第14章
Nevertheless，whenMrMortimerGazebeevisitedGreshamsbury，whichhedidonmorethanoneortwooccasions，hewasalwaysreceivedengrandseigneur。ToLadyArabellahewasbynomeansanunwelcomeguest，forshefoundherselfable，forthefirsttimeinherlife，tospeakconfidentiallyonherhusband"specuniaryaffairswiththemanwhohadthemanagementofherhusband"sproperty。MrGazebeealsowasapetwithLadyDeCourcy；andbeingknowntobeafashionablemaninLondon，andquiteadifferentsortofpersonfrompoorMrUmbleby，hewasalwaysreceivedwithsmiles。Hehadahundredlittlewaysofmakinghimselfagreeable，andAugustadeclaredtohercousin，theLadyAmelia，afterhavingbeenacquaintedwithhimforafewmonths，thathewouldbeaperfectgentleman，only，thathisfamilyhadneverbeenanythingbutattorneys。TheLadyAmeliasmiledinherownpeculiarlyaristocraticway，shruggedhershouldersslightly，andsaid，"thatMrMortimerGazebeewasaverygoodsortofperson，very。"PoorAugustafeltherselfsnubbed，thinkingperhapsofthetailor"sson；butastherewasneveranyappealagainsttheLadyAmelia，shesaidnothingmoreatthatmomentinfavourofMrMortimerGazebee。
Alltheseevils——MrMortimerGazebeebeingtheworstofthem——hadSirLouisScatcherdbroughtdownonthepoorsquire"shead。Theremaybethosewhowillsaythatthesquirehadbroughtthemonhimself，byrunningintodebt；andso，doubtless，hehad；butitwasnotthelesstruethatthebaronet"sinterferencewasunnecessary，vexatious，andonemightalmostsay，malicious。Hisinterestwouldhavebeenquitesafeinthedoctor"shands，andhehad，infact，nolegalrighttomeddle；butneitherthedoctornorthesquirecouldpreventhim。MrFinnieknewverywellwhathewasabout，ifSirLouisdidnot；andsothethreewenton，eachwithhisownlawyer，andeachofthemdistrustful，unhappy，andillatease。Thiswasharduponthedoctor，forhewasnotindebt，andhadborrowednomoney。
TherewasnotmuchreasontosupposethatthevisitofSirLouistoGreshamsburywouldmuchimprovematters。Itmustbepresumedthathewasnotcomingwithanyamicableviews，butwiththeobjectratheroflookingafterhisown；aphrasewhichwasnowconstantlyinhismouth。
HemightprobablyfinditnecessarywhilelookingafterhisownatGreshamsbury，tosaysomeverydisagreeablethingstothesquire；andthedoctor，therefore，hardlyexpectedthatthevisitwouldgooffpleasantly。
WhenlasthesawSirLouis，nownearlytwelvemonthssince，hewasintentonmakingaproposalofmarriagetoMissThorne。ThisintentionhecarriedoutabouttwodaysafterFrankGreshamhaddonethesamething。HehaddelayeddoingsotillhehadsucceededinpurchasinghisfriendJenkins"sArabpony，imaginingthatsuchapresentcouldnotbutgofarinweaningMary"sheartfromherotherlover。PoorMarywasputtothetroubleofrefusingboththebaronetandthepony，andaverybadtimeshehadofitwhiledoingso。SirLouiswasamaneasilyangered，andnotveryeasilypacified，andMaryhadtoendureagooddealofannoyance；fromanyotherperson，indeed，shewouldhavecalleditimpertinence。SirLouis，however，hadtobearhisrejectionasbesthecould，and，afteraperseveranceofthreedays，returnedtoLondonindisgust；andMaryhadnotseenhimsince。
MrGreyson"sfirstletterwasfollowedbyasecond；andthesecondwasfollowedbythebaronetinperson。Healsorequiredtobereceivedengrandseigneur，perhapsmoreimperativelythanMrMortimerGazebeehimself。HecamewithfourpostersfromtheBarchesterStation，andhadhimselfrattleduptothedoctor"sdoorinawaythattookthebreathawayfromallGreshamsbury。Why！thesquirehimselfforamanylongyearhadbeencontentedtocomehomewithapairofhorses；andfourwereneverseenintheplace，exceptwhentheDeCourcyscametoGreshamsbury，orLadyArabella，withallherdaughtersreturnedfromherhard-foughtmetropolitancampaigns。
SirLouis，however，camewithfour，andveryarrogantlooked，leaningbackinthebarouchebelongingtotheGeorgeandDragon，andwrappedupinfur，althoughitwasnowmidsummer。Andupinthedickybehindwasaservant，morearrogant，ifpossible，thanhismaster——thebaronet"sownman，whowastheobjectofDrThorne"sspecialdetestationanddisgust。
Hewasalittlefellow，chosenoriginallyonaccountofhislightweightonhorseback；butifthatmaybeconsideredamerit，itwastheonlyonehehad。Hisout-doorshowdresswasalittletightfrock-coat，roundwhichapolishedstrapwasalwaysbuckledtightly，astiffwhitechoker，leatherbreeches，top-boots，andahat，withacockade，stuckononesideofhishead。HisnamewasJonah，whichhismasterandhismaster"sfriendsshortenedtoJoe；none，however，butthosewhowereveryintimatewithhismasterwereallowedtodosowithimpunity。
ThisJoewasDrThorne"sspecialaversion。InhisanxietytotakeeverypossiblesteptokeepSirLouisfrompoisoninghimself，hehadatfirstattemptedtoenlistthebaronet"s"ownman"inthecause。Joehadpromisedfairly，buthadbetrayedthedoctoratonce，andhadbecometheworstinstrumentofhismaster"sdissipation。When，therefore，hishatandthecockadewereseen，asthecarriagedasheduptothedoor，thedoctor"scontentmentwasbynomeansincreased。
SirLouiswasnowtwenty-threeyearsold，andwasagreatdealtooknowingtoallowhimselftobekeptunderthedoctor"sthumb。Ithad，indeed，becomehisplantorebelagainsthisguardianinalmosteverything。Hehadatfirstbeendecentlysubmissive，withtheviewofobtainingincreasedsuppliesofreadymoney；buthehadbeensharpenoughtoperceivethat，lethisconductbewhatitwould，thedoctorwouldkeephimoutofdebt；butthatthedoingsotooksolargeasumthathecouldnothopeforanyfurtheradvances。InthisrespectSirLouiswasperhapsmorekeen-wittedthanDrThorne。
Mary，whenshesawthecarriage，atonceranuptoherownbedroom。Thedoctor，whohadbeenwithherinthedrawing-room，wentdowntomeethisward，butassoonashesawthecockadehedartedalmostinvoluntarilyintohisshopandshutthedoor。Thisprotection，however，lastedonlyforamoment；hefeltthatdecencyrequiredhimtomeethisguest，andsohewentforthandfacedtheenemy。
"Isay，"saidJoe，speakingtoJanet，whostoodcurtsyingatthegate，withBridget，theothermaid，behindher，"Isay，arethereanychapsabouttheplacetotakethethings——eh？come，looksharphere。"
Itsohappenedthatthedoctor"sgroomwasnotonthespot，and"otherchaps"thedoctorhadnone。
"Takethosethings，Bridget，"hesaid，comingforwardandofferinghishandtothebaronet。SirLouis，whenhesawhishost，rousedhimselfslowlyfromthebackofhiscarriage。"Howdo，doctor？"saidhe。"Whatterriblebadroadsyouhavehere！and，uponmyword，it"sascoldaswinter："and，sosaying，heslowlyproceededtodescend。
SirLouiswasayearolderthanwhenwelastsawhim，and，inhisgeneration，ayearwiser。Hehadthenbeensomewhathumblebeforethedoctor；butnowhewasdeterminedtolethisguardianseethatheknewhowtoactthebaronet；thathehadacquiredthemannersofagreatman；
andthathewasnottobeputupon。HehadlearntsomelessonsfromJenkinsinLondon，andotherfriendsofthesamesort，andhewasabouttoprofitbythem。
