第17章
CHAPTERXLII
WHATCANYOUGIVEINRETURN？
Inspiteofthefamilytroubles，thesewerehappydaysforBeatrice。Itsoseldomhappensthatyoungladiesontheeveoftheirmarriagehavetheirhusbandslivingnearthem。Thishappinesswashers，andMrOrielmadethemostofit。ShewasconstantlybeingcoaxeddowntotheparsonagebyPatience，inorderthatshemightgiveheropinion，inprivate，onsomedomesticarrangement，somepieceoffurniture，orsomenewcarpet；butthisprivacywasalwaysinvaded。WhatMrOriel"sparishionersdidinthesehalcyondays，Iwillnotask。Hismorningservices，however，hadbeenaltogethergivenup，andhehadprovidedhimselfwithaveryexcellentcurate。
ButonegriefdidweighheavilyonBeatrice。ShecontinuallyheardhermothersaythingswhichmadeherfeelthatitwouldbemorethaneverimpossiblethatMaryshouldbeatherwedding；andyetshehadpromisedherbrothertoaskher。Frankhadalsorepeatedhisthreat，thatifMarywerenotpresent，hewouldabsenthimself。
Beatricedidwhatmostgirlsdoinsuchacase；whatallwoulddowhoareworthanything；sheaskedherlover"sadvice。
"Oh！butFrankcan"tbeinearnest，"saidthelover。"Ofcoursehe"llbeatourwedding。"
"Youdon"tknowhim，Caleb。Heissochangedthatnoonehardlywouldknowhim。Youcan"tconceivehowmuchinearnestheis，howdeterminedandresolute。Andthen，IshouldliketohaveMarysomuchifmammawouldlethercome。"
"AskLadyArabella，"saidCaleb。
"Well，IsupposeImustdothat；butIknowwhatshe"llsay，andFrankwillneverbelievethatIhavedonemybest。"MrOrielcomfortedherwithsuchlittlewhisperedconsolationsashewasabletoafford，andthenshewentawayonhererrandtohermother。
Shewasindeedsurprisedatthemannerinwhichherprayerwasreceived。
Shecouldhardlyfalterforthherpetition；butwhenshehaddoneso，LadyArabellaansweredinthiswise：-
"Wellmydear，Ihavenoobjection，nonetheleast；thatis，ofcourse，ifMaryisdisposedtobehaveherselfproperly。"
"Oh，mamma！ofcourseshewill，"saidBeatrice；"shealwaysdidandalwaysdoes。"
"Ihopeshewill，mylove。But，Beatrice，whenIsaythatIshallbegladtoseeher，ofcourseImeanundercertainconditions。IneverdislikedMaryThorne，andifshewouldonlyletFrankunderstandthatshewillnotlistentohismadproposals，IshouldbedelightedtoseeheratGreshamsburyjustassheusedtobe。"
Beatricecouldsaynothinginanswertothis；butshefeltverysurethatMary，letherintentionbewhatitmight，wouldnotundertaketomakeFrankunderstandanythingatanybody"sbidding。
"IwilltellyouwhatIwilldo，mydear，"continuedLadyArabella；"I
willcallonMarymyself。"
"What！atDrThorne"shouse？"
"Yes；whynot？IhavebeenatDrThorne"shousebeforenow。"AndLadyArabellacouldnotbutthinkofherlastvisitthither，andthestrongfeelingshehad，asshecameout，thatshewouldneveragainenterthosedoors。Shewas，however，preparedtodoanythingonbehalfofherrebelliousson。
"Oh，yes！Iknowthat，mamma。"
"Iwillcalluponher，andIcanpossiblymanageit，Iwillaskhermyselftomakeoneofyourparty。Ifso，youcangotoherafterwardsandmakeyourownarrangements。Justwriteheranote，mydear，andsaythatIwillcallto-morrowattwelve。ItmightflusterherifIweretogowithoutnotice。"
Beatricedidasshewasbid，butwithapresentimentthatnogoodwouldcomeofit。ThenotewascertainlyunnecessaryforthepurposeassignedbyLadyArabella，asMarywasnotgiventobeflusteredbysuchoccurrences；but，perhaps，itwasaswellasthatitwaswritten，asitenabledhertomakeuphermindsteadilyastowhatinformationshouldbegiven，andwhatshouldnotbegiventohercomingvisitor。
Onthenextmorning，attheappointedhour，LadyArabellawalkeddowntothedoctor"shouse。Sheneverwalkedaboutthevillagewithoutmakingsomelittledisturbanceamongtheinhabitants。Withthesquire，himself，theywerequitefamiliar，andhecouldappearandreappearwithoutcreatinganysensation；butherladyshiphadnotmadeherselfequallycommoninmen"ssight。Therefore，whenshewentthroughalltheGreshamsburyintenminutes，andbeforeshehadleftthehouse，MrsUmblebyandMissGushinghadquitesettledbetweenthemwhatwastheexactcauseoftheverysingularevent。
Thedoctor，whenhehadheardwhatwasgoingtohappen，carefullykeptoutoftheway：Mary，therefore，hadthepleasureofreceivingLadyArabellaalone。Nothingcouldexceedherladyship"saffability。Marythoughtthatitperhapsmighthavesavouredlessofcondescension；butthenonthissubject，Marywasprobablyprejudiced。LadyArabellasmiledandsimpered，andaskedafterthedoctor，andthecat，andJanet，andsaideverythingthatcouldbedesiredbyanyonelessunreasonablethanMaryThorne。
"Andnow，Mary，I"lltellyouwhyIhavecalled。"Marybowedherheadslightly，asmuchtosay，thatshewouldbegladtoreceiveanyinformationthatLadyArabellacouldgiveheronthatsubject。"OfcourseyouknowthatBeatriceisgoingtobemarriedveryshortly。"
Maryacknowledgedthatshehadheardsomuch。
"Yes：wethinkitwillbeinSeptember——earlyinSeptember——andthatiscomingverysoonnow。Thepoorgirlisanxiousthatyoushouldbeatherwedding。"Maryturnedslightlyred；butshemerelysaid，andthatsomewhattoocoldly，thatshewasmuchindebtedtoBeatriceforherkindness。
"Icanassureyou，Mary，thatsheisveryfondofyou，asmuchasever；
andso，indeed，amI，andallofusareso。YouknowthatMrGreshamwasalwaysyourfriend。"
"Yes，healwayswas，andIamgratefultoMrGresham，"answeredMary。ItwaswellforLadyArabellathatshehadhertemperundercommand，forhadshespokenhermindouttherewouldhavebeenverylittlechanceleftforreconciliationbetweenherandMary。
"Yes，indeedhewas；andIthinkwealldidwhatlittlewecouldtomakeyouwelcomeatGreshamsbury，Mary，tillthoseunpleasantoccurrencestookplace。"
"Whatoccurrences，LadyArabella？"
"AndBeatriceissoveryanxiousonthispoint，"saidherladyship，ignoringforthemomentMary"squestion。"Youtwohavebeensomuchtogether，thatshefeelsshecannotbequitehappyifyouarenotnearherwhensheisbeingmarried。"
"DearBeatrice！"saidMary，warmedforthemomenttoanexpressionofgenuinefeeling。
"Shecametomeyesterday，beggingthatIwouldwaiveanyobjectionI
mighthavetoyourbeingthere。Ihavemadehernoansweryet。WhatanswerdoyouthinkIoughttomakeher？"
Marywasastoundedatthisquestion，andhesitatedinherreply。"WhatanswerdoyouthinkIoughttomakeher？"shesaid。
"Yes，Mary。WhatanswertoyouthinkIoughttogive？Iwishtoaskyouthequestion，asyouarethepersonthemostconcerned。"
Maryconsideredforawhile，thendidgiveheropiniononthematterinafirmvoice。"IthinkyoushouldtellBeatrice，thatasyoucannotatpresentreceivemecordiallyinyourhouse，itwillbebetterthatyoushouldnotbecalledupontoreceivemeatall。"
ThiswascertainlynotthesortofanswerthatLadyArabellaexpected，andshewasnowsomewhatastoundedinherturn。"But，Mary，"shesaid，"IshouldbedelightedtoreceiveyoucordiallyifIcoulddoso。"
"Butitseemsyoucannot，LadyArabella；andsotheremustbeanendofit。"
"On，butIdonotknowthat："andshesmiledhersweetestsmile。"Idonotknowthat。Iwanttoputanendtoallthisill-feeling，ifIcan。
Italldependsupononething，youknow。"
"Doesit，LadyArabella？"
"Yes，upononething。Youwon"tbeangryifIaskyouanotherquestion——eh，Mary？"
"No；atleastIdon"tthinkIwill。"
"IsthereanytruthinwhatwehearaboutyourbeingengagedtoFrank？"
