第16章
CHAPTERXXXIX
WHATTHEWORLDSAYSABOUTBLOOD
"Beatrice，"saidFrank，rushingsuddenlyintohissister"sroom，"Iwantyoutodomeoneespecialfavour。"ThiswasthreeorfourdaysafterhehadspokentoMaryThorne。Sincethattimehehadspokentononeofhisfamilyonthesubject；buthewasonlypostponingfromdaytodaythetaskoftellinghisfather。Hehadnowcompletedhisroundofvisitstothekennel，masterhuntsman，andstablesofthecountyhunt，andwasatlibertytoattendtohisownaffairs。Sohehaddecidedonspeakingtothesquirethatveryday；buthefirstmadehisrequesttohissister。
"Iwantyoutodomeoneespecialfavour。"ThedayforBeatrice"smarriagehadnowbeenfixed，anditwasnottobeverydistant。MrOrielhadurgedthattheirhoneymoontripwouldlosehalfitsdelightsiftheydidnottakeadvantageofthefineweather；andBeatricehadnothingtoallegeinanswer。Thedayhadjustbeenfixed，andwhenFrankranintoherroomwithhisspecialrequest，shewasnotinahumourtorefusehimanything。
"Ifyouwishmetobeatyourwedding，youmustdoit。"
"Wishyoutobethere！Youmustbethere，ofcourse。Oh，Frank！whatdoyoumean？I"lldoanythingyouask；ifitisnottogotothemoon，oranythingofthatsort。"
Frankwastoomuchinearnesttojoke。"YoumusthaveMaryforoneofyourbridesmaids，"hesaid。"Now，mind；theremaybesomedifficulty，butyoumustinsistonit。Iknowwhathasbeengoingon；butitisnottobebornethatsheshouldbeexcludedonsuchadayasthat。Youthathavebeenlikesistersallyourlivestillayearago。"
"But，Frank——"
"Now，Beatrice，don"thaveanybuts；saythatyouwilldoit，anditwillbedone：IamsureOrielwillapprove，andsowillmyfather。"
"But，Frank，youwon"thearme。"
"Notifyoumakeobjections；Ihavesetmyheartonyourdoingit。"
"ButIhadsetmyheartonthesamething。"
"Well？"
"AndIwenttoMaryonpurpose；andtoldherjustasyoutellmenow，thatshemustcome。ImeanttomakemammaunderstandthatIcouldnotbehappyunlessitwereso；butMarypositivelyrefused。"
"Refused！Whatdidshesay？"
"Icouldnottellyouwhatshesaid；indeed，itwouldnotberightifI
could；butshepositivelydeclined。Sheseemedtofeel，thatafterallthathadhappened，shenevercouldcometoGreshamsburyagain。"
"Fiddlestick！"
"But，Frank，thoseareherfeelings；and，totellthetruth，Icouldnotcombatthem。Iknowsheisnothappy；buttimewillcurethat。And，totellyouthetruth，Frank——"
"ItwasbeforeIcamebackthatyouaskedher，wasitnot？"
"Yes；justthedaybeforeyoucame，Ithink。"
"Well，it"salterednow。Ihaveseenhersincethat。"
"HaveyouFrank？"
"Whatdoyoutakemefor？Ofcourse，Ihave。TheveryfirstdayIwenttoher。Andnow，Beatrice，youmaybelievemeornot，asyoulike；butifIevermarry，IshallmarryMaryThorne；andifsheevermarries，I
thinkshemaymarryme。Atanyrate，Ihaveherpromise。Andnow，youcannotbesurprisedthatIshouldwishhertobeatyourwedding；orthatIshoulddeclare，thatifsheisabsent，Iwillbeabsent。Idon"twantanysecrets，andyoumaytellmymotherifyoulikeit——andalltheDeCourcystoo，foranythingIcare。"
Frankhadeverbeenusedtocommandhissisters：andthey，especiallyBeatrice，hadeverbeenusedtoobey。Onthisoccasion，shewaswellinclinedtodoso，ifsheonlyknewhow。SheagainrememberedhowMaryhadoncesworntobeatherwedding，tobenearher，andtotouchher——eventhoughallthebloodoftheDeCourcysshouldbecrowdedbeforethealtarrailings。
"Ishouldbehappythatsheshouldbethere；butwhatamItodo，Frank，ifsherefuses？Ihaveaskedher，andshehasrefused。"
"Gotoheragain；youneednothaveanyscrupleswithher。DonotI
tellyoushewillbeyoursister？NotcomehereagaintoGreshamsbury！
Why，Itellyouthatshewillbelivingherewhileyouarelivingthereattheparsonage，foryearsandyearstocome。"
BeatricepromisedthatshewouldgotoMaryagain，andthatshewouldendeavourtotalkhermotheroverifMarywouldconsenttocome。ButshecouldnotyetmakeherselfbelievethatMaryThornewouldeverbemistressofGreshamsbury。ItwassoindispensablynecessarythatFrankshouldmarrymoney！Besides，whatwerethesehorridrumourswhichwerenowbecomingrifeastoMary"sbirth；rumoursmorehorridthananywhichhadyetbeenheard。
Augustahadsaidhardlymorethanthetruthwhenshespokeofherfatherbeingbroken-heartedbyhisdebts。Histroubleswerebecomingalmosttoomanyforhim；andMrGazebee，thoughnodoubthewasanexcellentmanofbusiness，didnotseemtolessenthem。MrGazebee，indeed，wascontinuallypointingouthowmuchheowed，andinwhataquagmireofdifficultieshehadentangledhimself。Now，todoMrUmblebyjustice，hehadnevermadehimselfdisagreeableinthismanner。
MrGazebeehadbeendoubtlessright，whenhedeclaredthatSirLouisScatcherdhadnothimselfthepowertotakeanystepshostiletothesquire；butSirLouishadalsobeenright，whenheboastedthat，inspiteofhisfather"swill，hecouldcauseotherstomoveinthematter。
Othersdidmove，andweremoving，anditbegantobeunderstoodthatamoiety，atleast，oftheremainingGreshamsburypropertymustbesold。
Eventhis，however，wouldbynomeansleavethesquireinundisturbedpossessionoftheothermoiety。Andthus，MrGreshamwasnearlybroken-hearted。
Frankhadnowbeenathomeaweek，andhisfatherhadnotasyetspokentohimaboutthefamilytroubles；norhadawordasyetbeensaidbetweenthemastoMaryThorne。IthadbeenagreedthatFrankshouldgoawayfortwelvemonths，inorderthathemightforgether。Hehadbeenawaythetwelvemonth，andhadnowreturned，nothavingforgottenher。
Itgenerallyhappens，thatineveryhousehold，onesubjectofimportanceoccupiesitatatime。ThesubjectofimportancenowmostlythoughtofintheGreshamsburyhousehold，wasthemarriageofBeatrice。LadyArabellahadtosupplythetrousseauforherdaughter；thesquirehadtosupplythemoneyforthetrousseau；MrGazebeehadthetaskofobtainingthemoneyforthesquire。Whilethiswasgoingon，MrGreshamwasnotanxioustotalktohisson，eitherabouthisowndebtsorhisson"slove。Therewouldbetimeforthesethingswhenthemarriage-feastwasover。
Sothoughtthefather，butthematterwasprecipitatedbyFrank。Healsohadputoffthedeclarationwhichhehadtomake，partlyfromawishtosparethesquire，butpartlyalsowithaviewtosparehimself。
Wehaveallsomeofthatcowardicewhichinducesustopostponeaninevitablyevilday。AtthistimethediscussionsastoBeatrice"sweddingwerefrequentinthehouse，andatoneofthemFrankhadheardhismotherrepeatthenamesoftheproposedbridesmaids。Mary"snamewasnotamongthem，andhencehadarisentheattackonhissister。
LadyArabellahadhadherreasonfornamingthelistbeforeherson；butsheovershothermark。ShewishedtoshowhimhowMarywasforgottenatGreshamsbury；butsheonlyinspiredhimwitharesolvethatsheshouldnotbeforgotten。Heaccordinglywenttohissister；andthen，thesubjectbeingfullonhismind，heresolvedatoncetodiscussitwithhisfather。
"Sir，areyouatleisureforfiveminutes？"hesaid，enteringtheroominwhichthesquirewasaccustomedtositmajestically，toreceivehistenants，scoldhisdependants，andinwhich，informerhappydays，hehadalwaysarrangedthemeetsoftheBarsetshirehunt。