Thedoctorshowedhimtohisroom，andthenproceededtoaskafterhishealth。"Oh，I"mrightenough，"saidSirLouis。"Youmustn"tbelieveallthatfellowGreysontellsyou：hewantsmetotakesaltsandsenna，opodeldoc，andallthatsortofstuff；looksafterhisbill，youknow——eh？likealltherestofyou。ButIwon"thaveit；——notatanyprice；andthenhewritestoyou。"
"I"mgladtoseeyouareabletotravel，"saidDrThorne，whocouldnotforcehimselftotellhisguestthathewasgladtoseehimatGreshamsbury。
"Oh，travel；yes，Icantravelwellenough。ButIwishyouhadsomebettersortoftrapdowninthesecountryparts。I"mshakentobits。
And，doctor，wouldyoutellyourpeopletosendthatfellowofmineupherewithhotwater。
Sodismissed，thedoctorwenthisway，andmetJoeswaggeringinoneofthepassages，whileJanetandhercolleaguedraggedalongbetweenthemaheavyarticleofbaggage。
"Janet，"saidhe，"godownstairsandgetSirLouissomehotwater，andJoe，doyoutakeholdofyourmaster"sportmanteau。"
Joesulkilydidashewasbid。"Seemstome，"saidhe，turningtothegirl，andspeakingbeforethedoctorwasoutofhearing，"seemstome，mydear，youberathershort-handedhere；lotsofworkandnothingtoget；that"sabouttheticket，ain"tit？"Bridgetwastoodemurelymodesttomakeanyansweruponsoshortanacquaintance；so，puttingherendoftheburdendownatthestrangegentleman"sdoor，sheretreatedintothekitchen。
SirLouisinanswertothedoctor"sinquiries，haddeclaredhimselftobeallright；buthisappearancewasanythingbutallright。Twelvemonthssince，alifeofdissipation，orrather，perhaps，alifeofdrinking，hadnothaduponhimsostronganeffectbutthatsomeofthesaltofyouthwasstillleft；someofthefreshnessofyoungyearsmightstillbeseeninhisface。Butthiswasnowallgone；hiseyesweresunkenandwatery，hischeekswerehollowandwan，hismouthwasdrawnandhislipsdry；hisbackwasevenbent，andhislegswereunsteadyunderhim，sothathehadbeenforcedtostepdownfromhiscarriageasanoldmanwoulddo。Alas，alas！hehadnofurtherchancenowofeverbeingallrightagain。
Maryhadsecludedherselfinherbedroomassoonasthecarriagehaddrivenuptothedoor，andtheresheremainedtilldinner-time。Butshecouldnotshutherselfupaltogether。Itwouldbenecessarythatsheshouldappearatdinner；and，therefore，afewminutesbeforethehour，shecreptoutintothedrawing-room。Assheopenedthedoor，shelookedintimidly，expectingSirLouistobethere；butwhenshesawthatherunclewastheonlyoccupantoftheroom，herbrowcleared，andsheenteredwithaquickstep。
"He"llcomedowntodinner；won"the，uncle？"
"Oh，Isupposeso。"
"What"shedoingnow？"
"Dressing，Isuppose；he"sbeenatthishour。"
"But，uncle——"
"Well？"
"Willhecomeupafterdinner，doyouthink？"
Maryspokeofhimasthoughheweresomewildbeast，whomheruncleinsistedonhavinginhishouse。
"Goodnessknowswhathewilldo！Comeup？Yes。Hewillnotstayinthedining-roomallnight。"
"But，dearuncle，dobeserious。"
"Serious！"
"Yes；serious。Don"tyouthinkthatImightgotobed，insteadofwaiting？"
Thedoctorwassavedthetroubleofansweringbytheentranceofthebaronet。Hewasdressedinwhatheconsideredthemostfashionablestyleoftheday。Hehadonanewdress-coatlinedwithsatin，newdress-trousers，asilkwaistcoatcoveredwithchains，awhitecravat，polishedpumps，andsilkstockings，andhecarriedascentedhandkerchiefinhishand；hehadringsonhisfingers，andcarbunclestudsinhisshirt，andhesmeltassweetaspatchoulicouldmakehim。
Buthecouldhardlydomorethanshuffleintotheroom，andseemedalmosttodragoneofhislegsbehindhim。
Mary，inspiteofheraversion，wasshockedanddistressedwhenshesawhim。He，however，seemedtothinkhimselfperfect，andwasnowhitabashedbytheunfavourablereceptionwhichtwelvemonthssincehadbeenpaidtohissuit。Marycameupandshookhandswithhim，andhereceivedherwithacomplimentwhichnodoubthethoughtmustbeacceptable。
"Uponmyword，MissThorne，everyplaceseemstoagreewithyou；onebetterthananother。YouwerelookingcharmingatBoxallHill；but，uponmyword，charmingisn"thalfstrongenoughnow。"
Marysatdownquietly，andthedoctorassumedafaceofunutterabledisgust。Thiswasthecreatureforwhomallhissympathieshadbeendemanded，allhisbestenergiesputinrequisition；onwhosebehalfhewastoquarrelwithhisoldestfriends，losehispeaceandquietnessoflife，andexerciseallthefunctionsofalovingfriend！Thiswashisself-invitedguest，whomhewasboundtofoster，andwhomhecouldnotturnfromhisdoor。
Thedinnercame，andMaryhadtoputherhanduponhisarm。Shecertainlydidnotleanuponhim，andonceortwicefeltinclinedtogivehimsomesupport。Theyreachedthedining-room，however，thedoctorfollowingthem，andthensatdown，Janetwaitingintheroom，aswasusual。
"Isay，doctor，"saidthebaronet，"hadn"tmymanbettercomeinandhelp？He"sgotnothingtodo，youknow。Weshouldbemorecosy，shouldn"twe？"
"Janetwillmanageprettywell，"saidthedoctor。
"Oh，you"dbetterhaveJoe；there"snothinglikeagoodservantattable。Isay，Janet，justsendthatfellowin，willyou？"
"Weshalldoverywellwithouthim，"saidthedoctor，becomingratherredaboutthecheek-bones，andwithaslightgleamofdeterminationabouttheeye。Janet，whosawhowmattersstood，madenoattempttoobeythebaronet"sorder。
"Oh，nonsense，doctor；youthinkhe"sanuppishsortoffellow，Iknow，andyoudon"tliketotroublehim；butwhenI"mnearhim，he"sallright；justsendhimin，willyou？"
"SirLouis，"saidthedoctor，"I"maccustomedtononebutmyownoldwomanhereinmyownhouse，andifyouwillallowme，I"llkeepmyoldways。Ishallbesorryifyouarenotcomfortable。"Thebaronetsaidnothingmore，andthedinnerpassedoffslowlyandwearilyenough。
WhenMaryhadeatenherfruitandescaped，thedoctorgotintoonearm-chairandthebaronetintoanother，andthelatterbegantheonlyworkofexistenceofwhichheknewanything。
"That"sgoodport，"saidhe；"veryfairport。"
Thedoctorlovedhisportwine，andthawedalittleinhismanner。Heloveditnotasatoper，butasacollectorloveshispetpictures。Helikedtotalkaboutit，andthinkaboutit；topraiseit，andhearitpraised；tolookatitturnedtowardsthelight，andtocountovertheyearsithadlaininhiscellar。
"Yes，"saidhe，"it"sprettyfairwine。Itwas，atleast，whenIgotit，twentyyearsago，andIdon"tsupposetimehashurtit；"andheheldtheglassuptothewindow，andlookedattheeveninglightthroughtherosytintoftheliquid。"Ah，dear，there"snotmuchofitleft；more"sthepity。"
"Agoodthingwon"tlastforever。I"lltellyouwhatnow；IwishIhadbroughtdownadozenortwoofclaret。I"vesomeprimestuffinLondon；
gotitfromMuzzleandDrug，atninety-sixshillings；itwasagreatfavour，though。I"lltellyouwhatnow，I"llsendupforacoupleofdozento-morrow。Imustn"tdrinkyououtofthehouse，highanddry；
mustI，doctor？"
Thedoctorfrozeimmediately。