Marymadenoimmediateanswertothis；butsatquitesilent，lookingatLadyArabellaintheface；notbutthatshehadmadeuphermindastowhatanswershewouldgive，buttheexactwordsfailedheratthemoment。
"Ofcourseyoumusthaveheardofsucharumour。"
"Oh，yes，Ihaveheardofit。"
"Yes，andyouhavenoticedit，andImustsayveryproperly。WhenyouwenttoBoxallHill，andbeforethatwithMissOriel"stoheraunt"s，I
thoughtyoubehavedextremelywell。"Maryfeltherselfglowwithindignation，andbegantopreparethewordsthatshouldbesharpanddecisive。"But，nevertheless，peopletalk；andFrank，whoisstillquiteaboy"(Mary"sindignationwasnotsoftenedbythisallusiontoFrank"sfolly)，"seemstohavegotsomenonsenseinhishead。Igrievetosayit，butIfeelmyselfinjusticeboundtodoso，thatinthismatterhehasnotactedaswellasyouhavedone。Now，therefore，Imerelyaskyouwhetherthereisanytruthinthereport。Ifyoutellmethatthereisnone，Ishallbequitecontented。"
"Butitisaltogethertrue，LadyArabella；Iamengagedtohim。"
"Engagedtobemarriedtohim？"
"Yes；engagedtobemarriedtohim。"
Whatwastosayordonow？Nothingcouldbemoreplain，moredecided，orlessembarrassedwithdoubtthanMary"sdeclaration。Andasshemadeitshelookedhervisitorfullintheface，blushingindeed，forhercheekswerenowsuffusedaswellasherforehead；butboldly，and，asitwere，withdefiance。
"Andyoutellmethattomyface，MissThorne？"
"Andwhynot？Didyounotaskmethequestion；andwouldyouhavemyansweryouwithafalsehood？Iamengagedtohim。Asyouwouldputthequestiontome，whatothercouldImake？Thetruthis，Iamengagedtohim。"
ThedecisiveabruptnesswithwhichMarydeclaredherowniniquityalmosttookawayherladyship"sbreath。Shehadcertainlybelievedthattheywereengaged，andhadhardlyhopedthatMarywoulddenyit；butshehadnotexpectedthatthecrimewouldbeacknowledged，or，atanyrate，ifacknowledged，thattheconfessionwouldbemadewithoutsomeshowofshame。OnthisLadyArabellacouldhaveworked；buttherewasnosuchexpression，norwastheretheslightesthesitation。"IamengagedtoFrankGresham，"andhavingsosaid，Marylookedathervisitorfullintheface。
"ThenitisindeedimpossiblethatyoushouldbereceivedatGreshamsbury。"
"Atpresent，quiteso，nodoubt：insayingso，LadyArabella，youonlyrepeattheanswerImadetoyourfirstquestion。IcannowgotoGreshamsburyonlyinonelight：thatofMrGresham"saccepteddaughter-in-law。"
"Andthatisperfectlyoutofthequestion；altogetheroutofthequestion，nowandforever。"
"Iwillnotdisputewithyouaboutthat；but，asIsaidbefore，mybeingatBeatrice"sweddingisnottobethoughtof。"
LadyArabellasatforawhilesilent，thatshemightmeditate，ifpossible，calmlyastowhatlineofargumentshehadnowbettertake。Itwouldbefoolishinher，shethought，toreturnhome，havingmerelyexpressedheranger。ShehadnowanopportunityoftalkingtoMarywhichmightnotagainoccur：thedifficultywasindecidinginwhatspecialwaysheshouldusetheopportunity。Shouldshethreaten，orshouldsheentreat？Todoherjustice，itshouldbestated，thatshedidactuallybelievethatthemarriagewasallbutimpossible；shedidnotthinkthatitwouldtakeplace。Buttheengagementmightbetheruinofherson"sprospects，seeinghowhehadbeforehimanimperative，oneimmediateduty——thatofmarryingmoney。
Havingconsideredallthisaswellasherhurrywouldallowher，shedeterminedfirsttoreason，thentoentreat，andlastly，ifnecessary，tothreaten。
"Iamastonished！youcannotbesurprisedatthat，MissThorne：Iamastonishedathearingsosingularconfessionmade。"
"Doyouthinkmyconfessionsingular，orisitthefactofmybeingengagedtoyourson？"
"Wewillpassoverthatforthepresent。Butdoletmeaskyou，doyouthinkitpossible，Isaypossible，thatyouandFrankshouldbemarried？"
"Oh，certainly；quitepossible。"
"Ofcourseyouknowthathehasnotashillingintheworld。"
"NorhaveI，LadyArabella。"
"Norwillhehavewerehetodoanythingsoutterlyhostiletohisfather"swishes。Theproperty，asyouareaware，isaltogetheratMrGresham"sdisposal。"
"Iamawareofnothingabouttheproperty，andcansaynothingaboutitexceptthis，thatithasnotbeen，andwillnotbeinquiredafterbymeinthismatter。IfImarryFrankGresham，itwillnotbefortheproperty。Iamsorrytomakesuchanapparentboast，butyouforcemetodoit。"
"Onwhatthenareyoutolive？Youaretoooldforloveinacottage，I
suppose？"
"Notatalltooold；Frank，youknowis“stillquiteaboy“。"
Impudenthussy！forward，ill-conditionedsaucyminx！suchweretheepithetswhichrosetoLadyArabella"smind；butshepolitelysuppressedthem。
"MissThorne，thissubjectisofcoursetomeveryserious；veryill-adaptedforjesting。Ilookuponsuchamarriageasabsolutelyimpossible。"
"Idonotknowwhatyoumeanbyimpossible，LadyArabella。"
"Imean，inthefirstplace，thatyoutwocouldnotgetyourselvesmarried。"
"Oh，yes；MrOrielwouldmanagethatforus。Wearehisparishioners，andhewouldbeboundtodoit。"
"Ibegyourpardon；Ibelievethatunderallthecircumstancesitwouldbeillegal。"
Marysmiled；butshesaidnothing。"Youmaylaugh，MissThorne，butI
thinkyouwillfindthatIamright。Therearestilllawstopreventsuchfearfuldistressaswouldbebroughtaboutbysuchamarriage。"
"IhopethatnothingIshalldowillbringdistressonthefamily。"
"Ah，butitwould；don"tyouknowthatitwould？Thinkofit，MissThorne。ThinkofFrank"sstate，andofhisfather"sstate。Youknowenoughofthat，Iamsure，tobewellawarethatFrankisnotinaconditiontomarrywithoutmoney。ThinkofthepositionwhichMrGresham"sonlysonshouldholdinthecounty；thinkoftheoldname，andthepridewehaveinit；youhavelivedamongusenoughtounderstandallthis；thinkofthesethings，andthensaywhetheritispossiblethatsuchamarriageshouldtakeplacewithoutfamilydistressofthedeepestkind。ThinkofMrGresham；ifyoutrulylovemyson，youcouldnotwishtobringonhimallthismiseryandruin。"
Marynowwastouched，fortherewastruthinwhatLadyArabellasaid。
Butshehadnopowerofgoingback；hertrothwasplighted，andnothinganyhumanbeingcouldsayshouldtakeherfromit。Ifhe，indeed，chosetorepent，thatwouldbeanotherthing。
"LadyArabella，"shesaid，"Ihavenothingtosayinfavourofthisengagement，exceptthathewishesit。"
"Andisthisareason，Mary？"
"Tomeitis；notonlyareason，butalaw。Ihavegivenhimmypromise。"
"Andyouwillkeepyourpromiseeventohisownruin？"
"Ihopenot。Ourengagement，unlessheshallchoosetobreakitoff，mustnecessarilybealongone；butthetimewillcome——"
"What！whenMrGreshamisdead？"
"Beforethat，Ihope。"
"Thereisnoprobabilityofit。Andbecauseheisheadstrong，you，whohavealwayshadcreditforsomuchsense，willholdhimtothismadengagement？"
"No，LadyArabella；Iwillnotholdhimtoanythingtowhichhedoesnotwishtobeheld。Nothingthatyoucansayshallmoveme：nothingthatanybodycansayshallinducemetobreakmypromisetohim。Butawordfromhimselfwilldoit。Onelookwillbesufficient。Lethimgivemetounderstand，inanyway，thathisloveformeisinjurioustohim——thathehaslearnttothinkso——andthenIwillrenouncemypartinthisengagementasquicklyasyoucouldwishit。"
Therewasmuchinthispromise，butstillnotsomuchasLadyArabellawishedtoget。Mary，sheknew，wasobstinate，yetreasonable；Frank，shethought，wasbothobstinateandunreasonable。ItmightbepossibletoworkonMary"sreason，butquiteimpossibletotouchFrank"sirrationality。Soshepersevered——foolishly。
"MissThorne——that，is，Mary，forIstillwishtobethoughtyourfriend——"