MrGreshamwasquiteatleisure：whenwashenotso？Buthadhebeenimmersedinthedeepestbusinessofwhichhewascapable，hewouldgladlyhaveputitasideathisson"sinstance。
"Idon"tliketohaveanysecretfromyou，sir，"saidFrank；"nor，forthematterofthat，fromanybodyelse"——theanybodyelsewasintendedtohavereferencetohismother——"and，therefore，IwouldrathertellyouatoncewhatIhavemadeupmymindtodo。"
Frank"saddresswasveryabrupt，andhefeltitwasso。Hewasratherredintheface，andhismannerwasfluttered。Hehadquitemadeuphismindtobreakthewholeaffairtohisfather；buthehadhardlymadeuphismindastothebestmodeofdoingso。
"Goodheavens，Frank！whatdoyoumean？youarenotgoingtodoanythingrash？Whatisityoumean，Frank？"
"Idon"tthinkitisrash，"saidFrank。
"Sitdown，myboy；sitdown。Whatisitthatyousayyouaregoingtodo？"
"Nothingimmediately，sir，"saidhe，ratherabashed；"butasIhavemadeupmymindaboutMaryThorne——"
"Oh，aboutMary，"saidthesquire，almostrelieved。
AndthenFrank，involublelanguage，whichhehardly，however，hadquiteunderhiscommand，toldhisfatherallthathadpassedbetweenhimandMary。"Yousee，sir，"saidhe，"thatitisfixednow，andcannotbealtered。Normustitbealtered。Youaskedmetogoawayfortwelvemonths，andIhavedoneso。Ithasmadenodifference，yousee。Astoourmeansofliving，Iamquitewillingtodoanythingthatmaybebestandmostprudent。Iwasthinking，sir，oftakingafarmsomewherenearhere，andlivingonthat。"
Thesquiresatquitesilentforsomemomentsafterthiscommunicationhadbeenmadetohim。Frank"sconduct，asason，inthisspecialmatterofhislove，howwasitpossibleforhimtofindfault？HehimselfwasalmostasfondofMaryasofadaughter；and，thoughhetoowouldhavebeendesirousthathissonshouldreceivetheestatefromitsembarrassmentbyarichmarriage，hedidnotatallshareLadyArabella"sfeelingsonthesubject。NoCountessdeCourcyhadeverengraveditonthetabletsofhismindthattheworldwouldcometoruinifFrankdidnotmarrymoney。Ruintherewas，andwouldbe，butithadbeenbroughtaboutbynosinofFrank"s。
"Doyourememberaboutherbirth，Frank？"hesaid，atlast。
"Yes，sir；everything。Shetoldmeallsheknew；andDrThornefinishedthestory。"
"Andwhatdoyouthinkofit？"
"Itisapityandamisfortune。Itmight，perhaps，havebeenareasonwhyyouormymothershouldnothavehadMaryinthehousemanyyearsago；butitcannotmakeanydifferencenow。"
Frankhadnotmeanttoleansoheavilyonhisfather；buthedidso。ThestoryhadneverbeentoldtoLadyArabella；wasnotevenknowntohernow，positively，andongoodauthority。ButMrGreshamhadalwaysknownit。IfMary"sbirthwassogreatastainuponher，whyhadhebroughtherintohishouseamonghischildren？
"Itisamisfortune，Frank；averygreatmisfortune。Itwillnotdoforyouandmetoignorebirth；toomuchofthevalueofone"spositiondependsonit。"
"ButwhatwasMrMoffat"sbirth？"saidFrank，almostwithscorn；"orwhatMissDunstable"s？"hewouldhaveadded，haditnotbeenthathisfatherhadnotbeenconcernedinthatsinofweddinghimtotheoilofLebanon。
"True，Frank。Butyet，whatyouwouldmeantosayisnottrue。Wemusttaketheworldaswefindit。Wereyoutomarryarichheiress，wereherbirthevenaslowasthatofpoorMary——"
"Don"tcallherpoorMary，father；sheisnotpoor。Mywifewillhavearighttotakerankintheworld，howevershewasborn。"
"Well，——poorinthatway。Butweresheanheiress，theworldwouldforgiveherbirthonaccountofherwealth。"
"Theworldisverycomplaisant，sir。"
"Youmusttakeitasyoufindit，Frank。Ionlysaythatsuchisthefact。IfPorlockweretomarrythedaughterofashoeblack，withoutafarthing，hewouldmakeamesalliance；butifthedaughteroftheshoeblackhadhalfamillionofmoney，nobodywoulddreamofsayingso。
Iamstatingnoopinionofmyown：Iamonlygivingyoutheworld"sopinion。"
"Idon"tgiveastrawfortheworld。"
"Thatisamistake，myboy；youdocareforit，andwouldbeveryfoolishifyoudidnot。Whatyoumeanis，that，onthisparticularpoint，youvalueyourlovemorethantheworld"sopinion。"
"Well，yes，thatiswhatImean。"
Butthesquire，thoughhehadbeenverylucidinhisdefinition，hadnotgotnearertohisobject；hadnotevenyetascertainedwhathisownobjectwas。ThismarriagewouldberuinoustoGreshamsbury；andyet，whatwashetosayagainstit，seeingthattheruinhadbeenhisfault，andnothisson"s？
"Youcouldletmehaveafarm；couldyounot，sir？Iwasthinkingofaboutsixorsevenhundredacres。Isupposeitcouldbemanagedsomehow？"
"Afarm？"saidthefather，abstractedly。
"Yes，sir。Imustdosomethingformyliving。Ishouldmakelessofamessofthatthananythingelse。Besides，itwouldtakesuchatimetobeanattorney，oradoctor，oranythingofthatsort。"
Dosomethingforhisliving！AndwastheheirofGreshamsburycometothis——theheirandhisonlyson？Whereas，he，thesquire，hadsucceededatanearlieragethanFrank"stoanunembarrassedincomeoffourteenthousandpoundsayear！Thereflectionwasveryhardtobear。
"Yes：Idaresayyoucouldhaveafarm："andthenhethrewhimselfbackinhischair，closinghiseyes。Then，afterawhile，roseagain，andwalkedhurriedlyabouttheroom。"Frank，"hesaid，atlast，standingoppositetohisson，"Iwonderwhatyouthinkofme？"
"Thinkofyou，sir？"ejaculatedFrank。
"Yes；whatdoyouthinkofme，forhavingthusruinedyou。Iwonderwhetheryouhateme？"
Frank，jumpingupfromhischair，threwhisarmsroundhisfather"sneck。"Hateyou，sir？Howcanyouspeaksocruelly？YouknowwellthatI
loveyou。And，father，donottroubleyourselfabouttheestateformysake。Idonotcareforit；Icanbejustashappywithoutit。Letthegirlshavewhatisleft，andIwillmakemyownwayintheworld，somehow。IwillgotoAustralia；yes，sir，thatwillbethebest。IandMarywillbothgo。Nobodywillcareaboutherbirththere。But，father，neversay，neverthink，thatIdonotloveyou！"
Thesquirewastoomuchmovedtospeakatonce，sohesatdownagainandcoveredhisfacewithhishands。Frankwentonpacingtheroom，till，gradually，hisfirstidearecoveredpossessionofhismind，andtheremembranceofhisfather"sgrieffadedaway。"MayItellMary，"hesaidatlast，"thatyouconsenttoourmarriage？"
Butthesquirewasnotpreparedtosaythis。Hewaspledgedtohiswifetodoallthathecouldtoopposeit；andhehimselfthought，thatifanythingcouldconsummatethefamilyruin，itwouldbethismarriage。
"Icannotsaythat，Frank；Icannotsaythat。Whatwouldyoubothliveon？Itwouldbemadness。"
"WewouldgotoAustralia，"answeredhe，bitterly。"Ihavejustsaidso。"
"Oh，no，myboy；youcannotdothat。Youmustnotthrowuptheoldplacealtogether。Thereisnootheronebutyou，Frank；andwehavelivedherenowforsomany，manyyears。"
"Butifwecannotlivehereanylonger，father？"
"Butforthisschemeofyours，wemightdo。Iwillgiveupeverythingtoyou，themanagementoftheestate，thepark，allthelandwehaveinhand，ifyouwillgiveupthisfatalscheme。For，Frank，itisfatal。
Youareonlytwenty-three；whyshouldyoubeinsuchahurrytomarry？"
"Youmarriedattwenty-one，sir。"
Frankwasagainsevereonhisfather，unwittingly。"Yes，Idid，"saidMrGresham；"andseewhathascomeofit！HadIwaitedtenyearslonger，howdifferentwouldeverythinghavebeen！No，Frank，Icannotconsenttosuchamarriage；norwillyourmother。"
