第13章
Andyethecouldnotbringhimselftoencourageitthen。Theideaof"lookingafterdeadman"sshoes"wasabhorrenttohismind，especiallywhenthemanwhosedeathhecontemplatedhadbeensotrustedtohimashadbeenSirLouisScatcherd。Hecouldnotspeakoftheevent，eventothesquire，asbeingpossible。Sohekepthispeacefromdaytoday，andgavenocounseltoMaryinthematter。
Andthenhehadhisownindividualannoyances，andveryaggravatingannoyancestheywere。Thecarriage——orratherthepost-chaise——ofDrFillgravewasnowfrequentinGreshamsbury，passinghimconstantlyinthestreet，amongthelanes，andonthehighroads。ItseemedasthoughDrFillgravecouldnevergettohispatientsatthebighousewithoutshowinghimselftohisbeatenrival，eitheroniswaythitheroronhisreturn。Thisalonewould，perhaps，nothavehurtthedoctormuch；butitdidhurthimtoknowthatDrFillgravewasattendingthesquireforalittleincipientgout，andthatdearNinawasinmeaslesunderthoseunlovinghands。
Andthen，also，theold-fashionedphaeton，ofold-fashionedoldDrCenturywasseentorumbleuptothebighouse，anditbecameknownthatLadyArabellawasnotverywell。"Notverywell，"whenpronouncedinalow，gravevoiceaboutLadyArabella，alwaysmeantsomethingserious。And，inthiscase，somethingseriouswasmeant。LadyArabellawasnotonlyill，butfrightened。Itappearedeventoher，thatDrFillgravehardlyknewwhathewasabout，thathewasnotsosureinhisopinion，soconfidentinhimselfasDrThorneusedtobe。
howshouldhebe，seeingthatDrThornehadmedicallyhadLadyArabellainhishandsforthelasttenyears？
Ifsittingwithdignityinhishiredcarriage，andsteppingwithauthorityupthebigfrontsteps，wouldhavedoneanything，DrFillgravemighthavedonemuch。LadyArabellawasgreatlytakenwithhislookswhenhefirstcametoher，anditwasonlywhenshebydegreesthatthesymptoms，whichsheknewsowell，didnotyieldtohimthatshebegantodoubtthoselooks。
AfterawhileDrFillgravehimselfsuggestedDrCentury。"NotthatI
fearanything，LadyArabella，"saidhe，——lyinghugely，forhedidfear；
fearbothforhimselfandforher。"ButDrCenturyhasgreatexperience，andinsuchamatter，whentheinterestsaresoimportant，onecannotbetoosafe。"
SoDrCenturycameandtoddledslowlyintoherladyship"sroom。Hedidnotsaymuch；heleftthetalkingtohislearnedbrother，whocertainlywasabletodothatpartofthebusiness。ButDrCentury，thoughhesaidverylittle，lookedverygrave，andbynomeansquietedLadyArabella"smind。She，asshesawthetwoputtingtheirheadstogether，alreadyhadmisgivingsthatshehaddonewrong。SheknewthatshecouldnotbesafewithoutDrThorneatherbedside，andshealreadyfeltthatshehadexercisedamostinjudiciouscourageindrivinghimaway。
"Well，doctor？"saidshe，assoonasDrCenturyhadtoddleddownstairstoseethesquire。
"Oh！weshallbeallright，LadyArabella；allright，verysoon。Butwemustbecareful，verycareful；IamgladI"vehadDrCenturyhere，very；butthere"snothingtoalter；littleornothing。"
TherewasbutfewwordsspokenbetweenDrCenturyandthesquire；butfewastheywere，theyfrightenedMrGresham。WhenDrFillgravecamedownthegrandstairs，aservantwaitedatthebottomtoaskhimalsotogotothesquire。NowthereneverhadbeenmuchcordialitybetweenthesquireandDrFillgrave，thoughMrGreshamhadconsentedtotakeapreventativepillfromhishands，andthelittlemanthereforeswelledhimselfoutsomewhatmorethanordinarilyashefollowedtheservant。
"DrFillgrave，"saidthesquire，atoncebeginningtheconversation，"LadyArabella，isIfear，indanger？"
"Well，no；Ihopenotindanger，MrGresham。IcertainlybelieveImaybejustifiedinexpressingahopethatsheisnotindanger。Herstateis，nodoubt，ratherserious；——ratherserious——asDrCenturyhasprobablytoldyou；"andDrFillgravemadeabowtotheoldman，whosatquietinoneofthedining-roomarm-chairs。
"Well，doctor，"saidthesquire，"Ihavenotanygroundsonwhichtodoubtyourjudgement。"
DrFillgravebowed，butwiththestiffest，slightestinclinationwhichaheadcouldpossiblymake。HeratherthoughtthatMrGreshamhadnogroundfordoubtinghisjudgement。
"NordoI。"
Thedoctorbowed，andalittle，averylittlelessstiffly。
"But，doctor，Ithinkthatsomethingoughttobedone。"
Thedoctorthistimedidhisbowingmerelywithhiseyesandmouth。Theformerheclosedforamoment，thelatterhepressed；andthendecorouslyrubbedhishandsoneovertheother。
"Iamafraid，DrFillgrave，thatyouandmyfriendThornearenotthebestfriendsintheworld。"
"No，MrGresham，no；Imaygosofarastosaywearenot。"
"Well，Iamsorryforit——"
"Perhaps，MrGresham，weneedhardlydiscussit；buttherehavebeencircumstances——"
"Iamnotgoingtodiscussanything，DrFillgrave；IsayIamsorryforit，becauseIbelievethatprudencewillimperativelyrequireLadyArabellatohaveDoctorThornebackagain。Now，ifyouwouldnotobjecttomeethim——"
"MrGresham，Ibegpardon；Ibegpardon，indeed；butyoumustreallyexcuseme。DoctorThornehas，inmyestimation——"
"But，DoctorFillgrave——"
"MrGresham，youreallymustexcuseme；youreallymust，indeed。
AnythingelsethatIcoulddoforLadyArabella，Ishouldbemosthappytodo；butafterwhathaspassed，IcannotmeetDoctorThorne；Ireallycannot。Youmustnotaskmetodoso；MrGresham。And，MrGresham，"
continuedthedoctor，"IdidunderstandfromLadyArabellathathis——thatis，DrThorne"s——conducttoherladyshiphadbeensuch——soveryoutrageous，Imaysay，that——that——that——ofcourse，MrGresham，youknowbest；butIdidthinkthatLadyArabellaherselfwasquiteunwillingtoseeDoctorThorneagain；"andDrFillgravelookedverybig，andverydignified，andveryexclusive。
Thesquiredidnotaskagain。HehadnowarrantforsupposingthatLadyArabellawouldreceiveDrThorneifhedidcome；andhesawthatitwasuselesstoattempttoovercometherancourofthemansopig-headedasthelittleGalennowbeforehim。Otherpropositionswerethenbroached，anditwasatlastdecidedthatassistanceshouldbesoughtforfromLondon，inthepersonofthegreatSirOmicronPie。
SirOmicroncame，andDrsFillgraveandCenturyweretheretomeethim。WhentheyallassembledinLadyArabella"sroom，thepoorwoman"sheartalmostsandwithinher，——aswellitmight，atsuchasight。Ifshecouldonlyreconcileitwithherhonour，herconsistency，withherhighDeCourcyprinciples，tosendoncemoreforDrThorne。Oh，Frank！Frank！towhatmiseryyourdisobediencebroughtyourmother！
SirOmicronandthelesserprovinciallightshadtheirconsultation，andthelesserlightswenttheirwaytoBarchesterandSilverbridge，leavingSirOmicrontoenjoythehospitalityofGreshamsbury。
"YoushouldhaveThornebackhere，MrGresham，"saidSirOmicron，almostinawhisper，whentheywerequitealone。"DoctorFillgraveisaverygoodman，andsoisDrCentury；verygood，I"msure。ButThornehasknownherladyshipsolong。"Andthen，onthefollowingmorning，SirOmicronalsowenthisway。
