第15章

Hewouldnotexcuseher，orallowhertoescapefromsayingitinsomanywords；andwhenthewordsdidcomeatlast，theycamefreely。"Yes，Frank，Idoloveyou；ifthatwereallyouwouldhavenocauseforfear。"

"AndIwillhavenocauseforfear。"

"Ah；butyourfather，Frank，andmyuncle。Icanneverbringmyselftodoanythingthatshallbringeitherofthemtosorrow。"

Frank，ofcourse，ranthroughallhisarguments。Hewouldgointoaprofession，ortakeafarmandliveinit。Hewouldwait；thatis，forafewmonths。"Afewmonths，Frank！"saidMary。"Well，perhapssix。""Oh，Frank！"ButFrankwouldnotbestopped。Hewoulddoanythingthathisfathermightaskhim。Anythingbuttheonething。Hewouldnotgiveupthewifehehadchosen。Itwouldnotbereasonable，orproper，orrighteousthatheshouldbeaskedtodoso；andherehemountedasomewhathighhorse。

Maryhadnoargumentswhichshecouldbringfromherhearttoofferinoppositionofallthis。Shecouldonlyleaveherhandinhis，andfeelthatshewashappierthanshehadbeenatanytimesincethedayofthedonkey-rideatBoxallHill。

"But，Mary，"continuedhe，becomingverygraveandserious。"Wemustbetruetoeachother，andfirminthis。Nothingthatanyofthemcansayshalldrivemefrommypurpose；willyousayasmuch？"

Herhandwasstillinhis，andsoshestood，thinkingforamomentbeforesheansweredhim。Butshecouldnotdolessforhimthanhewaswillingtodoforher。"Yes，"saidshe——saidinaverylowvoice，andwithamannerperfectlyquiet——"Iwillbefirm。Nothingthattheycansayshallshakeme。But，Frank，itcannotbesoon。"

Nothingfurtheroccurredinthisinterviewwhichneedsrecording。FrankhadbeenthreetimestoldbyMarythathehadbettergobeforehedidgo；and，atlast，shewasobligedtotakethematterintoherownhands，andleadhimtothedoor。

"Youareinagreathurrytogetridofme，"saidhe。

"Youhavebeenheretwohours，andyoumustgonow；whatwilltheythink？"

"Whocareswhattheythink？Letthemthinkthetruth：that"safterayear"sabsence，Ihavemuchtosaytoyou。"However，atlast，hedidgo，andMarywasleftalone。

Frank，althoughhehadbeensoslowtomove，hadathousandotherthingstodo，andwentaboutthematonce。Hewasverymuchinlove，nodoubt；

butthatdidnotinterferewithhisinterestinotherpursuits。Inthefirstplace，hehadtoseeHarryBaker，andHarryBaker"sstud。HarryhadbeenspeciallychargedtolookaftertheblackhorseduringFrank"sabsence，andtheholidaydoingsofthatvaluableanimalhadtobeinquiredinto。Thenthekennelofthehoundshadtobevisited，and——asamatterofsecond-rateimportance——themaster。Thiscouldnotbedoneonthesameday；butaplanfordoingsomustbeconcoctedwithHarry——andthentherewerethetwoyoungpointerpups。

Frank，whenhelefthisbetrothed，wentaboutthesethingsquiteasvehementlyasthoughhewerenotinloveatall；quiteasvehementlyasthoughhehadsaidnothingastogoingintosomeprofessionwhichmustnecessarilyseparatehimfromhorsesanddogs。ButMarysatthereatherwindow，thinkingofherlove，andthinkingofnothingelse。Itwasallinalltohernow。Shehadpledgedherselfnottobeshakenfromhertrothbyanything，byanyperson；anditwouldbehovehertobetruetothispledge。Truetoit，thoughalltheGreshamsbutoneshouldopposeherwithalltheirpower；truetoit，eventhoughherownuncleshouldopposeher。

Andhowcouldshehavedoneanyotherthantopledgeherself，invokedtoitasshehadbeen？Howcouldshedolessforhimthanhewassoanxioustodoforher？Theywouldtalktoherofmaidendelicacy，andtellherthatshehadputastainonthatsnow-whitecoatofproof，inconfessingherloveforonewhosefriendswereunwillingtoreceiveher。Letthemsotalk。Honour，honesty，andtruth，out-spokentruth，self-denyingtruth，andfealtyfrommantoman，areworthmorethanmaidendelicacy；

more，atanyrate，thanthetalkofit。Itwasnotforherselfthatthispledgehadbeenmade。Sheknewherposition，andthedifficultiesofit；

sheknewalsothevalueofit。Hehadmuchtooffer，muchtogive；shehadnothingbutherself。Hehadname，andoldrepute，family，honour，andwhateventuallywouldatleastbewealthtoher。Shewasnameless，fameless，portionless。Hehadcometherewithallhisardour，withtheimpulseofhischaracter，andaskedherforherlove。Itwasalreadyhisown。Hehadthendemandedhertroth，andsheacknowledgedthathehadarighttodemandit。Shewouldbehisifeveritshouldbeinhispowertotakeher。

Butthereletthebargainend。Shewouldalwaysremember，thatthoughitwasinherpowertokeepherpledge，itmighttooprobablynotbeinhispowertokeephis。Thatdoctrine，laiddownsoimperativelybythegreatauthoritiesofGreshamsbury，thatedict，whichdemandedthatFrankshouldmarrymoney，hadcomehomealsotoherwithacertainforce。ItwouldbesadthatthefameofGreshamsburyshouldperish，andthatthegloryshoulddepartfromtheoldhouse。Itmightbe，thatFrankalsoshouldperceivethathemustmarrymoney。Itwouldbeapitythathehadnotseenitsooner；butshe，atanyrate，wouldnotcomplain。

Andsoshestood，leaningontheopenwindow，withherbookunnoticedlyingbesideher。Thesunhadbeeninthemid-skywhenFrankhadlefther，butitsrayswerebeginningtostreamintotheroomfromthewestbeforeshemovedfromherposition。Herfirstthoughtinthemorninghadbeenthis：Wouldhecometoseeher？Herlastnowwasmoresoothingtoher，lessfullofabsolutefear：Woulditberightthatheshouldcomeagain？

Thefirstsoundssheheardwerethefootstepsofheruncle，ashecameuptothedrawing-room，threestepsatatime。Hisstepwasalwaysheavy；butwhenhewasdisturbedinspirit，itwasslow；whenmerelyfatiguedinbodybyordinarywork，itwasquick。

"Whatabroilingday！"hesaid，andhethrewhimselfintoachair。"Formercy"ssake，givemesomethingtodrink。"Nowthedoctorwasagreatmanforsummer-drinks。Inhishouse，lemonade，currant-juice，orange-mixtures，andraspberry-vinegarwereusedbythequart。Hefrequentlydisapprovedofthesethingsforhispatients，asbeingapttodisarrangethedigestion；butheconsumedenoughhimselftothrowalargefamilyintosuchdifficulties。

"Ha-a！"heejaculatedafteradraught；"I"mbetternow。Well，what"sthenews？"

"You"vebeenout，uncle；yououghttohavethenews。How"sMrsGreen？"

"Reallyasbadasennuiandsolitudecanmakeher。"

"AndMrsOaklerath？"

"She"sgettingbetter，becauseshehastenchildrentolookafter，andtwinstosuckle。Whathashebeendoing？"AndthedoctorpointedtowardstheroomoccupiedbySirLouis。

Mary"sconsciencestruckherthatshehadnotevenasked。Shehadhardlyremembered，duringthewholeday，thatthebaronetwasinthehouse。"Idonotthinkhehasbeendoingmuch，"shesaid。"Janethasbeenwithhimallday。"

"Hashebeendrinking？"

"Uponmyword，Idon"tknow，uncle。Ithinknot，forJanethasbeenwithhim。But，uncle——"

"Well，dear——butjustgivemealittlemoreofthattipple。"

Marypreparedthetumbler，andasshehandedittohim，shesaid，"FrankGreshamhasbeenhereto-day。"

Thedoctorswallowedhisdraught，andputdowntheglassbeforehemadeanyreply，andeventhenhesaidbutlittle。

