。Butyoushouldthinkofsomeonemorenearlyofyourtemperament。Iamquitesurethatmyniecewouldrefuseyou。"
Theselastwordsthedoctorutteredwithmuchemphasis。Hisintentionwastomakethebaronetunderstandthatthematterwasquitehopeless，andtoinducehimifpossibletodropitonthespot。ButhedidnotknowSirLouis；herankedhimtoolowinthescaleofhumanbeings，andgavehimnocreditforanystrengthofcharacter。SirLouisinhiswaydidloveMaryThorne。AndcouldnotbringhimselftobelievethatMarydidnot，oratanyrate，wouldnotsoonreturnhispassion。Hewas，moreover，sufficientlyobstinate，firmweoughtperhapstosay——forhispursuitinthiscasewascertainlynotanevilone，——andheatoncemadeuphismindtosucceedinspiteoftheuncle。
"Ifsheconsents，however，youwilldosotoo？"askedhe。
"Itisimpossiblethatsheshouldconsent，"saidthedoctor。
"Impossible！Idon"tseeanythingatallimpossible。Butifshedoes？"
"Butshewon"t。"
"Verywell，——that"stobeseen。Butjusttellmethis，ifshedoes，willyouconsent？"
"Thestarswouldfallfirst。It"sallnonsense。Giveitup，mydearfriend；believemeyouareonlypreparingunhappinessforyourself；"
andthedoctorputhishandkindlyontheyoungman"sarm。"Shewillnot，cannot，acceptsuchanoffer。"
"Willnot！cannot！"saidthebaronet，thinkingoverallthereasonswhichinhisestimationcouldpossiblybeinducingthedoctortobesohostiletohisviews，andshakingthehandofhisarm。"Willnot！
cannot！Butcome，doctor，answermyquestionfairly。Ifshe"llhavemeforbetterorworse，youwon"tsayaughtagainstit；willyou？"
"Butshewon"thaveyou；whyshouldyougiveherandyourselfthepainofarefusal？"
"Oh，asforthat，Imuststandmychancelikeanother。Andasforher，whyd——，doctor，youwouldn"thavemebelievethatanyyoungladythinksitsoverydreadfultohaveabaronetwithtenthousandpoundsayearatherfeet，speciallywhenthatsamebaronetain"tveryold，noryetparticularlyugly。Iain"tsogreenasthat，doctor。"
"Isupposeshemustgothroughwithit，then，"saidthedoctor，musing。
"But，DrThorne，Ididlookforakinderanswerfromyou，consideringallthatyousooftensayaboutyourgreatfriendshipwithmyfather。I
didthinkyou"datanyrateanswermewhenIaskedyouaquestion。"
Butthedoctordidnotwanttoanswerthatspecialquestion。CoulditbepossiblethatMaryshouldwishtomarrythisodiousman，couldsuchastateofthingsbeimaginedtobethecase，hewouldnotrefusehisconsent，infinitelyashewouldbedisgustedbyherchoice。ButhewouldnotgiveSirLouisanyexcuseoftellingMarythatheruncleapprovedofsoodiousamatch。
"IcannotsaythatincaseIwouldapproveofsuchamarriage，SirLouis。Icannotbringmyselftosayso；forIknowitwouldmakeyoubothmiserable。Butonthatmattermyniecewillchoosewhollyforherself。"
"Andaboutmoney，doctor？"
"Ifyoumarryadecentwomanyoushallnotwantthemeansofsupportingherdecently，"andsosayingthedoctorwalkedaway，leavingSirLouistohismeditations。
CHAPTERXXIX
THEDONKEYRIDE
SirLouis，whenlefttohimself，wasslightlydismayedandsomewhatdiscouraged；buthewasnotinducedtogiveuphisobject。ThefirsteffortofhismindwasmadeinconjecturingwhatprivatemotiveDrThornecouldpossiblyhaveinwishingtodebarhisniecefrommarryingarichyoungbaronet。Thattheobjectionwaspersonaltohimself，SirLouisdidnotforamomentimagine。Coulditbethatthedoctordidnotwishthathisnieceshouldbericher，andgrander，andaltogetherbiggerthanhimself？Orwasitpossiblethathisguardianwasanxioustopreventhimfrommarryingfromsomeviewofthereversionofthelargefortune？Thattherewassomesuchreason，SirLouiswaswellsure；butletitbewhatitmight，hewouldgetthebetterofthedoctor。"Heknewso，"sohesaidtohimself，"whatstuffgirlsweremadeof。Baronetsdidnotgrowlikeblackberries。"Andso，assuringhimselfwithsuchphilosophy，hedeterminedtomakehisoffer。
Thetimeheselectedfordoingthiswasthehourbeforedinner；butonthedayonwhichhisconversationwiththedoctorhadtakenplace，hewasdeterredbythepresenceofastrangevisitor。ToaccountforthisstrangevisititwillbenecessarythatweshouldreturntoGreshamsburyforafewminutes。
Frank，whenhereturnedhomeforhissummervacation，foundthatMaryhadagainflown；andtheveryfactofherabsenceaddedfueltothefireofhislove，moreperhapsthenevenherpresencemighthavedone。
Fortheflightofthequarryeveraddseagernesstothepursuitofthehuntsman。LadyArabella，moreover，hadabitterenemy；afoe，utterlyopposedtohersideinthecontest，whereshehadoncefondlylookedforherstaunchestally。FrankwasnowinthehabitofcorrespondingwithMissDunstable，andreceivedfromhermostenergeticadmonitionstobetruetothelovewhichhehadsworn。Truetoitheresolvedtobe；and，therefore，whenhefoundthatMarywasflown，heresolvedtoflyafterher。
Hedidnot，however，dothistillhehadbeeninameasureprovokedbyitbythesharp-tonguedcautionsandbluntedironyofhismother。ItwasnotenoughforherthatshehadbanishedMaryoutoftheparish，andmadeDrThorne"slifemiserable；notenoughthatsheharassedherhusbandwithharanguesontheconstantsubjectofFrank"smarryingmoney，anddismayedBeatricewithinvectivesagainsttheiniquityofherfriend。Thesnakewassobutscotched；tokillitoutrightshemustinduceFrankutterlytorenounceMissThorne。
Thistasksheessayed，butnotexactlywithsuccess。"Well，mother，"
saidFrank，atlastturningveryred，partlywithshame，andpartlywithindignation，ashemadethefrankavowal，"sinceyoupressmeaboutit，ItellyoufairlythatmymindismadeuptomarryMarysoonerorlater，if——"
"Oh，Frank！goodheavens！youwickedboy；youaresayingthispurposelytodrivemedistracted。"
"If，"continuedFrank，notattendingtohismother"sinterjections，"ifshewillconsent。"
"Consent！"saidLadyArabella。"Oh，heavens！"andfallingintothecornerofhersofa，sheburiedherfaceinherhandkerchief。
"Yes，mother，ifshewillconsent。AndnowthatIhavetoldyousomuch，itisonlyjustthatIshouldtellyouthisalso；thatasfarasIcanseeatpresentIhavenoreasontohopethatshewilldoso。"
"Oh，Frank，thegirlisdoingallshecantocatchyou，"saidLadyArabella，——notprudently。
"No，mother；thereyouwrongheraltogether；wronghermostcruelly。"
"Youungracious，wickedboy！youcallmecruel！"
"Idon"tcallyoucruel；butyouwronghercruelly，mostcruelly。WhenIhavespokentoheraboutthis——forIhavespokentoher——shehasbehavedexactlyasyouwouldhavewantedhertodo；butnotatallasI
wishedher。Shehasgivenmenoencouragement。Youhaveturnedheroutamongyou"——Frankwasbeginningtobeverybitternow——"butshehasdonenothingtodeserveit。Iftherehasbeenanyfaultithasbeenmine。Butitiswellnowthatweshouldunderstandeachother。MyintentionistomarryMaryifIcan。"And，sospeaking，certainlywithoutduefilialrespect，heturnedtowardsthedoor。
"Frank，"saidhismother，raisingherselfupwithenergytomakeonelastappeal。"Frank，doyouwishtoseemedieofabrokenheart？"
"Youknow，mother，Iwouldwishtomakeyouhappy，ifIcould。"