"ItisyourconsentthatIask，sir；andIamaskingfornothingbutyourconsent。"
"Itwouldbesheermadness；madnessforyouboth。MyownFrank，mydearboy，donotdrivemetodistraction！Giveitupforfouryears。"
"Fouryears！"
"Yes；forfouryears。Iaskitasapersonalfavour；asanobligationtomyself，inorderthatwemaybesavedfromruin；you，yourmother，andsisters，yourfamilyname，andtheoldhouse。Idonottalkaboutmyself；butweresuchamarriagetotakeplace，Ishouldbedriventodespair。"
Frankfounditveryhardtoresisthisfather，whonowhadholdofhishandandarm，andwasthushalfretaininghim，andhalfembracinghim。
"Frank，saythatyouwillforgetthisforfouryears——sayforthreeyears。"
ButFrankwouldnotsayso。Topostponehismarriageforfouryears，orforthree，seemedtohimtobetantamounttogivingupMaryaltogether；
andhewouldnotacknowledgethatanyonehadtherighttodemandofhimtodothat。
"Mywordispledged，sir，"hesaid。
"Pledged！Pledgedtowhom？"
"ToMissThorne。"
"ButIwillseeher，Frank；——andheruncle。Shewasalwaysreasonable。
IamsureshewillnotwishtobringruinonheroldfriendsatGreshamsbury。"
"HeroldfriendsatGreshamsburyhavedonebutlittlelatelytodeserveherconsideration。Shehasbeentreatedshamefully。Iknowithasnotbeenbyyou，sir；butImustsayso。Shehasalreadybeentreatedshamefully；butIwillnottreatherfalsely。"
"Well，Frank，Icansaynomoretoyou。Ihavedestroyedtheestatewhichshouldhavebeenyours，andIhavenorighttoexpectyoushouldregardwhatIsay。"
Frankwasgreatlydistressed。Hehadnotanyfeelingofanimosityagainsthisfatherwithreferencetotheproperty，andwouldhavedoneanythingtomakethesquireunderstandthis，shortofgivinguphisengagementtoMary。Hisfeelingratherwas，that，aseachhadacaseagainsttheother，theyshouldcryquits；thatheshouldforgivehisfatherforhisbadmanagement，onconditionthathehimselfwastobeforgivenwithregardtohisdeterminedmarriage。Notthatheputitexactlyinthatshape，eventohimself；butcouldhehaveunravelledhisownthoughts，hewouldhavefoundthatsuchwasthewebonwhichtheywerebased。
"Father，Idoregardwhatyousay；butyouwouldnothavemebefalse。
Hadyoudoubledthepropertyinsteadoflesseningit，Icouldnotregardwhatyousayanymore。"
"Ishouldbeabletospeakinaverydifferenttone；Ifeelthat，Frank。"
"Donotfeelitanymore，sir；saywhatyouwish，asyouwouldhavesaiditunderanyothercircumstances；andpraybelievethis，theideaneveroccurstome，thatIhavegroundforcomplaintasregardstheproperty；
never。Whatevertroubleswemayhave，donotletthattroubleyou。"
SoonafterthisFranklefthim。Whatmorewastherethatcouldbesaidbetweenthem？Theycouldnotbeofoneaccord；butevenyetitmightnotbenecessarythattheyshouldquarrel。Hewentout，androamedbyhimselfthroughthegrounds，rathermoreinmeditationthanwashiswont。
Ifhedidmarry，howwashetolive？Hetalkedofaprofession；buthadhemeanttodoasothersdo，whomaketheirwayinprofessions，heshouldhavethoughtofthatayearortwoago！——or，rather，havedonemorethanthinkofit。Hespokealsoofafarm，buteventhatcouldnotbehadinamoment；nor，ifitcould，woulditproducealiving。Wherewashiscapital？Wherewashisskill？andhemighthaveaskedalso，wheretheindustrysonecessaryforsuchatrade？Hemighthavesethisfatheratdefiance，andifMarywereequallyheadstrongwithhimself，hemightmarryher。But，whatthen？
Ashewalkedslowlyabout，cuttingoffthedaisieswithhisstick，hemetMrOriel，goinguptothehouse，aswasnowhiscustom，todinethereandspendtheevening，closetoBeatrice。
"HowIenvyyou，Oriel！"hesaid。"WhatwouldInotgivetohavesuchapositionintheworldasyours！"
"Thoushaltnotcovetaman"shouse，norhiswife，"saidMrOriel；
"perhapsitoughttohavebeenadded，norhisposition。"
"Itwouldn"thavemademuchdifference。Whenamanistempted，theCommandments，Ibelieve，donotgoformuch。"
"Dotheynot，Frank？That"sadangerousdoctrine；andonewhich，ifyouhadmyposition，youwouldhardlyadmit。Butwhatmakesyousomuchoutofsorts？Yourownpositionisgenerallyconsideredaboutthebestwhichtheworldhastogive。"
"Isit？Thenletmetellyouthattheworldhasverylittletogive。
WhatcanIdo？WherecanIturn？Oriel，iftherebeanempty，lyinghumbugintheworld，itisthetheoryofhighbirthandpurebloodwhichsomeofusendeavourtomaintain。Blood，indeed！Ifmyfatherhadbeenabaker，Ishouldknowbythistimewheretolookformylivelihood。Asitis，Iamtoldofnothingbutmyblood。Willmybloodevergetmehalfacrown？"
Andthentheyoungdemocratwalkedonagaininsolitude，leavingMrOrielindoubtastotheexactlineofargumentwhichhehadmeanttoinculcate。
CHAPTERXL
THETWODOCTORSCHANGEPATIENTS
DrFillgravestillcontinuedhisvisitstoGreshamsbury，forLadyArabellahadnotyetmusteredthecouragenecessaryforswallowingherprideandsendingoncemoreforDrThorne。NothingpleasedDrFillgravemorethanthosevisits。
Hehabituallyattendedgranderfamilies，andricherpeople；butthen，hehadattendedthemhabitually。Greshamsburywasaprizetakenfromtheenemy；itwashisrockofGibraltar，ofwhichhethoughtmuchmorethanofanyordinaryHampshireorWiltshirewhichhadalwaysbeenwithinhisownkingdom。
Hewasjuststartingonemorningwithhispost-horsesforGreshamsbury，whenanimpudent-lookinggroom，withacrookednose，trotteduptohisdoor。ForJoestillhadacrookednose，allthedoctor"scarehavingbeeninefficacioustoremedytheevileffectsofBridget"slittletapwiththerolling-pin。Joehadnowrittencredentials，forhismasterwashardlyequaltowriting，andLadyScatcherdhaddeclinedtoputherselftofurtherpersonalcommunicationwithDrFillgrave；buthehadeffronteryenoughtodeliveranymessage。
"BeyouDrFillgrave？"saidJoe，withonefingerjustraisedtohiscockedhat。
"Yes，"saidDrFillgrave，withonefootonthestepofthecarriage，butpausingatthesightofthewell-turned-outservant。"Yes；IamDrFillgrave。"
"ThenyoubetogotoBoxallHillimmediately；beforeanywhereelse。"
"BoxallHill！"saidthedoctor，withaveryangryfrown。
"Yes；BoxallHill：mymaster"splace——mymasterisSirLouisScatcherd，baronet。You"veheardofhim，Isuppose？"
DrFillgravehadnothismindquitereadyforsuchanoccasion。Sohewithdrewhisfootfromthecarriagestep，andrubbinghishandsoneoveranother，lookedathisownhalldoorforinspiration。Asingleglanceathisfacewassufficienttoshowthatnoordinarythoughtswerebeingturnedoverwithinhisbreast。
"Well！"saidJoe，thinkingthathismaster"snamehadnotaltogetherproducedthemagiceffectwhichhehadexpected；remembering，also，nowsubmissiveGreysonhadalwaysbeen，who，beingaLondondoctor，mustbesupposedtobeabiggermanthanthisprovincialfellow。"Doyouknowmymasterisdying，verylike，whileyoustandhere？"
"Whatisyourmaster"sdisease？"saidthedoctor，facingJoe，slowly，andstillrubbinghishands。"Whatailshim？Whatisthematterwithhim？"