"Oh！FrankGresham。"

"Yes，uncle。"

"Youthoughthimlookingprettywell？"

"Yes，uncle；hewasverywell，Ibelieve。"

DrThornehadnothingmoretosay，sohegotupandwenttohispatientinthenextroom。

"Ifhedisapprovesofit，whydoeshenotsayso？"saidMarytoherself。

"Whydoeshenotadviseme？"

ButitwasnotsoeasytogiveadvicewhileSirLouisScatcherdwaslyingthereinthatstate。

CHAPTERXXXVII

SIRLOUISLEAVESGRESHAMSBURY

JanethadbeensedulousinherattentionstoSirLouis，andhadnottroubledhermistress；butshehadnothadaneasytimeofit。Herordershadbeen，thateithersheorThomasshouldremainintheroomthewholeday，andthoseordershadbeenobeyed。

Immediatelyafterbreakfast，thebaronethadinquiredafterhisownservant。"Hisconfoundednosemustberightbythistime，Isuppose？"

"Itwasverybad，SirLouis，"saidtheoldwoman，whoimaginedthatitmightbedifficulttoinduceJonahtocomeintothehouseagain。

"Amaninsuchaplaceashishasnobusinesstobelaidup，"saidhismaster，withawhine。"I"llseeandgetamanwhowon"tbreakhisnose。"

Thomaswassenttotheinnthreeorfourtimes，butinvain。Themanwassittingup，wellenough，inthetap-room；butthemiddleofhisfacewascoveredwithstreaksofplaster，andhecouldnotbringhimselftoexposehiswoundsbeforehisconqueror。

SirLouisbeganbyorderingthewomantobringhimchasse-cafe。Sheofferedhimcoffee，asmuchashewould；butnochasse。"Aglassofportwine，"shesaid，attwelveo"clock，andanotheratthreehadbeenorderedforhim。

"Idon"tcarea——fortheorders，"saidSirLouis；"sendmemyownman。"

Themanwasagainsentfor；butwouldnotcome。"There"sabottleofthatstuffthatItake，inthatportmanteau，intheleft-handcorner——justhandittome。"

ButJanetwasnottobedone。Shewouldgivehimnostuff，exceptwhatthedoctorhadordered，tillthedoctorcameback。Thedoctorwouldthen，nodoubt，givehimanythingthatwasproper。

SirLouissworeagooddeal，andstormedasmuchashecould。Hedrank，however，histwoglassesofwine，andhegotnomore。Onceortwiceheessayedtogetoutofbedanddress；but，ateveryeffort，hefoundthathecouldnotdoitwithoutJoe：andtherehewas，stillundertheclotheswhenthedoctorreturned。

"I"lltellyouwhatitis，"saidhe，assoonashisguardianenteredtheroom，"I"mnotgoingtobemadeaprisonerofhere。"

"Aprisoner！no，surelynot。"

"Itseemsverymuchlikeitatpresent。Yourservanthere——thatoldwoman——takesituponhertosayshe"lldonothingwithoutyourorders。"

"Well；she"srightthere。"

"Right！Idon"tknowwhatyoucallright；butIwon"tstandit。Youarenotgoingtomakeachildofme，DrThorne；soyouneednotthinkit。"

Andthentherewasalongquarrel，betweenthem，andbutanindifferentreconciliation。ThebaronetsaidthathewouldgotoBoxallHill，andwasvehementinhisintentiontodosobecausethedoctoropposedit。Hehadnot，however，asyetferretedoutthesquire，orgivenabitofhismindtoMrGazebee，anditbehovedhimtodothisbeforehetookhimselfofftohisowncountrymansion。Heended，therefore，bydecidingtogoonthenextdaybutone。

"Letitbeso，ifyouarewellenough，"saidthedoctor。

"Wellenough！"saidtheother，withasneer。"There"snothingtomakemeillthatIknowof。Itcertainlywon"tbedrinkingtoomuchhere。"

Onthenextday，SirLouiswasinadifferentmood，andinonemoredistressingforthedoctortobear。Hiscompelledabsencefromintemperatedrinkinghad，nodoubt，beengoodforhim；buthismindhadsomuchsunkunderthepainoftheprivation，thathisstatewaspiteoustobehold。Hehadcriedforhisservant，asachildcriesforitsnurse，tillatlastthedoctor，movedtopity，hadhimselfgoneoutandbroughtthemaninfromthepublic-house。Butwhenhedidcome，Joewasofbutlittleservicetohismaster，ashewasaltogetherpreventedfrombringinghimeitherwineorspirits；andwhenhesearchedfortheliqueur-case，hefoundthateventhathadbeencarriedaway。

"Ibelieveyouwantmetodie，"hesaid，asthedoctor，sittingbyhisbedside，wastyring，forthehundredthtime，tomakehimunderstandthathehadbutonechanceofliving。

Thedoctorwasnotintheleastirritated。Itwouldhavebeenaswisetobeirritatedbythewantofreasoninadog。

"IamdoingwhatIcantosaveyourlife，"hesaidcalmly；"butasyousaidjustnow，Ihavenopoweroveryou。Aslongasyouareabletomoveandremaininmyhouse，youcertainlyshallnothavethemeansofdestroyingyourself。Youwillbeverywisetostayhereforaweekortendays：aweekortendaysofhealthylivingmight，perhaps，bringyouround。"

SirLouisagaindeclaredthatthedoctorwishedhimtodie，andspokeofsendingforhisattorneyFinnie，tocometoGreshamsburytolookafterhim。

"Sendforhimifyouchoose，"saidthedoctor。"Hiscomingwillcostyouthreeorfourpounds，butcandonootherharm。"

ItwascertainlyharduponDrThornethatheshouldbeobligedtoentertainsuchaguestinthehouse；——toentertainhim，andfosterhim，andcareforhim，almostasthoughhewereason。Buthehadnoalternative；hehadacceptedthechargefromSirRoger，andhemustgothroughwithit。Hisconscience，moreover，allowedhimnorestinthematter：itharassedhimdayandnight，drivinghimonsometimestogreatwretchedness。Hecouldnotlovethisincubusthatwasonhisshoulders；

hecouldnotdootherthanbeveryfarfromlovinghim。Ofwhatuseorvaluewashetoanyone？Whatcouldtheworldmakeofhimthatwouldbegood，orheoftheworld？Wasnotanearlydeathhiscertainfate？Theearlieritmightbe，woulditnotbebetter？Werehetolingeronyetfortwoyearslonger——andsuchaspaceoflifewaspossibleforhim——howgreatwouldbethemischiefthathemightdo；nay，certainlywoulddo！

FarewellthentoallhopesforGreshamsbury，asfarasMarywasconcerned。Farewellthentothatdearschemewhichlaydeepinthedoctor"sheart，thathopethathemightinhisniece"sname，givebacktothesonthelostpropertyofhisfather。Andmightnotoneyear——sixmonthsbeasfatal。Frank，theyallsaid，mustmarrymoney；andevenhe——hethedoctorhimself，muchashedespisedtheideaformoney"ssake——evenhecouldnotbutconfessthatFrank，astheheirtoanold，butgrievouslyembarrassedproperty，hadnorighttomarry，athisearlyage，agirlwithoutashilling。Mary，hisniece，hisownchild，wouldprobablybetheheiressofthisimmensewealth；buthecouldnottellthistoFrank；no，nortoFrank"sfather，whileSirLouiswasyetalive。

What，ifbysodoingheshouldachievethismarriageforhisniece，andthatthenSirLouisshouldlivetodisposeofhisown？HowthenwouldhefacetheangerofLadyArabella？

"Iwillneverhankerafteradeadman"sshoes，neitherformyselfnorforanother，"hehadsaidtohimselfahundredtimes；andasoftendidheaccusehimselfofdoingso。Onepath，however，wasplainlyopenbeforehim。Hewouldkeephispeaceastothewill；andwouldusesucheffortsashemightuseforasonofhisownloinstopreservethelifethatwassovalueless。Hiswishes，hishopes，histhoughts，hecouldnotcontrol；buthisconductwasathisowndisposal。