"Idon"tthinkIneedtroubleyou，"saidhe；"Ineverdrinkclaret，atleastnothere；andthere"senoughoftheoldbinlefttolastsomelittletimelongeryet。"
SirLouisdranktwoorthreeglassesofwineveryquicklyaftereachother，andtheyimmediatelybegantotelluponhisweakstomach。Butbeforehewastipsy，hebecamemoreimpudentandmoredisagreeable。
"Doctor，"saidhe，"whenarewegoingtoseeanyofthisGreshamsburymoney？That"swhatIwanttoknow。"
"Yourmoneyisquitesafe，SirLouis；andtheinterestispaidtotheday。"
"Interestyes；buthowdoIknowhowlongitwillbepaid？Ishouldliketoseetheprincipal。Ahundredthousandpounds，orsomethinglikeit，isapreciouslargestaketohaveinoneman"shands，andheispreciouslyharduphimself。I"lltellyouwhat，doctor——Ishalllookthesquireupmyself。"
"Lookhimup？"
"Yes；lookhimup；ferrethimout；tellhimabitofmymind。I"llthankyoutopassthebottle。D——medoctor；Imeantoknowhowthingsaregoingon。"
"Yourmoneyisquitesafe，"repeatedthedoctor，"and，tomymind，couldnotbebetterinvested。"
"That"sallverywell；d——wellIdaresay，foryouandSquireGresham——"
"Whatdoyoumean，SirLouis？"
"Mean！whyImeanthatI"llsellthesquireup；that"swhatI
mean——hallo——begpardon。I"mblessedifIhaven"tbrokenthewater-jug。
Thatcomesofhavingwateronthetable。Oh，d——me，it"salloverme。"Andthen，gettingup，toavoidthefloodhehimselfhadcaused，henearlyfellintothedoctor"sarms。
"You"retiredwithyourjourney，SirLouis；perhapsyou"dbettergotobed。"
"Well，Iamabitseedyorso。Thosecursedroadsofyoursshakeafellowso。"
Thedoctorrangthebell，and，onthisoccasion，didrequestthatJoemightbesentfor。Joecamein，and，thoughhewasmuchsteadierthanhismaster，lookedasthoughhealsohadfoundsomebinofwhichhehadapproved。
"SirLouiswishestogotobed，"saidthedoctor；"youhadbettergivehimyourarm。"
"Oh，yes；incourseIwill，"saidJoe，standingimmoveableabouthalf-waybetweenthedoorandthetable。
"I"lljusttakeonemoreglassoftheoldport——eh，doctor？"saidSirLouis，puttingouthishandandclutchingthedecanter。
Itisveryhardforanymantodenyhisguestinhisownhouse，andthedoctor，atthemoment，didnotknowhowtodoit；soSirLouisgothiswine，afterpouringhalfofitoverthetable。
"Comein，sir，andgiveSirLouisyourarm，"saidthedoctor，angrily。
"SoIwillincourse，ifmymastertellsme；but，ifyouplease，DrThorne——"andJoeputhishanduptohishairinamannerthatagreatdealmoreimpudencethanreverenceinit——"Ijustwanttoaxonequestion；wherebeItosleep？"
Nowthiswasaquestionwhichthedoctorwasnotpreparedtoansweronthespurofthemoment，howeverwellJanetorMarymighthavebeenabletodoso。
"Sleep，"saidhe，"Idon"tknowwhereyouaretosleep，anddon"tcare；
askJanet。"
"That"sallverywell，master——"
"Holdyourtongue，sirrah！"saidSirLouis。"Whatthedevildoyouwantofsleep？——comehere，"andthen，withhisservant"shelp，hemadehiswayuptohisbedroom，andwasnomoreheardofthatnight。
"Didhegettipsy，"askedMary，almostinawhisper，whenherunclejoinedherinthedrawing-room。
"Don"ttalkofit，"saidhe。"Poorwretch！poorwretch！Let"shavesometeanow，Molly，andpraydon"ttalkanymoreabouthimto-night。"
ThenMarydidmakethetea，anddidnottalkanymoreaboutSirLouisthatnight。
Whatonearthweretheytodowithhim？Hehadcomethereself-invited；
buthisconnexionwiththedoctorwassuch，thatitwasimpossibleheshouldbetoldtogoaway，eitherhehimself，orthatservantofhis。
Therewasnoreasontodisbelievehimwhenhedeclaredthathehadcomedowntoferretoutthesquire。Suchwas，doubtless，hisintention。Hewouldferretoutthesquire。PerhapshemightferretoutLadyArabellaalso。Frankwouldbehomeinafewdays；andhe，too，mightbeferretedout。
Butthemattertookaverysingularturn，andonequiteunexpectedonthedoctor"spart。Onthemorningfollowingthelittledinnerofwhichwehavespoken，oneoftheGreshamsburygroomsrodeuptothedoctor"sdoorwithtwonotes。Onewasaddressedtothedoctorinthesquire"swell-knownlargehandwriting，andtheotherwasforSirLouis。Eachcontainedaninvitationdodinnerforthefollowingday；andthattothedoctorwasinthiswise：-
"DEARDOCTOR，Docomeanddinehereto-morrow，andbringSirLouisScatcherdwithyou。
Ifyou"rethemanItakeyoutobe，youwon"trefuseme。LadyArabellasendsanoteforSirLouis。TherewillbenobodyherebutOriel，andMrGazebee，who"sstayinginthehouse。
"Yoursever，F。N。GRESHAM"
"PS——Imakeapositiverequestthatyou"llcome，andIthinkyouwillhardlyrefuseme。"
Thedoctorreadittwicebeforehecouldbelieveit，andthenorderedJanettotaketheothernoteuptoSirLouis。AstheseinvitationswereratherinoppositiontothethenexistingGreshamsburytactics，thecauseofLadyArabella"sspecialcivilitymustbeexplained。
MrMortimerGazebeewasnowatthehouse，andtherefore，itmustbepresumed，thatthingswerenotallowedtogoonaftertheiroldfashion。
MrGazebeewasanacuteaswellasfashionableman；onewhoknewwhathewasabout，andwho，moreover，haddeterminedtogivehisverybesteffortsonbehalfoftheGreshamsburyproperty。Hisenergy，inthisrespect，willexplainitselfhereafter。ItwasnotprobablethatthearrivalinthevillageofsuchapersonasSirLouisScatcherdshouldescapeattention。Hehadheardofitbeforedinner，and，beforetheeveningwasover，haddiscusseditwithLadyArabella。
HerladyshipwasnotatfirstinclinedtomakemuchofSirLouis，andexpressedherselfasbutlittleinclinedtoagreewithMrGazebeewhenthatgentlemansuggestedthatheshouldbetreatedwithcivilityatGreshamsbury。Butshewasatlasttalkedover。ShefounditpleasantenoughtohavemoretodowiththesecretmanagementoftheestatethanMrGreshamhimself；andwhenMrGazebeeprovedtoher，bysundrynodsandwinks，andsubtleallusionstoherowninfinitegoodsense，thatitwasnecessarytocatchthisobscenebirdwhichhadcometopreyupontheestate，bythrowingalittlesaltuponhistail，shealsonoddedandwinked，anddirectedAugustatopreparethesaltaccordingtoorder。
"Butwon"titbeodd，MrGazebee，askinghimoutofDrThorne"shouse？"
"Oh，wemusthavethedoctor，too，LadyArabella；byallmeansaskthedoctoralso。"
LadyArabella"sbrowgrewdark。"MrGazebee，"shesaid，"youcanhardlybelievehowthatmanhasbehavedtome。"
"Heisaltogetherbeneathyouranger，"saidMrGazebee，withabow。
"Idon"tknow：inonewayhemaybe，butnotinanother。IreallydonotthinkIcansitdowntotablewithDoctorThorne。"
But，nevertheless，MrGazebeegainedhispoint。ItwasnowaboutaweeksinceSirOmicronPiehadbeenatGreshamsbury，andthesquirehad，almostdaily，spokentohiswifeastothatlearnedman"sadvice。LadyArabellaalwaysansweredinthesametone："Youcanhardlyknow，MrGresham，howthatmanhasinsultedme。"But，nevertheless，thephysician"sadvicehadnotbeendisbelieved：ittalliedtoowellwithherowninwardconvictions。ShewasanxiousenoughtohaveDoctorThornebackatherbedside，ifshecouldonlygethimtherewithoutdamagetoherpride。Herhusband，shethought，mightprobablysendthedoctortherewithoutabsolutepermissionfromherself；inwhichcaseshewouldhavebeenabletoscold，andshowthatshewasoffended；and，atthesametime，profitbywhathadbeendone。ButMrGreshamneverthoughtoftakingsoviolentastepasthis，and，therefore，DrFillgravestillcame，andherladyship"sfinessewaswastedinvain。