Andthentherewasascenebetweenthesquireandherladyship。LadyArabellahadgivenherselfcreditforgreatgoodgeneralshipwhenshefoundthatthesquirehadbeeninducedtotakethatpill。Wehaveallheardofthelittleendofthewedge，andwehavemostofusanideathatthelittleendisthedifficulty。ThatpillhadbeenthelittleendofLadyArabella"swedge。Uptothatperiodshehadbeenstrugglinginvaintomakeaseverancebetweenherhusbandandherenemy。Thatpillshoulddothebusiness。Shewellknewhowtomakethemostofit；tohaveitpublishedinGreshamsburythatthesquirehadputhisgoutytoeintoDrFillgrave"shands；howtoletitbeknown——especiallyatthathumblehouseinthecornerofthestreet——thatFillgrave"sprescriptionsnowrancurrentthroughthewholeestablishment。DrThornedidhearofit，anddidsuffer。Hehadbeenatruefriendtothesquire，andhethoughtthesquireshouldhavestoodtohimmorestaunchly。
"Afterall，"saidhehimself，"perhapsit"saswell——perhapsitwillbebestthatIshouldleavethisplacealtogether。"AndthenhethoughtofSirRogerandhiswill，andofMaryandherlover。AndthenofMary"sbirth，andofhisowntheoreticaldoctrinesastopureblood。
Andsohistroublesmultiplied，andhesawnopresentdaylightthroughthem。
SuchhadbeenthewayinwhichLadyArabellahadgotinthelittleendofthewedge。Andshewouldhavetriumphedjoyfullyhadnotherincreaseddoubtsandfearsastoherselfthencomeintocheckhertriumphanddestroyherjoy。Shehadnotyetconfessedtoanyonehersecretregretforthefriendshehaddrivenaway。Shehardlyyetacknowledgedtoherselfthatshedidregrethim；butshewasuneasy，frightened，andinlowspirits。
"Mydear，"saidthesquire，sittingdownbyherbedside，"IwanttotellyouwhatSirOmicronsaidashewentaway。"
"Well？"saidherladyship，sittingupandlookingfrightened。
"Idon"tknowhowyoumaytakeit，Bell；butIthinkitverygoodnews："thesquirenevercalledhiswifeBell，exceptwhenhewantedhertobeonparticularlygoodtermswithhim。
"Well？"shesaidagain。Shewasnotover-anxioustobegracious，anddidnotreciprocatehisfamiliarity。
"SirOmicronsaysthatyoushouldhaveThornebackagain，anduponmyhonour，Icannotbutagreewithhim。Now，Thorneisacleverman，averycleverman；nobodydeniesthat；andthen，youknow——"
"WhydidnotSirOmicronsaythattome？"saidherladyship，sharply，allherdispositioninDrThorne"sfavourbecomingwonderfullydampedbyherhusband"sadvocacy。
"Isupposehethoughtitbettertosayittome，"saidthesquire。
"Heshouldhavespokentomyself，"saidLadyArabella，who，thoughshedidnotabsolutelydoubtherhusband"sword，gavehimcreditforhavinginducedandledonSirOmicrontotheutteringoftheopinion。"DoctorThornehasbehavedtomeinsogross，soindecentamanner！Andthen，asIunderstand，heisabsolutelyencouragingthatgirl——"
"Now，Bell，youarequitewrong——"
"OfcourseIam；Ialwaysamquitewrong。"
"Quitewronginmixinguptwothings；DoctorThorneasanacquaintance，andDrThorneasadoctor。"
"Itisdreadfultohavehimhere，evenstandingintheroomwithme。
Howcanonetalktoone"sdoctoropenlyandconfidentiallywhenonelooksuponhimasone"sworstenemy？"AndLadyArabella，softening，almostmeltedwithtears。
"Mydear，youcannotwonderthatIshouldbeanxiousforyou。"
LadyArabellagavealittlesnuffle，whichmightbetakenasanotveryeloquentexpressionofthanksforthesquire"ssolicitude，orasanironicaljeerathiswantofsincerity。
"And，therefore，IhavenotlostamomentintellingyouwhatSirOmicronsaid。“YoushouldhaveThornebackhere；“thosewerehisverywords。Youcanthinkitover，mydear。Andrememberthis，Bell；ifheistodoanygoodnotimeistobelost。"
Andthenthesquirelefttheroom，andLadyArabellaremainedalone，perplexedbymanydoubts。
CHAPTERXXXII
MRORIEL
Imustnow，shortly——asshortlyasitisinmypowertodoit——introduceanewcharactertomyreader。MentionhasbeenmadeoftherectoryofGreshamsbury；but，hitherto，noopportunityhasoffereditselffortheRevCalebOrieltocomeupontheboards。
MrOrielwasamanoffamilyandfortune，who，havinggonetoOxfordwiththeusualviewsofsuchmen，hadbecomeinoculatedtherewithveryHigh-Churchprinciples，andhadgoneintoordersinfluencedbyafeelingofenthusiasticloveforthepriesthood。Hewasbynomeansanascetic——suchmen，indeed，seldomare——norwasheadevotee。Hewasamanwellable，andcertainlywillingtodotheworkofaparishclergyman；andwhenhebecameone，hewasefficaciousinhisprofession。Butitmayperhapsbesaidofhim，withoutspeakingslanderously，thathisoriginalcalling，asayoungman，wasrathertotheoutwardandvisiblesignsofreligionthantoitsinwardandspiritualgraces。
Hedelightedinlecternsandcredence-tables，inservicesatdarkhoursofwintermorningswhennoonewouldattend，inhighwaistcoatsandnarrowwhiteneckties，inchantedservicesandintonedprayers，andinalltheparaphernaliaofAnglicanformalitieswhichhavegivensuchoffencetothoseofourbrethrenwholiveindailyfearofthescarletlady。ManyofhisfriendsdeclaredthatMrOrielwouldsoonerorlaterdeliverhimselfoverbodyandsoultothatlady；buttherewasnoneedtofearforhim：forthoughsufficientlyenthusiastictogetoutofbedatfiveamonwintermornings——hedidso，atleast，allthroughhisfirstwinteratGreshamsbury——hewasnotmadeofthatstuffwhichisnecessaryforastaunch，burning，self-denyingconvert。ItwasnotinhimtochangehisverysleekblackcoatforaCapuchin"sfilthycassock，norhispleasantparsonageforsomedirtyholeinRome。Anditwasbettersobothforhimandothers。Therearebutfew，veryfew，towhomitisgiventobeaHuss，aWickliffe，oraLuther；andamangainsbutlittlebybeingafalseHuss，orafalseLuther，——andhisneighboursgainless。
Butcertainlengthsinself-privationMrOrieldidgo；atanyrate，forsometime。Heeschewedmatrimony，imaginingthatitbecamehimasapriesttodoso。HefastedrigorouslyonFridays；andtheneighboursdeclaredthathescourgedhimself。
MrOrielwas，ithasbeensaid，amanoffortune；thatistosay，whenhecameofagehewasmasterofthirtythousandpounds。WhenhetookitintohisheadtogointotheChurch，hisfriendsboughtforhimthenextpresentationtothelivingatGreshamsbury；and，ayearafterhisordination，thelivingfallingin，MrOrielbroughthimselfandhissistertotherectory。
MrOrielsoonbecamepopular。Hewasadark-haired，good-lookingman，ofpolishedmanners，agreeableinsociety，notgiventomonkishausterities——exceptinthematterofFridays——noryettotheLow-Churchseverityofdemeanour。Hewasthoroughlyagentleman，good-humoured，inoffensive，andsociable。Buthehadonefault：hewasnotamarryingman。
Onthisgroundtherewasafeelingagainsthimsostrongasalmostatonetimetothrowhimintoseriousdanger。Itwasnotonlythatheshouldbeswornagainstmatrimonyinhisindividualself——hewhomfatehadmadesoabletosustaintheweightofawifeandfamily；butwhatanexamplehewassetting！Ifotherclergymenallaroundshoulddeclareagainstwivesandfamilies，whatwastobecomeofthecountry？