"Isay，doctor，youdon"treallythinkthatI"mgoingtodie？"SirLouissaid，whenDrThorneagainvisitedhim。

"Idon"tthinkatall；Iamsureyouwillkillyourselfifyoucontinuetoliveasyouhavelatelydone。"

"ButsupposeIgoallrightforawhile，andlive——livejustasyoutellme，youknow？"

"AllofusareinGod"shands，SirLouis。Bysodoingyouwill，atanyrate，giveyourselfthebestchance。"

"Bestchance？Why，d——n，doctor！therearefellowshavedonetentimesworsethanI；andtheyarenotgoingtokick。Come，now，Iknowyouaretryingtofrightenme；ain"tyounow？"

"IamtryingtodothebestIcanforyou。"

"It"sveryhardonafellowlikeme；Ihavenobodytosayakindwordtome；no，notone。"AndSirLouis，inhiswretchedness，begantoweep。

"Come，doctor；ifyou"llputmeoncemoreonmylegs，I"llletyoudrawontheestateforfivehundredpounds；byG——，Iwill。"

Thedoctorwentawaytohisdinner，andthebaronetalsohadhisinbed。

Hecouldnoteatmuch，buthewasallowedtwoglassesofwine，andalsoalittlebrandyinhiscoffee。Thissomewhatinvigoratedhim，andwhenDrThorneagainwenttohim，intheevening，hedidnotfindhimsoutterlyprostratedinspirit。Hehad，indeed，madeuphismindtoagreatresolve；andthusunfoldedhisfinalschemeforhisownreformation：-

"Doctor，"hebeganagain，"Ibelieveyouareanhonestfellow；Idoindeed。"

DrThornecouldnotbutthankhimforhisgoodopinion。

"Youain"tannoyedatwhatIsaidthismorning，areyou？"

ThedoctorhadforgottentheparticularannoyancetowhichSirLouisalluded；andinformedhimthathismindmightbeatrestonanysuchmatter。

"Idobelieveyou"dbegladtoseemewell；wouldn"tyou，now？"

Thedoctorassuredhimthatsuchwasinverytruththecase。

"Well，now，I"lltellyouwhat：I"vebeenthinkingaboutitagreatdealto-day；indeed，Ihave，andIwanttodowhatisright。Mightn"tIhavealittledropofthatstuff，justinacupofcoffee？"

Thedoctorpouredhimoutacupofcoffee，andputaboutateaspoonfulofbrandyinit。SirLouistookitwithadisconsolateface，nothavingbeenaccustomedtosuchmeasuresintheuseofhisfavouritebeverage。

"Idowishtodowhatisright——Ido，indeed；only，yousee，I"mlonely。

AstothosefellowsupinLondon，Idon"tthinkthatoneofthemcaresastrawaboutme。"

DrThornewasofthesamewayofthinking，andhesaidso。Hecouldnotbutfeelsomesympathywiththeunfortunatemanashethusspokeofhisownlot。Itwastruethathehadbeenthrownontheworldwithoutanyonetotakecareofhim。

"Mydearfriend，IwilldothebestIcanineveryway；Iwill，indeed。

Idobelievethatyourcompanionsintownhavebeentooreadytoleadyouastray。Dropthem，andyoumayyetdowell。"

"MayIthough，doctor？Well，Iwilldropthem。There"sJenkins；he"sthebestofthem；butevenheisalwayswantingtomakemoneyofme。NotbutwhatI"muptothebestoftheminthatway。"

"YouhadbetterleaveLondon，SirLouis，andchangeyourmodeoflife。

GotoBoxallHillforawhile；fortwoorthreedaysorso；livewithyourmotherthereandtaketofarming。"

"What！farming？"

"Yes；that"swhatallcountrygentlemendo：takethelandthereintoyourownhand，andoccupyyourminduponit。"

"Well，doctor，Iwill——upononecondition。"

DrThornesatstillandlistened。Hehadnoideawhattheconditionmightbe，buthewasnotpreparedtopromiseacquiescencetillheheardit。

"YouknowwhatItoldyouoncebefore，"saidthebaronet。

"Idon"trememberatthismoment。"

"Aboutmygettingmarried，youknow。"

Thedoctor"sbrowgrewblack，andpromisednohelptothepoorwretch。

Badineveryway，wretched，selfish，sensual，unfeeling，purse-proud，ignorantasSirLouisScatcherdwasstill，therewaslefttohimthepoweroffeelingsomethinglikesincerelove。ItmaybepresumedthathedidloveMaryThorne，andthathewasatthetimeearnestindeclaringthatifshecouldbegiventohim，hewouldendeavourtoliveaccordingtoheruncle"scounsel。Itwasonlyatrifleheasked；but，alas！thattriflecouldnotbevouchsafed。

"Ishouldmuchapproveofyourgettingmarried，butIdonotknowhowI

canhelpyou。"

"Ofcourse，ImeanMissMary：Idoloveher；Ireallydo，DrThorne。"

"Itisquiteimpossible，SirLouis；quite。Youdomyniecemuchhonour；

butIamabletoanswerforher，positively，thatsuchapropositionisquiteoutofthequestion。"

"Lookherenow，DrThorne；anythinginthewayofsettlements——"

"Iwillnothearawordonthesubject：youareverywelcometotheuseofmyhouseaslongasitmaysuityoutoremainhere；butImustinsistthatmynieceshallnotbetroubledonthismatter。"

"Doyoumeantosayshe"sinlovewiththatyoungGresham？"

Thiswastoomuchforthedoctor"spatience。"SirLouis，"saidhe，"I

canforgiveyoumuchforyourfather"ssake。Icanalsoforgivesomethingonthescoreofyourownill-health。Butyououghttoknow，yououghtbythistimetohavelearnt，thattherearesomethingswhichamancannotforgive。Iwillnottalktoyouaboutmyniece；andrememberthis，also，Iwillnothavehertroubledbyyou："and，sosaying，thedoctorlefthim。

Onthenextdaythebaronetwassufficientlyrecoveredtobeabletoresumehisbraggadocioairs。HesworeatJanet；insistedonbeingservedbyhisownman；demandedinaloudvoice，butinvain，thathisliqueur-caseshouldberestoredtohim；anddesiredthatpost-horsesmightbereadyforhimonthemorrow。Onthatdayhegotupandatehisdinnerinhisbedroom。Onthenextmorninghecountermandedthehorses，informingthedoctorthathedidsobecausehehadlittlebitofbusinesstotransactwithSquireGreshambeforehelefttheplace！Withsomedifficulty，thedoctormadehimunderstandthatthesquirewouldnotseehimonbusiness；anditwasatlastdecided，thatMrGazebeeshouldbeinvitedtocallonhimatthedoctor"shouse；andthisMrGazebeeagreedtodo，inordertopreventtheannoyanceofhavingthebaronetupatGreshamsbury。

Onthisday，theeveningbeforeMrGazebee"svisit，SirLouiscondescendedtocomedowntodinner。Hedined，however，tete-a-tetewiththedoctor。Marywasnotthere，norwasanythingsaidastoherabsence。

SirLouisScatcherdneverseteyesuponheragain。

Heborehimselfarrogantlyonthatevening，havingresumedtheairsandwould-bedignitywhichhethoughtbelongedtohimasamanofrankandproperty。Inhisperiodsoflowspirits，hewasabjectandhumbleenough；abjectandfearfulofthelamentabledestinywhichatthesemomentshebelievedtobeinstoreforhim。Butitwasoneofthepeculiarsymptomsofhisstate，thatashepartiallyrecoveredhisbodilyhealth，thetoneofhismindrecovereditselfalso，andhisfearsforthetimewererelieved。

Therewasverylittlesaidbetweenhimandthedoctorthatevening。Thedoctorsat，guardingthewine，andthinkingwhenheshouldhavehishousetohimselfagain。SirLouissatmoody，everynowandthenutteringsomeimpertinenceastotheGreshamsandtheGreshamsburyproperty，and，atanearlyhour，allowedJoetoputhimtobed。