ButMrGazebee"spropositionopenedadoorbywhichherpointmightbegained。"Well，"saidshe，atlast，withinfiniteself-denial，"ifyouthinkitisforMrGresham"sadvantage，andifhechoosestoaskDrThorne，Iwillnotrefusetoreceivehim。"
MrGazebee"snexttaskwastodiscussthematterwiththesquire。Norwasthiseasy，forMrGazebeewasnofavouritewithMrGresham。Butthetaskwasatlastperformedsuccessfully。MrGreshamwassogladathearttofindhimselfable，oncemore，toaskhisoldfriendtohisownhouse；
and，thoughitwouldhavepleasedhimbetterthatthissignofrelentingonhiswife"spartshouldhavereachedhimbyothermeans，hedidnotrefusetotakeadvantageofit；andsohewrotetheabovelettertoDrThorne。
Thedoctor，aswehavesaid，readittwice；andheatonceresolvedstoutlythathewouldnotgo。
"Oh，do，do，dogo！"saidMary。Shewellknewhowwretchedthisfeudhadmadeheruncle。"Pray，praygo！"
"Indeed，Iwillnot，"saidhe。"Therearesomethingsamanshouldbear，andsomeheshouldnot。"
"Youmustgo，"saidMary，whohadtakenthenotefromheruncle"shand，andreadit。"Youcannotrefusehimwhenheasksyoulikethat。"
"Itwillgreatlygrieveme；butImustrefusehim。"
"Ialsoamangry，uncle；veryangrywithLadyArabella；butforhim，forthesquire，Iwouldgotohimonmykneesifheaskedmeinthatway。"
"Yes；andhadheaskedyou，Ialsowouldhavegone。"
"Oh！nowIshallbesowretched。Itishisinvitation，nothers：MrGreshamcouldnotaskme。Asforher，donotthinkofher；butdo，dogowhenheasksyoulikethat。Youwillmakemesomiserableifyoudonot。
AndthenSirLouiscannotgowithoutyou，"——andMarypointedupstairs——"andyoumaybesurethathewillgo。"
"Yes；andmakeabeastofhimself。"
ThiscolloquywascutshortbyamessageprayingthedoctortogouptoSirLouis"sroom。Theyoungmanwassittinginhisdressing-gown，drinkingacupofcoffeeathistoilet-table，whileJoewaspreparinghisrazorandhotwater。Thedoctor"snoseimmediatelytoldhimthattherewasmoreinthecoffee-cupthanhadcomeoutofhisownkitchen，andhewouldnotlettheoffencepassunnoticed。
"Areyoutakingbrandythismorning，SirLouis？"
"Justalittlechasse-cafe，"saidhe，notexactlyunderstandingthewordheused。"It"sallthegonow；andacapitalthingforthestomach。"
"It"snotacapitalthingforyourstomach；——abouttheleastcapitalthingyoucantake；thatis，ifyouwishtolive。"
"Nevermindaboutthatnow，doctor，butlookhere。Thisiswhatwecallthecivilthing——eh？"andheshowedtheGreshamsburynote。"Notbutthattheyhaveanobject，ofcourse。Iunderstandallthat。Lotsofgirlsthere——eh？"
Thedoctortookthenoteandreadit。"Itiscivil，"saidhe；"verycivil。"
"Well；Ishallgo，ofcourse。Idon"tbearmalicebecausehecan"tpaymethemoneyheowesme。I"lleathisdinner，andlookatthegirls。
Haveyouaninvitetoo，doctor？"
"Yes；Ihave。"
"Andyou"llgo？"
"Ithinknot；butthatneednotdeteryou。But，SirLouis——"
"Well！eh！whatisit？"
"Stepdownstairsamoment，"saidthedoctor，turningtotheservant，"andwaittillyouarecalledfor。Iwishtospeaktoyourmaster。"Joe，foramoment，lookedupatthebaronet"sface，asthoughhewantedbuttheslightestencouragementtodisobeythedoctor"sorders；butnotseeingit，heslowlyretired，andplacedhimself，ofcourse，atthekeyhole。
Andthen，thedoctorbeganalongandveryuselesslecture。ThefirstobjectofitwastoinducehiswardnottogetdrunkatGreshamsbury；
buthavinggotsofar，hewenton，anddidsucceedinfrighteninghisunhappyguest。SirLouisdidnotpossesstheironnervesofhisfather——nerveswhichevenbrandyhadnotbeenabletosubdue。Thedoctorspoke，strongly，verystrongly；spokeofquick，almostimmediatedeathincaseoffurtherexcesses；spoketohimofthecertaintytherewouldbethathecouldnotlivetodisposeofhisownpropertyifhecouldnotrefrain。AndthushedidfrightenSirLouis。Thefatherhehadneverbeenabletofrighten。Buttherearemenwho，thoughtheyfeardeathhugely，fearpresentsufferingmore；who，indeed，willnotbearamomentofpainiftherebyanymodeofescape。SirLouiswassuch：hehadnostrengthofnerve，nocourage，noabilitytomakearesolutionandkeepit。Hepromisedthedoctorthathewouldrefrain；and，ashedidso，heswalloweddownhiscupofcoffeeandbrandy，inwhichthetwoarticlesboreaboutequalproportions。
Thedoctordid，atlast，makeuphismindtogo。Whicheverwayhedetermined，hefoundthathewasnotcontentedwithhimself。HedidnotliketotrustSirLouisbyhimself，andhedidnotliketoshowthathewasangry。StilllessdidheliketheideaofbreakingbreadinLadyArabella"shousetillsomeamendshadbeenmadetoMary。Buthisheartwouldnotallowhimtorefusethepetitioncontainedinthesquire"spostscript，andthematterendedinhisacceptingtheinvitation。
Thisvisitofhisward"swas，ineveryway，pernicioustothedoctor。Hecouldnotgoabouthisbusiness，fearingtoleavesuchamanalonewithMary。Ontheafternoonofthesecondday，sheescapedtotheparsonageforanhourorso，andthen，walkedawayamongthelanes，callingonsomeofheroldfriendsamongthefarmers"wives。Buteventhen，thedoctorwasafraidtoleaveSirLouis。Whatcouldsuchamando，leftaloneinavillagelikeGreshamsbury？Sohestayedathome，andthetwotogetherwentovertheiraccounts。Thebaronetwasparticularabouthisaccounts，andsaidagooddealastohavingFinnieovertoGreshamsbury。
Tothis，however，DrThornepositivelyrefusedhisconsent。
Theeveningpassedoffbetterthantheprecedingone；atleasttheearlypartofit。SirLouisdidnotgettipsy；hecameuptotea，andMary，whodidnotfeelsokeenlyonthesubjectasheruncle，almostwishedthathehaddoneso。Atteno"clockhewenttobed。
Butafterthatnewtroublescameon。Thedoctorhadgonedownstairsintohisstudytomakeupsomeofthetimewhichhehadlost，andhadjustseatedhimselfathisdesk，whenJanet，withoutannouncingherself，burstintotheroom；andBridget，dissolvedinhystericaltears，withheraprontohereyes，appearedbehindtheseniordomestic。
"Please，sir，"saidJanet，drivenbyexcitementmuchbeyondherusualplaceofspeaking，andbecomingunintentionallyalittlelessrespectfulthanusual，"pleasesir，that"ereyoungmanmustgooutofthisherehouse；orelsenorespectableyoung"oomancan"tstophere；no，indeed，sir；andwebesorrytotroubleyou，DrThorne；sowebe。"
"Whatyoungman？SirLouis？"askedthedoctor。
"Man！"sobbedBridgetfrombehind。"Hean"tnoman，nonothinglikeaman。IfTummashadbeenhere，hewouldn"thavedared；sohewouldn"t。"
Thomaswasthegroom，and，ifallGreshamsburyreportsweretrue，itwasprobable，thatonsomehappy，futureday，ThomasandBridgetwouldbecomeonefleshandonebone。