Whatwastobedoneintheruraldistricts？Thereligiousobservances，asregardswomen，ofaBrighamYoungwerehardlysobadasthis！
TherewerearoundGreshamsburyverymanyunmarriedladies——Ibelievetheregenerallyaresoroundmustsuchvillages。Fromthegreathousehedidnotreceivemuchannoyance。Beatricewasthenonlyjustonthevergeofbeingbroughtout，andwasnotperhapsinclinedtothinkverymuchofayoungclergyman；andAugustacertainlyintendedtoflyathighergame。ButthereweretheMissAthelings，thedaughtersofaneighbouringclergyman，whowerereadytogoalllengthswithhiminHigh-Churchmatters，exceptasthatonetremendouslypapalstepofcelibacy；andthetwoMissHesterwells，ofHesterwellPark，theyoungerofwhomboldlydeclaredherpurposeofcivilizingthesavage；andMrsOpieGreen，averyprettywidow，withaveryprettyjointure，wholivedinaveryprettyhouseaboutamilefromGreshamsbury，andwhodeclaredheropinionthatMrOrielwasquiterightinhisviewofaclergyman"sposition。Howcouldawoman，situatedasshewas，havethecomfortofaclergyman"sattentionifheweretoberegardedjustasanyotherman？ShecouldnowknowinwhatlighttoregardMrOriel，andwouldbeablewithoutscrupletoavailherselfofhiszeal。Soshedidavailherselfofhiszeal，——andthatwithoutanyscruple。
AndthentherewasMissGushing，——ayoungthing。MissGushinghadagreatadvantageovertheothercompetitorsforthecivilizationofMrOriel，namely，inthis——thatshewasabletoattendhismorningservices。IfMrOrielwastobereachedinanyway，itwasprobablethathemightbereachedinthisway。Ifanythingcouldcivilizehim，thiswoulddoit。Therefore，theyoungthing，throughallonelong，tediouswinter，toreherselffromherwarmbed，andwastobeseen——no，notseen，butheard——enteringMrOriel"schurchatsixo"clock。Withindefatigableassiduitytheresponsesweremade，utteredfromunderaclosebonnet，andoutofadarkcorner，inanenthusiasticallyfemininevoice，throughthewholewinter。
NordidMissGushingaltogetherfailinherobject。Whenaclergyman"sdailyaudienceconsistsofbutoneperson，andthatpersonisayounglady，itishardlypossiblethatheshouldnotbecomepersonallyintimatewithher；hardlypossiblethatheshouldnotbeinsomemeasuregrateful。MissGushing"sresponsescamefromherwithsuchfervour，andshebeggedforghostlyadvicewithsucheagerlongingtohaveherscruplessatisfied，thatMrOrielhadnothingforitbuttogivewaytoacertainamountofcivilization。
BydegreesitcametopassthatMissGushingcouldnevergetherfinalprayersaid，hershawlandboaadjusted，andstowawayhernicenewPrayerBookwiththeredlettersinside，andthecrossontheback，tillMrOrielhadbeenintohisvestryandgotridofhissurplice。Andthentheymetatthechurch-porch，andnaturallywalkedtogethertillMrOriel"scruelgatewayseparatedthem。Theyoungthingdidsometimesthinkthat，astheparson"scivilizationprogressed，hemighthavetakenthetroubletowalkwithherasfarasMrsYatesUmbleby"shalldoor；butshehadhopetosustainher，andafirmresolvetomeritsuccess，eventhoughshemightnotattainit。
"Itisnottenthousandpities，"sheoncesaidtohim，"thatnonehereshouldavailthemselvesoftheinestimableprivilegewhichyourcominghasconferreduponus？Oh，MrOriel，Idosowonderatit！Tomeitissodelightful！Themorningserviceinthedarkchurchissobeautiful，sotouching！"
"Isupposetheythinkitaboregettingupsoearly，"saidMrOriel。
"Ah，abore！"saidMissGushing，inanenthusiastictoneofdepreciation。"Howinsensatetheymustbe！Tomeitgivesanewcharmtolife。Itquietsonefortheday；makesonesofitterforone"sdailytrialsanddailytroubles。Doesitnot，MrOriel？"
"Ilookuponmorningprayerasanimperativeduty，certainly。"
"Oh，certainly，amostimperativeduty；butsodeliciousatthesametime。IspoketoMrsUmblebyaboutit，butshesaidshecouldnotleavethechildren。"
"No：Idaresaynot，"saidMrOriel。
"AndMrUmblebysaidbusinesskepthimupsolateatnight。"
"Veryprobably。Ihardlyexpecttheattendanceofmenofbusiness。"
"Buttheservantsmightcome，mightn"tthey，MrOriel？"
"Ifearthatservantsseldomcanhavetimefordailyprayersinchurch。"
"Oh，ah，no；perhapsnot。"AndthenMissGushingbegantobethinkherselfofwhomshouldbecomposedthecongregationwhichitmustbepresumedthatMrOrielwishedtoseearoundhim。Butonthismatterhedidnotenlightenher。
ThenMissGushingtooktofastingonFridays，andmadesomefutileattemptstoinduceherpriesttogiveherthecomfortofconfessionalabsolution。But，unfortunately，thezealofthemasterwaxedcoolasthatofthepupilwaxedhot；and，atlast，whentheyoungthingreturnedtoGreshamsburyfromanautumnexcursionwhichshemadewithMrsUmblebytoWeston-super-Mare，shefoundthatthedeliciousmorningserviceshaddiedanaturaldeath。MissGushingdidnotonthataccountgiveupthegame，butshewasboundtofightwithnoparticularadvantageinherfavour。
MissOriel，thoughagoodChurchwoman，wasbynomeansaconverttoherbrother"sextremistviews，andperhapsgavebutscantycredittotheGushings，Athelings，andOpieGreensforthesincerityoftheirreligion。But，nevertheless，sheandherbrotherwerestaunchfriends；
andshestillhopedtoseethedaywhenhemightbeinducedtothinkthatanEnglishparsonmightgetthroughhisparishworkwiththeassistanceofawifebetterthanhecoulddowithoutsuchfeminineencumbrance。Thegirlwhomsheselectedforhisbridewasnottheyoungthing，butBeatriceGresham。
AndatlastitseemedprobabletoMrOriel"snearestfriendsthathewasinafairwaytobeovercome。NotthathehadbeguntomakelovetoBeatrice，orcommittedhimselfbytheutteranceofanyopinionastotheproprietyofclericalmarriages；buthedailybecamelooserabouthispeculiartenets，ravedlessimmoderatelythanheretoforeastotheatrocityoftheGreshamsburychurchpews，andwasobservedtotakesomeopportunitiesofconversingalonewithBeatrice。Beatricehadalwaysdeniedtheimputation——thishadusuallybeenmadebyMaryintheirhappydays——withthevehementasseverationsofanger；andMissGushinghadtittered，andexpressedherselfassupposingthatgreatpeople"sdaughtersmightbeasbarefacedastheypleased。
AllthishadhappenedprevioustothegreatGreshamsburyfeud。MrOrielgraduallygothimselfintoawayofsaunteringuptothegreathouse，saunteringintothedrawing-roomforthepurpose，asIamsurehethought，oftalkingwithLadyArabella，andthenofsaunteringhomeagain，havingusuallyfoundanopportunityforsayingafewwordstoBeatriceduringthevisit。ThiswentonallthroughthefeuduptotheperiodofLadyArabella"sillness；andthenonemorning，aboutamonthbeforethedatefixedforFrank"sreturn，MrOrielfoundhimselfengagedtoMissBeatriceGresham。
FromthedaythatMissGushingheardofit——whichwasnothoweverforsomeconsiderabletimeafterthis——shebecameanIndependentMethodist。
Shecouldnolonger，shesaidatfirst，haveanyfaithinanyreligion；