"Oh；thematterwithhim？Well，tosayitoutatoncethen，hedotakeadroptoomuchattimes，andthenhehasthehorrors——whatisittheycallit？Deliciousbeam-ends，orsomethingofthatsort。"
"Ah，ah，yes；Iknow；andtellme，myman，whoisattendinghim？"
"Attendinghim？why，Ido，andhismother，thatis，herladyship。"
"Yes；butwhatmedicalattendant：whatdoctor？"
"Why，therewasGreyson，inLondon，and——"
"Greyson！"andthedoctorlookedasthoughanamesomedicinallyhumblehadneverstruckthetympanumofhisear。
"Yes；Greyson。Andthen，downatwhat"sathemanoftheplace，therewasThorne。"
"Greshamsbury？"
"Yes；Greshamsbury。ButheandThornedidn"thititoff；andsosincethathehashadnoonebutmyself。"
"IwillbeatBoxallHillinthecourseofthemorning，"saidDrFillgrave；"or，rather，youmaysay，thatIwillbethereatonce：I
willtakeitinmyway。"Andhavingthusresolved，hegavehisordersthatthepost-horsesshouldmakesuchadetouraswouldenablehimtovisitBoxallHillonhisroad。"Itisimpossible，"saidhetohimself，"thatIshouldbetwicetreatedinsuchamannerinthesamehouse。"
Hewasnot，however，altogetherinacomfortableframeofmindashewasdrivenuptothehalldoor。Hecouldnotbutrememberthesmileoftriumphwithwhichhisenemyhadregardedhiminthathall；hecouldnotbutthinkhowhehadreturnedfee-lesstoBarchester，andhowlittlehehadgainedinthemedicalworldbyrejectingLadyScatcherd"sbank-note。
However，healsohadhadhistriumphssincethat。HehadsmiledscornfullyatDrThornewhenhehadseenhimintheGreshamsburystreet；
andhadbeenabletotell，attwentyhousesthroughthecounty，howLadyArabellahadatlastbeenobligedtoplaceherselfinhishands。AndhetriumphedagainwhenhefoundhimselfreallystandingbySirLouisScatcherd"sbedside。AsforLadyScatcherd，shedidnotevenshowherself。Shekeptinherownlittleroom，sendingoutHannahtoaskhimupthestairs；andsheonlyjustgotapeepathimthroughthedoorassheheardthemedicalcreakofhisshoesasheagaindescended。
WeneedsaybutlittleofhisvisittoSirLouis。Itmatterednothingnow，whetheritwasThorne，orGreyson，orFillgrave。AndDrFillgraveknewthatitmatterednothing：hehadskillatleastforthat——andheartenoughalsotofeelthathewouldfainhavebeenrelievedfromthistask；wouldfainhaveleftthepatientinthehandsevenofDrThorne。
ThenamewhichJoehadgiventohismaster"sillnesswascertainlynotafalseone。HedidfindSirLouis"inthehorrors"。Ifanyfatherhaveasonwhosebesettingsinwasapassionforalcohol，lethimtakehischildtotheroomofadrunkardwhenpossessedby"thehorrors"。Nothingwillcurehimifnotthat。
Iwillnotdisgustmyreaderbyattemptingtodescribethepoorwretchinhismisery：thesunken，butyetglaringeyes；theemaciatedcheeks；
thefallenmouth；theparched，sorelips；theface，nowdryandhot，andthensuddenlyclammywithdropsofperspiration；theshakinghand，andallbutpalsiedlimbs；andworsethanthis，thefearfulmentalefforts，andthestrugglesfordrink；strugglestowhichitisoftennecessarytogiveway。
DrFillgravesoonknewwhatwastobetheman"sfate；buthedidwhathemighttorelieveit。There，inonebig，bestbedroom，lookingouttothenorth，laySirLouisScatcherd，dyingwretchedly。There，intheotherbig，bestbedroom，lookingouttothesouth，haddiedtheotherbaronetabouttwelvemonthsince，andeachavictimofthesamesin。TothishadcometheprosperityofthehouseofScatcherd！
AndthenDrFillgravewentontoGreshamsbury。Itwasalongday"swork，bothforhimselfandthehorses；butthen，thetriumphofbeingdraggedupthatavenuecompensatedforboththeexpenseandthelabour。
Healwaysputonhissweetestsmileashecamenearthehalldoor，andrubbedhishandsinthemostcomplaisantmannerofwhichheknew。ItwasseldomthathesawanyofthefamilybutLadyArabella；butthenhedesiredtoseenoneother，andwhenheleftherinagoodhumour，wasquitecontenttotakehisglassofsherryandeathislunchbyhimself。
Onthisoccasion，however，theservantatonceaskedhimtogointothedining-room，andtherehefoundhimselfinthepresenceofFrankGresham。Thefactwas，thatLadyArabella，havingatlastdecided，hadsentforDrThorne；andithadbecomenecessarythatsomeoneshouldbeentrustedwiththedutyofinformingDrFillgrave。Thatsomeonemustbethesquire，orFrank。LadyArabellawoulddoubtlesshavepreferredamessengermoreabsolutelyfriendlytoherownsideofthehouse；butsuchmessengertherewasnone：shecouldnotsendMrGazebeetoseethedoctor，andso，ofthetwoevils，shechosetheleast。
"DrFillgrave，"saidFrank，shakinghandswithhimverycordiallyashecameup，"mymotherissomuchobligedtoyouforallyourcareandanxietyonherbehalf！and，soindeed，areweall。"
Thedoctorshookhandswithhimverywarmly。Thislittleexpressionofafamilyfeelingonhisbehalfwasthemoregratifying，ashehadalwaysthoughtthatthemalesoftheGreshamsburyfamilywerestillweddedtothatpseudo-doctor，thathalf-apothecarywholivedinthevillage。
"Ithasbeenawfullytroublesometoyou，comingoverallthisway，Iamsure。Indeed，moneycouldnotpayforit；mymotherfeelsthat。Itmustcutupyourtimesomuch。"
"Notatall，MrGresham；notatall，"saidtheBarchesterdoctor，risinguponhistoesproudlyashespoke。"Apersonofyourmother"simportance，youknow！Ishouldbehappytogoanydistancetoseeher。"
"Ah！but，DrFillgrave，wecannotallowthat。"
"MrGresham，don"tmentionit。"
"Oh，yes；butImust，"saidFrank，whothoughtthathehaddoneenoughforcivility，andwasnowanxioustocometothepoint。"Thefactis，doctor，thatweareverymuchobligedforwhatyouhavedone；but，forthefuture，mymotherthinksthatshecantrusttosuchassistanceasshecangethereinthevillage。"
FrankhadbeenparticularlyinstructedtobeverycarefulhowhementionedDrThorne"sname，and，therefore，cleverlyavoidedit。"
Getwhatassistanceshewantedinthevillage！Whatwordswerethosethatheheard？"MrGresham，eh——hem——perhapsIdonotcompletely——"Yes，alas！hehadcompletelyunderstoodwhatFrankhadmeantthatheshouldunderstand。Frankdesiredtobecivil，buthehadnoideaofbeatingunnecessarilyaboutthebushonsuchanoccasionasthis。
"It"sbySirOmicron"sadvice，DrFillgrave。Yousee，thismanhere"——andhenoddedhisheadtowardsthedoctor"shouse，beingstillanxiousnottopronouncethehideousname——"hasknownmymother"sconstitutionforsomanyyears。"
"Oh，MrGresham；ofcourse，ifitiswished。"
"Yes，DrFillgrave，itiswished。Lunchiscomingdirectly："andFrankrangthebell。
"Nothing，Ithankyou，MrGresham。"
"Dotakeaglassofsherry。"
"Nothingatall，Iamverymuchobligedtoyou。"
"Won"tyouletthehorsesgetsomeoats？"
"Iwillreturnatonce，ifyouplease，MrGresham。"Andthedoctordidreturn，takingwithhim，onthisoccasion，thefeethatwasofferedtohim。Hisexperiencehadatanyratetaughthimsomuch。
ButthoughFrankcoulddothisforLadyArabella，hecouldnotreceiveDrThorneonherbehalf。Thebitternessofthatinterviewhadtobebornebyherself。Amessengerhadbeensentforhim，andhewasupstairswithherladyshipwhilehisrivalwasreceivinghiscongedownstairs。