"Ifyouwishtoseemeeverhappyagain，ifyoudonotwishtoseemesinkbroken-heartedtomygrave，youmustgiveupthismadidea，Frank，"——andnowallLadyArabella"senergycameout。"Frankthereisbutonecourseleftopentoyou。YouMUSTmarrymoney。"AndthenLadyArabellastoodupbeforehersonasLadyMacbethmighthavestood，hadLadyMacbethlivedtohaveasonofFrank"syears。
"MissDunstable，Isuppose，"saidFrank，scornfully。"No，mother；I
madeanassandworsethananassofmyselfonceinthatway，andI
won"tdoitagain。Ihatemoney。"
"Oh，Frank！"
"Ihatemoney。"
"But，Frank，theestate？"
"Ihatetheestate——atleastIshallhateitifIamexpectedtobuyitatsuchapriceasthat。Theestateismyfather"s。"
"Oh，no，Frank；itisnot。"
"ItisinthesenseImean。Hemaydowithitashepleases；hewillneverhaveawordofcomplaintfromme。Iamreadytogointoaprofessionto-morrow。I"llbealawyer，oradoctor，oranengineer；I
don"tcarewhat。"Frank，inhisenthusiasm，probablyoverlookedsomeofthepreliminarydifficulties。"OrI"lltakeafarmunderhim，andearnmybreadthatway；but，mother，don"ttalktomeanymoreaboutmarryingmoney。"And，sosaying，Franklefttheroom。
Frank，itwillberemembered，wastwenty-onewhenhewasfirstintroducedtothereader；heisnowtwenty-two。Itmaybesaidthattherewasagreatdifferencebetweenhischaracterthenandnow。A
yearatthatperiodwillmakeagreatdifference；butthechangehasbeen，notinhischaracter，butinhisfeelings。
Frankwentoutfromhismotherandimmediatelyorderedhisblackhorsetobegotreadyforhim。HewouldatoncegoovertoBoxallHill。Hewenthimselftothestablestogivehisorders；andashereturnedtogethisglovesandwhiphemetBeatriceinthecorridor。
"Beatrice，"saidhe，"stepinhere，"andshefollowedhimintohisroom。"I"mnotgoingtobearthisanylonger；I"mgoingtoBoxallHill。"
"Oh，Frank！howcanyoubesoimprudent？"
"You，atanyrate，havesomedecentfeelingforMary。Ibelieveyouhavesomeregardforher；andthereforeItellyou。Willyousendheranymessage？"
"Oh，yes；mybest，bestlove；thatisifyouwillseeher；but，Frank，youareveryfoolish，very；andshewillbeinfinitelydistressed。"
"Donotmentionthis，notatpresent；notthatImeanyoutomakeanysecretofit。Ishalltellmyfathereverything。I"moffnow！"andthen，payingnoattentiontoherremonstrance，heturneddownthestairsandwassoononhorseback。
HetooktheroadtoBoxallHill，buthedidnotrideveryfast：hedidnotgojauntilyasajolly，thrivingwooer；butmusingly，andoftenwithdiffidence，meditatingeverynowandthenwhetheritwouldnotbebetterforhimtoturnback：toturnback——butnotfromfearofhismother；notfromprudentialmotives；notbecausethatoften-repeatedlessonastomarryingmoneywasbeginningtotakeeffect；notfromsuchcausesasthese；butbecausehedoubtedhowhemightbereceivedbyMary。
Hedid，itistrue，thinksomethingabouthisworldlyprospects。Hehadtalkedrathergrandiloquentlytohismotherastohishatingmoney，andhatingtheestate。Hismother"snever-ceasingworldlycaresonsuchsubjectsperhapsdemandedthatalittlegrandiloquenceshouldbeopposedtothem。ButFrankdidnothatetheestate；nordidheatallhatethepositionofanEnglishcountrygentleman。MissDunstable"seloquence，however，ranginhisears。ForMissDunstablehadaneloquenceofherown，eveninherletters。"Neverletthemtalkyououtofyourowntrue，honest，heartyfeelings，"shehadsaid。
"Greshamsburyisaveryniceplace，Iamsure；andIhopeIshallseeitsomeday；butallitsgreenknollsarenothalfsonice，shouldnotbehalfsoprecious，asthepulsesofyourownheart。Thatisyourownestate，yourown，yourveryown——yourownandanother"s；whatevermaygotothemoney-lenders，don"tsendthatthere。Don"tmortgagethat，MrGresham。"
"No，"saidFrank，pluckily，asheputhishorseintoafastertrot，"I
won"tmortgagethat。Theymaydowhattheylikewiththeestate；butmyheart"smyown，"andsospeakingtohimself，almostaloud，heturnedacorneroftheroadrapidlyandcameatonceuponthedoctor。
"Hallo，doctor！isthatyou？"saidFrank，ratherdisgusted。
"What！Frank！Ihardlyexpectedtomeetyouhere，"saidDrThorne，notmuchbetterpleased。
TheywerenownotaboveamilefromBoxallHill，andthedoctor，therefore，couldnotbutsurmisewhitherFrankwasgoing。TheyhadrepeatedlymetsinceFrank"sreturnfromCambridge，bothinthevillageandinthedoctor"shouse；butnotawordhadbeensaidbetweenthemaboutMarybeyondwhatthemerestcourtesyhadrequired。Notthateachdidnotlovetheothersufficientlytomakeafullconfidencebetweenthemdesirabletoboth；butneitherhadhadthecouragetospeakout。
Norhadeitherofthemthecouragetodosonow。"Yes，"saidFrank，blushing，"IamgoingtoLadyScatcherd"s。ShallIfindtheladiesathome？"
"Yes；LadyScatcherdisthere；butSirLouisistherealso——aninvalid：
perhapsyouwouldnotwishtomeethim。"
"Oh！Idon"tmind，"saidFrank，tryingtolaugh；"hewon"tbite，I
suppose？"
ThedoctorlongedinhishearttopraytoFranktoreturnwithhim；nottogoandmakefurthermischief；nottodothatwhichmightcauseamorebitterestrangementbetweenhimselfandthesquire。Buthehadnotthecouragetodoit。HecouldnotbringhimselftoaccuseFrankofbeinginlovewithhisniece。Soafterafewmoresenselesswordsoneitherside，wordswhicheachknewtobesenselessasheutteredthem，theybothrodeontheirownways。
Andthenthedoctorsilently，andalmostunconsciously，madesuchacomparisonbetweenLouisScatcherdandFrankGreshamasHamletmadebetweenthedeadandliveking。ItwasHyperiontoasatyr。WasitnotasimpossiblethatMaryshouldnotlovetheone，asthatsheshouldlovetheother？Frank"sofferofhisaffectionshadatfirstprobablybeenbutaboyishebullitionoffeeling；butifitshouldnowbe，thatthishadgrownintoamanlyanddisinterestedlove，howcouldMaryremainunmoved？Whatcouldherheartwantmore，better，morebeautiful，morerichthansuchaloveasthis？Washenotpersonallyallthatagirlcouldlike？Werenothisdisposition，mind，character，acquirements，allsuchaswomenmostdelighttolove？WasitnotimpossiblethatMaryshouldbeindifferenttohim？
Someditatedthedoctorasheroadalong，withonlytootrueaknowledgeofhumannature。Ah！itwasimpossible，quiteimpossiblethatMaryshouldbeindifferent。ShehadneverbeenindifferentsinceFrankhadutteredhisfirsthalf-jokingwordoflove。Suchthingsaremoreimportanttowomenthantheyaretomen，togirlsthantheyaretoboys。WhenFrankhadfirsttoldherthathelovedher；aye，monthsbeforethat，whenhemerelylookedhislove，herhearthadreceivedthewhisper，hadacknowledgedtheglance，unconsciousasshewasherself，andresolvedasshewastorebukehisadvances。When，inherhearing，hehadsaidsoftnothingstoPatienceOriel，ahated，irrepressibletearhadgatheredinhereye。Whenhehadpressedinhiswarm，lovinggraspthehandwhichshehadofferedinhimintokenofmerefriendship，herhearthadforgivenhimthetreachery，nay，almostthankedhimforit，beforehereyesorherwordshadbeenreadytorebukehim。WhentherumourofhisliaisonwithMissDunstablereachedherears，whensheheardofMissDunstable"sfortune，shehadwept，weptoutright，inherchamber——wept，asshesaidtoherself，tothinkthathecouldbesomercenary；butshehadwept，assheshouldhavesaidtoherself，atfindingthathewassofaithless。Then，whensheknewatlastthatthisrumourwasfalse，whenshefoundthatshewasbanishedfromGreshamsburyforhissake，whenshewasforcedtoretreatwithherfriendPatience，howcouldshebutlovehim，inthathewasnotmercenary？Howcouldshenotlovehiminthatwassofaithful？