andforanhourorsoshewasalmosttemptedtoswearthatshecouldnolongerhaveanyfaithinanyman。Shehadnearlycompletedaworkedcoverforacredence-tablewhenthenewsreachedher，astowhich，intheyoungenthusiasmofherheart，shehadnotbeenabletoremainsilent；ithadalreadybeenpromisedtoMrOriel；thatpromiseshesworeshouldnotbekept。Hewasanapostate，shesaid，fromhisprinciples；anutterpervert；afalse，designingman，withwhomshewouldneverhavetrustedherselfaloneondarkmorningshadsheknownthathehadsuchgrovelling，worldlyinclinations。SoMissGushingbecameanIndependentMethodist；thecredence-tablecoveringwascutupintoslippersforthepreacher"sfeet；andtheyoungthingherself，morehappyinthisdirectionthanshehadbeenintheother，becamethearbiterofthatpreacher"sdomestichappiness。
ButthislittlehistoryofMissGushing"sfuturelifeispremature。MrOrielbecameengageddemurely，nay，almostsilently，toBeatrice，andnooneoutoftheirownimmediatefamilieswasatthetimeinformedofthematter。Itwasarrangedverydifferentlyfromthoseothertwomatches——embryo，ornotembryo，those，namely，ofAugustawithMrMoffat，andFrankwithMaryThorne。AllBarsetshirehadheardofthem；
butthatofBeatriceandMrOrielwasmanagedinamuchmoreprivatemanner。
"Idothinkyouareahappygirl，"saidPatiencetoheronemorning。
"IndeedIam。"
"Heissogood。Youdon"tknowhowgoodheisasyet；heneverthinksofhimself，andthinkssomuchofthoseheloves。"
Beatricetookherfriend"shandinherownandkissedit。Shewasfullofjoy。Whenagirlisabouttobemarried，whenshemaylawfullytalkoflove，thereisnomusicinherearssosweetasthepraisesofherlover。
"Imadeupmymindfromthefirstthatheshouldmarryyou。"
"Nonsense，Patience。"
"Idid，indeed。Imadeupmymindthatheshouldmarry；andtherewereonlytwotochoosefrom。"
"MeandMissGushing，"saidBeatrice，laughing。
"No；notexactlyMissGushing。IhadnotmanyfearsforCalebthere。"
"Ideclaresheisverypretty，"saidBeatrice，whocouldaffordtobegood-natured。NowMissGushingcertainlywaspretty；andwouldhavebeenveryprettyhadhernosenotturnedupsomuch，andcouldshehavepartedherhairinthecentre。
"Well，Iamverygladyouchoseme；——ifitwasyouwhochose，"saidBeatrice，modestly；having，however，inherownmindastrongopinionthatMrOrielhadchosenforhimself，andhadneveranydoubtinthematter。"Andwhowastheother？"
"Can"tyouguess？"
"Iwon"tguessanymore；perhapsMrsGreen。"
"Oh，no；certainlynotawidow。Idon"tlikewidowsmarrying。Butofcourseyoucouldguessifyouwould；ofcourseitwasMaryThorne。ButIsoonsawMarywouldnotdo，fortworeasons；Calebwouldneverhavelikedherwellenoughnorwouldshehaveeverlikedhim。"
"Notlikehim！ohIhopeshewill；IdosoloveMaryThorne。"
"SodoIdearly；andsodoesCaleb；buthecouldneverhavelovedherashelovesyou。"
"But，Patience，haveyoutoldMary？"
"No，Ihavetoldnoone，andshallnotwithoutyourleave。"
"Ah，youmusttellher。Tellitherwithmybest，andkindest，warmestlove。TellherhowhappyIam，andhowIlongtotalktoher。TellthatIwillhaveherformybridesmaid。Oh！Idohopethatbeforethatallthishorridquarrelwillbesettled。
Patienceundertookthecommission，anddidtellMary；didgiveheralsothemessagewhichBeatricehadsent。AndMarywasrejoicedtohearit；
forthough，asPatiencehadsaidofher，shehadneverherselffeltanyinclinationtofallinlovewithMrOriel，shebelievedhimtobeoneinwhosehandsherfriend"shappinesswouldbesecure。Then，bydegrees，theconversationchangedfromthelovesofMrOrielandBeatricetothetroublesofFrankGreshamandherself。
"Shesaysthatletwhatwillhappenyoushallbeoneofherbridesmaids。"
"Ah，yes，dearTrichy！thatwassettledbetweenusinauldlangsyne；
butthosesettlementsareallunsettlednow，andmustbebroken。No，I
cannotbeherbridesmaid；butIshallyethopetoseeheroncebeforehermarriage。"
"Andwhynotbeherbridesmaid？LadyArabellawillhardlyobjecttothat。"
"LadyArabella！"saidMary，curlingupherlipwithdeepscorn。"IdonotcarethatforLadyArabella，"andshelethersilverthimblefallfromherfingersontothetable。"IfBeatriceinvitedmetoherwedding，shemightmanageastothat；IshouldasknoquestionastoLadyArabella。"
"Thenwhynotcometoit？"
Sheremainedsilentforawhile，andthenboldlyanswered。"ThoughI
donotcareforLadyArabella，IdocareforMrGresham：——andIdocareforhisson。"
"Butthesquirealwayslovedyou。"
"Yes，andthereforeIwillnotbetheretovexhissight。Iwilltellyouthetruth，Patience。IcanneverbeinthathouseagaintillFrankGreshamisamarriedman，ortillIamabouttobeamarriedwoman。I
donotthinktheyhavetreatedmewell，butIwillnottreatthemill。"
"Iamsureyouwillnotdothat，"saidMissOriel。
"Iwillendeavournottodoso；and，therefore，willgotononeoftheirfetes！No，Patience。"Andthensheturnedherheadtothearmofthesofa，andsilently，withoutaudiblesobs，hidingherface，sheendeavouredtogetridofthetearsunseen。Foronemomentshehadallbutresolvedtopouroutthewholetruthofherloveintoherfriend"sears；butsuddenlyshechangedhermind。Whyshouldshetalkofherownunhappiness？WhyshouldshespeakofherownlovewhenshewasfullydeterminednottospeakofFrank"spromises。
"Mary，dearMary。"
"Anything，butpity，Patience；anythingbutthat，"saidshe，convulsively，swallowinghersobs，andrubbingawayhertears。"I
cannotbearthat。TellBeatricefromme，thatIwishhereveryhappiness；and，withsuchahusband，Iamsureshewillbehappy。I
wishhereveryjoy；givehermykindestlove；buttellherthatI
cannotbeathermarriage。Oh，Ishouldliketoseeher；notthere，youknow，buthere，inmyownroom，whereIstillhavelibertytospeak。"
"Butwhyshouldyoudecidenow？Sheisnottobemarriedyet，youknow。"
"Now，orthisdaytwelvemonth，canmakenodifference。Iwillnotgointothathouseagain，unless——butnevermind；Iwillnotgointoitall；never，neveragain。IfIcouldforgiveherformyself，Icouldnotforgiveherformyuncle。Buttellme，Patience，mightnotBeatricenowcomehere？ItissodreadfultoseehereverySundayinchurchandnevertospeaktoher，nevertokissher。Sheseemstolookawayfrommeasthoughshetoohadchosentoquarrelwithme。"
MissOrielpromisedtodoherbest。Shecouldnotimagine，shesaid，thatsuchavisitcouldbeobjectedtoonsuchanoccasion。ShewouldnotadviseBeatricetocomewithouttellinghermother；butshecouldnotthinkthatLadyArabellawouldbesocruelastomakeanyobjection，knowing，asshecouldnotbutknow，thatherdaughter，whenmarried，wouldbeatlibertytochooseherownfriends。
"Good-bye，Mary，"saidPatience。"IwishIknewhowtosaymoretocomfortyou。"
"Oh，comfort！Idon"twantcomfort。Iwanttobeletalone。"
"That"sjustit：youaresoferociousinyourscorn，sounbending，sodeterminedtotakeallthepunishmentthatcomesinyourway。"
"WhatIdotake，I"lltakewithoutcomplaint，"saidMary；andthentheykissedeachotherandparted。