Thehorseswereorderedonthenextdayforthree，and，astwo，MrGazebeecametothehouse。Hehadneverbeentherebefore，norhadheevermetDrThorneexceptatthesquire"sdinner。Onthisoccasionheaskedonlyforthebaronet。

"Ah！ah！I"mgladyou"recome，MrGazebee；veryglad，"saidSirLouis；

actingthepartoftherich，greatmanwithallthepowerhehad。"I

wanttoaskyouafewquestionssoastomakeitallclearsailingbetweenus。"

"Asyouhaveaskedtoseeme，Ihavecome，SirLouis，"saidtheother，puttingonmuchdignityashespoke。"Butwoulditnotbebetterthatanybusinesstheremaybeshouldbedoneamongthelawyers？"

"Thelawyersareverywell，Idaresay；butwhenamanhassolargeastakeatinterestasIhaveinthisGreshamsburyproperty，why，yousee，MrGazebee，hefeelsalittleinclinedtolookafterithimself。Now，doyouknow，MrGazebee，howmuchitisthatMrGreshamowesme？"

MrGazebee，ofcourse，didknowverywell；buthewasnotgoingtodiscussthesubjectwithSirLouis，ifhecouldhelpit。

"Whateverclaimyourfather"sestatemayhaveonthatofMrGreshamis，asfarasIunderstand，vestedinDrThorne"shandsastrustee。IaminclinedtobelievethatyouhavenotyourselfatpresentanyclaimonGreshamsbury。Theinterest，asitbecomesdue，ispaidtoDrThorne；andifImaybeallowedtomakeasuggestion，Iwouldsaythatitwillnotbeexpedienttomakeanychangeinthatarrangementtillthepropertyshallcomeintoyourownhands。"

"Idifferfromyouentirely，MrGazebee；intotoasweusedtosayatEton。Whatyoumeantosayis——Ican"tgotolawwithMrGresham；I"mnotsosureofthat；butperhapsnot。ButIcancompelDrThornetolookaftermyinterests。Icanforcehimtoforeclose。Andtotellyouthetruth，Gazebee，unlesssomearrangementisproposedtomewhichIshallthinkadvantageous，Ishalldosoatonce。Thereisnearahundredthousandpoundsowingtome；yestome。Thorneisonlyanameinthematter。Themoneyismymoney；and，by——，Imeantolookafterit。"

"Haven"tyouanydoubt，SirLouis，astothemoneybeingsecure？"

"Yes，Ihave。Itisn"tsoeasytohaveahundredthousandpoundssecured。Thesquireisapoorman，andIdon"tchoosetoallowapoormantoowemesuchasumasthat。Besides，Imeantoinvestinland。I

tellyoufairly，therefore，Ishallforeclose。"

MrGazebee，usingalltheperspicuitywhichhisprofessionaleducationhadlefttohim，triedtomakeSirLouisunderstandthathehadnopowertodoanythingofthekind。

"Nopower！MrGreshamshallseewhetherIhavenopower。Whenamanhasahundredthousandpoundsowingtohimheoughttohavesomepower；

and，asItakeit，hehas。Butwewillsee。PerhapsyouknowFinnie，doyou？"

MrGazebee，withagooddealofscorninhisface，saidthathehadnotthatpleasure。MrFinniewasnotinhisline。

"Well，youwillknowhimthen，andyou"llfindhe"ssharpenough；thatis，unless，IhavesomeoffermadetomethatImaychoosetoaccept。"

MrGazebeedeclaredthathewasnotinstructedtomakeanyoffer，andsohetookhisleave。

Onthatafternoon，SirLouiswentofftoBoxallHill，transferringthemiserabletaskofsuperintendinghisself-destructionfromtheshouldersofthedoctortothoseofhismother。OfLadyScatcherd，thebaronettooknoaccountinhisproposedsojourninthecountry，nordidhetakemuchofthedoctorinleavingGreshamsbury。Heagainwrappedhimselfinhisfurs，and，withtotteringsteps，climbedupintothebarouchewhichwastocarryhimaway。

"Ismymanupbehind？"hesaidtoJanet，whilethedoctorwasstandingatthelittlefrontgarden-gate，makinghisadieux。

"No，sir，heisnotupyet，"saidJanet，respectfully。

"Thensendhimout，willyou？Ican"tlosemytimewaitinghereallday。"

"IshallcomeovertoBoxallHillandseeyou，"saidthedoctor，whoseheartsoftenedtowardstheman，inspiteofhisbrutality，asthehourofhisdeparturecame。

"Ishallbehappytoseeyouifyouliketocome，ofcourse；thatis，inthewayofvisiting，andthatsortofthing。Asfordoctoring，ifIwantanyIshallsendforFillgrave。"Suchwerehislastwordsasthecarriage，witharush，wentofffromthedoor。

Thedoctor，ashere-enteredthehouse，couldnotavoidsmiling，forhethoughtofDrFillgrave"slastpatientatBoxallHill。"It"saquestiontome，"saidhetohimself，"whetherFillgravewilleverbeinducedtomakeanothervisittothathouse，evenwiththeobjectofrescuingabaronetoutofmyhands。"

"He"sgone；isn"the，uncle？"saidMary，comingoutofherroom。

"Yes，mydear；he"sgone，poorfellow。"

"Hemaybeapoorfellow，uncle；buthe"saverydisagreeableinmateinahouse。Ihavenothadanydinnerthesetwodays。"

"AndIhaven"thadwhatcanbecalledacupofteasincehe"sbeeninthehouse。ButI"llmakeupforthatto-night。

CHAPTERXXXVIII

DECOURCYPRECEPTSANDDECOURCYPRACTICE

Thereisamodeofnovel-writingwhichusedtobemuchinvogue，butwhichhasnowgoneoutoffashion。Itis，nevertheless，onewhichisveryexpressivewheningoodhands，andwhichenablestheauthortotellhisstory，orsomeportionofhisstory，withmorenaturaltrustthananyother，Imeanthatoffamiliarletters。ItrustIshallbeexcusedifIattemptitasregardsthisonechapter；though，itmaybe，thatI

shallbreakdownandfallintothecommonplacenarrative，evenbeforetheonechapterbecompleted。ThecorrespondentsaretheLadyAmeliaDeCourcyandMissGresham。I，ofcourse，giveprecedencetothehigherrank，butthefirstepistleoriginatedwiththelatter-namedyounglady。

Letmehopethattheywillexplainthemselves。

"MissGreshamtoLadyAmeliadeCourcy"GreshamsburyHouse，June185-

"MYDEARESTAMELIA，"Iwishtoconsultyouonasubjectwhich，asyouwillperceive，isofamostmomentousnature。YouknowhowmuchrelianceIplaceinyourjudgementandknowledgeofwhatisproper，and，therefore，Iwritetoyoubeforespeakingtoanyotherlivingpersononthesubject：noteventomamma；for，althoughherjudgementisgoodtoo，shehassomanycaresandtroubles，thatitisnaturalthatitshouldbealittlewarpedwhentheinterestsofherchildrenareinvolved。Nowthatitisallover，IfeelthatitmaypossiblyhavebeensointhecaseofMrMoffat。

"YouareawarethatMrMortimerGazebeeisnowstayinghere，andthathehasbeenherefornearlytwomonths。Heisengagedinmanagingpoorpapa"saffairs，andmamma，wholikeshimverymuch，saysthatheisamostexcellentmanofbusiness。Ofcourse，youknowthatheisajuniorpartnerintheveryoldfirmofGumption，Gazebee，andGazebee，who，Iunderstand，donotundertakeanybusinessatall，exceptwhatcomestothemfrompeers，orcommonersoftheveryhighestclass。

"Isoonperceived，dearestAmelia，thatMrGazebeepaidmemorethanordinaryattention，andIimmediatelybecameveryguardedinmymanner。IcertainlylikedMrGazebeefromthefirst。Hismannersarequiteexcellent，hisconducttomammaischarming，and，asregardsmyself，Imustsaythattherehasbeennothinginhisbehaviourofwhichevenyoucouldcomplain。Hehasneverattemptedtheslightestfamiliarity，andIwilldohimthejusticetosay，that，thoughhehasbeenveryattentive，hehasalsobeenveryrespectful。