Itwasimpossiblethatsheshouldnotlovehim。Washenotthebrightestandthebestofmenthatshehadeverseen，orwasliketosee？——thatshecouldpossiblyeversee，shewouldhavesaidtoherself，couldshehavebroughtherselftoownthetruth？Andthen，whensheheardhowtruehewas，howhepersistedagainstfather，mother，andsisters，howcoulditbethatthatshouldnotbeameritinhereyeswhichwassogreatafaultintheirs？WhenBeatrice，withwould-besolemnface，butwitheyesbeamingwithfeminineaffection，wouldgravelytalkofFrank"stenderloveasaterriblemisfortune，asamisfortunetothemall，toMaryherselfaswellasothers，howcouldMarydootherthanlovehim？"Beatriceishissister，"shewouldsaywithinherownmind，"otherwiseshewouldnevertalklikethis；wereshenothissister，shecouldnotbutknowthevalueofsuchloveasthis。"Ah！yes；Marydidlovehim；lovehimwithallthestrengthofherheart；andthestrengthofherheartwasverygreat。Andnowbydegrees，inthoselonelydonkey-ridesatBoxallHill，inthosesolitarywalks，shewasbeginningtoowntoherselfthetruth。
Andnowthatshedidownit，whatshouldbehercourse？Whatshouldshedo，howshouldsheactifthislovedoneperseveredinhislove？
And，ah！whatshouldshedo，howshouldsheactifhedidnotpersevere？Coulditbethatthereshouldbehappinessinstoreforher？Wasitnottooclearthat，letthemattergohowitwould，therewasnohappinessinstoreforher？MuchasshemightloveFrankGresham，shecouldneverconsenttobehiswifeunlessthesquirewouldsmileonherashisdaughter-in-law。Thesquirehadbeenallthatwaskind，allthatwasaffectionate。Andthen，too，LadyArabella！AsshethoughtoftheLadyArabellaasternerformofthoughtcameacrossherbrow。WhyshouldLadyArabellarobherofherheart"sjoy？WhatwasLadyArabellathatshe，MaryThorne，needquailbeforeher？HadLadyArabellastoodonlyinherway，LadyArabella，flankedbytheDeCourcylegion，MaryfeltthatshecouldhavedemandedFrank"shandasherownbeforethemallwithoutablushofshameoramoment"shesitation。
Thus，whenherheartwasallbutreadytocollapsewithinher，wouldshegainsomelittlestrengthbythinkingoftheLadyArabella。
"Please，mylady，herebeyoungsquireGresham，"saidoneoftheuntutoredservantsatBoxallHill，openingLadyScatcherd"slittleparlourdoorasherladyshipwasamusingherselfbypullingdownandturning，andre-folding，andputtingupagain，aheapofhouseholdlinenwhichwaskeptinahugepressfortheexpresspurposeofsupplyingherwithoccupation。
LadyScatcherd，holdingavastcounterpaneinherarms，lookedbackoverhershouldersandperceivedthatFrankwasintheroom。Downwentthecounterpaneontheground，andFranksoonfoundhimselfintheverypositionwhichthatusefularticlehadsolatelyfilled。
"Oh！MasterFrank！oh，MasterFrank！"saidherladyship，almostinanhystericalfitofjoy；andthenshehuggedandkissedhimasshehadneverkissedandhuggedherownsonsincethatsonhadfirstlefttheparentnest。
Frankboreitpatientlyandwithamerrylaugh。"But，LadyScatcherd，"
saidhe，"whatwilltheyallsay？youforgetIamamannow，"andhestoopedhisheadassheagainpressedherlipsuponhisforehead。
"Idon"tcarewhatnoneof"emsay，"saidherladyship，quitegoingbacktoherolddays；"Iwillkissmyownboy；soIwill。Eh，butMasterFrank，thisisgoodonyou。Asightofyouisgoodforsoreeyes；andmyeyeshavebeensoreenoughsinceIsawyou；"andsheputherapronuptowipeatearaway。
"Yes，"saidFrank，gentlytryingtodisengagehimself，butnotsuccessfully："yes，youhavehadagreatloss，LadyScatcherd。IwassosorrywhenIheardofyourgrief。"
"Youalwayshadasoft，kindheart，MasterFrank；soyouhad。God"sblessingonyou！Whatafinemanyouhavegrown！Dearyme！Well，itseemsasthoughitwereonlyjustt"otherdaylike。"Andshepushedhimalittlefromher，sothatshemightlookthebetterintohisface。
"Well。Isitallright？IsupposeyouwouldhardlyknowmeagainnowI"vegotapairofwhiskers？"
"Knowyou！IshouldknowyouwellifIsawbuttheheelofyourfoot。
Why，whataheadofhairyouhavegot，andsodarktoo！butitdoesn"tcurlasitusedonce。"Andshestrokedhishair，andlookedintohiseyes，andputherhandtohischeeks。"You"llthinkmeanoldfool，MasterFrank：Iknowthat；butyoumaythinkwhatyoulike。IfIliveforthenexttwentyyearsyou"llalwaysbemyownboy；soyouwill。"
Bydegrees，slowdegrees，Frankmanagedtochangetheconversation，andtoinduceLadyScatcherdtospeakonsomeothertopicthanhisowninfantineperfections。Heaffectedanindifferenceashespokeofherguest，whichwouldhavedeceivednoonebutLadyScatcherd；butheritdiddeceive；andthenheaskedwhereMarywas。
"She"sjustgoneoutonherdonkey——somewhereabouttheplace。Sheridesonadonkeymostlyeveryday。Butyou"llstopandtakeabitofdinnerwithus？Eh，nowdo"ee，MasterFrank。"
ButMasterFrankexcusedhimself。HedidnotchoosetopledgehimselftositdowntodinnerwithMary。Hedidnotknowinwhatmoodtheymightreturnwithregardtoeachotheratdinner-time。Hesaid，therefore，thathewouldreturntothehouseagainbeforehewent。
LadyScatcherdthenbeganmakingapologiesforSirLouis。Shewasaninvalid；thedoctorhadbeenwithhimallthemorning，andhewasnotyetoutofhisroom。
TheseapologiesFrankwillinglyaccepted，andthenmadehiswayashiscouldontothelawn。Agardener，ofwhomheinquired，offeredtogowithhiminpursuitofMissThorne。Thisassistance，however，hedeclined，andsetforthinquestofher，havinglearntwhatwerehermostusualhaunts。Norwashedirectedwrongly；forafterwalkingabouttwentyminutes，hesawthroughthetreesthelegsofadonkeymovingonthegreen-sward，atabouttwohundredyardsfromhim。OnthatdonkeydoubtlesssatMaryThorne。
Thedonkeywascomingtowardshim；notexactlyinastraightline，butsomuchsoastomakeitimpossiblethatMaryshouldnotseehimifhestoodstill。Hedidstandstill，andsoonemergingfromthetrees，Marysawhimallbutclosetoher。
Herheartgavealeapwithinher，butshewassofarmistressofherselfastorepressanyvisiblesignofoutwardemotion。Shedidnotfallfromherdonkey，orscream，orburstintotears。Shemerelyutteredthewords，"MrGresham！"inatoneofnotunnaturalsurprise。
"Yes，"saidhe，tryingtolaugh，butlesssuccessfulthanshehadbeensuppressingashowoffeeling。"MrGresham！Ihavecomeoveratlasttopaymyrespectstoyou。Youmusthavethoughtmeveryuncourteousnottodosobefore。"
Thisshedenied。Shehadnot，shesaid，thoughthimatalluncivil。
ShehadcometoBoxallHilltobeoutoftheway；and，ofcourse，hadnotexpectedanysuchformalities。Assheutteredthisshealmostblushedattheabrupttruthofwhatshewassaying。Butshewastakensomuchunawaresthatshedidnotknowhowtomakethetruthotherthanabrupt。
"Tobeoutoftheway！"saidFrank。"Andwhyshouldyouwanttobeoutoftheway？"