Shehadtwoobjectstoaccomplish，ifitmightbepossible：shehadfoundthathighwordswiththedoctorwereofnoavail；butitmightbepossiblethatFrankcouldbesavedbyhumiliationonherpart。Ifshehumbledherselfbeforethisman，wouldheconsenttoacknowledgethathisniecewasnotthefitbridefortheheirofGreshamsbury？
Thedoctorenteredtheroomwhereshewaslyingonhersofa，andwalkinguptoherwithagentle，butyetnotconstrainedstep，tooktheseatbesideherlittletable，justashehadalwaysbeenaccustomedtodo，andasthoughtherehadbeennobreakintheintercourse。
"Well，doctor，youseethatIhavecomebacktoyou，"shesaid，withafaintsmile。
"Or，ratherIhavecomebacktoyou。And，believeme，LadyArabella，I
amveryhappytodoso。Thereneedbenoexcuses。Youwere，doubtless，righttotrywhatotherskillcoulddo；andIhopeithasnotbeentriedinvain。"
Shehadmeanttohavebeensocondescending；butnowallthatwasputquitebeyondherpower。Itwasnoteasytobecondescendingtothedoctor：shehadbeentryingallherlife，andhadneversucceeded。
"IhavehadSirOmicronPie，"shesaid。
"SoIwasgladtohear。SirOmicronisacleverman，andhasagoodname。IalwaysrecommendSirOmicronmyself。"
"AndSirOmicronreturnsthecompliment，"saidshe，smilinggracefully，"forherecommendsyou。HetoldMrGreshamthatIwasveryfoolishtoquarrelwithmybestfriend。Sonowwearefriendsagain，arewenot？
YouseehowselfishIam。"Andsheputoutherhandtohim。
Thedoctortookherhandcordially，andassuredherthatheborehernoill-will；thathefullyunderstoodherconduct——andthathehadneveraccusedherofselfishness。Thiswasallverywellandverygracious；
but，nevertheless，LadyArabellafeltthatthedoctorkepttheupperhandinthosesweetforgivenesses。Whereas，shehadintendedtokeeptheupperhand，atleastforawhile，sothatherhumiliationmightbemoreeffectivewhenitdidcome。
Andthenthedoctorusedhissurgicallore，ashewellknewhowtouseit。Therewasanassuredconfidenceabouthim，anairwhichseemedtodeclarethathereallyknewwhathewasdoing。Thesewereverycomfortabletohispatients，buttheywerewantinginDrFillgrave。Whenhehadcompletedhisexaminationsandquestions，andshehadcompletedherlittledetailsandmadeheranswer，shewascertainlymoreateasethanshehadbeensincethedoctorhadlastlefther。
"Don"tgoyet，foramoment，"shesaid。"Ihaveonewordtosaytoyou。"
Hedeclaredthathewasnotintheleastinahurry。Hedesirednothingbetter，hesaid，thantositthereandtalktoher。"AndIoweyouamostsincereapology，LadyArabella。"
"Asincereapology！"saidshe，becomingalittlered。WashegoingtosayanythingaboutMary？Washegoingtoownthathe，andMary，andFrankhadallbeenwrong？
"Yes，indeed。IoughtnottohavebroughtSirLouisScatcherdhere：I
oughttohaveknownthathewouldhavedisgracedhimself。"
"Oh！itdoesnotsignify，"saidherladyshipinatonealmostofdisappointment。"Ihadforgottenit。MrGreshamandyouhadmoreinconveniencethanwehad。"
"Heisanunfortunate，wretchedman——mostunfortunate；withanimmensefortunewhichhecanneverlivetopossess。"
"Andwhowillthemoneygoto，doctor？"
ThiswasaquestionforwhichDrThornewashardlyprepared。"Goto？"herepeated。"Oh，somememberofthefamily，Ibelieve。Thereareplentyofnephewsandnieces。"
"Yes；butwillitbedivided，orallgotoone？"
"Probablytoone，Ithink。SirRogerhadastrongideaofleavingitallinonehand。"Ifitshouldhappentobeagirl，thoughtLadyArabella，whatanexcellentopportunitywouldthatbeforFranktomarrymoney！
"Andnow，doctor，Iwanttosayonewordtoyou；consideringtheverylongtimethatwehaveknowneachother，itisbetterthatIshouldbeopenwithyou。ThisestrangementbetweenusanddearMaryhasgivenusallsomuchpain。Cannotwedoanythingtoputanendtoit？"
"Well，whatcanIsay，LadyArabella？Thatdependssowhollyonyourself。"
"Ifitdependsonme，itshallbedoneatonce。"
Thedoctorbowed。Andthoughhecouldhardlybesaidtodosostiffly，hediditcoldly。Hisbowseemedtosay，"Certainly；ifyouchoosetomakeaproperamendeitcanbedone。ButIthinkitisveryunlikelythatyouwilldoso。"
"Beatriceisjustgoingtobemarried，youknowthat，doctor。"Thedoctorsaidthathedidknowit。"AnditwillbesopleasantthatMaryshouldmakeoneofus。PoorBeatrice；youdon"tknowwhatshehassuffered。"
"Yes，"saidthedoctor，"therehasbeensuffering，Iamsure；sufferingonbothsides。"
"YoucannotwonderthatweshouldbesoanxiousaboutFrank，DrThorne；
anonlyson，andtheheirtoanestatethathasbeensoverylonginthefamily："andLadyArabellaputherhandkerchieftohereyes，asthoughthesefactswerethemselvesmelancholy，andnottobethoughtofbyamotherwithoutsomesofttears。"NowIwishyoucouldtellmewhatyourviewsare，inafriendlymanner，betweenourselves。Youwon"tfindmeunreasonable。"
"Myviews，LadyArabella？"
"Yes，doctor；aboutyourniece，youknow：youmusthaveviewsofsomesort；that"sofcourse。Itoccurstome，thatperhapswereallinthedarktogether。Ifso，alittlecandidspeakingbetweenyouandmemaysetitallright。"
LadyArabella"scareerhadnothithertobeenconspicuousforcandour，asfarasDrThornehadbeenabletojudgeofit；butthatwasnoreasonwhyheshouldnotrespondtosoverybecominganinvitationonherpart。
Hehadnoobjectiontoalittlecandidspeaking；atleast，sohedeclared。AstohisviewswithregardtoMary，theyweremerelythese：
thathewouldmakeherashappyandcomfortableashecouldwhilesheremainedwithhim；andthathewouldgiveherhisblessing——forhehadnothingelsetogiveher——whenshelefthim；——ifeversheshoulddoso。
Now，itwillbesaidthatthedoctorwasnotverycandidinthis；notmoreso，perhaps，thanwasLadyArabellaherself。Butwhenoneisspeciallyinvitedtobecandid，oneisnaturallysetuponone"sguard。
Thosewhobydispositionaremostopen，areapttobecomecraftywhensoadmonished。Whenamansaystoyou，"Letusbecandidwitheachother，"
youfeelinstinctivelythathedesirestosqueezeyouwithoutgivingadropofwaterhimself。
"Yes；butaboutFrank，"saidLadyArabella。
"AboutFrank！"saidthedoctor，withaninnocentlook，whichherladyshipcouldhardlyinterpret。
"WhatImeanisthis：canyougivemeyourwordthattheseyoungpeopledonotintendtodoanythingrash？Onewordlikethatfromyouwillsetmymindquiteatrest。Andthenwecouldbesohappytogetheragain。"
"Ah！whoistoanswerforwhatrashthingsayoungmanwilldo？"saidthedoctor，smiling。
LadyArabellagotupfromthesofa，andpushedawaythelittletable。
Themanwasfalse，hypocritical，andcunning。Nothingcouldbemadeofhim。Theywereallinaconspiracytogethertorobherofherson；tomakehimmarrywithoutmoney！Whatshouldshedo？Whereshouldsheturnforadviceandcounsel？Shehadnothingmoretosaytothedoctor；andhe，perceivingthatthiswasthecase，tookhisleave。Thislittleattempttoachievecandourhadnotsucceeded。
DrThornehadansweredLadyArabellaashadseemedbesttohimonthespurofthemoment；buthewasbynomeanssatisfiedwithhimself。Ashewalkedawaythroughthegardens，hebethoughthimselfwhetheritwouldbebetterforallpartiesifhecouldbringhimselftobereallycandid。