"Imustconfessthat，forthelastthreeweeks，Ihavethoughtthathemeantsomething。Imight，perhaps，havedonemoretorepelhim；orImighthaveconsultedyouearlierastotheproprietyofkeepingaltogetheroutofhisway。Butyouknow，Amelia，howoftenthesethingsleadtonothing，andthoughI

thoughtallalongthatMrGazebeewasinearnest，IhardlylikedtosayanythingaboutiteventoyoutillIwasquitecertain。Ifyouhadadvisedme，youknow，toaccepthisoffer，andif，afterthat，hehadnevermadeit，Ishouldhavefeltsofoolish。

"Butnowhehasmadeit。Hecametomeyesterdayjustbeforedinner，inthelittledrawing-room，andtoldme，inthemostdelicatemanner，inwordsthatevenyoucouldnothavebutapproved，thathishighestambitionwastobethoughtworthyofmyregard，andthathefeltformethewarmestlove，andthemostprofoundadmiration，andthedeepestrespect。Youmaysay，Amelia，thatheisonlyanattorney，andIbelievethatheisanattorney；butIamsureyouwouldhaveesteemedhimhadyouheardtheverydelicatewayinwhichheexpressedhissentiments。

"SomethinghadgivenmeapresentimentofwhathewasgoingtodowhenIsawhimcomeintotheroom，sothatIwasonmyguard。Itriedveryhardtoshownoemotion；butIsupposeI

wasalittleflurried，asIoncedetectedmyselfcallinghimMrMortimer：hisname，youknow，isMortimerGazebee。Ioughtnottohavedoneso，certainly；butitwasnotsobadasifI

hadcalledhimMortimerwithouttheMr，wasit？Idon"tthinktherecouldpossiblybeaprettierChristiannamethanMortimer。Well，Amelia，Iallowedhimtoexpresshimselfwithoutinterruption。Heonceattemptedtotakemyhand；buteventhiswasdonewithoutanyassumptionoffamiliarity；andwhenhesawthatIwouldnotpermitit，hedrewback，andfixedhiseyesonthegroundasthoughhewereashamedevenofthat。

"Ofcourse，Ihadtogivehimananswer；andthoughIhadexpectedthatsomethingofthissortwouldtakeplace，Ihadnotmadeupmymindonthesubject。Iwouldnot，certainly，underanycircumstances，accepthimwithoutconsultingyou。IfIreallydislikedhim，ofcoursetherewouldbenodoubt；butIcan"tsay，dearestAmelia，thatIdoabsolutelydislikehim；

andIreallythinkthatwewouldmakeeachotherveryhappy，ifthemarriageweresuitableasregardedbothourpositions。

"IcollectedmyselfaswellasIcould，andIreallydothinkthatyouwouldhavesaidthatIdidnotbehavebadly，thoughthepositionwasrathertrying。Itoldhimthat，ofcourse，I

wasflatteredbyhissentiments，thoughmuchsurprisedathearingthem；thatsinceIknewhim，Ihadesteemedandvaluedhimasanacquaintance，butthat，lookingonhimasamanofbusiness，Ihadneverexpectedanythingmore。Ithenendeavouredtoexplaintohim，thatIwasnotperhapsprivilegedassomeothergirlsmightbe，toindulgemyfeelingsaltogether：perhapsthatwassayingtoomuch，andmightmakehimthinkthatIwasinlovewithhim；but，fromthewayIsaidit，Idon"tthinkhewould，forIwasverymuchguardedinmymanner，andverycollected；andthenItoldhim，thatinanyproposalofmarriagethatmightbemadetome，itwouldbemydutytoconsultmyfamilyasmuch，ifnotmorethanmyself。

"Hesaid，ofcourse；andaskedwhetherhemightspeaktopapa。

Itriedtomakehimunderstand，thatintalkingofmyfamily，Ididnotexactlymeanpapa，orevenmamma。OfcourseIwasthinkingwhatwasduetothenameofGresham。Iknowverywellwhatpapawouldsay。Hewouldgivehisconsentinhalfaminute；heissobroken-heartedbythesedebts。And，totellyouthetruth，Amelia，Ithinkmammawouldtoo。HedidnotseemquitetocomprehendwhatImeant；buthedidsaythatheknewitwasahighambitiontomarryintothefamilyoftheGreshams。Iamsureyouwouldconfessthathehasthemostproperfeelings；andasforexpressingthemnomancoulddoitbetter。

"Heownedthatitwasambitiontoallyhimselfwithafamilyabovehisownrankinlife，andthathelookedtodoingsoasameansofadvancinghimself。Nowthiswasatanyratehonest。

Thatwasoneofhismotives，hesaid；though，ofcourse，nothisfirst：andthenhedeclaredhowtrulyhewasattachedtome。Inanswertothis，Iremarkedthathehadknownmeonlyaveryshorttime。This，perhaps，wasgivinghimtoomuchencouragement；but，atthatmoment，Ihardlyknewwhattosay，forIdidnotwishtohurthisfeelings。Hethenspokeofhisincome。Hehasfifteenhundredayearfromthebusiness，andthatwillbegreatlyincreasedwhenhisfatherleavesit；andhisfatherismucholderthenMrGumption，thoughheisonlyasecondpartner。MortimerGazebeewillbetheseniorpartnerhimselfbeforeverylong；andperhapsthatdoesalterhispositionalittle。

"HehasaveryniceplacedownsomewhereinSurrey；Ihavemammasayitquiteagentleman"splace。Itisletnow；buthewilllivetherewhenheismarried。Andhehaspropertyofhisownbesideswhichhecansettle。So，yousee，heisquiteaswelloffasMrOriel；better，indeed；andifamanisinaprofession，Ibelieveitisconsideredthatitdoesnotmattermuchwhat。Ofcourse，aclergymancanbeabishop；butthen，I

thinkIhaveheardthatoneattorneydidoncebecomeLordChancellor。Ishouldhavemycarriage，youknow；Irememberhissayingthat，especially，thoughIcannotrecollecthowhebroughtitin。

"Itoldhim，atlast，thatIwassomuchtakenbysurprisethatIcouldnotgivehimananswerthen。HewasgoinguptoLondon，hesaid，onthenextday，andmighthebepermittedtoaddressmeonthesamesubjectwhenhereturned？Icouldnotrefusehim，youknow；andsonowIhavetakentheopportunityofhisabsencetowritetoyouforyouradvice。Youunderstandtheworldsoverywell，andknowexactlywhatoneoughttodoinsuchastrangeposition！

"IhopeIhavemadeitintelligible，atleast，astowhatI

havewrittenabout。Ihavesaidnothingastomyownfeelings，becauseIwishyoutothinkonthematterwithoutconsultingthem。IfitwouldbederogatorytoacceptMrGazebee，I

certainlywouldnotdosobecauseIhappentolikehim。Ifweweretoactinthatway，whatwouldtheworldcometo，Amelia？

Perhapsmyideasmaybeoverstrained；ifso，youwilltellme。

"WhenMrOrielproposedtoBeatrice，nobodyseemedtomakeanyobjection。Itallseemedtogoasamatterofcourse。Shesaysthathisfamilyisexcellent；butasfarasIcanlearn，hisgrandfatherwasageneralinIndia，andcamehomeveryrich。

MrGazebee"sgrandfatherwasamemberofthefirm，andso，I

believe，washisgreat-grandfather。Don"tyouthinkthisoughttocountforsomething？Besides，theyhavenobusinessexceptwiththemostaristocraticpersons，suchasuncleDeCourcy，andtheMarquisofKensingtonGore，andthatsort。ImentionthemarquisbecauseMrMortimerGazebeeistherenow。AndI

knowthatoneoftheGumptionswasonceinParliament；andI

don"tthinkthatanyoftheOrielseverwere。Thenameofattorneyiscertainlyverybad，isitnot，Amelia？buttheycertainlydonotseemtobeallthesame，andIdothinkthatthisoughttomakeadifference。TohearMrMortimerGazebeetalkofsomeattorneyatBarchester，youwouldsaythatthereisquiteasmuchdifferencebetweenthemasbetweenabishopandacurate。AndsoIthinkthereis。