"Oh！therewerereasons，"saidshe，laughing。"PerhapsIhavequarrelleddreadfullywithmyuncle。"
Frankatthepresentmomenthadnotabouthimascrapofbadinage。Hehadnotasingleeasywordathiscommand。Hecouldnotanswerherwithanythinginguiseofajoke；sohewalkedon，notansweringatall。
"IhopeallmyfriendsatGreshamsburyarewell，"saidMary。"IsBeatricequitewell？"
"Quitewell，"saidhe。
"AndPatience？"
"What，MissOriel；yes，Ibelieveso。Ihaven"tseenherthisdayortwo。"HowwasitthatMaryfeltalittleflushofjoy，asFrankspokeinthisindifferentwayaboutMissOriel"shealth？
"Ithoughtshewasalwaysaparticularfriendofyours，"saidshe。
"What！who？MissOriel？Sosheis！Ilikeheramazingly；sodoesBeatrice。"Andthenhewalkedaboutsixstepsinsilence，pluckingupcourageforthegreatattempt。Hedidpluckuphiscourageandthenrushedatoncetotheattack。
"Mary！"saidhe，andashespokeheputhishandonthedonkey"sneck，andlookedtenderlyintoherface。Helookedtenderly，and，asMary"searatoncetoldher，hisvoicesoundedmoresoftthanithadeversoundedbefore。"Mary，doyourememberthelasttimethatweweretogether？"
Marydidrememberitwell。Itwasonthatoccasionwhenhehadtreacherouslyheldherhand；onthatdaywhen，accordingtolaw，hehadbecomeaman；whenhehadoutragedalltheproprietyoftheDeCourcyinterestbyofferinghislovetoMaryinAugusta"shearing。Marydidrememberitwell；buthowwasshetospeakofit？"Itwasyourbirthday，Ithink，"saidshe。
"Yes，itwasmybirthday。IwonderwhetheryourememberwhatIsaidtoyouthen？"
"Irememberthatyouwereveryfoolish，MrGresham。"
"Mary，Ihavecometorepeatmyfolly；——thatis，ifitbefolly。ItoldyouthenthatIlovedyou，andIdaresaythatIdiditawkwardly，likeaboy。PerhapsImaybejustasawkwardnow；butyououghtatanyratetobelievemewhenyoufindthatayearhasnotalteredme。"
Marydidnotthinkhimatallawkward，andshedidbelievehim。Buthowwasshetoanswerhim？Shehadnotyettaughtherselfwhatanswersheoughttomakeifhepersistedinhissuit。Shehadhithertobeencontenttorunawayfromhim；butshehaddonesobecauseshewouldnotsubmittobeaccusedoftheindelicacyofputtingherselfinhisway。
Shehadrebukedhimwhenhefirstspokeofhislove；butshehaddonesobecauseshelookedonwhathesaidasaboy"snonsense。ShehadschooledherselfinobediencetotheGreshamsburydoctrines。Wasthereanyrealreason，anyreasonfoundedontruthandhonesty，whysheshouldnotbeafittingwifetoFrankGresham，——FrancisNewboldGresham，ofGreshamsbury，thoughhewas，orwastobe？"
Hewaswellborn——aswellbornasanygentlemaninEngland。Shewasbaselyborn——asbaselybornasanyladycouldbe。Wasthissufficientbaragainstsuchamatch？Maryfeltinherheartthatsometwelvemonthsince，beforesheknewwhatlittleshedidnowknowofherownstory，shewouldhavesaiditwasso。Andwouldsheindulgeherownlovebyinveiglinghimshelovedintoabasemarriage？Butthenreasonspokeagain。What，afterall，wasthisbloodofwhichshehadtaughtherselftothinksomuch？Wouldshehavebeenmorehonest，morefittograceanhonestman"shearthstone，hadshebeenthelegitimatedescendantofascoreoflegitimateduchesses？Wasitnotherfirstdutytothinkofhim——ofwhatwouldmakehimhappy？Thenofheruncle——whathewouldapprove？Thenofherself——whatwouldbestbecomehermodesty；hersenseofhonour？Coulditbewellthatsheshouldsacrificethehappinessoftwopersonstoatheoreticloveofpureblood？
Soshehadarguedwithinherself。Notnow，sittingonthedonkey，withFrank"shandbeforeheronthetamebrute"sneck；butonotherformeroccasionsasshehadriddenalongdemurelyamongthosetrees。Soshehadargued；butshehadneverbroughtherargumentstoadecision。Allmannerofthoughtscrowdedonhertopreventherdoingso。Shewouldthinkofthesquire，andresolvetorejectFrank；andwouldthenrememberLadyArabella，andresolvetoaccepthim。Herresolutions，however，weremostirresolute；andso，whenFrankappearedinpersonbeforeher，carryinghisheartinhishand，shedidnotknowwhatanswertomaketohim。Thusitwaswithheraswithsomanyothermaidenssimilarlycircumstanced；atlastsheleftitalltochance。
"Yououghtatanyrate，tobelieveme，"saidFrank，"whenyoufindthatayearhasnotalteredme。"
"Ayearshouldhavetaughtyoutobewiser，"saidshe。"Youshouldhavelearntbythistime，MrGresham，thatyourlotandminearenotcastinthesamemould；thatourstationsinlifearedifferent。Wouldyourfatherormotherapproveofyourevencomingheretoseeme？"
Mary，asshespokethesesensiblewords，feltthattheywere"flat，stale，andunprofitable。"Shefeltalso，thattheywerenottrueinsense；thattheydidnotcomefromherheart；thattheywerenotsuchasFrankdeservedatherhands，andshewasashamedofherself。
"MyfatherIhopewillapproveofit，"saidhe。"ThatmymothershoulddisapproveofitisamisfortunewhichIcannothelp；butonthispointIwilltakenoanswerfrommyfatherormother；thequestionisonetoopersonaltomyself。Mary，ifyousaythatyouwillnot，orcannotreturnmylove，Iwillgoaway；——notfromhereonly，butfromGreshamsbury。Mypresenceshallnotbanishyoufromallthatyouholddear。IfyoucanhonestlysaythatIamnothingtoyou，canbenothingtoyou，Iwillthentellmymotherthatshemaybeatease，andIwillgoawaysomewhereandgetoveritasImay。"Thepoorfellowgotsofar，lookingapparentlyatthedonkey"sears，withhardlyagaspofhopeinhisvoice，andhesofarcarriedMarywithhimthatshealsohadhardlyagaspofhopeinherheart。Therehepausedforamoment，andthenlookingupintoherface，hespokebutonewordmore。"But，"saidhe——andtherehestopped。Itwasclearlytoldinthat"but"。ThuswouldhedoifMarywoulddeclarethatshedidnotcareforhim。If，however，shecouldnotbringherselfsotodeclare，thenwashereadytothrowhisfatherandmothertothewinds；thenwouldhestandhisground；thenwouldhelookallotherdifficultiesintheface，surethattheymightfinallybeovercome。PoorMary！thewholeonusofsettlingthematterwasthusthrownuponher。Shehadonlytosaythathewasindifferenttoher；——thatwasall。
If"allthebloodoftheHowards"haddependeduponit，shecouldnothavebroughtherselftouttersuchafalsehood。Indifferenttoher，ashewalkedtherebyherdonkey"sside，talkingthusearnestlyofhisloveforher！Washenottoherlikesomegodcomefromtheheavenstomakeherblessed？Didnotthesunshineuponhimwithahalo，sothathewasbrightasanangel？Indifferenttoher！Couldtheopenunadulteratedtruthhavebeenpracticableforher，shewouldhavedeclaredherindifferenceintermsthatwouldtrulyhaveastonishedhim。Asitwas，shefounditeasiertosaynothing。Shebitherlipstokeepherselffromsobbing。Shestruggledhard，butinvain，topreventherhandsandfeetfromtrembling。Sheseemedtoswinguponherdonkeyasthoughliketofall，andwouldhavegivenmuchtobeuponherownfeetinthesward。
"Silajeunessesavait……"ThereissomuchinthatwickedoldFrenchproverb！HadFrankknownmoreaboutawoman"smind——hadhe，thatis，beenforty-twoinsteadoftwenty-twohewouldatoncehavebeensureofhisgame，andhavefeltthatMary"ssilencetoldhimallhewishedtoknow。Butthen，hadbeenforty-twoinsteadoftwenty-two，hewouldnothavebeensoreadytorisktheacresofGreshamsburyforthesmilesofMaryThorne。