CHAPTERXXXIII
AMORNINGVISIT
ItmustberememberedthatMary，amonghermiseries，hadtosufferthis：thatsinceFrank"sdeparture，nownearlytwelvemonthsago，shehadnotheardawordabouthim；orrather，shehadonlyheardthathewasverymuchinlovewithsomeladyinLondon。Thisnewsreachedherinamannersocircuitous，andfromsuchadoubtfulsource；itseemedtohertosavoursostronglyofLadyArabella"sprecautions，thatsheattributeditatoncetomalice，andblewittothewinds。ItmightnotimprobablybethecasethatFrankwasuntruetoher；butshewouldnottakeitforgrantedbecauseshewasnowtoldso。Itwasmorethanprobablethatheshouldamusehimselfwithsomeone；flirtingwashisprevailingsin；andifhedidflirt，themostwouldofcoursebemadeofit。
Butshefoundittobeverydesolatetobethusleftalonewithoutawordofcomfortorawordoflove；withoutbeingabletospeaktoanyoneofwhatfilledherheart；doubting，nay，morethandoubting，beingallbutsurethatherpassionmustterminateinmisery。Whyhadshenotobeyedherconscienceandherbetterinstinctinthatmomentwhenthenecessityfordecidinghadcomeuponher？Whyhadsheallowedhimtounderstandthathewasmasterofherheart？Didshenotknowthattherewaseverythingagainstsuchamarriageasthatwhichwasproposed？Hadshenotdonewrong，verywrong，eventothinkofit？Hadshenotsinneddeeply，againstMrGresham，whohadeverbeensokindtoher？Couldshehope，wasitpossible，thataboylikeFrankshouldbetruetohisfirstlove？And，ifheweretrue，ifhewerereadytogotothealtarwithherto-morrow，oughtshetoallowhimtodegradehimselfbysuchamarriage？
Therewas，alas！sometruthabouttheLondonlady。Frankhadtakenhisdegree，asarranged，andhadthengoneabroadforthewinter，doingthefashionablethings，goinguptheNile，crossingovertoMountSinai，thenceoverthelongdeserttoJerusalem，andhomebyDamascus，Beyrout，andConstantinople，bringingbackalongbeard，aredcap，andachibook，justasourfathersusedtogothroughItalyandSwitzerland，andourgrandfatherstospendaseasoninParis。HehadthenremainedforacoupleofmonthsinLondon，goingthroughallthesocietywhichtheDeCourcyswereabletoopentohim。Anditwastruethatacertainbelleoftheseason，ofthatseasonandsomeothers，hadbeencaptivated——forthetenthtime——bythesilkensheensofhislongbeard。Frankhadprobablybeenmoredemonstrative，perhaps，evermoresusceptible，thanheshouldhavebeen；andhencetherumour，whichhadalltoowillinglybeenforwardedtoGreshamsbury。
ButyoungGreshamhadalsometanotherladyinLondon，namelyMissDunstable。MarywouldindeedhavebeengratefultoMissDunstable，couldshehaveknowallthatladydidforher。Frank"slovewasneverallowedtoflag。Whenhespokeofthedifficultiesinhisway，shetwittedhimbybeingovercomebystraws；andtoldhimthatnoonewaseverworthhavingwhowasafraidofeverylionhemetinhispath。
Whenhespokeofmoney，shebadehimearnit；andalwaysendedbyofferingtosmoothforhimanyrealdifficultywhichwantofmeansmightputinhisway。
"No，"Frankusedtosaytohimself，whentheseoffersweremade，"I
neverintendedtotakeherandhermoneytogether；and，therefore，I
certainlywillnevertakethemoneyalone。"
AdayortwoafterMissOriel"svisit，MaryreceivedthefollowingnotefromBeatrice。
"DEAREST，DEARESTMARY，"Ishallbesohappytoseeyou，andwillcometo-morrowattwelve。Ihaveaskedmamma，andshesaysthat，foronce，shehasnoobjection。YouknowitisnotmyfaultthatIhaveneverbeenwithyou；don"tyou？Frankcomeshomeonthetwelfth。MrOrielwantstheweddingtobeonthefirstofSeptember；butthatseemstobesovery，verysoon；doesn"tit？However，mammaandpapaareallonhisside。Iwon"twriteaboutthis，though，forweshallhavesuchadelicioustalk。
Oh，Mary！Ihavebeensounhappywithoutyou。
"Everyourownaffectionate，TRICHY"
ThoughMarywasdelightedattheideaofoncemorehavingherfriendinherarms，therewas，nevertheless，somethingintheletterwhichoppressedher。ShecouldnotputupwiththeideathatBeatriceshouldhavepermissiongiventocometoher——justforonce。Shehardlywishedtobeseenbypermission。Nevertheless，shedidnotrefusetheprofferedvisit，andthefirstsightofBeatrice"sface，thefirsttouchofthefirstembrace，dissipatedforthemomentheranger。
AndthenBeatricefullyenjoyedthedelicioustalkwhichshehadpromisedherself。Maryletherhaveherway，andfortwohoursallthedelightsandalltheduties，allthecomfortsandalltheresponsibilitiesofaparson"swifewerediscussedwithalmostequalardouronbothsides。ThedutiesandresponsibilitieswerenotexactlythosewhichtoooftenfalltothelotofthemistressofanEnglishvicarage。Beatricewasnotdoomedtomakeherhusbandcomfortable，toeducateherchildren，dressherselflikealady，andexerciseopen-handedcharityonanincomeoftwohundredpoundsayear。Herdutiesandresponsibilitieswouldhavetospreadthemselvesoversevenoreighttimesthatamountofworldlyburden。LivingalsoclosetoGreshamsbury，andnotfarfromCourcyCastle，shewouldhavethefulladvantageandalltheprivilegesofcountysociety。Infact，itwasallcouleurderose，andsoshechatteddeliciouslywithherfriend。
ButitwasimpossiblethattheyshouldseparatewithoutsomethinghavingbeensaidastoMary"sownlot。Itwould，perhaps，havebeenbetterthattheyshoulddoso；butthiswashardlywithinthecompassofhumannature。
"AndMary，youknow，IshallbeabletoseeyouasoftenasIlike；——youandDrThorne，too，whenIhaveahouseofmyown。"
Marysaidnothing，butessayedtosmile。Itwasbutaghastlyattempt。
"Youknowhowhappythatwillmakeme，"continuedBeatrice。"Ofcoursemammawon"texpectmetobeledbyherthen；ifhelikesit，therecanbenoobjection；andhewilllikeit，youmaybesureofthat。"
"Youareverykind，Trichy，"saidMary；butshespokeinatoneverydifferentfromthatshewouldhaveusedeighteenmonthsago。
"Why，whatisthematter，Mary？Shan"tyoubegladtocomeandseeus？"
"Idonotknow，dearest；thatmustdependoncircumstances。Toseeyou，youyourself，yourowndear，sweet，lovingfacemustalwaysbepleasanttome。"
"Andshan"tyoubegladtoseehim？"
"Yes，certainly，ifhelovesyou。"
"Ofcoursehelovesme。"
"Allthatalonewouldbepleasantenough，Trichy。Butwhatifthereshouldbecircumstanceswhichshouldstillmakeusenemies；shouldmakeyourfriendsandmyfriends——friend，Ishouldsay，forIhaveonlyone——shouldmakethemopposedtoeachother？"
"Circumstances！Whatcircumstances？"
"Youaregoingtobemarried，Trichy，tothemanyoulove；areyounot？"
"IndeedIam！"
"Anditisnotpleasant？isitnotahappyfeeling？"
"Pleasant！happy！yes，verypleasant；veryhappy。But，Mary，Iamnotatallinsuchahurryasheis，"saidBeatrice，naturallythinkingofherownlittleaffairs。
"And，supposeIshouldwishtobemarriedtothemanthatIlove？"Marysaidthisslowlyandgravely，andasshespokeshelookedherfriendfullintheface。
Beatricewassomewhatastonished，andforthemomenthardlyunderstood。