Woulditnotbebetterforhimatoncetotellthesquirewhatwerethefutureprospectsofhisniece，andletthefatheragreetothemarriage，ornotagreetoit，ashemightthinkfit。Butthen，ifso，ifhediddothis，wouldhenotinfactsay，"Thereismyniece，thereisthisgirlofwhomyouhavebeentalkingforthelasttwelvemonth，indifferenttowhatagonyofmindyoumayhaveoccasionedtoher；theresheis，aprobableheiress！Itmaybeworthyourson"swhiletowaitalittletime，andnotcastherofftillheshallknowwhethershebeanheiressorno。Ifitshallturnoutthatsheisrich，lethimtakeher；ifnot，why，hecandesertherthenaswellasnow。"Hecouldnotbringhimselftoputhisnieceintosuchapositionasthis。HewasanxiousenoughthatsheshouldbeFrankGresham"swife，forhelovedFrankGresham；hewasanxiousenough，also，thatsheshouldgivetoherhusbandthemeansofsavingthepropertyofhisfamily。ButFrank，thoughhemightfindherrich，wasboundtotakeherwhileshewaspoor。
Then，also，hedoubtedwhetherhewouldbejustifiedinspeakingofthiswillatall。Healmosthatedthewillforthetroubleandvexationithadgivenhim，andtheconstantstressithadlaidonhisconscience。Hehadspokenofitasyettonoone，andhethoughtthathewasresolvednottodosowhileSirLouisshouldyetbeinthelandoftheliving。
Onreachinghome，hefoundanotefromLadyScatcherd，informinghimthatDrFillgravehadoncemorebeenatBoxallHill，andthat，onthisoccasion，hehadleftthehousewithoutanger。
"Idon"tknowwhathehassaidaboutLouis，"sheadded，"for，totellthetruth，doctor，Iwasafraidtoseehim。Buthecomesagainto-morrow，andthenIshallbebraver。ButIfearthatmypoorboyisinabadway。"
CHAPTERXLI
DOCTORTHORNEWON"TINTERFERE
Atthisperiodtherewas，asitwere，atrucetotheordinarylittleskirmisheswhichhadbeensocustomarybetweenLadyArabellaandthesquire。Thingshadsofallenout，thattheyneitherofthemhadmustspiritforacontest；and，moreover，onthatpointwhichatthepresentmomentwasmostthoughtofbybothofthem，theywerestrangelyinunison。Foreachofthemwasanxioustopreventthethreatenedmarriageoftheironlyson。
Itmust，moreover，beremembered，thatLadyArabellahadcarriedagreatpointinoustingMrYatesUmblebyandputtingthemanagementoftheestateintothehandsofherownpartisan。ButthenthesquirehadnotdonelessingettingridofFillgraveandreinstatingDrThorneinpossessionofthefamilyinvalids。Thelosses，therefore，hadbeenequal；thevictoriesequal；andtherewasamutualobject。
Anditmustbeconfessed，also，thatLadyArabella"stasteforgrandeurwasonthedecline。MisfortunewascomingtooneartohertoleavehermuchanxietyforthegaietiesofaLondonseason。Thingswerenotfaringwellwithher。Whenhereldestdaughterwasgoingtomarryamanoffortune，andamemberofParliament，shehadthoughtnothingofdemandingathousandpoundsorsofortheextraordinaryexpensesincidenttosuchanoccasion。Butnow，Beatricewastobecomethewifeofaparishparson，andeventhatwasthoughttobeafortunateevent；
shehad，therefore，noheartforsplendour。
"Thequieterwecandoitthebetter，"shewrotetohercountess-sister。
"Herfatherwantedtogivehimatleastathousandpounds；butMrGazebeehastoldmeconfidentiallythatitliterallycannotbedoneatthepresentmoment！Ah，mydearRosina！howthingshavebeenmanaged！Ifoneortwoofthegirlswillcomeover，weshallalltakeitasafavour。Beatricewouldthinkitverykindofthem。ButIdon"tthinkofaskingyouorAmelia。"AmeliawasalwaysthegrandestoftheDeCourcyfamily，beingalmostonanequalitywith——nay，insomerespectsuperiorto——thecountessherself。Butthis，ofcourse，wasbeforethedaysoftheplaceinSurrey。
Such，andsohumblebeingthepresenttemperoftheladyofGreshamsbury，itwillnotbethoughtsurprisingthatsheandMrGreshamshouldatlastcometogetherintheireffortstoreclaimtheirson。
AtfirstLadyArabellaurgeduponthesquirethedutyofbeingveryperemptoryandveryangry。"Doasotherfathersdoinsuchcases。Makehimunderstandthathewillhavenoallowancetoliveon。""Heunderstandsthatwellenough，"saidMrGresham。
"Threatentocuthimoffwithashilling，"saidherladyship，withspirit。"Ihaven"tashillingtocuthimoffwith，"answeredthesquire，bitterly。
ButLadyArabellaherselfsoonperceived，thatthislinewouldnotdo。
AsMrGreshamhimselfconfessed，hisownsinsagainsthissonhadbeentogreattoallowofhistakingahighhandwithhim。Besides，MrGreshamwasnotamanwhocouldeverbeseverewithasonwhoseindividualconducthadbeensogoodasFrank"s。Thismarriage，was，inhisview，amisfortunetobeavertedifpossible，——tobeavertedbyanypossiblemeans；but，asfarasFrankwasconcerned，itwastoberegardedratherasamonomaniathanacrime。
"IdidfeelsocertainthathewouldhavesucceededwithMissDunstable，"saidthemother，almostcrying。
"Ithoughtitimpossiblebutthatathisageatwelvemonthknockingabouttheworldwouldcurehim，"saidthefather。
"Ineverheardofaboybeingsoobstinateaboutagirl，"saidthemother。"I"msurehedidn"tgetitfromtheDeCourcys："andthen，again，theytalkeditoverinallitsbearings。
"Butwhataretheytoliveupon？"saidLadyArabella，appealing，asitwere，tosomeimpersonationofreason。"That"swhatIwanthimtotellme。Whataretheytoliveupon？"
"IwonderwhetherDeCourcycouldgethimintosomeembassy？"saidthefather。"Hedoestalkofaprofession。"
"What！withthegirlandall？"askedLadyArabellawithhorror，alarmedattheideaofsuchanappealbeingmadetohernoblebrother。
"No；butbeforehemarries。Hemightbebrokenofitthatway。"
"Nothingwillbreakhim，"saidthewretchedmother；"nothing——nothing。
Formypart，Ithinkthatheispossessed。Whywasshebroughthere？Oh，dear！oh，dear！Whywassheeverbroughtintothishouse？"
ThislastquestionMrGreshamdidnotthinkitnecessarytoanswer。Thatevilhadbeendone，anditwouldbeuselesstodisputeit。"I"lltellyouwhatI"lldo，"saidhe。"I"llspeaktothedoctormyself。"
"It"snottheslightestuse，"saidLadyArabella。"Hewillnotassistus。Indeed，Ifirmlybelieveit"sallhisowndoing。"
"Oh，nonsense！thatreallyisnonsense，mylove。"
"Verywell，MrGresham。WhatIsayisalwaysnonsense，Iknow；youhavealwaystoldmeso。Butyet，seehowthingshaveturnedout。Iknewhowitwouldbewhenshewasfirstbroughtintothehouse。"ThisassertionwasratherastretchonthepartofLadyArabella。
"Well，itisnonsensetosaythatFrankisinlovewiththegirlatthedoctor"sbidding。"
"Ithinkyouknow，MrGresham，thatIdon"tmeanthat。WhatIsayisthis，thatDrThorne，findingwhataneasyfoolFrankis——"
"Idon"tthinkhe"satalleasy，mylove；andiscertainlynotafool。"
"Verywell，haveityourownway。I"llnotsayawordmore。I"mstrugglingtodomybest，andI"mbrowbeatenoneveryside。GodknowsI
amnotinastateofhealthtobearit！"AndLadyArabellabowedherheadintoherpocket-handkerchief。
"Ithink，mydear，ifyouweretoseeMaryherselfitmightdosomegood，"saidthesquire，whentheviolenceofhiswife"sgriefhadsomewhatsubsided。
"What！goandcalluponthisgirl？"
"Yes；youcansendBeatricetogivehernotice，youknow。Sheneverwasunreasonable，andIdonotthinkthatyouwouldfindherso。Youshouldtellher，youknow——"
"Oh，Ishouldknowverywellwhattotellher，MrGresham。"