"Idon"twishatalltospeakofmyownfeelings；butifhewerenotanattorney，heis，Ithink，thesortofmanIshouldlike。Heisveryniceineveryway，andifyouwerenottold，Idon"tthinkyouwouldknowhewasanattorney。But，dearAmelia，Iwillbeguidedbyyoualtogether。HeiscertainlymuchnicerthanMrMoffat，andhasagreatdealmoretosayforhimself。Ofcourse，MrMoffathavingbeeninParliament，andhavingbeentakenupbyuncleDeCourcy，wasinadifferentsphere；butIreallyfeltalmostrelievedwhenhebehavedinthatway。WithMortimerGazebee，Ithinkitwouldbedifferent。

"Ishallwaitsoimpatientlyforyouranswer，sodopraywriteatonce。Ihearsomepeoplesaythatthesesortofthingsarenotsomuchthoughtofnowastheywereonce，andthatallmannerofmarriagesareconsideredtobecommeilfaut。Idonotwant，youknow，tomakemyselffoolishbybeingtooparticular。Perhapsallthesechangesarebad，andIratherthinktheyare；butiftheworldchanges，onemustchangetoo；

onecan"tgoagainsttheworld。

"Sodowriteandtellmewhatyouthink。DonotsupposethatIdisliketheman，forIreallycannotsaythatIdo。ButI

wouldnotforanythingmakeanallianceforwhichanyonebearingthenameofDeCourcywouldhavetoblush。

"Always，dearestAmelia，"

Yourmostaffectionatecousin"AUGUSTAGRESHAM。

"PS——IfearFrankisgoingtobeveryfoolishwithMaryThorne。YouknowitisabsolutelyimportantthatFrankshouldmarrymoney。

"ItstrikesmeasquitepossiblethatMrMortimerGazebeemaybeinParliamentsomeofthesedays。Heisjustthemanforit。"

PoorAugustaprayedveryhardforherhusband；butsheprayedtoabosomthatonthissubjectwasashardasaflint，andsheprayedinvain。AugustaGreshamwastwenty-two，LadyAmeliawasthirty-four；wasitlikelythatLadyAmeliawouldpermitAugustatomarry，theissuehavingthusbeenleftinherhands？WhyshouldAugustaderogatefromherpositionbymarryingbeneathherself，seeingthatLadyAmeliahadspentsomanymoreyearsintheworldwithouthavingfounditnecessarytodoso？Augusta"sletterwaswrittenontwosheetsofnote-paper，crossedallover；andLadyAmelia"sanswerwasalmostequallyformidable。

"LadyAmeliadeCourcytoMissAugustaGresham"CourcyCastle，June，185-

"MYDEARAUGUSTA，"Ireceivedyourletteryesterdaymorning，butIhaveputoffansweringittillthisevening，asIhavewishedtogiveitverymatureconsideration。Thequestionisonewhichconcerns，notonlyyourowncharacter，buthappinessforlife，andnothinglessthanverymatureconsiderationwouldjustifymeingivingadecidedopiniononthesubject。

"Inthefirstplace，Imaytellyou，thatIhavenotawordtosayagainstMrMortimerGazebee。"(WhenAugustahadreadasfarasthis，herheartsankwithinher；therestwasallleatherandprunella；shesawatoncethatthefiathadgoneagainsther，andthatherwishtobecomeMrsMortimerGazebeewasnottobeindulged。)"Ihaveknownhimforalongtime，andIbelievehimtobeaveryrespectableperson，andIhavenodoubtagoodmanofbusiness。ThefirmofMessrsGumptionandGazebeestandsprobablyquiteamongthefirstattorneysinLondon，andIknowthatpapahasaveryhighopinionofthem。

"AllofthesewouldbeexcellentargumentstouseinfavourofMrGazebeeasasuitor，hadhisproposalsbeenmadetoanyoneinhisownrankinlife。Butyou，inconsideringthematter，should，Ithink，lookonitinaverydifferentlight。Theveryfactthatyoupronouncehimtobesomuchsuperiortootherattorneys，showsinhowverylowesteemyouholdtheprofessioningeneral。Itshowsalso，dearAugusta，howwellawareyouarethattheyareaclassofpeopleamongwhomyoushouldnotseekapartnerforlife。

"Myopinionis，thatyoushouldmakeMrGazebeeunderstand-

verycourteously，ofcourse——thatyoucannotaccepthishand。

Youobservethathehimselfconfessesthatinmarryingyouhewouldseekawifeinarankabovehisown。Isitnot，therefore，clear，thatinmarryinghim，youwoulddescendtoarankbelowyouown？

"Ishallbeverysorryifitgrievesyou；butstillitwillbebetterthatyoushouldbearthegriefofovercomingatemporaryfancy，thantakeastepwhichmaysoprobablymakeyouunhappy；andwhichsomeofyourfriendswouldcertainlyregardasdisgraceful。

"Itisnotpermittedtous，mydearAugusta，tothinkofourselvesinsuchmatters。Asyoutrulysay，ifweweretoactinthisway，whatwouldtheworldcometo？IthasbeenGod"spleasurethatweshouldbebornwithhighbloodinourveins。

Thisisagreatboonwhichwebothvalue，buttheboonhasitsresponsibilitiesaswellasitsprivileges。Itisestablishedbylaw，thattheroyalfamilyshallnotintermarrywithsubjects。Inourcasethereisnolaw，butthenecessityisnotthelessfelt；weshouldnotintermarrywiththosewhoareprobablyofalowerrank。MrMortimerGazebeeis，afterall，onlyanattorney；and，althoughyouspeakofhisgreat-grandfather，heisamanofnobloodwhatsoever。YoumustacknowledgethatsuchanadmixtureshouldbelookedonbyaDeCourcy，orevenaGresham，asapollution。"(HereAugustagotveryred，andshefeltalmostinclinedtobeangrywithhercousin。)"Beatrice"smarriagewithMrOrielisdifferent；

though，remember，Iambynomeansdefendingthat；itmaybegoodorbad，andIhavehadnoopportunityofinquiringrespectingMrOriel"sfamily。Beatrice，moreover，hasneverappearedtometofeelwhatwasduetoherselfinsuchmatters；but，asIsaid，hermarriagewithMrOrielisverydifferent。Clergymen——particularlytherectorsandvicarsofcountryparishes——dobecomeprivilegedaboveotherprofessionalmen。Icouldexplainwhy，butitwouldbetoolonginaletter。

"Yourfeelingsonthesubjectaltogetherdoyougreatcredit。

IhavenodoubtthatMrGresham，ifasked，wouldaccedetothematch；butthatisjustthereasonwhyheshouldnotbeasked。

ItwouldnotberightthatIshouldsayanythingagainstyourfathertoyou；butitisimpossibleforanyofusnottoseethatallthroughlifehehasthrownawayeveryadvantage，andsacrificedhisfamily。Whyishenowindebt，asyousay？WhyishenotholdingthefamilyseatinParliament？Eventhoughyouarehisdaughter，youcannotbutfeelthatyouwouldnotdorighttoconsulthimonsuchasubject。

"Astodearaunt，Ifeelsure，thatweresheingoodhealth，andlefttoexerciseherownjudgement，shewouldnotwishtoseeyoumarriedtotheagentforthefamilyestate。For，dearAugusta，thatistherealtruth。MrGazebeeoftencomeshereinthewayofbusiness；andthoughpapaalwaysreceiveshimasagentleman——thatis，hedinesattableandallthat——heisnotonthesamefootinginthehouseastheordinaryguestsandfriendsofthefamily。HowwouldyouliketobereceivedatCourcyCastleinthesameway？

"Youwillsay，perhaps，thatyouwouldstillbepapa"sniece；

soyouwould。Butyouknowhowstrictinsuchmatterspapais，andyoumustremember，thatthewifealwaysfollowstherankofthehusband。Papaisaccustomedtothestrictetiquetteofacourt，andIamsurethatnoconsiderationwouldinducehimtoreceivetheestate-agentinthelightofanephew。Indeed，wereyoutomarryMrGazebee，thehousetowhichhebelongswould，Iimagine，havetogiveupthemanagementoftheproperty。