"Ifyoucan"tsayonewordtocomfortme，Iwillgo，"saidhe，disconsolately。"Imadeupmymindtotellyouthis，andsoIcameover。ItoldLadyScatcherdIshouldnotstay——notevenfordinner。"
"Ididnotknowyouweresohurried，"saidshe，almostinawhisper。
Onasuddenhestoodstill，andpullingthedonkey"srein，causedhimtostandstillalso。Thebeastrequiredverylittlepersuasiontobesoguided，andobliginglyremainedmeeklypassive。
"Mary，Mary！"saidFrank，throwinghisarmsroundherkneesasshesatuponhersteed，andpressinghisfaceagainstherbody。"Mary，youwerealwayshonest；behonestnow。Iloveyouwithallmyheart。Willyoubemywife？"
ButstillMarysaidnotaword。Shenolongerbitherlips；shewasbeyondthat，andwasnowusingallhereffortstopreventhertearsfromfallingabsolutelyonherlover"sface。Shesaidnothing。Shecouldnomorerebukehimnowandsendhimfromherthanshecouldencouragehim。Shecouldonlysitthereshakingandcryingandwishingshewasontheground。Frank，onthewhole，ratherlikedthedonkey。
Itenabledhimtoapproachsomewhatnearertoanembracethanhemighthavefoundpracticablehadtheybothbeenontheirfeet。Thedonkeyhimselfwasquiteathisease，andlookedasthoughhewasapprovinglyconsciousofwhatwasgoingonbehindhisears。
"Ihavearighttoaword，Mary；say，“Go“，andIwillleaveyouatonce。"
ButMarydidnotsay"Go"。Perhapsshewouldhavedonesohadshebeenable；butjustatpresentshecouldsaynothing。Thiscamefromherhavingfailedtomakeuphermindinduetimeastowhatcourseitwouldbestbecomehertofollow。
"Oneword，Mary；onelittleword。There，ifyouwillnotspeak，hereismyhand。Ifyouwillhaveit，letitlieinyours；——ifnot，pushitaway。"Sosaying，hemanagedtogettheendofhisfingersontoherpalm，andthereitremainedunrepulsed。"Lajeuness"wasbeginningtogetalesson；experiencewhendulysoughtaftersometimescomesearlyinlife。
IntruthMaryhadnotstrengthtopushthefingersaway。"Mylove，myown，myown！"saidFrank，presumingonthisverynegativesignofacquiescence。"Mylife，myown，myownMary！"andthenthehandwascaughtholdofandwasathislipsbeforeaneffortcouldbemadetosaveitfromsuchtreatment。
"Mary，lookatme；sayonewordtome。"
Therewasadeepsigh，andthencametheoneword——"Oh，Frank！"
"MrGresham，IhopeIhavethehonourofseeingyouquitewell，"saidavoiceclosetohisear。"IbegtosaythatyouarewelcometoBoxallHill。"FrankturnedroundandinstantlyfoundhimselfshakinghandswithSirLouisScatcherd。
HowMarygotoverherconfusionFrankneversaw，forhehadenoughtodotogetoverhisown。HeinvoluntarilydesertedMaryandbegantalkingveryfasttoSirLouis。SirLouisdidnotoncelookatMissThorne，butwalkedbacktowardsthehousewithMrGresham，sulkyenoughintemper，butstillmakingsomeefforttodothefinegentleman。Mary，gladtobeleftalone，merelyoccupiedherselfwithsittingonthedonkey；andthedonkey，whenhefoundthatthetwogentlemenwenttowardsthehouse，forcompany"ssakeandforhisstable"ssake，followedafterthem。
Frankstayedbutthreeminutesinthehouse；gaveanotherkisstoLadyScatcherd，gettingthreeinreturn，andtherebyinfinitelydisgustingSirLouis，shookhands，anythingbutwarmly，withtheyoungbaronet，andjustfeltthewarmthofMary"shandwithinhisown。Hefeltalsothewarmthofhereyes"lastglance，androdehomeahappyman。
CHAPTERXXX
POSTPRANDIAL
Frankrodehomeahappyman，cheeringhimself，assuccessfulloversdocheerthemselves，withthebrilliancyofhislateexploit：norwasittillhehadturnedthecornerintotheGreshamsburystablesthathebegantoreflectwhathewoulddonext。ItwasallverywelltohaveinducedMarytoallowhisthreefingerstoliehalfaminuteinhersofthand；thehavingdonesomightcertainlybesufficientevidencethathehadovercomeoneofthelionsinhispath；butitcouldhardlybesaidthatallhisdifficultieswerenowsmoothed。Howwashetomakefurtherprogress？
ToMary，also，thesameideasnodoubtoccurred——withmanyothers。But，then，itwasnotforMarytomakeanyprogressinthematter。Toheratleastbelongedthispassivecomfort，thatatpresentnoacthostiletotheDeCourcyinterestwouldbeexpectedfromher。Allthatshecoulddowouldbetotellherunclesomuchasitwasfittingthatheshouldknow。Thedoingthiswoulddoubtlessbeinsomedegreedifficult；butitwasnotprobablethattherewouldbemuchdifference，muchofanythingbutlovinganxietyforeachother，betweenherandDrThorne。Oneotherthing，indeed，shemustdo；Frankmustbemadetounderstandwhatherbirthhadbeen。"This，"shesaidtoherself，"willgivehimanopportunityofretractingwhathehasdoneshouldhechoosetoavailhimselfofit。Itiswellheshouldhavesuchopportunity。"
ButFrankhadmorethanthistodo。HehadtoldBeatricethathewouldmakenosecretofhislove，andhefullyresolvedtobeasgoodashisword。Tohisfatherheowedanunreservedconfidence；andhewasfullymindedtogiveit。Itwas，heknew，altogetheroutofthequestionthatheshouldatoncemarryaportionlessgirlwithouthisfather"sconsent；probablyoutofthequestionthatheshoulddosoevenwithit。Buthewould，atanyrate，tellhisfather，andthendecideastowhatshouldbedonenext。Soresolving，heputhisblackhorseintothestableandwentintodinner。Afterdinnerheandhisfatherwouldbealone。
Yes；afterdinnerheandhisfatherwouldbealone。Hedressedhimselfhurriedly，forthedinner-bellwasalmostonthestrokeasheenteredthehouse。Hesaidthistohimselfonceandagain；butwhenthemeatsandthepuddings，andthenthecheesewereborneaway，asthedecanterswereplacedbeforehisfather，andLadyArabellasippedheroneglassofclaret，andhissistersatetheirportionofstrawberries，hispressinganxietyforthecominginterviewbegantowaxsomewhatdull。
Hismotherandsisters，however，renderedhimnoassistancebyprolongingtheirstay。Withunwontedassiduityhepressedasecondglassofclaretonhismother。ButLadyArabellawasnotonlytemperateinherhabits，butalsoatthepresentmomentveryangrywithherson。ShethoughtthathehadbeentoBoxallHill，andwasonlywaitingapropermomenttocross-questionhimsternlyonthesubject。
Nowshedeparted，takinghertrainofdaughterswithher。
"Givemeonebiggooseberry，"saidNina，asshesqueezedherselfinunderherbrother"sarm，priortomakingherretreat。Frankwouldwillinglyhavegivenheradozenofthebiggest，hadshewantedthem；
buthavinggottheone，shesqueezedherselfoutagainandscamperedoff。
Thesquirewasverycheerythisevening；fromwhatcausecannotnowbesaid。Perhapshehadsucceededinnegotiatingafurtherloan，thustemporarilysprinklingadropofwaterovertheever-risingdustofhisdifficulties。
"Well，Frank，whathaveyoubeenafterto-day？Petertoldmeyouhadtheblackhorseout，"saidhe，pushingthedecantertohisson。"Takemyadvice，myboy，anddon"tgivehimtoomuchsummerroad-work。Legswon"tstandit，letthembeeversogood。"
"Why，sir，Iwasobligedtogooutto-day，andtherefore，ithadtobeeithertheoldmareortheyounghorse。"