"Iwilltellyouthetruth，LadyArabella：forsomeconsiderabletimepastIhavenotthoughtyouso。"
"Thenyouhavewrongedme。ButIwillgoonwithwhatIwassaying。Youquiteacknowledgethatthisisafoolishaffair？"
"Iacknowledgenosuchthing。"
"Somethingverymuchlikeit。Youhavenotawordtosayinitsdefence。"
"Nottoyou：Idonotchoosetobeputonmydefencebyyou。"
"Idon"tknowwhohasmoreright；however，youpromisethatifFrankwishesit，youwillreleasehimfromhisengagement。"
"Releasehim！Itisforhimtoreleaseme，thatis，ifhewishesit。"
"Verywell；atanyrate，yougivehimpermissiontodoso。Butwillitnotbemorehonourableforyoutobegin？"
"No；Ithinknot。"
"Ah，butitwould。Ifhe，inhisposition，shouldbethefirsttospeak，thefirsttosuggestthatthisaffairbetweenyouisafoolishone，whatwouldpeoplesay？"
"Theywouldsaythetruth。"
"Andwhatwouldyouyourselfsay？"
"Nothing。"
"Whatwouldhethinkhimself？"
"Ah，thatIdonotknow。Itisaccordingasthatmaybe，thathewillorwillnotactatyourbidding。"
"Exactly；andbecauseyouknowhimtobehigh-minded，becauseyouthinkthathe，havingsomuchtogive，willnotbreakhiswordtoyou——toyouwhohavenothingtogiveinreturn——itis，therefore，thatyousaythatthefirststepmustbetakenbyhim。Itthatnoble？"
ThenMaryrosefromherseat，foritwasnolongerpossibleforhertospeakwhatitwasinhertosay，sittingthereleisurelyonhersofa。
LadyArabella"sworshipofmoneyhadnothithertobeensobroughtforwardintheconversationastogiveherunpardonableoffence；butnowshefeltthatshecouldnolongerrestrainherindignation。"Toyouwhohavenothingtogiveinreturn！"Hadshenotgivenallthatshepossessed？Hadshenotemptiedhisstoreintoherlap？thatheartofhers，beatingwithsuchgenuinelife，capableofsuchperfectlove，throbbingwithsograndapride；hadshenotgiventhat？Andwasitnotthat，betweenhimandher，morethantwentyGreshamsburys，noblerthananypedigree？"Toyouwhohavenothingtogive，"indeed！Thistoherwhowassoreadytogiveeverything！
"LadyArabella，"shesaid，"Ithinkthatyoudonotunderstandme，andthatitisnotlikelythatyoushould。Ifso，ourfurthertalkingwillbeworsethanuseless。Ihavetakennoaccountofwhatwillbegivenbetweenyoursonandmeinyoursenseofthewordgiving。Buthehasprofessedto——toloveme"——asshespoke，shestilllookedonthelady"sface，buthereyelashesscreenedhereyes，andhercolourwasalittleheightened——"andIhaveacknowledgedthatIalsolovehim，andsoweareengaged。Tomemypromiseissacred。Iwillnotbethreatenedintobreakingit。If，however，heshallwishtochangehismind，hecandoso。Iwillnotupbraidhim；willnot，ifIcanhelpit，thinkharshlyofhim。Somuchyoumaytellhimifitsuitsyou；butIwillnotlistentoyourcalculationsastohowmuchorhowlittleeachofusmayhavetogivetotheother。"
Shewasstillstandingwhenshefinishedspeaking，andsoshecontinuedtostand。HereyeswerefixedonLadyArabella，andherpositionseemedtosaythatsufficientwordshadbeenspoken，andthatitwastimethatherladyshipshouldgo；andsoLadyArabellafeltit。Graduallyshealsorose；slowly，buttacitly，sheacknowledgedthatshewasinthepresenceofaspiritsuperiortoherown；andsoshetookherleave。
"Verywell，"shesaid，inatonethatwasintendedtobegrandiloquent，butwhichfailedgrievously；"Iwilltellhimthathehasyourpermissiontothinkasecondtimeonthismatter。Idonotdoubtthathewilldoso。"Marywouldnotcondescendtoanswer，butcurtsiedlowashervisitorlefttheroom。Andsotheinterviewwasover。
Theinterviewwasover，andMarywasalone。SheremainedstandingaslongassheheardthefootstepsofFrank"smotheronthestairs；notimmediatelythinkingofwhathadpassed，butstillbuoyingherselfupwithherhotindignation，asthoughherworkwithLadyArabellawasnotyetfinished；butwhenthefootfallwasnolongerheard，andthesoundoftheclosingdoortoldherthatshewasintruthalone，shesankbackinherseat，and，coveringherfacewithherhands，burstintobittertears。
Allthatdoctrineaboutmoneywashorribletoher；thatinsolentpretence，thatshehadcaughtatFrankbecauseofhisworldlyposition，madeherallbutferocious；butLadyArabellahadnotthelessspokenmuchthatwastrue。ShedidthinkofthepositionwhichtheheirofGreshamsburyshouldholdinthecounty，andofthefactthatsuchamarriagewouldmarthatpositionsovitally；shedidthinkoftheoldname，andtheoldGreshampride；shedidthinkofthesquireandhisdeepdistress：itwastruethatshehadlivedamongthemlongenoughtounderstandthesethings，andtoknowthatitwasnotpossiblethatthismarriageshouldtakeplacewithoutdeepfamilysorrow。
Andthensheaskedherselfwhether，inconsentingtoacceptFrank"shand，shehadadequatelyconsideredthis；andshewasforcedtoacknowledgethatshehadnotconsideredit。ShehadridiculedLadyArabellaforsayingthatFrankwasstillaboy；butwasitnottruethathisofferhadbeenmadewithaboy"senergy，ratherthanaman"sforethought？Ifso，ifshehadbeenwrongtoaccedetothatofferwhenmade，wouldshenotbedoublywrongtoholdhimtoitnowthatshesawhiserror？
ItwasdoubtlesstruethatFrankhimselfcouldnotbethefirsttodrawback。Whatwouldpeoplesayofhim？Shecouldnowcalmlyaskherselfthequestionthathadsoangeredher，whenaskedbyLadyArabella。Ifhecouldnotdoit，andif，nevertheless，itbehovedthemtobreakoffthismatch，bywhomwasittobedoneifnotbyher？WasnotLadyArabellarightthroughout，rightinherconclusions，thoughsofoullywronginhermannerofdrawingthem？
Andthenshedidthinkforonemomentofherself。"Youwhohavenothingtogiveinreturn！"SuchhadbeenLadyArabella"smainaccusationagainsther。Wasitinfacttruethatshehadnothingtogive？Hermaidenlove，herfemininepride，herverylife，andspirit，andbeing——werethesethingsnothing？Weretheytobeweighedagainstpoundssterlingperannum？and，whensoweighed，weretheyevertokickthebeamlikefeathers？Allthesethingshadbeennothingtoherwhen，withoutreflection，governedwhollybytheimpulseofthemoment，shehadfirstallowedhisdaringhandtolieforaninstantinherown。Shehadthoughtnothingofthesethingswhenthatothersuitorcame，richerfarthanFrank，tolovewhomitwasimpossibletoherasitwasnottolovehim。
Herlovehadbeenpurefromallsuchthoughts；shewasconsciousthatiteverwouldbepurefromthem。LadyArabellawasunabletocomprehendthis，and，therefore，wasLadyArabellasoutterlydistastefultoher。
Frankhadonceheldherclosetohiswarmbreast；andherverysoulhadthrilledwithjoytofeelthathesolovedher，——withajoywhichshehardlydaredtoacknowledge。Atthatmoment，hermaidenlyeffortshadbeenmadetopushhimoff，butherhearthadgrowntohis。Shehadacknowledgedhimtobemasterofherspirit；herbosom"slord；themanwhomshehadbeenborntoworship；thehumanbeingtowhomitwasforhertolinkherdestiny。Frank"sacreshadbeenofnoaccount；norhadhiswantofacres。Godhadbroughtthemtwotogetherthattheyshouldloveeachother；thatconvictionhadsatisfiedher，andshehadmadeitadutytoherselfthatshewouldlovehimwithherverysoul。Andnowshewascalledupontowrenchherselfasunderfromhimbecauseshehadnothingtogiveinreturn！
Well，shewouldwrenchherselfasunder，asfarassuchwrenchingmightbedonecompatiblywithhersolemnpromise。ItmightberightthatFrankshouldhaveanopportunityofferedhim，sothathemightescapefromhispositionwithoutdisgrace。Shewouldendeavourtogivehimthisopportunity。So，withonedeepsigh，shearose，tookherselfpen，ink，andpaper，andsatherselfdownagainsothatthewrenchingmightbegin。