"Pleasesir，"continuedJanet，"there"llbebadworkhereifthere"ereyoungmandoesn"tquitthisherehousethisverynight，andI"msorrytotroubleyou，doctor；andsoIam。ButTom，hebegiventofighta"mostfornothin"。He"soutnow；butifthatthereyoungmanbe"sherewhenTomcomeshome，Tomwillbepunchinghishead；Iknowhewill。"
"Hewouldn"tstandbyandseeapoorgirlputupon；nomorehewouldn"t，"saidBridget，throughhertears。
Aftermanyfutileinquiries，thedoctorascertainedthatMrJonahhadexpressedsomeadmirationforBridget"syouthfulcharms，andhad，intheabsenceofJanet，thrownhimselfatthelady"sfeetinamannerwhichhadnotbeenaltogetherpleasingtoher。Shehaddefendedherselfstoutlyandloudly，andinthemiddleoftherowJanethadcomedown。
"Andwhereishenow？"saidthedoctor。
"Why，sir，"saidJanet，"thepoorgirlwassoputaboutthatshedidgivehimonetouchacrossthefacewiththerolling-pin，andhebeallbloodynow，inthebackkitchen。"Athearingthisachievementofhersthusspokenof，Bridgetsobbedmorehystericallythanever；butthedoctor，lookingatherarmassheheldheraprontoherface，thoughtinhisheartthatJoemusthavehadsomuchtheworstofit，thattherecouldbenopossibleneedfortheinterferenceofThomasthegroom。
Andsuchturnedouttobethecase。ThebridgeofJoe"snosewasbroken；andthedoctorhadtosetitforhiminalittlebedroomatthevillagepublic-house，Bridgethavingpositivelyrefusedtogotobedinthesamehousewithsodreadfulacharacter。
"Quietnow，orI"llbeservingtheethesameway；theeseeI"vefoundthetrickofit。"Thedoctorcouldnotbuthearsomuchashemadeintohisownhousebythebackdoor，afterfinishinghissurgicaloperation。
Bridgetwasrecountingtoherchampionthefracasthathadoccurred；andhe，aswassonatural，wasexpressinghisadmirationforhervalour。
CHAPTERXXXV
SIRLOUISGOESOUTTODINNER
ThenextdayJoedidnotmakehisappearance，andSirLouiswithmanyexecrations，wasdriventotheterriblenecessityofdressinghimself。
Thencameanunexpecteddifficulty：howweretheytogetuptothehouse？Walkingouttodinner，thoughitwasmerelythroughthevillageanduptheavenueseemedtoSirLouistobeathingimpossible。Indeed，hewasnotwellabletowalkatall，andpositivelydeclaredthatheshouldneverbeabletomakehiswayoverthegravelinpumps。HismotherwouldnothavethoughthalfasmuchofwalkingfromBoxallHilltoGreshamsburyandbackagain。Atlast，theonevillageflywassentfor，andthematterwasarranged。
Whentheyreachedthehouse，itwaseasytoseethattherewassomeunwontedbustle。Inthedrawing-roomtherewasnoonebutMrMortimerGazebee，whointroducedhimselftothemboth。SirLouis，whoknewthathewasonlyanattorney，didnottakemuchnoticeofhim，butthedoctorenteredintoconversation。
"HaveyounotheardthatMrGreshamhascomehome？"
"MrGresham！Ididnotknowthathehadbeenaway。"
"MrGresham，junior，Imean。"No，indeed；thedoctorhadnotheard。
Frankhadreturnedunexpectedly，justbeforedinner，andwasnowundergoinghisfather"ssmiles，hismother"sembraces，andhissisters"
questions。
"Quiteunexpectedly，"saidMrGazebee。"Idon"tknowwhathasbroughthimbackbeforehistime。IsupposehefoundLondontoohot。"
"Deucedhot，"saidthebaronet。"Ifounditso，atleast。Idon"tknowwhatkeepsmeninLondonwhenit"ssohot；exceptthosefellowswhohavebusinesstodo：they"repaidforit。"
MrMortimerGazebeelookedathim。HewasmanaginganestatewhichowedSirLouisanenormoussumofmoney，and，therefore，hecouldnotaffordtodespisethebaronet；buthethoughttohimself，whataveryabjectfellowthemanwouldbeifhewerenotabaronet，andhadnotalargefortune！
Andthesquirecamein。Hisbroad，honestfacewascoveredwithasmilewhenhesawthedoctor。
"Thorne，"saidhe，almostinawhisper，"you"rethebestfellowbreathing；Ihavehardlydeservedthis。"Thedoctor，ashetookhisoldfriend"shand，couldnotbutbegladthathehadfollowedMary"scounsel。
"SoFrankhascomehome？"
"Oh，yes；quiteunexpectedly。HewastohavestayedaweeklongerinLondon。Youwouldhardlyknowhimifyoumethim。SirLouis，Ibegyourpardon。"Andthesquirewentuptohisotherguest，whohadremainedsomewhatsullenlystandinginonecorneroftheroom。Hewasthemanofhighestrankpresent，ortobepresent，andheexpectedtobetreatedassuch。
"Iamhappytohavethepleasureofmakingyouracquaintance，MrGresham，"saidthebaronet，intendingtobeverycourteous。"Thoughwehavenotmetbefore，Iveryoftenseeyournameinmyaccounts——ha！ha！
ha！"andSirLouislaughedasthoughhehadsaidsomethingverygood。
ThemeetingbetweenLadyArabellaandthedoctorwasratherdistressingtotheformer；butshemanagedtogetoverit。Sheshookhandswithhimgraciously，andsaidthatitwasafineday。Thedoctorsaidthatitwasfine，onlyperhapsalittlerainy。Andthentheywentintodifferentpartsoftheroom。
WhenFrankcamein，thedoctorhardlydidknowhim。Hishairwasdarkerthanithadbeen，andsowashiscomplexion；buthischiefdisguisewasinalongsilkenbeard，whichhungdownoverhiscravat。Thedoctorhadhithertonotbeenmuchinfavouroflongbeards，buthecouldnotdenythatFranklookedverywellwiththeappendage。
"Oh，doctor，Iamsodelightedtofindyouhere，"saidhe，cominguptohim；"sovery，veryglad："and，takingthedoctor"sarm，heledhimawayintoawindow，wheretheywerealone。"AndhowisMary？"saidhe，almostinawhisper。"Oh，Iwishshewerehere！But，doctor，itshallallcomeintime。Buttellme，doctor，thereisnonewsabouther，isthere？"
"News——whatnews？"
"Oh，well；nonewsisgoodnews：youwillgivehermylove，won"tyou？"
Thedoctorsaidthathewould。Whatelsecouldhesay？ItappearedquitecleartohimthatsomeofMary"sfearsweregroundless。
Frankwasagainverymuchaltered。Ithasbeensaid，thatthoughhewasaboyattwenty-one，hewasamanattwenty-two。Butnow，attwenty-three，heappearedtobealmostamanoftheworld。Hismannerswereeasy，hisvoiceunderhiscontrol，andwordswereathiscommand：
hewasnolongereithershyornoisy；but，perhaps，wasopentothechargeofseeming，atleast，tobetooconsciousofhisownmerits。Hewas，indeed，veryhandsome；tall，manly，andpowerfullybuilt，hisformwassuchaswomen"seyeshaveeverlovedtolookupon。"Ah，ifhewouldbutmarrymoney！"saidLadyArabellatoherself，takenupbyamother"snaturaladmirationforherson。Hissistersclungaroundhimbeforedinner，alltalkingtohimatonce。Howproudafamilyofgirlsareofone，big，tall，burlybrother！
"Youdon"tmeantotellme，Frank，thatyouaregoingtoeatsoupwiththatbeard？"saidthesquire，whentheywereseatedroundthetable。Hehadnotceasedtorallyhissonastothispatriarchaladornment；but，nevertheless，anyonecouldhaveseen，withhalfandeye，thathewasasproudofitasweretheothers。
"Don"tI，sir？AllIrequireisarelayofnapkinsforeverycourse；"
andhewenttowork，coveringitwitheveryspoonful，asmenwithbeardsalwaysdo。
"Well，ifyoulikeit！"saidthesquire，shrugginghisshoulders。
"ButIdolikeit，"saidFrank。
"Oh，papa，youwouldn"thavehimcutitoff，"saidoneofthetwins。"Itissohandsome。"
"Ishouldliketoworkitintoachair-backinsteadoffloss-silk，"saidtheothertwin。