"Yes，mylove；I"msureyouwould；nobodybetter。ButwhatImeanis，thatifyouaretodoanygood，youshouldbekindinyourmanner。MaryThornehasaspiritthatyoucannotbreak。Youmayperhapslead，butnobodycandriveher。"
Asthisschemeoriginatedwithherhusband，LadyArabellacouldnot，ofcourse，confessthattherewasmuchinit。But，nevertheless，shedeterminedtoattemptit，thinkingthatifanythingcouldbeefficaciousforgoodintheirpresentmisfortunes，itwouldbeherowndiplomaticpowers。Itwas，therefore，atlastsettledbetweenthem，thatheshouldendeavourtotalkoverthedoctor，andthatshewoulddothesamewithMary。
"AndthenIwillspeaktoFrank，"saidLadyArabella。"AsyethehasneverhadtheaudacitytoopenhismouthtomeaboutMaryThorne，thoughIbelievehedeclareshisloveopenlytoeveryoneelseinthehouse。"
"AndIwillgetOrieltospeaktohim，"saidthesquire。
"IthinkPatiencemightdomoregood。IdidoncethinkhewasgettingfondofPatience，andIwasquiteunhappyaboutitthen。Ah，dear！I
shouldbealmostpleasedatthatnow。"
AndthusitwasarrangedthatalltheartilleryofGreshamsburywastobebroughttobearatonceonFrank"slove，soastocrushit，asitwere，bytheveryweightofmetal。
Itmaybeimaginedthatthesquirewouldhavelessscrupleinaddressingthedoctoronthismatterthanhiswifewouldfeel；andthathispartoftheirpresentjointundertakingwaslessdifficultthanhers。Forheandthedoctorhadeverbeenfriendsatheart。But，nevertheless，hedidfeelmuchscruple，as，withhisstickinhand，hewalkeddowntothelittlegatewhichopenedoutnearthedoctor"shouse。
Thisfeelingwassostrong，thathewalkedonbeyondthisdoortotheentrance，thinkingofwhathewasgoingtodo，andthenbackagain。ItseemedtobehisfatetobedependingalwaysontheclemencyorconsiderationofDrThorne。Atthismomentthedoctorwasimposingtheonlyobstaclewhichwasofferedtothesaleofagreatpartofhisestate。SirLouis，throughhislawyer，wasloudlyaccusingthedoctortosell，andthelawyerwasloudlyaccusingthedoctorofdelayingtodoso。"Hehasthemanagementofyourproperty，"saidMrFinnie；"buthemanagesitintheinterestofhisownfriend。Itisquiteclear，andwewillexposeit。""Byallmeans，"saidSirLouis。"Itisad——dshame，anditshallbeexposed。"
Whenhereachedthedoctor"shouse，hewasshownintothedrawing-room，andfoundMarytherealone。IthadalwaysbeenthehabittokissherforeheadwhenhechancedtomeetheraboutthehouseatGreshamsbury。
Shehadbeenyoungerandmorechildishthen；butevennowshewasbutachildtohim，sohekissedherashehadbeenwonttodo。Sheblushedslightlyasshelookedupintohisface，andsaid："Oh，MrGresham，Iamsogladtoseeyouagain。"
AshelookedatherhecouldnotbutacknowledgethatitwasnaturalthatFrankshouldloveher。Hehadneverbeforeseenthatshewasattractive；——hadneverhadanopinionaboutit。Shehadgrownupasachildunderhiseye；andasshehadnothadthenameofbeingespeciallyaprettychild，hehadneverthoughtonthesubject。Nowhesawbeforehimawomanwhoseeveryfeaturewasfullofspiritandanimation；whoseeyesparkledwithmorethanmerebrilliancy；whosefacewasfullofintelligence；whoseverysmilewaseloquent。WasittobewonderedatthatFrankshouldhavelearnedtoloveher？
MissThornewantedbutoneattributewhichmanyconsideressentialtofemininebeauty。Shehadnobrilliancyofcomplexion，nopearlywhiteness，novividcarnation；nor，indeed，didshepossessthedarkbrillianceofabrunette。Buttherewasaspeakingearnestnessinherface；andexpressionofmentalfacultywhichthesquirenowforthefirsttimeperceivedtobecharming。
Andthenheknewhowgoodshewas。Heknewwellwhatwashernature；
howgenerous，howopen，howaffectionate，andyethowproud！Herpridewasherfault；buteventhatwasnotafaultinhiseyes。Outofhisownfamilytherewasnoonewhomhehadloved，andcouldlove，ashelovedher。Hefelt，andacknowledged，thatnomancouldhaveabetterwife。
Andyethewastherewiththeexpressobjectofrescuinghissonfromsuchamarriage！
"Youarelookingverywell，Mary，"hesaid，almostinvoluntarily。"AmI？"sheanswered，smiling。"It"sveryniceatanyratetobecomplimented。Uncleneverpaysmeanycomplimentsofthatsort。"
Intruth，shewaslookingwell。Shewouldsaytoherselfoverandoveragain，frommorningtonight，thatFrank"sloveforherwouldbe，mustbe，unfortunate；couldnotleadtohappiness。But，nevertheless，itdidmakeherhappy。Shehadbeforehisreturnmadeuphermindtobeforgotten，anditwassosweettofindthathehadbeensofarfromforgettingher。Agirlmayscoldamaninwordsforrashnessinhislove，butherheartneverscoldshimforsuchanoffenceasthat。Shehadnotbeenslighted，andherheart，therefore，stillrosebuoyantwithinherbreast。
Thedoctorenteredtheroom。Asthesquire"svisithadbeenexpectedbyhim，hehadofcoursenotbeenoutofthehouse。"AndnowIsupposeI
mustgo，"saidMary；"forIknowyouaregoingtotalkaboutbusiness。
But，uncle，MrGreshamsaysI"mlookingverywell。Whyhaveyounotbeenabletofindthatout？"
"She"sadear，goodgirl，"saidthesquire，asthedoorshutbehindher；
"adeargoodgirl！"andthedoctorcouldnotfailtoseethathiseyeswerefilledwithtears。
"Ithinksheis，"saidhe，quietly。Andthentheybothsatsilent，asthougheachwaswaitingtohearwhethertheotherhadanythingmoretosayonthatsubject。Thedoctor，atanyrate，hadnothingmoretosay。
"Ihavecomeherespeciallytospeaktoyouabouther。"
"AboutMary？"
"Yes，doctor；aboutherandFrank：somethingmustbedone，somearrangementmade：ifnotforoursakes，atleastfortheirs。"
"Whatarrangement，squire？"
"Ah！that"sthequestion。ItakeitforgrantedthateitherFrankorMaryhastoldyouthattheyhaveengagedthemselvestoeachother。"
"Franktoldmesometwelvemonthssince。"
"AndhasnotMarytoldyou？"
"Notexactlythat。But，nevermind；shehas，Ibelieve，nosecretfromme。ThoughIhavesaidbutlittletoher，IthinkIknowitall。"
"Well，whatthen？"
Thedoctorshookhisheadandputuphishands。Hehadnothingtosay；
nopropositiontomake；noarrangementtosuggest。Thethingwasso，andheseemedtosaythat，asfarashewasconcerned，therewasanendofit。
Thesquiresatlookingathim，hardlyknowinghowtoproceed。Itseemedtohim，thatthefactofayoungmanandayoungladybeinginlovewitheachotherwasnotathingtobelefttoarrangeitself，particularlyseeingtherankinlifeinwhichtheywereplaced。Butthedoctorseemedtobeofadifferentopinion。
"But，DrThorne，thereisnomanonGod"searthwhoknowsmyaffairsaswellasyoudo；andinknowingmine，youknowFrank"s。Doyouthinkitpossiblethattheyshouldmarryeachother？"
"Possible；yes，itispossible。Youmean，willitbeprudent？"
"Well，takeitinthatway；woulditnotbemostimprudent？"
"Atpresent，itcertainlywouldbe。Ihaveneverspokentoeitherofthemonthesubject；butIpresumetheydonotthinkofsuchathingforthepresent。"