Andthen，foramoment，shethoughtofheruncle。Whyhadhenotspokentoherofallthis？Whyhadhenotwarnedher？Hewhohadeverbeensogoodtoher，whyhadhenowfailedhersogrievously？Shehadtoldhimeverything，hadhadnosecretfromhim；buthehadneveransweredheraword。"Healsomusthaveknown"shesaidtoherself，piteously，"healsomusthaveknownthatIcouldgivenothinginreturn。"Suchaccusation，however，availedhernotatall，soshesatdownandslowlywroteherletter。
"DearestFrank，"shebegan。Shehadfirstwritten"dearMrGresham"；
butherheartrevoltedagainstsuchuselesscoldness。Shewasnotgoingtopretendshedidnotlovehim。
"DEARESTFRANK，"Yourmotherhasbeenheretalkingtomeaboutourengagement。
Idonotgenerallyagreewithheraboutsuchmatters；butshehassaidsomethingsto-daywhichIcannotbutacknowledgetobetrue。Shesays，thatourmarriagewouldbedistressingtoyourfather，injurioustoallyourfamily，andruinoustoyourself。Ifthisbeso，howcanI，wholoveyou，wishforsuchamarriage？
"Iremembermypromise，andhavekeptit。Iwouldnotyieldtoyourmotherwhenshedesiredmetodisclaimourengagement。
ButIdothinkitwillbemoreprudentifyouwillconsenttoforgetallthathaspassedbetweenus——not，perhaps，toforgetit；thatmaynotbepossibleforus——buttoletitpassbyasthoughithadneverbeen。Ifso，ifyouthinkso，dearFrank，donothaveanyscruplesonmyaccount。Whatwillbebestforyou，mustbebestforme。Thinkwhatareflectionitwouldeverbetome，tohavebeentheruinofonethatIlovesowell。
"LetmehavebutonewordtosaythatIamreleasedfrommypromise，andIwilltellmyunclethatthematterbetweenusisover。Itwillbepainfulforusatfirst；thoseoccasionalmeetingswhichmusttakeplacewilldistressus，butthatwillwearoff。Weshallalwaysthinkwellofeachother，andwhyshouldwenotbefriends？This，doubtless，cannotbedonewithoutinwardwounds；butsuchwoundsareinGod"shands，andHecancurethem。
"Iknowyourfirstfeelingswillbeonreadingthisletter；
butdonotansweritinobediencetosuchfeelings。Thinkoverit，thinkofyourfather，andallyouowehim，ofyouroldname，youroldfamily，andwhattheworldexpectsofyou。"
(Marywasforcedtoputherhandtohereyes，tosavethepaperfromherfallingtears，asshefoundherselfthusrepeating，nearlywordforword，theargumentsthathadbeenusedbyLadyArabella。)"Thinkofthesethingscoolly，ifyoucan，but，atanyrate，withoutpassion：andthenletmehaveonewordinanswer。Onewordwillsuffice。
"Ihavebuttoaddthis：donotallowyourselftothinkthatmyheartwilleverreproachyou。ItcannotreproachyoufordoingthatwhichImyselfsuggest。"(Mary"slogicinthiswasveryfalse；butshewasnotherselfawareofit。)"Iwillneverreproachyoueitherinwordorthought；andasforallothers，itseemstomethattheworldagreesthatwehavehithertobeenwrong。Theworld，Ihope，willbesatisfiedwhenwehaveobeyedit。
"Goblessyou，dearestFrank！Ishallnevercallyousoagain；butitwouldbeapretencewereItowriteotherwiseinthisletter。Thinkofthis，andthenletmehaveoneline。
"Youraffectionatefriend，MARYTHORNE"
"PS——OfcourseIcannotbeatdearBeatrice"smarriage；butwhentheycomebacktotheparsonage，Ishallseeher。Iamsuretheywillbothbehappy，becausetheyaresogood。IneedhardlysaythatIshallthinkofthemontheirweddingday。"
Whenshefinishedtheletter，sheaddresseditplainly，inherownsomewhatboldhandwriting，toFrancisN。Gresham，Jun。，Esq。，andthentookitherselftothelittlevillagepost-office。Thereshouldbenothingunderhandabouthercorrespondence：alltheGreshamsburyworldshouldknowofit——thatworldofwhichshehadspokeninherletter——ifthatworldsopleased。Havingputherpennylabelonit，shehandedit，withanopenbrowandanunembarrassedface，tothebaker"swife，whowasHerMajesty"spostmistressatGreshamsbury；and，havingsofinishedherwork，shereturnedtoseethetablepreparedforheruncle"sdinner。
"Iwillsaynothingtohim，"shesaidtoherself，"tillIgettheanswer。Hewillnottalktomeaboutit，sowhyshouldItroublehim？"
CHAPTERXLIII
THERACEOFSCATCHERDBECOMESEXTINCT
Itwillnotbeimagined，atanyratebyfemininereaders，thatMary"sletterwaswrittenoffatonce，withoutalterationsandchanges，orthenecessityforafaircopy。Lettersfromoneyoungladytoanotheraredoubtlesswritteninthismanner，andevenwiththemitmightsometimesbebetterifmorepatiencehadbeentaken；butwithMary"sfirstlettertoherlover——herfirstlove-letter，iflove-letteritcanbecalled-muchmorecarewasused。Itwascopiedandre-copied，andwhenshereturnedfrompostingit，itwasreadandre-read。
"Itisverycold，"shesaidtoherself；"hewillthinkIhavenoheart，thatIhaveneverlovedhim！"Andthensheallbutresolvedtorundowntothebaker"swife，andgetbackherletter，thatshemightalterit。
"Butitwillbebetterso，"shesaidagain。"IfItouchedhisfeelingsnow，hewouldneverbringhimselftoleaveme。ItisrightthatIshouldbecoldwithhim。IshouldbefalsetomyselfifItriedtomovehislove——I，whohavenothingtogivehiminreturnforit。"Andsoshemadenofurthervisittothepost-office，andtheletterwentonitsway。
Wewillnowfollowitsfortunesforashortwhile，andexplainhowitwasthatMaryreceivednoanswerforaweek；aweek，itmaywellbeimagined，ofterriblesuspensetoher。Whenshetookittothepost-office，shedoubtlessthoughtthatthebaker"swifehadnothingtodobuttosendituptothehouseatGreshamsbury，andthatFrankwouldreceiveitthatevening，or，atlatest，earlyonthefollowingmorning。
Butthiswasbynomeansso。TheepistlewaspostedonaFridayafternoon，anditbehovedthebaker"swifetosenditintoSilverbridge——Silverbridgebeingthepost-town——sothatalldueformalities，asorderedbytheQueen"sGovernment，mighttherebeperfected。Now，unfortunatelythepost-boyhadtakenhisdeparturebeforeMaryreachedtheshop，anditwasnot，therefore，dispatchedtillSaturday。SundaywasalwaysadiesnonwiththeGreshamsburyMercury，and，consequently，Frank"sletterwasnotdeliveredatthehousetillMondaymorning；atwhichtimeMaryhadfortwolongdaysbeenwaitingwithwearyheartfortheexpectedanswer。
NowFrankhadonthatmorninggoneuptoLondonbytheearlytrain，withhisfuturebrother-in-law，MrOriel。Inordertoaccomplishthis，theyhadleftGreshamsburyforBarchesterexactlyasthepostboywasleavingSilverbridgeforGreshamsbury。
"Ishouldliketowaitformyletters，"MrOrielhadsaid，whenthejourneywasbeingdiscussed。
"Nonsense，"Frankhadanswered。"Whoevergotaletterthatwasworthwaitingfor？"andsoMarywasdoomedtoaweekofmisery。
Whenthepost-bagarrivedatthehouseonMondaymorningitwasopenedasusualbythesquirehimselfatthebreakfast-table。"HereisaletterforFrank，"saidhe，"postedinthevillage。Youhadbettersendittohim："andhethrewtheletteracrosstoBeatrice。
"It"sfromMary，"saidBeatrice，outloud，takingtheletterupandexaminingtheaddress。Andhavingsaidso，sherepentedwhatshehaddone，asshelookedfirstatherfatherandthenathermother。
Acloudcameoverthesquire"sbrowasforaminutehewentonturningoverthelettersandnewspapers。"Oh，fromMaryThorne，isit？"hesaid。
"Well，youhadbettersendittohim。"
"Franksaidthatifanyletterscametheyweretobekept，"saidhissisterSophy。"Hetoldmesoparticularly。Idon"tthinkhelikeshavingletterssenttohim。"
"Youhadbettersendthatone，"saidthesquire。