"IamsureIhopeyouwillsomeday。"
"No，Trichy；no，youhopetheotherway。Iloveyourbrother；IloveFrankGresham；Ilovehimquiteaswell，quiteaswarmly，asyouloveCalebOriel。"
"Doyou？"saidBeatrice，staringwithallhereyes，andgivingonelongsigh，asthisnewsubjectforsorrowwassodistinctlyputbeforeher。
"Itthatsoodd？"saidMary。"YouloveMrOriel，thoughyouhavebeenintimatewithhimhardlymorethantwoyears。IsitsooddthatIshouldloveyourbrother，whomIhaveknownalmostallmylife？"
"But，Mary，Ithoughtitwasalwaysunderstoodbetweenusthat——that——I
meanthatyouwerenottocareabouthim；notinthewayoflovinghim，youknow——Ithoughtyoualwayssaidso——Ihavealwaystoldmammasoasifitcamefromyourself。"
"Beatrice，donottellanythingtoLadyArabellaasthoughitcamefromme；Idonotwantanythingtobetoldtoher，eitherofmeorfromme。
Saywhatyouliketomeyourself；whateveryousaywillnotangerme。
Indeed，Iknowwhatyouwouldsay——andyetIloveyou。Oh，Iloveyou，Trichy——Trichy，Idoloveyousomuch！Don"tturnawayfromme！"
TherewassuchamixtureinMary"smanneroftendernessandalmostferocity，thatpoorBeatricecouldhardlyfollowher。"Turnawayfromyou，Mary！nonever；butthisdoesmakemeunhappy。"
"Itisbetterthatyoushouldknowitall，andthenyouwillnotbeledintofightingmybattlesagain。YoucannotfightthemsothatIshouldwin；Idoloveyourbrother；lovehimtruly，fondly，tenderly。IwouldwishtohavehimformyhusbandasyouwishtohaveMrOriel。"
"But，Mary，youcannotmarryhim！"
"Whynot？"saidshe，inaloudvoice。"WhycanInotmarryhim？Ifthepriestsaysablessingoverus，shallwenotbemarriedaswellasyouandyourhusband？"
"Butyouknowhecannotmarryunlesshiswifeshallhavemoney。"
"Money——money；andheistosellhimselfformoney？Oh，Trichy！donotyoutalkaboutmoney。Itishorrible。But，Trichy，Iwillgrantit——I
cannotmarryhim；butstill，Ilovehim。Hehasaname，aplaceintheworld，andfortune，family，highblood，position，everything。Hehasallthis，andIhavenothing。OfcourseIcannotmarryhim。ButyetIdolovehim。"
"Areyouengagedtohim，Mary？"
"Heisnotengagedtome；butIamtohim。"
"Oh，Mary，thatisimpossible！"
"Itisnotimpossible：itisthecast——Iampledgedtohim；butheisnotpledgedtome。"
"But，Mary，don"tlookatmeinthatway。Idonotquiteunderstandyou。Whatisthegoodofyourbeingengagedifyoucannotmarryhim？"
"Good！thereisnogood。ButcanIhelpit，ifIlovehim？CanImakemyselfnotlovehimbyjustwishingit？Oh，IwoulddoitifIcould。
ButnowyouwillunderstandwhyIshakemyheadwhenyoutalkofcomingtoyourhouse。Yourwaysandmywaysmustbedifferent。"
Beatricewasstartled，and，foratime，silenced。WhatMarysaidofthedifferenceoftheirwayswasquitetrue。Beatricehaddearlylovedherfriend，andhadthoughtofherwithaffectionthroughallthislongperiodinwhichtheyhadbeenseparated；butshehadgivenherloveandherthoughtsontheunderstanding，asitwere，thattheywereinunisonastotheimproprietyofFrank"sconduct。
Shehadalwaysspoken，withagraveface，ofFrankandhisloveasofagreatmisfortune，eventoMaryherself；andherpityforMaryhadbeenfoundedontheconvictionofherinnocence。Nowallthoseideashadtobealtered。Maryownedherfault，confessedherselftobeguiltyofallthatLadyArabellasofrequentlylaidtohercharge，andconfessedherselfanxioustocommiteverycrimeastowhichBeatricehadbeeneversoreadytodefendher。
HadBeatriceuptothisdreamedthatMarywasinlovewithFrank，shewoulddoubtlesshavesympathizedwithhermoreorlesssoonerorlater。
Asitwas，iswasbeyondalldoubtthatshewouldsoonsympathizewithher。But，atthemoment，thesuddennessofthedeclarationseemedtohardenherheart，andsheforgot，asitwere，tospeaktenderlytoherfriend。
Shewassilent，therefore，anddismayed；andlookedasthoughshethoughtthatherwaysandMary"swaysmustbedifferent。
Marysawallthatwaspassingintheother"smind：no，notall；allthehostility，thedisappointment，thedisapproval，theunhappiness，shedidsee；butnottheunder-currentoflove，whichwasstrongenoughtowellupanddrownallthese，ifonlytimecouldbeallowedforittodoso。
"Iamsogladtohavetoldyou，"saidMary，curbingherself，"fordeceitandhypocrisyaredetestable。"
"Itwasamisunderstanding，notdeceit，"saidBeatrice。
"Well，nowweunderstandeachother；nowyouknowthatIhaveaheartwithinme，whichlikethoseofsomeothershasnotalwaysbeenundermyowncontrol。LadyArabellabelievesthatIamintriguingtobethemistressofGreshamsbury。You，atanyrate，willnotthinkthatofme。
Ifitcouldbediscoveredto-morrowthatFrankwerenottheheir，I
mighthavesomechanceofhappiness。"
"But，Mary——"
"Well？"
"Yousayyoulovehim。"
"Yes；Idosayso。"
"Butifhedoesnotloveyou，willyouceasetodoso？"
"IfIhaveafever，IwillgetridofitifIcan；insuchacaseImustdoso，ordie。"
"Ifear，"continuedBeatrice，"youhardlyknow，perhapsdonotthink，whatisFrank"srealcharacter。Heisnotmadetosettledownearlyinlife；evennow，IbelieveheisattachedtosomeladyinLondon，whom，ofcourse，hecannotmarry。"
Beatricehadsaidthisinperfecttruenessofheart。ShehadheardofFrank"snewlove-affair，andbelievingwhatshehadheard，thoughtitbesttotellthetruth。ButtheinformationwasnotofakindtoquietMary"sspirit。
"Verywell，"saidshe，"letitbeso。Ihavenothingtosayagainstit。"
"Butareyounotpreparingwretchednessandunhappinessforyourself？"
"Verylikely。"
"Oh，Mary，donotbesocoldwithme！youknowhowdelightedIshouldbetohaveyouforasister-in-law，ifonlyitwerepossible。"
"Yes，Trichy；butitisimpossible，isitnot？ImpossiblethatFrancisGreshamofGreshamsburyshoulddisgracehimselfbymarryingsuchapoorcreatureasIam。OfcourseIknowit；ofcourse，Iampreparedforunhappinessandmisery。Hecanamusehimselfashelikeswithmeorothers——withanybody。Itishisprivilege。Itisquiteenoughtosaythatheisnotmadeforsettlingdown。Iknowmyownposition；——andyetIlovehim。"
"But，Mary，hasheaskedyoutobehiswife？Ifso——"
"Youaskhome-questions，Beatrice。Letmeaskyouone；hasheevertoldyouthathehasdoneso？"
AtthismomentBeatricewasnotdisposedtorepeatallthatFrankhadsaid。Ayearago，beforehewentaway，hehadtoldhissisterascoreoftimesthathemeanttomarryMaryThorneifshewouldhavehim；butBeatricenowlookedonallthatasidle，boyishvapouring。Thepitywas，thatMaryshouldhavelookedonitdifferently。
"Wewilleachkeepoursecret，"saidMary。"Onlyrememberthis：shouldFrankmarryto-morrow，Ishallhavenogroundforblaminghim。HeisfreeasfarIasamconcerned。HecantaketheLondonladyifhelikes。
Youmaytellhimsofromme。But，Trichy，whatelseIhavetoldyou，I
havetoldyouonly。"
"Oh，yes！"saidBeatrice，sadly；"Ishallsaynothingofittoanybody。
Itisverysad，very，very；IwassohappywhenIcamehere，andnowI
amsowretched。"Thiswastheendofthatdelicioustalktowhichshehadlookedforwardwithsomucheagerness。