"Whydidn"tyoutakeRamble？"NowRamblewasthesquire"sownsaddlehack，usedforfarmsurveying，andoccasionallyforgoingtocover。
"Ishouldn"tthinkofdoingthat，sir。"
"Mydearboy，heisquiteatyourservice；forgoodness"sakedoletmehavealittlewine，Frank——quiteatyourservice；anyridingIhavenowisafterthehaymakers，andthat"sallonthegrass。"
"Thank"ee，sir。Well，perhapsIwilltakeaturnoutofRambleshouldIwantit。"
"Do，andpray，praytakecareofthatblackhorse"slegs。He"sturningoutmoreofahorsethanItookhimtobe，andIshouldbesorrytoseehiminjured。Wherehaveyoubeento-day？"
"Well，father，Ihavesomethingtotellyou。"
"Somethingtotellme！"andthenthesquire"shappyandgaylook，whichhadbeenonlyrenderedmorehappyandmoregaybyhisassumedanxietyabouttheblackhorse，gaveplacetoaheavinessofvisagewhichacrimonyandmisfortunehadmadesohabitualtohim。"Somethingtotellme！"Anygravewordslikethesealwayspresagedsomemoneydifficultytothesquire"sears。HelovedFrankwiththetenderestlove。Hewouldhavedonesounderalmostanycircumstances；but，doubtless，thatlovehadbeenmademorepalpabletohimselfbythefactthatFrankhadbeenagoodsonasregardsmoney——notexigeantaswasLadyArabella，orselfishlyrecklessaswashisnephewLordPorlock。
ButnowFrankmustbeinsomedifficultyaboutmoney。Thiswashisfirstidea。"Whatisit，Frank；youhaveseldomhadanythingtosaythathasnotbeenpleasantformetohear？"Andthentheheavinessofvisageagaingavewayforamomentashiseyefelluponhisson。
"IhavebeentoBoxallHill，sir。"
Thetenorofhisfather"sthoughtswaschangedinaninstant；andthedreadofimmediatetemporaryannoyancegaveplacetotrueanxietyforhisson。He，thesquire，hadbeennopartytoMary"sexilefromhisowndomain；andhehadseenwithpainthatshehadnowasecondtimebeendrivenfromherhome：buthehadneverhithertoquestionedtheexpediencyofseparatinghissonfromMaryThorne。Alas！ithadbecometoonecessary——toonecessarythroughhisowndefault——thatFrankshouldmarrymoney！
"AtBoxallHill，Frank！Hasthatbeenprudent？Or，indeed，hasitbeengeneroustoMissThorne，whohasbeendriventhere，asitwere，byyourimprudence？"
"Father，itiswellthatweshouldunderstandeachotheraboutthis——"
"Fillyourglass，Frank；"Frankmechanicallydidashewastold，andpassedthebottle。
"IshouldneverforgivemyselfwereItodeceiveyou，orkeepanythingfromyou。"
"Ibelieveitisnotinyournaturetodeceiveme，Frank。"
"Thefactis，sir，thatIhavemadeupmymindthatMaryThorneshallbemywife——soonerorlater，thatis，unless，ofcourse，sheshouldutterlyrefuse。Hitherto，shehasutterlyrefusedme。IbelieveImaynowsaythatshehasacceptedme。"
Thesquiresippedhisclaret，butatthemomentsaidnothing。Therewasaquiet，manly，butyetmodestdeterminationabouthissonthathehadhardlynoticedbefore。Frankhadbecomelegallyofage，legallyaman，whenhewastwenty-one。Nature，itseems，hadpostponedtheceremonytillhewastwenty-two。Natureoftendoespostponetheceremonyeventoamuchlaterage；——sometimes，altogetherforgetstoaccomplishit。
Thesquirecontinuedtosiphisclaret；hehadtothinkoverthematterawhilebeforehecouldanswerastatementsodeliberatelymadebyhisson。
"IthinkImaysayso，"continuedFrank，withperhapsunnecessarymodesty。"Sheissohonestthat，hadshenotintendedit，shewouldhavesaidsohonestly。AmIright，father，inthinkingthat，asregardsMary，personally，youwouldnotrejectherasadaughter-in-law？"
"Personally！"saidthesquire，gladtohavethesubjectpresentedtohiminaviewthatenabledhimtospeakout。"Oh，no；personally，I
shouldnotobjecttoher，forIloveherdearly。Sheisagoodgirl。I
dobelievesheisagoodgirlineveryrespect。Ihavealwayslikedher；likedtoseeheraboutthehouse。But——"
"Iknowwhatyouwouldsay，father。"Thiswasrathermorethanthesquireknewhimself。"Suchamarriageisimprudent。"
"Itismorethanthat，Frank；Ifearthatisimpossible。"
"Impossible！No，father；itisnotimpossible。"
"Itisimpossible，Frank，intheusualsense。Whatareyoutoliveupon？Whatwouldyoudowithyourchildren？Youwouldnotwishtoseeyourwifedistressedandcomfortless。"
"No，Ishouldnotliketoseethat。"
"Youwouldnotwishtobeginlifeasanembarrassedmanandenditasaruinedman。IfyouwerenowtomarryMissThornesuchwould，Ifear，doubtlessbeyourlot。"
Frankcaughtattheword"now"。"Idon"texpecttomarryimmediately。
Iknowthatwouldbeimprudent。ButIampledged，father，andI
certainlycannotgoback。AndnowthatIhavetoldyouallthis，whatisyouradvicetome？"
Thefatheragainsatsilent，stillsippinghiswine。Therewasnothinginhissonthathecouldbeashamedof，nothingthathecouldmeetwithanger，nothingthathecouldnotlove；buthowshouldheanswerhim？
Thefactwas，thatthesonhadmoreinhimthanthefather；thishismindandspiritwereofacalibrenottobeopposedsuccessfullybythemindandthespiritofthesquire。
"DoyouknowMary"shistory？"saidMrGresham，atlast；"thehistoryofherbirth？"
"Notawordofit，"saidFrank。"Ididnotknowshehadahistory。"
"Nordoessheknowit；atleast，Ipresumenot。Butyoushouldknowitnow。And，Frank，Iwilltellityou；nottoturnyoufromher——notwiththatobject，thoughIthinkthat，toacertainextent，itshouldhavethateffect。Mary"sbirthwasnotsuchthatwouldbecomeyourwife，andbebeneficialtoyourchildren。"
"Ifso，father，Ishouldhaveknownitsooner。Whywasshebroughthereamongus？"
"True，Frank。Thefaultismine；mineandyourmother"s。
Circumstancesbroughtitallaboutyearsago，whenitneveroccurredtousthatallthiswouldarise。ButIwilltellyouherhistory。And，Frank，rememberthis，thoughItellityouasasecret，asecrettobekeptfromalltheworldbutone，youarequiteatlibertytoletthedoctorknowIhavetoldyou。Indeed，IshallbecarefultolethimknowmyselfshoulditeverbenecessarythatheandIshouldspeaktogetherastothisengagement。"ThesquirethentoldhissonthewholestoryofMary"sbirth，asitisknowntothereader。
Franksatsilent，lookingveryblank；healsohad，ashadeveryGresham，agreatloveforhispureblood。Hehadsaidtohismotherthathehatedmoney，thathehatedtheestate；buthewouldhavebeenveryslowtosay，eveninhiswarmestoppositiontoher，thathehatedtherollofthefamilypedigree。Heloveditdearly，thoughheseldomspokeofit；——asmenofgoodfamilyseldomdospeakofit。Itisoneofthosepossessionswhichtohaveissufficient。Amanhavingitneednotboastofwhathehas，orshowitoffbeforetheworld。Butonthataccounthevaluesitmore。HehadregardedMaryasacuttingdulytakenfromtheUllathornetree；not，indeed，asagraftingbranch，fullofflower，justseparatedfromtheparentstalk，butasbeingnotawhitthelesstrulyendowedwiththepuresapofthatvenerabletrunk。
When，therefore，heheardhertruehistoryhesatawhiledismayed。
"Itisasadstory，"saidthefather。
"Yes，sadenough，"saidFrank，risingfromhischairandstandingwithitbeforehim，leaningonthebackofit。"PoorMary，poormary！Shewillhavetolearnitsomeday。"
"Ifearso，Frank；"andthentherewasagainafewmoments"silence。
"Tome，father，itistoldtoolate。Itcannowhavenoeffectonme。