"MrOrielistohaveallhislettersaddressedtoLong"sHotel，BondStreet，andthisonecanverywellbesentwiththem，"saidBeatrice，whoknewallaboutit，andintendedherselftomakefreeuseoftheaddress。
"Yes，youhadbettersendit，"saidthesquire；andthennothingfurtherwassaidatthetable。ButLadyArabella，thoughshesaidnothing，hadnotfailedtomarkwhathadpassed。Hadsheaskedfortheletterbeforethesquire，hewouldprobablyhavetakenpossessionofithimself；butassoonasshewasalonewithBeatrice，shediddemandit，"IshallbewritingtoFrankhimself，"shesaid，"andwillsendittohim。"Andso，Beatrice，withaheavyheart，gaveitup。
TheletterlaybeforeLadyArabella"seyesallthatday，andmanyawistfulglancewascastatit。Sheturneditoverandover，andmuchdesiredtoknowitscontents；butshedidnotdaretobreakthesealofherson"sletter。Allthatdayitlayuponherdesk，andallthenext，forshecouldhardlybringherselftopartwithit；butontheWednesdayitwassent——sentwiththeselinesfromherself：-
"Dearest，dearestFrank，IsendyoualetterwhichhascomebythepostfromMaryThorne。Idonotknowwhatitmaycontain；butbeforeyoucorrespondwithher，pray，praythinkofwhatIsaidtoyou。Formysake，foryourfather"s，foryourown，praythinkofit。"
Thatwasall，butitwasenoughtomakeherwordtoBeatricetrue。ShedidsendittoFrankenclosedinaletterfromherself。WemustreserveforthenextchapterwhathadtakenplacebetweenFrankandhismother；
but，forthepresent，wewillreturntothedoctor"shouse。
Marysaidnotawordtohimabouttheletter；but，keepingsilentonthesubject，shefeltwretchedlyestrangedfromhim。"Isanythingthematter，Mary？"hesaidtoherontheSundayafternoon。
"No，uncle，"sheanswered，turningawayherheadtohidehertears。
"Ah，butthereissomething；whatisit，dearest？"
"Nothing——thatis，nothingthatonecantalkabout。"
"WhatMary！Beunhappyandnottotalkaboutittome？That"ssomethingnew，isitnot？"
"Onehaspresentimentssometimes，andisunhappywithoutknowingwhy。
Besides，youknow——"
"Iknow！WhatdoIknow？DoIknowanythingthatwillmakemypethappier？"andhetookherintohisarmsandtheysattogetheronthesofa。Hertearswerenowfallingfast，andshenolongermadeanefforttohidethem。"Speaktome，Mary；thisissomethingmorethanapresentiment。Whatisit？"
"Oh，uncle——"
"Come，love，speaktome；tellmewhyyouaregrieving。"
"Oh，uncle，whyhaveyounotspokentome？Whyhaveyounottoldmewhattodo？Whyhaveyounotadvisedme？Whyareyoualwayssosilent？"
"Silentaboutwhat？"
"Youknow，uncle；silentabouthim；silentaboutFrank。"
Why，indeed？Whatwashetosaytothis？Itwastruethathehadnevercounselledher；nevershownherwhatcoursesheshouldtake；hadneverevenspoketoheraboutherlover。Anditwasequallytruethathewasnotnowpreparedtodoso，eveninanswertosuchanappealasthis。Hehadahope，astronghope，morethanahope，thatMary"slovewouldyetbehappy；buthecouldnotexpressorexplainhishope；norcouldheevenacknowledgetohimselfawishthatwouldseemtobebasedonthedeathofhimtowhoselifehewasbound，ifpossible，topreserve。
"Mylove，"hesaid，"itisamatterinwhichyoumustjudgeforyourself。DidIdoubtyourconduct，Ishouldinterfere；butIdonot。"
"Conduct！Isconducteverything？Onemayconductoneselfexcellently，andyetbreakone"sheart。"
Thiswastoomuchforthedoctor；hissternnessandfirmnessinstantlydesertedhim。"Mary，"hesaid，"Iwilldoanythingthatyouwouldhaveme。Ifyouwishit，Iwillmakearrangementsforleavingthisplaceatonce。"
"Oh，no，"shesaid，plaintively。
"Whenyoutellmeofabrokenheart，youalmostbreakmyown。Cometome，darling；donotleavemeso。IwillsayallthatIcansay。Ihavethought，dostillthink，thatcircumstanceswilladmitofyourmarriagewithFrankifyoubothloveeachother，andcanbothbepatient。"
"Youthinkso，"saidshe，unconsciouslyslidingherhandintohis，asthoughtothankhimbyitspressureforthecomforthewasgivingher。
"Idothinksonowmorethanever。ButIonlythinkso；Ihavebeenunabletoassureyou。There，darling，Imustnotsaymore；onlythatI
cannotbeartoseeyougrieving，Iwouldnothavesaidthis："andthenhelefther，andnothingmorewasspokenonthesubject。
Ifyoucanbepatient！Why，apatienceoftenyearswouldbeasnothingtoher。Couldshebutlivewiththeknowledgethatshewasfirstinhisestimation，dearestinhisheart；coulditbealsograntedtohertofeelthatshewasregardedashisequal，shecouldbepatientforever。
Whatmoredidshewantthantoknowandfeelthis？Patient，indeed！
Butwhatcouldthesecircumstancesbetowhichherunclehadalluded？"I
dothinkthatcircumstanceswilladmitofyourmarriage。"Suchwashisopinion，andshehadneverknownhimtobewrong。Circumstances！Whatcircumstances？DidheperhapsmeanthatMrGresham"saffairswerenotsobadastheyhadbeenthoughttobe？Ifso，thatalonewouldhardlyalterthematter，forwhatcouldshegiveinreturn？"Iwouldgivehimtheworldforonewordoflove，"shesaidtoherself，"andneverthinkthathewasmydebtor。Ah！howbeggarlytheheartmustbethatspeculatesonsuchgiftsasthose！"
Buttherewasheruncle"sopinion：hestillthoughtthattheymightbemarried。Oh，whyhadshesentherletter？andwhyhadshemadeitsocold？Withsuchaletterasthatbeforehim，Frankcouldnotdootherthanconsenttoherproposal。Andthen，whydidhenotatleastanswerit？
OntheSundayafternoontherearrivedatGreshamsburyamanandahorsefromBoxallHill，bearingaletterfromLadyScatcherdtoDrThorne，earnestlyrequestingthedoctor"simmediateattendance。"IfeareverythingisoverwithpoorLouis，"wrotetheunhappymother。"Ithasbeendreadful。Docometome；Ihavenootherfriend，andIamnearlywornthroughwithit。Themanfromthecity"——shemeantDrFillgrave——"comeseveryday，andIdaresayheisallverywell，buthehasneverdonemuchgood。Hehasnothadspiritenoughtokeepthebottlefromhim；anditwasthat，andthatonly，thatmostbehovedtobedone。Idoubtyouwon"tfindhiminthisworldwhenyougethere。"
DrThornestartedimmediately。EventhoughhemighthavetomeetDrFillgrave，hecouldnothesitate，forhewentnotasadoctortothedyingman，butasthetrusteeunderSirRoger"swill。Moreover，asLadyScatcherdhadsaid，hewasonlyherfriend，andhecouldnotdesertheratsuchamomentforanarmyofFillgraves。HetoldMaryheshouldnotreturnthatnight；andtakingwithhimasmallsaddle-bag，hestartedatonceforBoxallHill。
Asherodetothehalldoor，DrFillgravewasgettingintohiscarriage。
Theyhadnevermetsoastospeaktoeachothersincethatmemorableday，whentheyhadtheirfamouspassageofarmsinthehallofthatveryhousebeforewhichtheybothnowstood。But，atthepresentmoment，neitherofthemwasdisposedtorenewthefight。
"Whatnewsofyourpatient，Fillgrave？"saidourdoctor，stillseatedonhissweatinghorse，andputtinghishandlightlytohishat。
DrFillgravecouldnotrefrainfromonemomentofsuperciliousdisdain：
hegaveonelittlechucktohishead，onelittletwisttohisneck，onelittlesqueezetohislips，andthenthemanwithinhimovercamethedoctor。"SirLouisisnomore，"hesaid。
"God"swillbedone！"saidDrThorne。
"Hisdeathisarelease；forhislastdayshavebeenveryfrightful。
Yourcoming，DrThorne，willbeacomforttoLadyScatcherd。"AndthenDrFillgrave，thinkingthateventhepresentcircumstancesrequirednofurthercondescension，ensconcedhimselfinthecarriage。
"Hislastdayshavebeenverydreadful！Ah，me，poorfellow！DrFillgrave，beforeyougo，allowmetosaythis：Iamquiteawarethatwhenhefellintoyourhands，nomedicalskillintheworldcouldsavehim。"