"Don"tbewretchedaboutme，dearest；Ishallgetthroughit。I
sometimesthinkIwasborntobeunhappy，andthatunhappinessagreeswithmebest。Kissmenow，Trichy，anddon"tbewretchedanymore。YouoweittoMrOrieltobeashappyasthedayislong。"
Andthentheyparted。
Beatrice，asshewentout，sawDrThorneinhislittleshopontheright-handsideofthepassagedeeplyengagedinsomederogatorybranchofanapothecary"smechanicaltrade；mixingadose，perhaps，foralittlechild。Shewouldhavepassedhimwithoutspeaking，ifshecouldhavebeensureofdoingsowithoutnotice，forherheartwasfull，andhereyeswereredwithtears；butitwassolongsinceshehadbeeninhishousethatshewasmorethanordinarilyanxiousnottoappearuncourteousorunkindtohim。
"Goodmorning，doctor，"shesaid，changinghercountenanceasbestshemight，andattemptingasmile。
"Ah，myfairy！"saidhe，leavinghisvillainouscompounds，andcomingouttoher；"andyou，too，areabouttobecomeasteadyoldlady。"
"Indeed，Iamnot，doctor；Idon"tmeantobeeithersteadyorold，forthenexttenyears。Butwhohastoldyou？IsupposeMaryhasbeenatraitor。"
"Well，IwillconfessMarywasthetraitor。Buthadn"tIarighttobetold，seeinghowoftenIhavebroughtyousugar-plumsinmypocket？ButIwishyoujoywithallmyheart——withallmyheart。Orielisanexcellent，goodfellow。"
"Ishenot，doctor？"
"Anexcellent，goodfellow。Ineverheardbutofonefaultthathehad。"
"Whatwasthatonefault，DoctorThorne？"
"Hethoughtthatclergymenshouldnotmarry。Butyouhavecuredthat，andnowhe"sperfect。"
"Thankyou，doctor。Ideclarethatyousaytheprettiestthingsofallmyfriends。"
"Andnoneofyourfriendswishprettierthingsforyou。Idocongratulateyou，Beatrice，andhopeyoumaybehappywiththemanyouhavechosen；"andtakingbothherhandsinhis，hepressedthemwarmly，andbadeGodblessher。
"Oh，doctor！Idosohopethetimewillcomewhenweshallallbefriendsagain。"
"Ihopeitaswell，mydear。Butletitcome，orletitnotcome，myregardforyouwillbethesame："andthenshepartedfromhimalso，andwentherway。
NothingwasspokenofthateveningbetweenDrThorneandhisnieceexceptingBeatrice"sfuturehappiness；nothing，atleast，havingreferencetowhathadpassedthatmorning。Butonthefollowingmorning，circumstancesledtoFrankGresham"snamebeingmentioned。
Attheusualbreakfast-hourthedoctorenteredtheparlourwithaharassedface。Hehadanopenletterinhishand，anditwasatoncecleartoMarythathewasgoingtospeakonsomesubjectthatvexedhim。
"Thatunfortunatefellowisagainintrouble。HereisaletterfromGreyson。"GreysonwasaLondonapothecary，whohadbeenappointedasmedicalattendanttoSirLouisScatcherd，andwhoserealbusinessconsistedinkeepingawatchonthebaronet，andreportingtoDrThornewhenanythingwasverymuchamiss。"HereisaletterfromGreyson；hehasbeendrunkforthelastthreedays，andisnowlaidupinaterriblynervousstate。"
"Youwon"tgouptotownagain；willyou，uncle？"
"Ihardlyknowwhattodo。No，Ithinknot。HetalksofcomingdownheretoGreshamsbury。"
"Who，SirLouis？"
"Yes，SirLouis。Greysonsaysthathewillbedownassoonashecangetoutofhisroom。"
"What！tothishouse？"
"Whatotherhomecanhecometo？"
"Oh，uncle！Ihopenot。Pray，praydonotlethimcomehere。"
"Icannotpreventit，dear。Icannotshutmydooronhim。"
Theysatdowntobreakfast，andMarygavehimhisteainsilence。"IamgoingovertoBoxallHillbeforedinner，"saidhe。"HaveyouanymessagetosendtoLadyScatcherd？"
"Message！no，Ihavenomessage；notespecially：givehermylove，ofcourse，"shesaidlistlessly。Andthen，asthoughathoughthadsuddenlystruckher，shespokewithmoreenergy。"But，couldn"tIgotoBoxallHillagain？Ishouldbesodelighted。"
"What！torunawayfromSirLouis？No，dearest，wewillhavenomorerunningaway。HewillprobablyalsogotoBoxallHill，andhecouldannoyyoumuchmoretherethanhecanhere。"
"But，uncle，MrGreshamwillbehomeonthetwelfth，"shesaid，blushing。
"What！Frank？"
"Yes。Beatricesaidhewastobehereonthetwelfth。"
"Andwouldyourunawayfromhimtoo，Mary？"
"Idonotknow：Idonotknowwhattodo。"
"No；wewillhavenomorerunningaway：Iamsorrythatyoueverdidso。
Itwasmyfault，altogethermyfault；butitwasfoolish。"
"Uncle，Iamnothappyhere。"Asshesaidthis，sheputdownthecupwhichshehadheld，and，leaningherelbowsonthetable，restedherforeheadonherhands。
"AndwouldyoubehappieratBoxallHill？Itisnottheplacethatmakesthehappiness。"
"No，Iknowthat；itisnottheplace。Idonotlooktobehappyinanyplace；butIshouldbequieter，moretranquilelsewherethanhere。"
"IalsosometimesthinkthatitwouldbebetterforustotakeupourstavesandwalkawayfromGreshamsbury；——leaveitaltogether，andsettleelsewhere；miles，miles，milesawayfromhere。Shouldyoulikethat，dearest？"
Miles，miles，milesawayfromGreshamsbury！TherewassomethinginthesoundthatfellverycoldonMary"sears，unhappyasshewas。
Greshamsburyhadbeensodeartoher；inspiteofallthathadpassed，wasstillsodeartoher！Wasshepreparedtotakeupherstaff，asherunclesaid，andwalkforthfromtheplacewiththefullunderstandingthatshewastoreturntoitnomore；withamindresolvedthatthereshouldbeaninseparablegulfbetweenheranditsinhabitants？Suchsheknewwastheproposednatureofthewalkingawayofwhichherunclespoke。Soshesatthere，restingonherarms，andgavenoanswertothequestionthathadbeenputtoher。
"No，wewillstayhereawhileyet，"saidheruncle。"Itmaycometothat，butthisisnotthetime。Foroneseasonlongerletusface——I
willnotsayourenemies；IcannotcallanybodymyenemywhobearsthenameofGresham。"Andthenhewentonforamomentwithhisbreakfast。
"SoFrankwillbehereonthetwelfth？"
"Yes，uncle。"
"Well，dearest，Ihavenoquestionstoaskyou；nodirectionstogive。I
knowhowgoodyouare，andhowprudent；Iamanxiousonlyforyourhappiness；notatall——"
"Happiness，uncle，isoutofthequestion。"
"Ihopenot。Itisneveroutofthequestion，nevercanbeoutofthequestion。But，asIwassaying，Iamquitesatisfiedyourconductwillbegood，and，therefore，Ihavenoquestionstoask。Wewillremainhere；and，whethergoodorevilcome，wewillnotbeashamedtoshowourfaces。"
Shesatforawhileagainsilent；collectinghercourageonthesubjectthatwasnearestherheart。Shewouldhavegiventheworldthatheshouldaskherquestions；butshecouldnotbidhimtodoso；andshefounditimpossibletotalkopenlytohimaboutFrankunlesshedidso。
"Willhecomehere？"atlastshesaid，inalow-tonedvoice。
"Who？He，Louis？Yes，Ithinkthatinallprobabilityhewill。"
"No；butFrank，"shesaid，inastilllowervoice。
"Ah！mydarling，thatIcannottell；butwillitbewellthatheshouldcomehere？"
"Idonotknow，"shesaid。"No，Isupposenot。But，uncle，Idon"tthinkhewillcome。"
Shewasnowsittingonasofa，awayfromthetable，andhegotupsatdownbesideher，andtookherhandsinhis。"Mary，"saidhe，"youmustbestrongnow；strongtoendure，nottoattack。Ithinkthatyouhavethatstrength；but，ifnot，perhapsitwillbebetterthatweshouldgoaway。"