"Thank"ee，Sophy；I"llrememberyouforthat。"
"Doesn"titlooknice，andgrand，andpatriarchal？"saidBeatrice，turningtoherneighbour。
"Patriarchal，certainly，"saidMrOriel。"IshouldgrowonemyselfifI
hadnotthefearofthearchbishopbeforemyeyes。"
Whatwasnextsaidtohimwasinawhisper，audibleonlytohimself。
"Doctor，didyouknowWildmanoftheNinth。HewasleftassurgeonatScutarifortwoyears。Why，mybeardtohisisonlyalittledown。"
"Alittlewaydown，youmean，"saidMrGazebee。
"Yes，"saidFrank，resolutelysetagainstlaughingatMrGazebee"spun。
"Why，hisbearddescendstohisankles，andheisobligedtotieitinabagatnight，becausehisfeetgetentangledinitwhenheisasleep！"
"Oh，Frank！"saidoneofthegirls。
Thiswasallverywellforthesquire，andLadyArabella，andthegirls。
TheywerealldelightedtopraiseFrank，andtalkabouthim。NeitherdiditcomeamisstoMrOrielandthedoctor，whohadbothapersonalinterestintheyounghero。ButSirLouisdidnotlikeitatall。Hewastheonlybaronetintheroom，andyetnobodytookanynoticeofhim。Hewasseatedinthepostofhonour，nexttoLadyArabella；butevenLadyArabellaseemedtothinkmoreofherownsonthanofhim。Seeinghewasill-used，hemeditatedrevenge；butnotthelessdiditbehovehimtomakesomeefforttoattractattention。
"WasyourladyshipinLondon，thisseason？"
LadyArabellahadnotbeeninLondonatallthisyear，anditwasasoresubjectwithher。"No，"saidshe，verygraciously；"circumstanceshavekeptusathome。"
"Ah，indeed！Iamverysorryforthat；thatmustbeverydistressingtoapersonlikeyourladyship。Butthingsaremending，perhaps？"
LadyArabelladidnotintheleastunderstandhim。"Mending！"shesaid，inherpeculiartoneofaristocraticindifference；andthenturnedtoMrGazebee，whowasontheothersideofher。
SirLouiswasnotgoingtostandthis。Hewasthefirstmanintheroom，andheknewhisownimportance。ItwasnottobebornethatLadyArabellashouldturntotalktoadirtyattorney，andleavehim，abaronet，toeathisdinnerwithoutnotice。Ifnothingelsewouldmoveher，hewouldletherknowwhowastherealowneroftheGreshamsburytitle-deeds。
"IthinkIsawyourladyshipoutto-day，takingaride，"LadyArabellahaddriventhroughthevillageinherpony-chair。
"Ineverride，"saidshe，turningherheadforonemomentfromMrGazebee。
"Intheone-horsecarriage，Imean，mylady。Iwasdelightedwiththewayyouwhippedhimuproundthecorner。"
Whippedhimuproundthecorner！LadyArabellacouldmakenoanswertothis；soshewentontalkingtoMrGazebee。SirLouis，repulsed，butnotvanquished-resolvednottobevanquishedbyanyLadyArabella——turnedhisattentiontohisplateforaminuteortwo，andthenrecommenced。
"Thehonourofaglassofwinewithyou，LadyArabella，"saidhe。"
"Inevertakewineatdinner，"saidLadyArabella。Themanwasbecomingintolerabletoher，andshewasbeginningtofearthatitwouldbenecessaryforhertoflytheroomtogetridofhim。
Thebaronetwasagainsilentforamoment；buthewasdeterminednottobeputdown。
"Thisisanice-lookingcountryabouther，"saidhe。
"Yes；verynice，"saidMrGazebee，endeavouringtorelievetheladyofthemansion。
"IhardlyknowwhichIlikebest；this，ormyownplaceatBoxallHill。
Youhavetheadvantagehereintrees，andthosesortofthings。But，astothehouse，why，myboxthereisverycomfortable，very。You"dhardlyknowtheplacenow，LadyArabella，ifyouhaven"tseenitsincemygovernorboughtit。Howmuchdoyouthinkhespentaboutthehouseandgrounds，pineriesincluded，youknow，andthosesortofthings。"
LadyArabellashookherhead。
"Nowguess，mylady，"saidhe。ButitwasnottobesupposedthatLadyArabellashouldguessonsuchasubject。
"Ineverguess，"saidshe，withalookofineffabledisgust。
"Whatdoyousay，MrGazebee？"
"Perhapsahundredthousandpounds。"
"What！forahouse！Youcan"tknowmuchaboutmoney，noryetaboutbuilding，Ithink，MrGazebee。"
"Notmuch，"saidMrGazebee，"astosuchmagnificentplacesasBoxallHill。"
"Well，mylady，ifyouwon"tguess，I"lltellyou。Itcosttwenty-twothousandfourhundredandnineteenpoundsfourshillingsandeightpence。
I"vealltheaccountsexact。Now，that"satidylotofmoneyforahouseforamantolivein。"
SirLouisspokethisinaloudtone，whichatleastcommandedtheattentionofthetable。LadyArabella，vanquished，bowedherhead，andsaidthatitwasalargesum；MrGazebeewentonsedulouslyeatinghisdinner；thesquirewasstruckmomentarilydumbinthemiddleofalongchatwiththedoctor；evenMrOrielceasedtowhisper；andthegirlsopenedtheireyeswithastonishment。Beforetheendofhisspeech，SirLouis"svoicehadbecomeveryloud。
"Yes，indeed，"saidFrank；"averytidylotofmoney。I"dhavegenerouslydroppedthefourandeightpenceifI"dbeenthearchitect。"
"Itwasn"tononebill；butthat"sthetot。Icanshowthebills；"andSirLouis，wellpleasedwithhistriumph，swallowedaglassofwine。
Almostimmediatelyaftertheclothwasremoved，LadyArabellaescaped，andthegentlemenclusteredtogether。SirLouisfoundhimselfnexttoMrOriel，andbegantomakehimselfagreeable。
"Averynicegirl，MissBeatrice；verynice。"
NowMrOrielwasamodestman，and，whenthusaddressedastohisfuturewife，founditdifficulttomakeanyreply。
"Youparsonsalwayshaveyourownluck，"saidSirLouis。"Yougetallthebeauty，andgenerallyallthemoney，too。Notmuchofthelatterinthiscase，though——eh？"
MrOrielwasdumbfounded。HehadneversaidawordanycreatureastoBeatrice"sdowry；andwhenMrGreshamhadtoldhim，withsorrow，thathisdaughter"sportionmustbesmall，hehadatoncepassedawayfromthesubjectasonethatwashardlyfitforconversation，evenbetweenhimandhisfuturefather-in-law；andnowhewasabruptlyquestionedonthesubjectbyamanhehadneverseenbeforeinhislife。Ofcourse，hecouldmakenoanswer。
"Thesquirehasmuddledhismattersmostuncommonly，"continuedSirLouis，fillinghisglassforthesecondtimebeforehepassedthebottle。"Whatdoyousupposenowheowesmealone；justatonelump，youknow？"
MrOrielhadnothingforitbuttorun。Hecouldmakenoanswer，norwouldhesittherefortidingsastoMrGresham"sembarrassments。Sohefairlyretreated，withouthavingsaidonewordtohisneighbour，findingsuchdiscretiontobetheonlykindofvalourlefttohim。
"What，Oriel！offalready？"saidthesquire。"Anythingthematter？"
"Oh，no；nothingparticular。I"mnotjustquite——IthinkIwillgooutforafewminutes。"
"Seewhatitistobeinlove，"saidthesquire，half-whisperingtoDrThorne。"You"renotinthesameway，Ihope？"
SirLouisthenshiftedhisseatagain，andfoundhimselfnexttoFrank。
MrGazebeewasoppositetohim，andthedoctoroppositetoFrank。
"Parsonseemspeekish，Ithink，"saidthebaronet。
"Peekish！？"saidthesquire，inquisitively。
"Ratherdownonhisluck。He"sdecentlywelloffhimself，isn"the？"
Therewasanotherpause，andnobodyseemedinclinedtoanswerthequestion。
"Imean，he"sgotsomethingmorethanhisbareliving。"