DrFillgravebowedlowfromthecarriage，andafterthisunwontedexchangeofcourtesies，thetwodoctorsparted，nottomeetagain——atanyrate，inthepagesofthisnovel。OfDrFillgrave，letitnowbesaid，thatheisnowregardedasoneofthecelebritiesofBarchester。
LadyScatcherdwasfoundsittingaloneinherlittleroomontheground-floor。EvenHannahwasnotwithher，forHannahwasnowoccupiedupstairs。Whenthedoctorenteredtheroom，whichhedidunannounced，hefoundherseatedonachair，withherbackagainstoneofthepresses，herhandsclaspedtogetheroverherknees，gazingintovacancy。Shedidnoteverhearhimorseehimasheapproached，andhishandhadlightlytouchedhershoulderbeforesheknewthatshewasnotalone。Then，shelookedupathimwithafacesofullofsorrow，sowornwithsuffering，thathisownheartwasrackedtoseeher。
"It"sallover，myfriend，"saidhe。"Itisbetterso；muchbetterso。"
Sheseemedatfirsthardlytounderstandhim，butstillregardinghimwiththatwanface，shookherheadslowlyandsadly。OnemighthavethoughtthatshewastwentyyearsolderthanwhenDrThornelastsawher。
Hedrewachairtoherside，andsittingbyher，tookherhandinhis。
"Itisbetterso，LadyScatcherd；betterso，"herepeated。"Thepoorlad"sdoomhadbeenspoken，anditiswellforhim，andforyou，thatitshouldbeover。"
"Theyarebothgonenow，"saidshe，speakingverylow；"bothgonenow。
Oh，doctor！Tobeleftalonehere，allalone！"
Hesaidsomefewwordstryingtocomforther；butwhocancomfortawidowbereavedofherchild？Whocanconsoleaheartthathaslostallitpossessed？SirRogerhadnotbeentoheratenderhusband；butstillhehadbeenthehusbandofherlove。SirLouishadnotbeentoheranaffectionateson；butstillhehadbeenherchild，heronlychild。Nowtheywerebothgone。Whocanwonderthattheworldshouldbeablanktoher？
Stillthedoctorspokesoothingwords，andstillheheldherhand。Heknewthathiswordscouldnotconsoleher；butthesoundsofhiskindnessatsuchdesolatemomentsare，tosuchmindsashers，somealleviationofgrief。Shehardlyansweredhim，butsattherestaringoutbeforeher，leavingherhandpassivelytohim，andswayingherheadbackwardsandforwardsasthoughhergriefweretooheavytobeborne。
Atlast，hereyeresteduponanarticlewhichstooduponthetable，andshestartedupimpetuouslyfromherchair。Shedidthissosuddenly，thatthedoctor"shandfellbesidehimbeforeheknewthatshehadrisen。Thetablewascoveredwithallthoseimplementswhichbecomesofrequentaboutahousewhensevereillnessisaninhabitantthere。Therewerelittleboxesandapothecaries"bottles，cupsandsaucersstandingseparate，andbowls，inwhichmesseshavebeenpreparedwiththehopeofsuitingasickman"sfailingappetite。Therewasasmallsaucepanstandingonaplate，acuriouslyshapedglassutensilleftbythedoctor，andsundrypiecesofflannel，whichhadbeenusedinrubbingthesufferer"slimbs。Butinthemiddleofthedebrisstoodoneblankbottle，withheaderect，unsuitedtothecompanionshipinwhichitwasfound。
"There，"shesaid，risingup，andseizingitinamannerthatwouldhavebeenridiculoushaditnotbeensotrulytragic。"There，thathasrobbedmeofeverything——offatherandson；thathasswallowedthemboth——murderedthemboth！Oh，doctor！thatsuchathingasthatshouldevercausesuchbittersorrow！Ihavehateditalways，butnow——Oh，woeisme！wearyme！"Andthensheletthebottledropfromherhandasthoughitweretooheavyforher。
"Thiscomesofbarro-niting，"shecontinued。"Iftheyhadlethimalone，hewouldhavebeenherenow，andsowouldtheotherone。Whydidtheydoit？whydidtheydoit？Ah，doctor！peoplesuchasusshouldnevermeddlewiththemaboveus。Seewhathascomeofit；seewhathascomeofit！"
Thedoctorcouldnotremainwithherlong，asitwasnecessarythatheshouldtakeuponhimselfthedirectionofthehousehold，andgiveordersforthefuneral。Firstofall，hehadtoundergothesaddutyofseeingthecorpseofthedeceasedbaronet。This，atanyrate，maybesparedtomyreaders。Itwasfoundtobenecessarythattheinternmentshouldbemadeveryquickly，asthebodywasnearlydestroyedbyalcohol。Havingdoneallthis，andsentbackhishorsetoGreshamsbury，withdirectionsthatclothesforajourneymightbesenttohim，andanoticethatheshouldnotbehomeforsomedays，heagainreturnedtoLadyScatcherd。
Ofcoursehecouldnotbutthinkmuchoftheimmensepropertywhichwasnow，forashorttime，altogetherinhisownhands。HisresolutionwassoonmadetogoatoncetoLondonandconsultthebestlawyerhecouldfind——orthebestdozenlawyersshouldsuchbenecessary——astothevalidityofMary"sclaims。ThismustbedonebeforehesaidawordtoherortoanyoftheGreshamfamily；butitmustbedoneinstantly，sothatallsuspensemightbeatanendassoonaspossible。Hemust，ofcourse，remainwithLadyScatcherdtillthefuneralshouldbeover；butwhenthatofficeshouldbecomplete，hewouldstartinstantlyforLondon。
InresolvingtotellnooneastoMary"sfortunetillafterhehadfortifiedhimselfwithlegalwarranty，hemadeoneexception。HethoughtitrationalthatheshouldexplaintoLadyScatcherdwhowasnowtheheirunderherhusband"swill；andhewasmoreinclinedtodoso，fromfeelingthatthenewswouldprobablybegratifyingtoher。Withthisview，hehadonceortwiceendeavouredtoinducehertotalkabouttheproperty，butshehadbeenunwillingtodoso。Sheseemedtodislikeallallusionstoit，anditwasnotuntilshehadincidentallymentionedthefactthatshewouldhavetolookforahome，thathewasabletofixhertothesubject。Thiswasontheeveningbeforethefuneral；ontheafternoonofwhichdayheintendedtoproceedtoLondon。
"Itmayprobablybearrangedthatyoumaycontinuetolivehere，"saidthedoctor。
"Idon"twishitatall，"saidshe，rathersharply。"Idon"twishtohaveanyarrangementsmade。Iwouldnotbeindebtedtoanyofthemforanything。Oh，dear！ifmoneycouldmakeitallright，Ishouldhaveenoughofthat。"
"Indebtedtowhom，LadyScatcherd？WhodoyouthinkwillbetheownerofBoxallHill？"
"Indeed，then，DrThorne，Idon"tmuchcare：unlessitbeyourself，itwon"tbeanyfriendofmine，oranyoneIshallcaretomakeafriendof。Itisn"tsoeasyforanoldwomanlikemetomakenewfriends。"
"Well，itcertainlywon"tbelongtome。"
"Iwishitdid，withallmyheart。Buteventhen，Iwouldnotlivehere。Ihavehadtoomanytroublesheretowishtoseemore。"
"Thatshallbeasyoulike，LadyScatcherd；butyouwillbesurprisedtohearthattheplacewill——atleastIthinkitwill——belongtoafriendofyours：toonetowhomyouhavebeenverykind。"
"Andwhoishe，doctor？Won"titgotosomeofthoseAmericans？IamsureIneverdidanythingkindtothem；though，indeed，IdidlovepoorMaryScatcherd。Butthat"syearsuponyearsago，andsheisdead，andgonenow。Well，IbegrudgenothingtoMary"schildren。AsIhavenoneofmyown，itisrightthattheyshouldhavethemoney。Ithasnotmademehappy；Ihopeitmaydothem。"
"Thepropertywill，Ithink，gotoMaryScatcherd"seldestchild。ItisshewhomyouhaveknownasMaryThorne。"
"Doctor！"AndthenLadyScatcherd，asshemadetheexclamation，putbothherhandsdowntoholdherchair，asthoughshefearedtheweightofhersurprisewouldtoppleheroffherseat。
"Yes；MaryThorne——myMary——towhomyouhavebeensogood，wholovesyousowell；she，Ibelieve，willbeSirRoger"sheiress。AnditwassothatSirRogerintendedonhisdeathbed，intheeventofpoorLouis"slifebeingcutshort。Ifthisbeso，willyoubeashamedtostayhereastheguestofMaryThorne？Shehasnotbeenashamedtobeyourguest。"