"EvenwereMrGazebeeinParliament——andIdonotseehowitisprobablethatheshouldgetthere——itwouldnotmakeanydifference。Youmustremember，dearest，thatIneverwasanadvocatefortheMoffatmatch。Iacquiescedinit，becausemammadidso。IfIcouldhavehadmyownway，Iwouldadheretoallouroldprescriptiveprinciples。Neithermoneynorpositioncanatonetomeforlowbirth。Buttheworld，alas！

isretrograding；and，accordingtothenew-fangleddoctrinesoftheday，aladyofbloodisnotdisgracedbyallyingherselftoamanofwealth，andwhatmaybecalledquasi-

aristocraticposition。Iwishitwereotherwise；butsoitis。

And，therefore，thematchwithMrMoffatwasnotdisgraceful，thoughitcouldnotberegardedasaltogethersatisfactory。

"ButwithMrGazebeethematterwouldbealtogetherdifferent。

Heisamanearninghisbread；honestly，Idaresay，butinahumbleposition。Yousayheisveryrespectable：Idonotdoubtit；andsoisMrScraggs，thebutcheratCourcy。Yousee，Augusta，towhatsuchargumentsreduceyou。

"IdaresayhemaybenicerthanMrMoffat，inoneway。Thatis，hemayhavemoresmall-talkathiscommand，andbemorecleverinallthoselittlepursuitsandamusementswhicharevaluedbyordinaryyoungladies。Butmyopinionis，thatneitherInoryouwouldbejustifiedinsacrificingourselvesforsuchamusements。Wehavehighdutiesbeforeus。Itmaybethattheperformanceofthosedutieswillprohibitusfromtakingapartintheordinaryarenaofthefeminineworld。Itisnaturalthatgirlsshouldwishtomarry；and，therefore，thosewhoareweak，takethefirstthatcome。Thosewhohavemorejudgement，makesomesortofselection。Butthestrongest-mindedare，perhaps，thosewhoareabletoforgothemselvesandtheirownfancies，andtorefrainfromanyalliancethatdoesnottendtothemaintenanceofhighprinciples。Ofcourse，Ispeakofthosewhohavebloodintheirveins。YouandIneednotdilateastotheconductofothers。

"IhopewhatIhavesaidwillconvinceyou。Indeed，IknowthatitonlyrequiresthatyouandIshouldhavealittlecousinlytalkonthismattertobequiteinaccord。YoumustnowremainatGreshamsburytillMrGazebeeshallreturn。

Immediatelythathedoesso，seekaninterviewwithhim；donotwaittillheasksforit；thentellhim，thatwhenheaddressedyou，thematterhadtakenyousomuchbysurprise，thatyouwerenotatthemomentabletoanswerhim，withthatdecisionthatthesubjectdemanded。Tellhim，thatyouareflattered——insayingthis，however，youmustkeepacollectedcountenance，andbeverycoldinyourmanner——butthatfamilyreasonswouldforbidyoutoavailyourselfofhisoffer，evendidnoothercausepreventit。

"Andthen，dearAugusta，cometoushere。Iknowyouwillbealittledown-heartedaftergoingthroughthisstruggle；butI

willendeavourtoinspirityou。Whenwearebothtogether，youwillfeelmoresensiblythevalueofthathighpositionwhichyouwillpreservebyrejectingMrGazebee，andwillregretlessacutelywhateveryoumaylose。

"Yourveryaffectionatecousin，"AMELIADECOURCY。

"PS——IamgreatlygrievedaboutFrank；butIhavelongfearedthathewoulddosomeverysillything。IhaveheardlatelythatMissMaryThorneisnoteventhelegitimatenieceofyourDrThorne，butisthedaughterofsomepoorcreaturewhowasseducedbythedoctor，inBarchester。Idonotknowhowtruethismaybe，butIthinkyourbrothershouldbeputonhisguard：itmightdogood。"

PoorAugusta！Shewasintruthtobepitied，forhereffortsweremadewiththeintentionofdoingrightaccordingtoherlights。ForMrMoffatshehadnevercaredastraw；andwhen，therefore，shelostthepieceofgildingforwhichshehadbeeninstructedbyhermothertosellherself，itwasimpossibletopityher。ButMrGazebeeshewouldhavelovedwiththatsortoflovewhichitwasinherpowertobestow。

Withhimshewouldhavebeenhappy，respectable，andcontented。

Shehadherwrittenherletterwithgreatcare。Whentheofferwasmadetoher，shecouldnotbringherselftothrowLadyAmeliatothewindsandmarrytheman，asitwere，outofherownhead。LadyAmeliahadbeenthetyrantofherlife，andsoshestrovehardtoobtainhertyrant"spermission。Sheusedallherlittlecunninginshowingthat，afterall，MrGazebeewasnotsoveryplebeian。Allherlittlecunningwasutterlyworthless。LadyAmelia"smindwastoostrongtobecaughtwithsuchchaff。AugustacouldnotserveGodandMammon。Shemusteitherbetruetothegodofhercousin"sidolatry，andremainsingle，orservetheMammonofherowninclinations，andmarryMrGazebee。

Whenre-foldinghercousin"sletter，afterthefirstperusal，shedidforamomentthinkofrebellion。CouldshenotbehappyattheniceplaceinSurrey，having，asshewouldhave，acarriage，eventhoughalltheDeCourcysshoulddropher？IthadbeenputtoherthatshewouldnotliketobereceivedatCourcyCastlewiththescantcivilitywhichwouldbeconsideredduetoaMrsMortimerGazebee；butwhatifshecouldputupwithoutbeingreceivedatCourcyCastleatall？Suchideasdidfloatthroughhermind，dimly。

Buthercouragefailedher。Itissohardtothrowoffatyrant；somucheasiertoyield，whenwehavebeeninthehabitofyielding。Thisthirdletter，therefore，waswritten；anditistheendofthecorrespondence。

"MissAugustaGreshamtoLadyAmeliadeCourcy"GreshamsburyHouse，July，185-

"MYDEARESTAMELIA，"Ididnotansweryourletterbefore，becauseIthoughtitbettertodelaydoingsotillMrGazebeehadbeenhere。Hecamethedaybeforeyesterday，andyesterdayIdid，asnearlyaspossible，whatyouadvised。Perhaps，onthewhole，itwillbebetter。Asyousay，rankhasitsresponsibilitiesaswellasitsprivileges。

"Idon"tquiteunderstandwhatyoumeanaboutclergymen，butwecantalkthatoverwhenwemeet。Indeed，itseemstomethatifoneistobeparticularaboutfamily——andIamsureI

thinkweought——oneoughttobesowithoutexception。IfMrOrielbeaparvenu，Beatrice"schildrenwon"tbewellbornmerelybecausetheirfatherwasaclergyman，eventhoughheisarector。Sincemyformerletter，IhaveheardthatMrGazebee"sgreat-great-great-grandfatherestablishedthefirm；

andtherearemanypeoplewhowerenobodiesthenwhoarethoughttohavegoodbloodintheirveinsnow。

"ButIdonotsaythisbecauseIdifferfromyou。Iagreewithyousofully，thatIatoncemadeupmymindtorejecttheman；and，consequently，Ihavedoneso。

"WhenItoldhimIcouldnotaccepthimfromfamilyconsiderations，heaskedmewhetherIhadspokentopapa。I

toldhim，no；andthatitwouldbenogood，asIhadmadeupmyownmind。Idon"tthinkhequiteunderstoodme；butitdidnotperhapsmuchmatter。Youtoldmetobeverycold，andI

thinkthatperhapshethoughtmelessgraciousthanbefore。

Indeed，Ifearthatwhenhefirstspoke，Imayseemtohavegivenhimtoomuchencouragement。However，itisallovernow；

quiteover！"(AsAugustawrotethis，shebarelymanagedtosavethepaperbeneathherhandfrombeingmoistenedwiththetearwhichescapedfromhereye。)