"Oh，yes，"saidFrank，laughing。"He"sgotwhatwillbuyhimbreadandcheesewhentheRadsshutuptheChurch：——unless，indeed，theyshutuptheFundstoo。"
"Ah，there"snothinglikeland，"saidSirLouis："nothinglikedirtyacres；isthere，squire？"
"Landisaverygoodinvestment，certainly，"saidtheMrGresham。
"Thebestgoing，"saidtheother，whowasnow，aspeoplesaywhentheymeantobegood-natured，slightlyundertheinfluenceofliquor。"Thebestgoing——eh，Gazebee？"
MrGazebeegatheredhimselfup，andturnedawayhishead，lookingoutofthewindow。
"Youlawyersneverliketogiveanopinionwithoutmoney，ha！ha！ha！Dothey，MrGresham？YouandIhavehadtopayforplentyofthem，andwillhavetopayplentymorebeforetheyletusalone。"
HereMrGazebeegotup，andfollowedMrOrieloutoftheroom。Hewasnot，ofcourse，onsuchintimatetermsinthehouseaswasMrOriel；buthehopedtobeforgivenbytheladiesinconsequenceoftheseverityofthemiseriestowhichhewassubjected。HeandMrOrielweresoontobeseenthroughthedining-roomwindow，walkingaboutthegroundswiththetwoeldestMissGreshams。AndPatienceOriel，whohadalsobeenoftheparty，wasalsotobeseenwiththetwins。Franklookedathisfatherwithalmostamalicioussmile，andbegantothinkthathetoomightbebetteremployedoutamongthewalks。Didhethinkthenofaformersummerevening，whenhehadhalfbrokenMary"sheartbywalkingtheretoolovinglywithPatienceOriel？
SirLouis，ifhecontinuedhisbrilliantcareerofsuccess，wouldsoonbeleftthecockofthewalk。Thesquire，tobesure，couldnotbolt，norcouldthedoctorverywell；buttheymightbeequallyvanquished，remainingthereintheirchairs。DrThorne，duringallthistime，wassittingwithtinglingears。Indeed，itmaybesaidthathiswholebodytingled。Hewasinamannerresponsibleforthishorriblescene；butwhatcouldhedotostopit？HecouldnottakeSirLouisupbodilyandcarryhimaway。Oneideadidoccurtohim。Theflyhadbeenorderedforteno"clock。Hecouldrushoutandsendforitinstantly。
"You"renotgoingtoleaveme？"saidthesquire，inavoiceofhorror，ashesawthedoctorrisingfromhischair。
"Oh，no，no，no，"saidthedoctor；andthenhewhisperedthepurposeofhismission。"Iwillbebackintwominutes。"Thedoctorwouldhavegiventwentypoundstohaveclosedthesceneatonce；buthewasnotthemantodeserthisfriendinsuchastraitasthat。
"He"sawell-meaningfellow，thedoctor，"saidSirLouis，whenhisguardianwasoutoftheroom，"very；buthe"snotuptotrap——notatall。"
"Uptotrap——well，Ishouldsayhewas；thatis，ifIknowwhattrapmeans，"saidFrank。
"Ah，butthat"sjusttheticket。Doyouknow？NowIsayDrThorne"snotamanoftheworld。"
"He"saboutthebestmanIknow，oreverheardof，"saidthesquire。
"Andifanymaneverhadagoodfriend，youhavegotoneinhim；andsohaveI："andthesquiresilentlydrankthedoctor"shealth。
"Allverytrue，Idaresay；butyethe"snotuptotrap。Nowlookhere，squire——"
"Ifyoudon"tmind，sir，"saidFrank，"I"vegotsomethingveryparticular——perhaps，however——"
"StaytillThornereturns，thanksFrank。"
FrankdidstaytillThornereturned，andthenescaped。
"Excuseme，doctor，"saidhe，"butI"vesomethingveryparticulartosay；I"llexplainto-morrow。"Andthenthethreewereleftalone。
SirLouiswasnobecomingalmostdrunk，andwasknockinghiswordstogether。Thesquirehadalreadyattemptedtostopthebottle；butthebaronethadcontrivedtogetholdofamodicumofMadeira，andtherewasnopreventinghimfromhelpinghimself；atleast，noneatthemoment。
"Asweweresayingaboutlawyers，"continuedSirLouis。"Let"ssee，whatwerewesaying？Why，squire，it"sjusthere。Thesefellowswillfleeceusbothifwedon"tmindwhatweareafter。"
"Nevermindaboutlawyersnow，"saidDrThorne，angrily。
"Ah，butIdomind；mostparticularly。That"sallverywellforyou，doctor；you"venothingtolose。You"venogreatstakeinthematter。
Why，now，whatsumofmoneyofminedoyouthinkthosed——doctorsarehandling？"
"D——doctors！"saidthesquireinatoneofdismay。
"Lawyers，Imean，ofcourse。Why，now，Gresham，we"realltottednow，yousee；you"redowninmybooks，Itakeit，forprettynearahundredthousandpounds。"
"Holdyourtongue，sir，"saidthedoctor，gettingup。
"Holdmytongue！"saidSirLouis。
"SirLouisScatcherd，"saidthesquire，slowlyrisingfromhischair，"wewillnot，ifyouplease，talkaboutbusinessatthepresentmoment。
Perhapswehadbettergototheladies。"
Thislatterpropositionhadcertainlynotcomefromthesquire"sheart：
goingtotheladieswastheverylastthingforwhichSirLouiswasnowfit。Butthesquirehadsaiditasbeingtheonlyrecognisedformalwayhecouldthinkofforbreakingupthesymposium。
"Oh，verywell，"hiccuppedthebaronet，"I"malwaysreadyfortheladies，"andhestretchedouthishandtothedecantertogetalastglassofMadeira。
"No，"saidthedoctor，risingstoutly，andspeakingwithadeterminedvoice。"No；youwillhavenomorewine。"
"What"sallthisabout？"saidSirLouis，withadrunkenlaugh。
"Ofcoursehecannotgointothedrawing-room，MrGresham。Ifyouwillleavehimherewithme，Iwillstaywithhim，tilltheflycomes。PraytellLadyArabellafrommehowsorryIamthatthishasoccurred。"
Thesquiretookhimbythehandaffectionately。"I"veseenatipsymanbeforeto-night，"saidhe。
"Yes，"saidthedoctor，"andsohaveI，but——"Hedidnotexpresstherestofhisthoughts。
CHAPTERXXXVI
WILLHECOMEAGAIN？
Longbeforethedoctorreturnedhomeafterthelittledinner-partyabovedescribed，MaryhadlearntthatFrankwasalreadyatGreshamsbury。Shehadheardnothingofhim，notaword，nothingintheshapeofamessage，fortwelvemonths；andatheragetwelvemonthsisalongperiod。Wouldhecomeandseeherinspiteofhismother？Wouldhesendheranytidingsofisreturn，ornoticeherinanyway？Ifhedidnot，whatwouldshedo？andifhedid，whatthenwouldshedo？Itwassohardtoresolve；sohardtobedeserted；andsohardtodaretowishthatshemightnotbedeserted！Shecontinuedtosaytoherself，thatitwouldbebetterthattheyshouldbestrangers；andshecouldhardlykeepherselffromtearsinthefearthattheymightbeso。Whatchancecouldtherebethatheshouldcareforher，afteranabsencespentintravellingovertheworld？No；shewouldforgetthataffairofhishand；andthen，immediatelyafterhavingsodetermined，shewouldconfesstoherselfthatitwasathingnottobeforgotten，andimpossibleofoblivion。
Onheruncle"sreturn，shewouldhearsomewordabouthim；andsoshesatalone，withabookbeforeher，ofwhichshecouldnotreadaline。
Sheexpectedthemabouteleven，andwas，therefore，rathersurprisedwhentheflystoppedatthedoorbeforenine。
Sheimmediatelyheardheruncle"svoice，loudandangry，callingforThomas。BothThomasandBridgetwereunfortunatelyout，being，atthismoment，forgetfulofallsublunarycares，andseatedinhappinessunderabeech-treeinthepark。Janetflewtothelittlegate，andtherefoundSirLouisinsistingthathewouldbetakenatoncetohisownmansionatBoxallHill，andpositivelyswearingthathewouldnotlongersubmittotheinsultofthedoctor"ssurveillance。