ButLadyScatcherdwasnowtoomuchinterestedinthegeneraltenorofthenewswhichshehadheardtocaremuchaboutthehousewhichshewastoinhabitinfuture。MaryThorne，theheiressofBoxallHill！MaryThorne，thestilllivingchildofthatpoorcreaturewhohadsonearlydiedwhentheywereallafflictedwiththeirearlygrief！Well；therewasconsolation，therewascomfortinthis。Therewerebutthreepeopleleftintheworldthatshecouldlove：herfoster-child，FrankGresham——MaryThorne，andthedoctor。IfthemoneywenttoMary，itwouldofcoursegotoFrank，forshenowknewthattheylovedeachother；andifitwenttothem，wouldnotthedoctorhavehissharealso；
suchshareashemightwant？Couldshehavegovernedthematter，shewouldhavegivenalltoFrank；andnowitwouldbeaswellbestowed。
Yes；therewasconsolationinthis。Theybothsatupmorethanhalfthenighttalkingoverit，andgivingandreceivingexplanations。Ifonlythecounciloflawyerswouldnotbeadverse！Thatwasnowthepointofsuspense。
Thedoctor，beforehelefther，badeherholdherpeace，andsaynothingofMary"sfortunetoanyonetillherrightshavebeenabsolutelyacknowledged。"Itwillbenothingnottohaveit，"saidthedoctor；"butitwouldbeverybadtohearitwashers，andthentoloseit。"
Onthenextmorning，DrThornedepositedtheremainsofSirLouisinthevaultpreparedforthefamilyintheparishchurch。Helaidthesonwhereafewmonthsagohehadlaidthefather，——andsothetitleofScatcherdbecameextinct。Theirraceofhonourhadnotbeenlong。
Afterthefuneral，thedoctorhurrieduptoLondon，andtherewewillleavehim。
CHAPTERXLIV
SATURDAYEVENINGANDSUNDAYMORNING
WemustnowgobackalittleanddescribehowFrankhadbeensentoffonspecialbusinesstoLondon。ThehouseholdatGreshamsburywasatthistimeinbutadolefulstate。Itseemedtobepervaded，fromthesquiredowntothescullery-maid，withafeelingthatthingswerenotgoingwell；andmenandwomen，inspiteofBeatrice"scomingmarriage，weregrim-visaged，anddolorous。MrMortimerGazebee，rejectedthoughhehadbeen，still，wentandcame，talkingmuchtothesquire，muchalsotoherladyship，astotheill-doingswhichwereinthecourseofprojectionbySirLouis；andFrankwentaboutthehousewithcloudedbrow，asthoughfinallyresolvedtoneglecthisonegreatduty。
PoorBeatricewasrobbedofhalfherjoy；overandoveragainherbrotheraskedherwhethershehadyetseenMary，andshewasobligedasoftentoanswerthatshehadnot。Indeed，shedidnotdaretovisitherfriend，foritwashardlypossiblethattheyshouldsympathizewitheachother。Marywas，tosaytheleast，stubborninherpride；andBeatrice，thoughshecouldforgiveherfriendforlovingherbrother，couldnotforgivetheobstinacywithwhichMarypersistedinacoursewhich，asBeatricethought，sheherselfknewtobewrong。
AndthenMrGazebeecamedownfromtown，withanintimationthatitbehovedthesquirehimselftogoupthathemightseecertainlearnedpundits，andbebadgeredinhisownpersonatvariousdingy，dismalchambersinLincoln"sInnFields，theTemple，andGray"sInnLane。Itwasaninvitationexactlyofthatsortwhichagoodmanyyearsagowasgiventoacertainduck。
"Willyou，willyou——willyou，willyou——comeandbekilled？"AlthoughMrGazebeeurgedthematterwithsucheloquence，thesquireremainedsteadytohisobjection，andswamobstinatelyabouthisGreshamsburypondinanydirectionsavethatwhichseemedtoleadtowardsLondon。
ThisoccurredontheveryeveningofthatFridaywhichhadwitnessedtheLadyArabella"slastvisittoDrThorne"shouse。Thequestionofthesquire"snecessaryjourneytothegreatfountainsofjusticewas，ofcourse，discussedbetweenLadyArabellaandMrGazebee；anditoccurredtotheformer，fullasshewasofFrank"siniquityandofMary"sobstinacy，thatifFrankweresentupinlieuofhisfather，itwouldseparatethematleastforawhile。IfshecouldonlygetFrankawaywithoutseeinghislove，shemightyetsoworkuponhim，bymeansofthemessagewhichMaryhadsent，astopostpone，ifnotbreakoff，thishatefulmatch。Itwasinconceivablethatayouthoftwenty-three，andsuchayouthasFrank，shouldbeobstinatelyconstanttoagirlpossessedofnogreatbeauty——soarguedLadyArabellatoherself——andwhohadneitherwealth，birth，norfashiontorecommendher。
Andthisitwasatlastsettled——thesquirebeingawillingpartnertotheagreement——thatFrankshouldgoupandbebadgeredinlieuofhisfather。Athisageitwaspossibletomakeathingdesirable，ifnotnecessary——onaccountoftheimportanceconveyed——tositdayafterdayinthechambersofMessrsSlow&Bideawhile，andhearmustylawtalk，andfingerdustylawparchments。ThesquirehadmademanyvisitstoMessrsSlow&Bideawhile，andheknewbetter。Frankhadnothithertobeenthereonhisownbottom，andthushefelleasilyintothetrap。
MrOrielwasalsogoingtoLondon，andthiswasanotherreasonforsendingFrank。MrOrielhadbusinessofgreatimportance，whichitwasquitenecessarythatheshouldexecutebeforehismarriage。Howmuchofthisbusinessconsistedingoingtohistailor，buyingawedding-ring，andpurchasingsomeothermorecostlypresentforBeatrice，weneednothereinquire。ButMrOrielwasquiteonLadyArabella"ssidewithreferencetothismadengagement，andasFrankandhewerenowfastfriends，somegoodmightbedoneinthatway。"Ifweallcautionhimagainstit，hecanhardlywithstandusall！"saidLadyArabellatoherself。
ThematterwasbroachedtoFrankontheSaturdayevening，andsettledbetweenthemallonthesamenight。Nothing，ofcourse，wasatthatmomentsaidaboutMary；butLadyArabellawastoofullofthesubjecttolethimgotoLondonwithouttellinghimthatMarywasreadytorecedeifonlyhewouldallowhertodoso。Abouteleveno"clock，Frankwassittinginhisownroom，comingoverthedifficultiesofthesituation——thinkingofhisfather"stroubles，hisownposition——whenhewasrousedfromhisreveriebyaslighttapatthedoor。
"Comein，"hesaidsomewhatloudly。Hethoughtitwasoneofhissisters，whowereapttovisithimatallhoursandforallmannerofreasons；andhe，thoughhewasusuallygentletothem，wasnotatpresentexactlyinahumourtobedisturbed。
Thedoorgentlyopened，andhesawhismotherstandinghesitatinginthepassage。
"CanIcomein，Frank？"saidshe。
"Oh，yes，mother；byallmeans："andthen，withsomesurprisemarkedinhiscountenance，hepreparedaseatforher。SuchavisitasthisfromLadyArabellawasveryunusual；somuchso，thathehadprobablynotseenherinhisownroomsincethedaywhenhefirstleftschool。Hehadnothing，however，tobeashamedof；nothingtoconcealunlessitwereanopenletterfromMissDunstablewhichhehadinhishandwhensheentered，andwhichhesomewhathurriedlythrustintohispocket。
"Iwantedtosayafewwordstoyou，Frank，beforeyoustartforLondonaboutthisbusiness。"Franksignifiedbyagesture，thathewasquitereadytolistentoher。
"Iamsogladtoseeyourfatherputtingthematterintoyourhands。Youareyoungerthanheis；andthen——Idon"tknowwhy，butsomehowyourfatherhasneverbeenagoodmanofbusiness——everythinghasgonewrongwithhim。"
"Oh，mother！donotsayanythingagainsthim。"
"No，Frank，Iwillnot；Idonotwishit。Thingshavebeenunfortunate，certainly。Ahme！IlittlethoughtwhenImarried——butIdon"tmeantocomplain——Ihaveexcellentchildren，andIoughttobethankfulforthat。"
Frankbegantofearthatnogoodwouldbecomingwhenhismotherspokeinthatstrain。"IwilldothebestIcan，"saidhe，"upintown。I
can"thelpthinkingmyselfthatMrGazebeemighthavedoneaswell，but——"