"But，doctor——"Thesquirewascertainlytakenabackbythecoolnessofthedoctor"smanner。Afterall，he，thesquire，wasMrGreshamofGreshamsbury，generallyacknowledgedtobethefirstcommonerinBarsetshire；afterall，Frankwashisheir，and，inprocessoftime，hewouldbeMrGreshamofGreshamsbury。Crippledastheestatewas，therewouldbesomethingleft，andtherankatanyrateremained。ButastoMary，shewasnoteventhedoctor"sdaughter。Shewasnotonlypenniless，butnameless，fatherless，worsethanmotherless！ItwasincrediblethatDrThorne，withhisgenerallyexaltedideasastofamily，shouldspeakinthiscoldwayastoaprojectedmarriagebetweentheheirofGreshamsburyandhisbrother"sbastardchild！
"But，doctor，"repeatedthesquire。
Thedoctorputonelegovertheother，andbegantorubhiscalf。
"Squire，"saidhe。"IthinkIknowallthatyouwouldsay，allthatyoumean。Andyoudon"tliketosayit，becauseyouwouldnotwishtopainmebyalludingtoMary"sbirth。"
"But，independentlyofthat，whatwouldtheyliveon？"saidthesquire，energetically。"Birthisagreatthing，averygreatthing。YouandI
thinkexactlythealikeaboutthat，soweneedhavenodispute。YouarequiteasproudofUllathorneasIamofGreshamsbury。"
"Imightbeifitbelongedtome。"
"Butyouare。Itisnousearguing。But，puttingthatasidealtogether，whatwouldtheyliveon？Iftheyweretomarry，whatwouldtheydo？Wherewouldtheygo？YouknowwhatLadyArabellathinksofsuchthings；woulditbepossiblethattheyshouldliveupatthehousewithher？Besides，whatalifewouldthatbeforbothofthem！Couldtheylivehere？Wouldthatbewellforthem？"
Thesquirelookedatthedoctorforananswer；buthestillwentrubbinghiscalf。MrGresham，therefore，wasconstrainedtocontinuehisexpostulation。
"WhenIamdeadtherewillstill，Ihope，besomething；——somethingleftforthepoorfellow。LadyArabellaandthegirlswouldbebetteroff，perhaps，thannow，andIsometimeswish，forFrank"ssake，thatthetimehadcome。"
Thedoctorcouldnotnowgoonrubbinghisknees。Hewasmovedtospeak，anddeclaredthat，ofallevents，thatwastheonewhichwouldbefurthestfromFrank"sheart。"Iknownoson，"saidhe，"wholoveshisfathermoredearlythanhedoes。"
"Idobelieveit，"saidthesquire；"Idobelieveit。Butyet，IcannotbutfeelthatIaminhisway。"
"No，squire，no；youareinnoone"sway。Youwillfindyourselfhappywithyoursonyet，andproudofhim。Andproudofhiswife，too。Ihopeso，andIthinkso：Ido，indeed，orIshouldnotsayso，squire；wewillhavemanyahappydayyettogether，whenweshalltalkofallthesethingsoverthedining-roomfireatGreshamsbury。"
Thesquirefeltitkindinthedoctorthatheshouldthusendeavourtocomforthim；buthecouldnotunderstand，anddidnotinquire，onwhatbasisthesegoldenhopeswasfounded。Itwasnecessary，however，toreturntothesubjectwhichhehadcometodiscuss。Wouldthedoctorassisthiminpreventingthismarriage？Thatwasnowtheonethingnecessarytobekeptinview。
"But，doctor，abouttheyoungpeople；ofcoursetheycannotmarry，youareawareofthat。"
"Idon"tknowthatexactly。"
"Well，doctor，ImustsayIthoughtyouwouldfeelit。"
"Feelwhat，squire？"
"That，situatedastheyare，theyoughtnottomarry。"
"Thatisquiteanotherquestion。Ihavesaidnothingaboutthateithertoyouortoanybodyelse。Thetruthis，squire，Ihaveneverinterferedinthismatteronewayortheother；andIhavenowishtodosonow。"
"Butshouldyounotinterfere？IsnotMarythesametoyouasyourownchild？"
DrThornehardlyknewhowtoanswerthis。Hewasawarethathisargumentaboutnotinterferingwasinfactabsurd。Marycouldnotmarrywithouthisinterference；andhaditbeenthecasethatshewasindangerofmakinganimpropermarriage，ofcoursehewouldinterfere。Hismeaningwas，thathewouldnotatthepresentmomentexpressanyopinion；hewouldnotdeclareagainstamatchwhichmightturnouttobeineverywaydesirable；nor，ifhespokeinfavourofit，couldhegivehisreasonsfordoingso。Underthesecircumstances，hewouldhavewishedtosaynothing，couldthatonlyhavebeenpossible。
Butasitwasnotpossible，andashemustsaysomething，heansweredthesquire"slastquestionbyaskinganother。"Whatisyourobjection，squire？"
"Objection！Why，whatonearthwouldtheyliveon？"
"ThenIunderstand，thatifthatdifficultywereover，youwouldnotrefuseyourconsentmerelybecauseofMary"sbirth？"
Thiswasamannerinwhichthesquirehadbynomeansexpectedtohavetheaffairpresentedtohim。Itseemedsoimpossiblethatanysound-mindedmanshouldtakeanybuthisviewofthecase，thathehadnotpreparedhimselfforargument。TherewaseveryobjectiontohissonmarryingMissThorne；butthefactoftheirhavingnoincomebetweenthemdidcertainlyjustifyhiminallegingthatfirst。
"Butthatdifficultycan"tbegotover，doctor。Youknow，however，thatitwouldbecauseofgrieftousalltoseeFrankmarrymuchbeneathhisstation；thatis，Imean，infamily。Youshouldnotpressmetosaythis，foryouknowthatIloveMarydearly。"
"But，mydearfriend，itisnecessary。Woundssometimesmustbeopenedinorderthattheymaybehealed。WhatImeanisthis；——and，squire，I"msureIneednotsaytoyouthatIhopeforanhonestanswer，——wereMaryThorneanheiress；hadshe，forinstance，suchwealthasthatMissDunstablethatwehearof；inthatcasewouldyouobjecttothismatch？"
Whenthedoctordeclaredthatheexpectedanhonestanswerthesquirelistenedwithallhisears；butthequestion，whenfinished，seemedtohavenobearingonthepresentcase。
"Come，squire，speakyourmindfaithfully。TherewassometalkofFrank"smarryingMissDunstable；didyoumeantoobjecttothatmatch？"
"MissDunstablewaslegitimate；atleast，Ipresumeso。"
"Oh，MrGresham！hasitcometothat？MissDunstable，then，wouldhavesatisfiedyourideasofhighbirth？"
MrGreshamwasratherposed，andregretted，atthemoment，hisallusiontoMissDunstable"spresumedlegitimacy。Buthesoonrecoveredhimself。
"No，"saidhe，"itwouldnot。AndIamwillingtoadmit，asIhaveadmittedbefore，thattheundoubtedadvantagesarisingfromwealtharetakenbytheworldasatoningforwhatotherwisewouldbeamesalliance。
But——"
"Youadmitthat，doyou？Youacknowledgethatasyourconvictiononthesubject？"
"Yes。But——"Thesquirewasgoingontoexplaintheproprietyofthisopinion，butthedoctoruncivillywouldnothearhim。
"Thensquire，Iwillnotinterfereinthismatteronewayortheother。"
"Howonearthcansuchanopinion——"
"Prayexcuseme，MrGresham；butmymindisnowquitemadeup。Itwasverynearlysobefore。IwilldonothingtoencourageFrank，norwillI
sayanythingtodiscourageMary。"
"Thatisthemostsingularresolutionthatamanofsenselikeyouevercameto。"
"Ican"thelpit，squire；itismyresolution。"
"ButwhathasMissDunstable"sfortunetodowithit？"
"Icannotsaythatithasanything；but，inthismatter，Iwillnotinterfere。"
Thesquirewentonforsometime，butitwasalltonopurpose；andatlastheleftthehouse，considerablyindudgeon。Theonlyconclusiontowhichhecouldcomewas，thatDrThornehadthoughtthechanceonhisniece"sbehalftoogoodtobethrownaway，andhad，therefore，resolvedtoactinaverysingularway。
"Iwouldnothavebelieveditofhim，thoughallBarsetshirehadtoldme，"hesaidtohimselfasheenteredthegreatgates；andhewentonrepeatingthesamewordstillhefoundhimselfinhisownroom。"No，notifallBarsetshirehadtoldme！"
Hedidnot，however，communicatetheillresultofhisvisittotheLadyArabella。