IntheabsenceofThomas，thedoctorwasforcedtoapplyforassistancetothedriverofthefly。Betweenthemthebaronetwasdraggedoutofthevehicle，thewindowssufferedmuch，andthedoctor"shatalso。Inthisway，hewastakenupstairs，andwasatlastputtobed，Janetassisting：nordidthedoctorleavetheroomtillhisguestwasasleep。
Thenhewentintothedrawing-roomtoMary。ItmayeasilybeconceivedthathewashardlyinahumourtotalkmuchaboutFrankGresham。
"WhatamItodowithhim？"saidhe，almostintears："whatamItodowithhim？"
"CanyousendhimtoBoxallHill？"askedMary。
"Yes；tokillhimselfthere！Butitisnomatter；hewillkillhimselfsomewhere。Oh！whatthatfamilyhavedoneforme！"Andthen，suddenlyrememberingaportionoftheirdoings，hetookMaryinhisarms，andkissedandblessedher；anddeclaredthat，inspiteofallthis，hewasahappyman。
TherewasnowordaboutFrankthatnight。ThenextmorningthedoctorfoundSirLouisveryweak，andbeggingforstimulants。Hewasworsethanweak；hewasinsuchastateofwretchedmiseryandmentalprostration；
solowinheart，insuchcollapseofenergyandspirit，thatDrThornethoughtitprudenttoremovehisrazorsfromhisreach。
"ForGod"ssakedoletmehavealittlechasse-cafe；I"malwaysusedtoit；askJoeifI"mnot！Youdon"twanttokillme，doyou？"Andthebaronetcriedpiteously，likeachild，and，whenthedoctorlefthimforthebreakfast-table，abjectlyimploredJanettogethimsomecuracoawhichheknewwasinoneofhisportmanteaus。Janet，however，wastruetohermaster。
Thedoctordidgivehimsomewine；andthen，havingleftstrictordersastohistreatment——BridgetandThomasbeingnowbothinthehouse——wentforthtosomeofhistoomuchneglectedpatients。
ThenMarywasagainalone，andhermindflewawaytoherlover。Howshouldshebeabletocomposeherselfwhensheshouldfirstseehim？Seehimshemust。Peoplecannotliveinthesamevillagewithoutmeeting。Ifshepassedhimatthechurch-door，assheoftenpassedLadyArabella，whatshouldshedo？LadyArabellaalwayssmiledapeculiar，little，bittersmile，andthis，withhalfanodofrecognition，carriedoffthemeeting。Shouldshetrythebittersmile，thehalf-nodwithFrank？Alas！
sheknewitwasnotinhertobesomuchmistressofherownheart"sblood。
Asshethusthought，shestoodinthedrawing-roomwindow，lookingoutintohergarden；and，assheleantagainstthesill，herheadwassurroundedbythesweetcreepers。"Atanyrate，hewon"tcomehere，"shesaid：andso，withadeepsigh，sheturnedfromthewindowintotheroom。
Therehewas，FrankGreshamhimselfstandingthereinherimmediatepresence，beautifulasApollo。Hernextthoughtwashowshemightescapefromoutofhisarms。Howithappenedthatshehadfallenintothem，sheneverknew。
"Mary！myown，ownlove！myownone！sweetest！dearest！best！Mary！dearMary！haveyounotawordtosaytome？"
No；shehadnotaword，thoughherlifedependedonit。Theexertionnecessaryfornotcryingwasquiteenoughforher。This，then，wasthebittersmileandthehalf-nodthatwastopassbetweenthem；thiswasthemannerinwhichestrangementwastogrowintoindifference；thiswasthemodeofmeetingbywhichshewastoprovethatshewasmistressofherconduct，ifnotherheart！Thereheheldhercloseboundtohisbreast，andshecouldonlyprotectherface，andthatallineffectually，withherhands。"Helovesanother，"Beatricehadsaid。"Atanyrate，hewillnotloveme，"herownhearthadsaidalso。Herenowwastheanswer。
"Youknowyoucannotmarryhim，"Beatricehadsaid，also。Ah！ifthatreallywereso，wasnotthisembracedeplorableforthemboth？Andyethowcouldshenotbehappy？Sheendeavouredtorepelhim；butwithwhataweakendeavour！Herpridehadbeenwoundedtothecore，notbyLadyArabella"sscorn，butbytheconvictionwhichhadgrownonher，thatthoughshehadgivenherownheartabsolutelyaway，hadpartedwithitwhollyandforever，shehadreceivednothinginreturn。Theworld，herworld，wouldknowthatshehadloved，andlovedinvain。Butherenowwasthelovedoneatherfeet；thefirstmomentthathisenforcedbanishmentwasover，hadbroughthimhere。Howcouldshenotbehappy？
Theyallsaidthatshecouldnotmarryhim。Well，perhapsitmightbeso；nay，whenshethoughtofit，mustnotthatedicttooprobablybetrue？Butifso，itwouldnotbehisfault。Hewastruetoher，andthatsatisfiedherpride。Hehadtakenfromher，bysurprise，aconfessionofherlove。Shehadoftenregrettedherweaknessinallowinghimtodoso；
butshecouldnotregretitnow。Shecouldenduretosuffer；nay，itwouldnotbesufferingwhilehesufferedwithher。
"Notoneword，Mary？Thenafterallmydreams，afterallmypatience，youdonotlovemeatlast？"
Oh，Frank！notwithstandingwhathasbeensaidinthypraise，whatafoolthouart！Wasanywordnecessaryforthee？Hadnotherheartbeatagainstthine？Hadshenotbornethycaresses？Hadtherebeenonetouchofangerwhenshewardedoffthythreatenedkisses？Bridget，inthekitchen，whenJonahbecameamorous，smashedhisnosewiththerolling-pin。ButwhenThomassinned，perhapsasdeeply，sheonlytalkedofdoingso。MissThorne，inthedrawing-room，hadsheneededself-protection，coulddoubtlesshavefoundthemeans，thoughtheprocesswouldprobablyhavebeenlessviolent。
AtlastMarysucceededinhereffortsatenfranchisement，andsheandFrankstoodatsomelittledistancefromeachother。Shecouldnotbutmarvelathim。Thatlong，softbeard，whichjustnowhadbeensoclosetoherface，wasallnew；hiswholelookwasaltered；hismien，andgait，andveryvoicewerenotthesame。Wasthis，indeed，theveryFrankwhohadchatteredofhisboyishlove，twoyearssince，inthegardensatGreshamsbury？
"Notonewordofwelcome，Mary？"
"Indeed，MrGresham，youarewelcomehome。"
"MrGresham！Tellme，Mary——tellmeatonce——hasanythinghappened？I
couldnotaskupthere。"
"Frank，"shesaid，andthenstopped；notbeingableatthemomenttogetanyfurther。
"Speaktomehonestly，Mary；honestlyandbravely。Iofferedyoumyhandoncebefore；thereitisagain。Willyoutakeit？"
Shelookedwistfullyupinhiseyes；andwouldfainhavetakenit。Butthoughagirlmaybehonestinsuchacase，itissohardforhertobebrave。
Hestillheldouthishand。"Mary，"saidhe，"ifyoucanvalueit，itshallbeyoursthroughgoodfortuneorillfortune。Theremaybedifficulties；butifyoucanloveme，wewillgetoverthem。Iamafreeman；freetodoasIpleasewithmyself，exceptsofarasIamboundtoyou。Thereismyhand。Willyouhaveit？"Andthenhe，too，lookedintohereyes，andwaitedcomposedly，asthoughdeterminedtohaveananswer。
Sheslowlyraisedherhand，and，asshedidso，hereyesfelltotheground。Itthendroopedagain，andwasagainraised；and，atlast，herlighttaperingfingersrestedonhisbroadopenpalm。
Theyweresoonclutched，andthewholehandbroughtabsolutelywithinhisgrasp。"There，nowyouaremyown！"hesaid，"andnoneofthemshallpartus；myownMary，myownwife。"
"Oh，Frank，isnotthisimprudent？Isitnotwrong？"
"Imprudent！Iamsickofprudence。Ihateprudence。Andasforwrong——no。Isayitisnotwrong；certainlynotwrongifweloveeachother。Andyoudoloveme，Mary——eh？Youdo！don"tyou？"