"Oh，dearno；bynomeans。Insuchcasestheprincipalmustshowhimself。Besides，itisrightyoushouldknowhowmattersstand。Whoissomuchinterestedinitasyouare？PoorFrank！IdosooftenfeelforyouwhenIthinkhowthepropertyhasdwindled。"
"Praydonotmindme，mother。Whyshouldyoutalkofitasmymatterwhilemyfatherisnotyetforty-five？Hislife，sotospeak，isasgoodasmine。Icandoverywellwithoutit；allIwantistobeallowedtosettletosomething。"
"Youmeanaprofession。"
"Yes；somethingofthatsort。"
"Theyareallsoslow，dearFrank。You，whospeakFrenchsowell——I
shouldthinkmybrothermightgetyouinasanattachetosomeembassy。"
"Thatwouldn"tsuitmeatall，"saidFrank。
"Well，we"lltalkaboutthatsomeothertime。ButIcameaboutsomethingelse，andIdohopeyouwillhearme。"
Frank"sbrowagaingrewblack，forheknewthathismotherwasabouttosaysomethingwhichitwouldbedisagreeableforhimtohear。
"IwaswithMary，yesterday。"
"Well，mother？"
"Don"tbeangrywithme，Frank；youcan"tbutknowthatthefateofanonlysonmustbeasubjectofanxietytoamother。"Ah！howsingularlyalteredwasLadyArabella"stonesincefirstshehadtakenuponherselftodiscussthemarriageprospectsofherson！Thenhowautocratichadshebeenasshewenthimaway，biddinghim，withfullcommand，tothrowhimselfintothegoldenembracesofMissDunstable！Butnow，howhumble，asshecamesuppliantlytohisroom，cravingthatshemighthaveleavetowhisperintohisearamother"sanxiousfears！Frankhadlaughedathersternbehests，thoughhehadhalfobeyedthem；buthewastouchedtotheheartbyherhumility。
Hedrewhischairnearertoher，andtookherbythehand。Butshe，disengaginghers，partedthehairfromoffhisforehead，andkissedhisbrow。"Oh，Frank，"shesaid，"Ihavebeensoproudofyou，amstillsoproudofyou。ItwillsendmetomygraveifIseeyousinkbelowyourproperposition。Notthatitwillbeyourfault。Iamsureitwillnotbeyourfault。Onlycircumstancedasyouare，youshouldbedoubly，trebly，careful。Ifyourfatherhadnot——"
"Donotspeakagainstmyfather。"
"No，Frank；Iwillnot——no，Iwillnot；notanotherword。Andnow，Frank——"
BeforewegoonwemustsayonewordfurtherastoLadyArabella"scharacter。Itwillprobablybesaidthatshewasaconsummatehypocrite；
butatthepresentmomentshewasnothypocritical。Shedidloveherson；wasanxious——very，veryanxiousforhim；wasproudofhim，andalmostadmiredtheobstinacywhichsovexedherinmostsoul。Nogriefwouldbetohersogreatasthatofseeinghimsinkbelowwhatsheconceivedtobehisposition。Shewasasgenuinelymotherly，inwishingthatheshouldmarrymoney，asanotherwomanmightbeinwishingtoseehersonabishop；orastheSpartanmatron，whopreferredthatheroffspringshouldreturnonhisshield，tohearingthathehadcomebackwholeinlimbbuttaintedinhonour。WhenFrankspokeofaprofession，sheinstantlythoughtofwhatLorddeCourcymightdoforhim。Ifhewouldnotmarrymoney，hemight，atanyrate，beattacheatanembassy。
Aprofession——hardwork，asadoctor，orasanengineer——would，accordingtoherideas，degradehim；causehimtosinkbelowhisproperposition；buttodangleataforeigncourt，tomakesmalltalkateveningpartiesofaladyambassadress，andoccasionally，perhaps，towritedemi-officialnotescontainingdemi-officialtittle-tattle；thiswouldbeinproperaccordancewiththehighhonourofaGreshamofGreshamsbury。
WemaynotadmirethedirectiontakenbyLadyArabella"senergyonbehalfofherson，butthatenergywasnothypocritical。
"Andnow，Frank——"Shelookedwistfullyintohisfaceassheaddressedhim，asthoughhalfafraidtogoon，andbeggingthathewouldreceivewithcomplaisancewhatevershefoundherselfforcedtosay。
"Well，mother？"
"IwaswithMaryyesterday。"
"Yes，yes；whatthen？Iknowwhatyourfeelingsarewithregardtoher。"
"No，Frank；youwrongme。Ihavenofeelingsagainsther——none，indeed；
nonebutthis：thatsheisnotfittobeyourwife。"
"Ithinkherfit。"
"Ah，yes；buthowfit？Thinkofyourposition，Frank，andwhatmeansyouhaveofkeepingher。Thinkofwhatyouare。Yourfather"sonlyson；
theheirtoGreshamsbury。IfGreshamsburybeeveragainmorethananame，itisyouthatmustredeemit。OfallmenlivingyouaretheleastabletomarryagirllikeMaryThorne。"
"Mother，Iwillnotsellmyselfforwhatyoucallmyposition。"
"Whoasksyou？Idonotaskyou；nobodyasksyou。Idonotwantyoutomarryanyone。Ididthinkonce——butletthatpass。Youarenowtwenty-three。Intenyears"timeyouwillstillbeayoungman。Ionlyaskyoutowait。Ifyoumarrynow，thatis，marrysuchagirlasMaryThorne——"
"Suchagirl！WhereshallIfindanother？"
"Imeanasregardsmoney，Frank；youknowImeanthat；howareyoutolive？Whereareyoutogo？Andthen，herbirth。Oh，Frank，Frank！"
"Birth！Ihatesuchpretence。Whatwas——butIwon"ttalkaboutit。
Mother，Itellyoumywordispledged，andonnoaccountwillIbeinducedtobreakit。"
"Ah，that"sjustit；that"sjustthepoint。Now，Frank，listentome。
Praylistentomepatientlyforoneminute。"
Frankpromisedthathewouldlistenpatiently；buthelookedanythingbutpatientashesaidso。
"IhaveseenMary，asitwascertainlymydutytodo。Youcannotbeangrywithmeforthat。"
"WhosaidthatIwasangry，mother？"
"Well，Ihaveseenher，andImustown，thatthoughshewasnotdisposedtobecourteoustome，personally，shesaidmuchthatmarkedherexcellentgoodsense。Butthegistofitwasthis；thatasshehadmadeyouapromise，nothingshouldturnherfromthatpromisebutyourpermission。"
"Anddoyouthink——"
"Waitamoment，Frank，andlistentome。Sheconfessedthatthismarriagewasonewhichwouldnecessarilybringdistressonallyourfamily；thatitwasonewhichwouldprobablyberuinoustoyourself；
thatitwasamatchwhichcouldnotbeapprovedof：shedid，indeed；sheconfessedallthat。“Ihavenothing“，shesaid——thosewereherownwords——“Ihavenothingtosayinfavourofthisengagement，exceptthathewishesit。“Thatiswhatshethinksofitherself。“Hiswishesarenotareason；butalaw，“shesaid——"
"And，mother，wouldyouhavemedesertsuchagirlasthat？"
"Itisnotdeserting，Frank：itwouldnotbedeserting：youwouldbedoingthatwhichsheherselfapprovesof。Shefeelstheimproprietyofgoingon；butshecannotdrawbackbecauseofherpromisetoyou。Shethinksthatshecannotdoit，eventhoughshewishesit。"
"Wishesit！Oh，mother！"
"Idobelieveshedoes，becauseshehassensetofeelthetruthofallthatyourfriendssay。Oh，Frank，Iwillgoonmykneestoyouifyouwilllistentome。"
"Oh，mother！mother！mother！"
"Youshouldthinktwice，Frank，beforeyourefusetheonlyrequestyourmotherevermadeyou。AndwhydoIaskyou？whydoIcometoyouthus？
Isitformyownsake？Oh，myboy！mydarlingboy！willyouloseeverythinginlife，becauseyoulovethechildwithwhomyouplayedwithasachild？"
"Whosefaultisitthatweweretogetheraschildren？Sheisnowmorethanachild。Ilookonheralreadyasmywife。"
"Butsheisnotyourwife，Frank；andsheknowsthatsheoughtnottobe。Itisonlybecauseyouholdhertoitthatsheconsentstoit。"
"Doyoumeantosaythatshedoesnotloveme？"
LadyArabellawouldprobablyhavesaidthis，also，hadshedared；butshefeltthatindoingso，shewouldbegoingtoofar。ItwasuselessforhertosayanythingthatwouldbeutterlycontradictedbyanappealtoMaryherself。
"No，Frank；Idonotmeantosaythatyoudonotloveher。WhatIdomeanisthis：thatitisnotbecominginyoutogiveupeverything——notonlyyourself，butallyourfamily——forsuchaloveasthis；andthatshe，Maryherselfacknowledgesthis。Everyoneisofthesameopinion。