"Iwillbestrong，"saidshe，risingupandgoingtowardsthedoor。
"Nevermindme，uncle；don"tfollowme；Iwillbestrong。Itwillbebase，cowardly，meantorunaway；verybaseinmetomakeyoudoso。"
"No，dearest，notso；itwillbethesametome。"
"No，"saidshe，"IwillnotrunawayfromLadyArabella。And，asforhim——ifhelovesthisotherone，heshallhearnoreproachfromme。
Uncle，Iwillbestrong；"andrunningbacktohim，shethrewherarmsaroundhimandkissedhim。And，stillrestraininghertears，shegotsafelytoherbedroom。Inwhatwayshemaytherehaveshownherstrength，itwouldnotbewellforustoinquire。
CHAPTERXXXIV
ABAROUCHEANDFOURARRIVESATGRESHAMSBURY
DuringthelasttwelvemonthsSirLouisScatcherdhadbeenveryefficaciousinbringingtrouble，turmoil，andvexationuponGreshamsbury。Nowthatitwastoolatetotakestepstosavehimself，DrThornefoundthatthewillleftbySirRogerwassomadeastoentailuponhimdutiesthathewouldfinditalmostimpossibletoperform。SirLouis，thoughhisfatherhadwishedtomakehimstillachildintheeyeofthelaw，wasnochild。Heknewhisownrightsandwasdeterminedtoexactthem；andbeforeSirRogerhadbeendeadthreemonths，thedoctorfoundhimselfincontinuallitigationwithalowBarchesterattorney，whowasactingonbehalfofhis，thedoctor"s，ownward。
Andifthedoctorsufferedsodidthesquire，andsodidthosewhohadhithertohadthemanagementofthesquire"saffairs。DrThornesoonperceivedthathewastobedrivenintolitigation，notonlywithMrFinnie，theBarchesterattorney，butwiththesquirehimself。WhileFinnieharassedhim，hewascompelledtoharassMrGresham。Hewasnolawyerhimself；andthoughhehadbeenabletomanageverywellbetweenthesquireandSirRoger，andhadperhapsgivenhimselfsomecreditforhislawyer-likeabilityinsodoing，hewasutterlyunabletomanagebetweenSirLouisandMrGresham。
Hehad，therefore，toemployalawyeronhisownaccount，anditseemedprobablethatthewholeamountofSirRoger"slegacytohimselfwouldbydegreesbeexpendedinthismanner。Andthenthesquire"slawyershadtotakeupthematter；andtheydidsogreatlytothedetrimentofpoorMrYatesUmbleby，whowasfoundtohavemadeamessoftheaffairsentrustedtohim。MrUmbleby"saccountswereincorrect；hismindwasanythingbutclear，andheconfessed，whenputtoitbytheverysharpgentlemanthatcamedownfromLondon，thathewas"bothered"；andso，afterawhile，hewassuspendedfromhisduties，andMrGazebee，thesharpgentlemanfromLondon，reignedoverthediminishedrent-rolloftheGreshamsburyestate。
ThuseverythingwasgoingwrongatGreshamsbury——withtheoneexceptionofMrOrielandhislove-suit。MissGushingattributedthedepositionofMrUmblebytothenarrownessofthevictorywhichBeatricehadwonincarryingoffMrOriel。ForMissGushingwasarelationoftheUmblebys，andhadbeenformanyyearsoneoftheirfamily。"IfshehadonlychosentoexertherselfasMissGreshamhaddone，shecouldhavehadMrOriel，easily；oh，tooeasily！butshehaddespisedsuchwork，"soshesaid。
"Butthoughshehaddespisedit，theGreshamshadnotbeenlessirritated，and，therefore，MrUmblebyhadbeendrivenoutofhishouse。"
Wecanhardlybelievethis，asvictorygenerallymakesmengenerous。
MissGushing，however，stateditasafactsooftenthatitisprobableshewasinducedtobelieveitherself。
ThuseverythingwasgoingwrongatGreshamsbury，andthesquirehimselfwasespeciallyasufferer。Umblebyhadatanyratebeenhisownman，andhecoulddowhathelikedwithhim。Hecouldseehimwhenheliked，andwhereheliked，andnowheliked；couldscoldhimifinanill-humour，andlaughathimwheninagoodhumour。AllthisMrUmblebyknew，andbore。ButMrGazebeewasaverydifferentsortofgentleman；hewasthejuniorpartnerinthefirmofGumption，Gazebee&GazebeeofMountStreet，ahousethatneverdefileditselfwithanyotherbusinessthantheagencybusiness，andthatintheveryhighestline。Theydrewoutleases，andmanagedpropertybothfortheDukeofOmniumandLordDeCourcy；andeversincehermarriage，ithadbeenoneoftheobjectsdearesttoLadyArabella"sheartthattheGreshamsburyacresshouldbesuperintendedbythepoliteskillandpolishedlegalabilityofthatallbutelegantfirminMountStreet。
Thesquirehadlongstoodfirm，andhaddelightedinhavingeverythingdoneunderhisowneyebypoorMrYatesUmbleby。Butnow，alas！hecouldstanditnolonger。Hehadputofftheevildayaslongashecould；hehaddeferredtheodiousworkofinvestigationtillthingshadseemedresolvedoninvestigatingthemselves；andthen，whenitwasabsolutelynecessarythatMrUmblebyshouldgo，therewasnothingforhimleftbuttofallintothereadyhandsofMessrsGumption，GazebeeandGazebee。
ItmustnotbesupposedthatMessrsGumption，GazebeeandGazebeewereintheleastliketheordinaryrunofattorneys。Theywrotenolettersforsix-and-eightpenceeach：theycollectednodebts，filednobills，madenochargeperfoliofor"whereases"and"asaforesaids"；theydidnodirtywork，andprobablywereasignorantoftheinteriorofacourtoflawasanyyoungladylivingintheirMayfairvicinity。No；theirbusinesswastomanagethepropertyofgreatpeople，drawupleases，makelegalassignments，getthefamilymarriagesettlementsmade，andlookafterwills。Occasionally，also，theyhadtoraisemoney；butitwasgenerallyunderstoodthatthiswasdonebyproxy。
Thefirmhadbeengoingonforahundredandfiftyyears，andthedesignationhadoftenbeenaltered；butitalwaysconsistedofGumptionsandGazebeesdifferentlyarranged，andnolesshallowednameshadeverbeenpermittedtoappear。IthadbeenGazebee，GazebeeandGumption；
thenGazebeeandGumption；thenGazebee，GumptionandGumption；thenGumption，GumptionandGazebee；andnowitwasGumption，GazebeeandGazebee。
MrGazebee，thejuniormemberofthisfirm，wasaveryelegantyoungman。WhilelookingathimridinginRottenRow，youwouldhardlyhavetakenhimforanattorney；andhadheheardthatyouhadsotakenhim，hewouldhavebeenverymuchsurprisedindeed。Hewasratherbald；notbeing，aspeoplesay，quitesoyoungashewasonce。Hisexactagewasthirty-eight。Buthehadareallyremarkablepairofjet-blackwhiskers，whichfullymadeupforhisdeficiencyastohishead；hehadalsodarkeyes，andabeakednose，whatmaybecalledadistinguishedmouth，andwasalwaysdressedinfashionableattire。Thefactwas，thatMrMortimerGazebee，juniorpartnerinthefirmGumption，Gazebee，andGazebee，bynomeansconsideredhimselftobemadeofthatverydisagreeablematerialwhichmortalscallsmallbeer。
WhenthisgreatfirmwasappliedtogetMrGreshamthroughhisdifficulties，andwhenthestateofhisaffairswasmadeknowntothem，theyatfirstexpressedratheradisinclinationforthework。Butatlast，moveddoubtlessbytheirrespectfortheDeCourcyinterest，theyassented；andMrGazebee，junior，wentdowntoGreshamsbury。Thepoorsquirepassedmanyasaddayafterthatbeforeheagainfelthimselftobemasterevenofhisowndomain。