Indeed，"saidhe，sighingashespoke，butstillrelievinghimselfbytheverysigh，"itcouldhavehadnoeffecthadIlearnediteversosoon。"
"Ishouldhavetoldyoubefore，"saidthefather；"certainlyIoughttohavedoneso。"
"Itwouldhavebeennogood，"saidFrank。"Ah，sir，tellmethis：whowereMissDunstable"sparents？WhatwasthatfellowMoffat"sfamily？"
ThiswasperhapscruelofFrank。Thesquire，however，madenoanswertothequestion。"Ihavethoughtitrighttotellyou，"saidhe。"I
leaveallthecommentarytoyourself。Ineednottellyouwhatyourmotherwillthink。"
"WhatdidshethinkofmissDunstable"sbirth？"saidhe，againmorebitterlythanbefore。"No，sir，"hecontinued，afterafurtherpause。
"Allthatcanmakenochange；noneatanyratenow。Itcan"tmakemyloveless，evenifitcouldhavepreventedit。Nor，even，coulditdoso——whichitcan"tintheleast，notintheleast——butcoulditdoso，itcouldnotbreakmyengagement。IamnowengagedtoMaryThorne。"
Andthenheagainrepeatedhisquestion，askingforhisfather"sadviceunderthepresentcircumstances。Theconversationwasaverylongone，aslongastodisarrangeallLadyArabella"splans。Shehaddeterminedtotakehersonmorestringentlytotaskthatveryevening；andwiththisobjecthadensconcedherselfinthesmalldrawing-roomwhichhadformerlybeenusedforasimilarpurposebytheaugustcountessherself。Hereshenowsat，havingdesiredAugustaandBeatrice，aswellasthetwins，tobegFranktogotoherassoonasheshouldcomeoutofthedining-room。Poorlady！thereshewaitedtillteno"clock，——tealess。TherewasnotmuchoftheBluebeardaboutthesquire；buthehadsucceededinmakingitunderstoodthroughthehouseholdthathewasnottobeinterruptedbymessagesfromhiswifeduringthepost-prandialhour，which，thoughnotoper，helovedsowell。
Asaperiodoftwelvemonthswillnowhavetobepassedover，theupshotofthislongconversationmustbetoldinasfewwordsaspossible。Thefatherfounditimpracticabletotalkhissonoutofhisintendedmarriage；indeed，hehardlyattemptedtodosobyanydirectpersuasion。Heexplainedtohimthatitwasimpossiblethatheshouldmarryatonce，andsuggestedthathe，Frank，wasveryyoung。
"Youmarried，sir，beforeyouwereone-and-twenty，"saidFrank。YesandrepentedbeforeIwastwo-and-twenty。Sodidnotsaythesquire。
HesuggestedthatMaryshouldhavetimetoascertainwhatwouldbeheruncle"swishes，andendedbyinducingFranktopromise，thataftertakinghisdegreeinOctoberhewouldgoabroadforsomemonths，andthathewouldnotindeedreturntoGreshamsburyuntilhewasthree-and-twenty。
"Hemayperhapsforgether，"saidthefathertohimself。
"HethinksthatIshallforgether，"saidFranktohimselfatthesametime；"buthedoesnotknowme。"
WhenLadyArabellaatlastgotholdofhersonshefoundthatthetimeforherpreachinghadutterlygoneby。Hetoldhe，almostwithsang-froid，whathisplanswere；andwhenshecametounderstandthem，andtounderstandalsowhathadtakenplaceatBoxallHill，shecouldnotblamethesquireforwhathehaddone。Shealsosaidtoherself，moreconfidentlythanthesquirehaddone，thatFrankwouldquiteforgetMarybeforetheyearwasout。"LordBuckish，"saidshetoherself，rejoicingly，"isnowwiththeambassadoratParis"——LordBuckishwashernephew——"andwithhimFrankwillmeetwomenthatarereallybeautiful——womenoffashion。WhenwithLordBuckishhewillsoonforgetMaryThorne。"
ButnotonthisaccountdidshechangeherresolvetofollowuptothefurthestpointherhostilitytotheThornes。Shewasfullyenablednowtodoso，forDrFillgravewasalreadyreinstatedatGreshamsburyashermedicaladviser。
OneothershortvisitdidFrankpaytoBoxallHill，andoneinterviewhadhewithDrThorne。Marytoldhimallsheknewofherownsadhistory，andwasansweredonlybyakiss，——akissabsolutelynotinanywaybyhertobeavoided；thefirst，andonlyone，thathadeveryetreachedherlipsfromhis。Andthenhewentaway。
Thedoctortoldhimthefullstory。"Yes，"saidFrank，"Iknewitallbefore。DearMary，dearestMary！Don"tyou，doctor，teachyourselftobelievethatIshallforgether。"Andthenalsohewenthiswayfromhim——wenthiswayalsofromGreshamsbury，andwasabsentforthefullperiodoftheallottedbanishment——twelvemonths，namely，andaday。
CHAPTERXXXI
THESMALLEDGEOFTHEWEDGE
FrankGreshamwasabsentfromGreshamsburytwelvemonthsandaday：adayisalwaysaddedtotheperiodofsuchabsences，asshowninthehistoryofLordBatemanandothernobleheroes。Weneednotdetailallthecircumstancesofhisbanishment，allthedetailsofthecompactthatwasmade。Onedetailofcoursewasthis，thatthereshouldbenocorresponding；apointtowhichthesquirefoundsomedifficultyinbringinghissontoassent。
ItmustnotbesupposedthatMaryThorneorthedoctorwereinanywaypartiesto，orprivytotheseagreements。Bynomeans。Theagreementsweredrawnout，andmade，andsigned，andsealedatGreshamsbury，andwereknownnowhereelse。ThereadermustnotimaginethatLadyArabellawaspreparedtogiveupherson，ifonlyhislovecouldremainconstantforoneyear。NeitherdidLadyArabellaconsenttoanysucharrangement，nordidthesquire。Itwassettledratherinthiswise：
thatFrankshouldbesubjectedtonotorturingprocess，pesteredtogivenopromises，shouldinnowaybebulliedaboutMary——thatis，notatpresent——ifhewouldgoawayforayear。Then，attheendoftheyear，themattershouldagainbediscussed。Agreeingtothis，Franktookhisdeparture，andwasabsentasperagreement。
WhatwereMary"sfortunesimmediatelyafterhisdeparturemustbeshortlytold，andthenwewillagainjoinsomeofourGreshamsburyfriendsataperiodaboutamonthbeforeFrank"sreturn。
WhenSirLouissawFrankGreshamstandingbyMary"sdonkey，withhisarmsroundMary"sknees，hebegantofearthattheremustbesomethinginit。HehadintendedthatverydaytothrowhimselfatMary"sfeet，andnowitappearedtohisinexperiencedeyesasthoughsomebodyelsehadbeenatthesameworkbeforehim。Thisnotunnaturallymadehimcross；so，afterhavingsullenlywishedhisvisitorgood-bye，hebetookhimselftohisroom，andtheredrankcuracoaalone，insteadofcomingdowntodinner。
Thishedidfortwoorthreedays，andthen，takingheartofgrace，herememberedthat，afterall，hehadmanyadvantagesoveryoungGresham。
Inthefirstplace，hewasabaronet，andcouldmakehiswifea"lady"。Inthenextplace，Frank"sfatherwasaliveandliketolive，whereashisownwasdead。HepossessedBoxallHillinhisownright，buthisrivalhadneitherhousenorlandofhisown。Afterall，mightitnotbepossibleforhimalsotoputhisarmroundMary"sknees；——herknees，orherwaist，or，perhaps，evenherneck？Faintheartneverwonfairlady。Atanyrate，hewouldtry。
Andhedidtry。Withwhatresult，asregardsMary，needhardlybetold。Hecertainlydidnotgetnearlysofarasputtinghishandevenuponherkneebeforehewasmadetounderstandthatit"wasnogo"，ashegraphicallydescribedittohismother。Hetriedonceandagain。OnthefirsttimeMarywasverycivil，thoughverydetermined。Onthesecond，shewasmoredetermined，thoughlesscivil；andthenshetoldhim，thatifhepressedherfurtherhewoulddriveherfromhermother"shouse。TherewassomethingthenaboutMary"seye，afixedcomposureroundhermouth，andanauthorityinherface，whichwentfartoquellhim；andhedidnotpressheragain。