"Idonotmindconfessingnow，"shecontinued，"atanyratetoyou，thatIdidlikeMrGazebeealittle。Ithinkhistemperanddispositionwouldhavesuitedme。ButIamquitesatisfiedthatIhavedoneright。Hetriedveryhardtomakemechangemymind。Thatis，hesaidagreatmanythingsastowhetherI

wouldnotputoffmydecision。ButIwasquitefirm。Imustsaythathebehavedverywell，andthatIreallydothinkhelikedmehonestlyandtruly；but，ofcourse，Icouldnotsacrificefamilyconsiderationsonthataccount。

"Yes，rankhasitsresponsibilitiesaswellasitsprivileges。

Iwillrememberthat。Itisnecessarytodoso，asotherwiseonewouldbewithoutconsolationforwhatonehastosuffer。

ForIfindthatonehastosuffer，Amelia。Iknowpapawouldhaveadvisedmetomarrythisman；andso，Idaresay，mammawould，andFrank，andBeatrice，iftheyknewthatIlikedhim。

Itwouldnotbesobadifweallthoughtalikeaboutit；butitishardtohaveresponsibilitiesallonone"sownshoulder；

isitnot？

"ButIwillgoovertoyou，andyouwillcomfortme。IalwaysfeelstrongeronthissubjectatCourcythanatGreshamsbury。

Wewillhavealongtalkaboutit，andthenIshallbehappyagain。IpurposegoingonnextFriday，ifthatwillsuityouanddearaunt。Ihavetoldmammathatyouallwantedme，andshemadenoobjection。Dowriteatonce，dearestAmelia，fortohearfromyounowwillbemyonlycomfort。

"Yours，evermostaffectionatelyandobliged，"AUGUSTAGRESHAM。

"PS——ItoldmammawhatyousaidaboutMaryThorne，andshesaid，“Yes；Isupposealltheworldknowsitnow；andifalltheworlddidknowit，itmakesnodifferencetoFrank。“Sheseemedveryangry；soyouseeitwastrue。"

Though，bysodoing，weshallsomewhatanticipatetheendofourstory，itmaybedesirablethatthefulltaleofMrGazebee"slovesshouldbetoldhere。WhenMaryisbreakingherheartonherdeath-bedinthelastchapter，orotherwiseaccomplishingherdestiny，weshallhardlyfindafitopportunityofsayingmuchaboutMrGazebeeandhisaristocraticbride。

ForhedidsucceedatlastinobtainingabrideinwhoseveinsranthenobleDeCourcyblood，inspiteofthehighdoctrinepreachedsoeloquentlybytheLadyAmelia。AsAugustahadtrulysaid，hehadfailedtounderstandher。Hewasledtothink，byhermannerofreceivinghisfirstproposal——andjustlyso，enough——thatshelikedhim，andwouldaccepthim；andhewasthereforeratherperplexedbyhissecondinterview。Hetriedagainandagain，andbeggedpermissiontomentionthemattertoMrGresham；butAugustawasveryfirm，andheatlastretiredindisgust。AugustawenttoCourcyCastle，andreceivedfromhercousinthatconsolationandre-strengtheningwhichshesomuchrequired。

Fouryearsafterwards——longafterthefateofMaryThornehadfallen，likeathunderbolt，ontheinhabitantsofGreshamsbury；whenBeatricewaspreparingforhersecondbaby，andeachofthetwinshadheracceptedlover——MrMortimerGazebeewentdowntoCourcyCastle；ofcourse，onamatterofbusiness。Nodoubthedinedatthetable，andallthat。WehavethewordofLadyAmelia，thattheearl，withhisusualgood-nature，allowedhimsuchprivileges。Letushopethatheneverencroachedonthem。

Butonthisoccasion，MrGazebeestayedalongtimeatthecastle，andsingularrumoursastothecauseofhisprolongedvisitbecamecurrentinthelittletown。NofemalescionofthepresentfamilyofCourcyhad，asyet，foundamate。Wemayimaginethateaglesfinditdifficulttopairwhentheybecomescarceintheirlocalities；andweallknowhowhardithassometimesbeentogetcommeilfauthusbandswhentherehasbeenanynumberofProtestantprincessesonhand。

Somelittledifficultyhad，doubtless，broughtitaboutthatthecountesswasstillsurroundedbyherfullbevyofmaidens。Rankhasitsresponsibilitiesaswellasitsprivileges，andtheseyoungladies"

responsibilitiesseemedtohaveconsistedinrejectinganysuitorwhomayhavehithertokneeledtothem。ButnowitwastoldthroughCourcy，thatonesuitorhadkneeled，andnotinvain；fromCourcytherumourflewtoBarchester，andthencecamedowntoGreshamsbury，startlingtheinhabitants，andmakingonepoorheartthrobwithaviolencethatwouldhavebeenpiteoushaditbeenknown。Thesuitor，sonamed，asMrMortimerGazebee。

Yes；MrMortimerGazebeehadnowawardedtohimmanyotherprivilegesthanthoseofdiningatthetable，andallthat。Herodewiththeyoungladiesinthepark，andtheyalltalkedtohimveryfamiliarlybeforecompany；allexceptLadyAmelia。ThecountessevencalledhimMortimer，andtreatedhimquiteasoneofthefamily。

AtlastcamealetterfromthecountesstoherdearsisterArabella。Itshouldbegivenatlength，butthatIfeartointroduceanotherepistle。

Itissuchaneasymodeofwriting，andfacilityisalwaysdangerous。Inthisletteritwasannouncedwithmuchpreliminaryambiguity，thatMortimerGazebee——whohadbeenfoundtobeatreasureineveryway；

quiteaparagonofmen——wasabouttobetakenintotheDeCourcybosomasachildofthathouse。Onthatdayfortnight，hewasdestinedtoleadtothealtar——theLadyAmelia。

Thecountessthenwentontosay，thatdearAmeliadidnotwriteherself，beingsomuchengagedbyhercomingduties——theresponsibilitiesofwhichshedoubtlessfullyrealized，aswellastheprivileges；butshehadbeggedhermothertorequestthatthetwinsshouldcomeandactasbridesmaidsontheoccasion。DearAugusta，sheknew，wastoomuchoccupiedinthecomingeventinMrOriel"sfamilytobeabletoattend。

MrMortimerGazebeewastakenintotheDeCourcyfamily，anddidleadtheLadyAmeliatothealtar；andtheGreshamtwinsdidgothereandactasbridesmaids。And，whichismuchmoretosayforhumannature，Augustadidforgivehercousin，and，afteracertaininterval，wentonavisittothatniceplaceinSurreywhichshehadhopedwouldbeherownhome。

Itwouldhavebeenaveryniceplace，Augustathought，hadnotLadyAmeliaGazebeebeensoveryeconomical。

Wemustpresumethattherewassomeexplanationbetweenthem。Ifso，Augustayieldedtoit，andconfessedittobesatisfactory。Shehadalwaysyieldedtohercousin，andlovedherwiththatsortoflovewhichisbegottenbetweenfearandrespect。AnythingwasbetterthanquarrellingwithhercousinAmelia。

AndMrMortimerGazebeedidnotaltogethermakeabadbargain。Heneverreceivedashillingofdowry，butthathehadnotexpected。Nordidhewantit。Histroublesarosefromtheoverstrainedeconomyofhisnoblewife。Shewouldhaveit，thatasshehadmarriedapoorman——MrGazebee，however，wasnotapoorman——itbehovedhertomanageherhousewithgreatcare。Suchamatchasthatshehadmade——thisshetoldinconfidencetoAugusta——haditsresponsibilitiesaswellasitsprivileges。

But，onthewhole，MrGazebeedidnotrepenthisbargain；whenheaskedhisfriendstodine，hecouldtellthemthatLadyAmeliawouldbegladtoseethem；hismarriagegavehimsomeeclatathisclub，andsomeadditionalweightinthefirmtowhichhebelonged；hegetshisshareoftheCourcyshooting，andisaskedabouttoGreshamsbury，andotherBarsetshirehouses，notonly"todineattableandallthat"，buttotakehispartinwhateverdelightscountrysocietytherehastooffer。

Heliveswiththegreathopethathisnoblefather-in-lawmaysomedaybeabletobringhimintoParliament。