HeimmediatelyleftBoxallHill，and，returningtoLondon，hadmoreviolentrecoursetothecuracoa。Itwasnotlongbeforethedoctorheardofhim，andwasobligedtofollowhim，andthenagainoccurredthosefrightfulscenesinwhichthepoorwretchhadtoexpiate，eitherinterribledeliriumormoreterribleprostrationofspirits，thevilesinwhichhisfatherhadsoearlytaughthim。
ThenMaryreturnedtoheruncle"shome。Frankwasgone，andshethereforecouldresumeherplaceatGreshamsbury。Yes，shecamebacktoGreshamsbury；butGreshamsburywasbynomeansthesameplacethatitwasformerly。AlmostallintercoursewasnowoverbetweenthedoctorandtheGreshamsburypeople。Herarelyeversawthesquire，andthenonlyonbusiness。Notthatthesquirehadpurposelyquarrelledwithhim；butDrThornehimselfhadchosenthatitshouldbeso，sinceFrankhadopenlyproposedtohisniece。Frankwasnowgone，andLadyArabellawasinarmsagainsthim。Itshouldnotbesaidthathekeptupanyintimacyforthesakeofaidingtheloversintheirlove。Nooneshouldrightfullyaccusehimofinveiglingtheheirtomarryhisniece。
Mary，therefore，foundherselfutterlyseparatedfromBeatrice。ShewasnotevenabletolearnwhatBeatricewouldthink，ordidthink，oftheengagementasitnowstood。Shecouldnotevenexplaintoherfriendthatlovehadbeentoostrongforher，andendeavourtogetsomecomfortfromthatfriend"sabsolutionfromhersin。ThisestrangementwasnowcarriedsofarthatsheandBeatricedidnotevenmeetonneutralground。LadyArabellamadeitknowntoMissOrielthatherdaughtercouldnotmeetMaryThorne，evenasstrangersmeet；anditwasmadeknowntoothersalso。MrsYatesUmbleby，andherdearfriendMissGushing，towhosecharmingtea-partiesnoneoftheGreshamsburyladieswentaboveonceinatwelvemonth，talkedthroughtheparishofthisdistressingdifficulty。TheywouldhavebeensohappytohaveaskeddearMaryThorne，onlytheGreshamsburyladiesdidnotapprove。
Marywasthustabooedfromallsocietyintheplaceinwhichatwelvemonthsinceshehadbeen，ofallitsdenizens，perhapsthemostcourted。Inthosedays，nobevyofGreshamsburyyoungladieshadfairlyrepresentedtheGreshamsburyyoungladyhoodifMaryThornewasnotthere。Nowshewasexcludedfromallsuchbevies。Patiencedidnotquarrelwithher，certainly；——cametoseeherfrequently；——invitedhertowalk；——invitedherfrequentlytotheparsonage。ButMarywasshyofaccedingtosuchinvitationsandatlastfranklytoldherfriendPatience，thatshewouldnotagainbreakbreadinGreshamsburyinanyhouseinwhichshewasnotthoughtfittomeettheotherguestswhohabituallyresortedthere。
Intruth，boththedoctorandhisniecewereverysore，buttherewereofthattemperamentthatkeepsallitssorenesstoitself。Marywalkedoutbyherselfboldly，lookingatleastasthoughshewereindifferenttoalltheworld。Shewas，indeed，hardlytreated。Youngladies"
engagementsaregenerallymattersofprofoundestsecrecy，andarehardlyknownofbytheirnearfriendstillmarriageisathingsettled。ButalltheworldknewofMary"sengagementwithinamonthofthatdayonwhichshehadneglectedtoexpelFrank"sfingerfromherhand；ithadbeentoldopenlythroughthecountry-sidethatshehadconfessedherlovefortheyoungsquire。Nowitisdisagreeableforayoungladytowalkaboutundersuchcircumstances，especiallysowhenshehasnofemalefriendtokeepherincountenance，moreespeciallysowhenthegentlemanissuchimportanceintheneighbourhoodasFrankwasinthatlocality。Itwasamatterofmomenttoeveryfarmer，andeveryfarmer"swife，whichbrideFrankshouldmarryofthosebespokenforhim；Mary，namely，orMoney。Everyyokelabouttheplacehadbeenmadetounderstandthat，bysomefemininesleightofhand，thedoctor"sniecehadmanagedtotrapMasterFrank，andthatMasterFrankhadbeensentoutofthewaysothathemight，ifyetpossible，breakthroughthetrapping。Allthismadeliferatherunpleasantforher。
Oneday，walkingsolitaryinthelanes，shemetthatsturdyfarmertowhosedaughtershehadinformerdaysbeensoserviceable。"Godbless"ee，MissMary，"saidhe——healwaysbidGodblessherwhenhesawher。
"And，MissMary，tosaymymindoutfreely，theebequitegudeenoughforun，quitegudeenough；sotheebe"sttho"fheweretensquoires。"
Theremay，perhaps，havebeensomethingpleasantintheheartinessofthis；butitwasnotpleasanttohavethisheartaffairofhersthuspubliclyscannedandtalkedover：tohaveitknowntoeveryonethatshehadsetherheartonmarryingFrankgem，andthatalltheGreshamshadsettheirheartsinpreventingit。Andyetshecouldinnowisehelpit。Nogirlcouldhavebeenmorestaidanddemure，lessdemonstrativeandboastfulaboutherlove。Shehadneveryetspokenfreely，outofherfullheart，toonehumanbeing。"Oh，Frank！"Allherspokensinhadbeencontainedinthat。
ButLadyArabellahadbeenveryactive。Itsuitedherbetterthatitshouldbeknown，farandwide，thatanamelesspauper——LadyArabellaonlysurmisedthatherfoewasnameless；butshedidnotscrupletodeclareit——wasintriguingtocatchtheheirofGreshamsbury。NoneoftheGreshamsmustmeetMaryThorne；thatwastheedictsentoutaboutthecounty；andtheedictwaswellunderstood。Those，therefore，werebaddaysforMissThorne。
Shehadneveryetspokenonthematterfreely，outofherfullhearttoonehumanbeing。Nottoone？Nottohim？Nottoheruncle？No，noteventohim，fullyandfreely。ShehadtoldhimthatthathadpassedbetweenFrankandherwhichamounted，atanyrateonhispart，toaproposal。
"Well，dearest，andwhatwasyouranswer？"saidheruncle，drawingherclosetohim，andspeakinginhiskindestvoice。
"Ihardlymadeananswer，uncle。"
"Youdidnotrejecthim，Mary？"
"No，uncle，"andthenshepaused；——hehadneverknownhertrembleasshenowtrembled。"ButifyousaythatIought，Iwill，"sheadded，drawingeverywordfromherselfwithdifficulty。
"Isayyouought，Mary！Nay；butthisquestionyoumustansweryourself。"
"MustI？"saidshe，plaintively。Andthenshesatforthenexthalfhourwithherheadagainsthisshoulder；butnothingmorewassaidaboutit。Theybothacquiescedinthesentencethathadbeenpronouncedagainstthem，andwentontogethermorelovinglythanbefore。
Thedoctorwasquiteasweakashisniece；nay，weaker。Shehesitatedfearfullyastowhatsheoughttodo：whethersheshouldobeyherheartorthedictatesofGreshamsbury。Buthehadotherdoubtsthanhers，whichnearlysethimwildwhenhestrovetobringhismindtoadecision。Hehimselfwasnowinpossession——ofcourseasatrusteeonly——ofthetitle-deedsoftheestate；moreoftheestate，muchmore，belongedtotheheirsunderSirRogerScatcherd"swillthantothesquire。ItwasnowmorethanprobablethatthatheirmustbeMaryThorne。HisconvictionbecamestrongerandstrongerthatnohumaneffortwouldkeepSirLouisinthelandofthelivingtillhewastwenty-five。Couldhe，therefore，wiselyorhonestly，intruefriendshiptothesquire，toFrank，ortohisniece，takeanystepstoseparatetwopersonswholovedeachother，andwhosemarriagewouldinhumanprobabilitybesosuitable？