第18章
Askyourfather：Ineednotsaythathewouldagreewithyouabouteverythinghecould。IwillnotsaytheDeCourcys。"
"Oh，theDeCourcys！"
"Yes，theyaremyrelations，Iknowthat。"LadyArabellacouldnotquitedropthetoneofbitternesswhichwasnaturaltoherinsayingthis。
"Butaskyoursisters；askMrOriel，whomyouesteemsomuch；askyourfriendHarryBaker。"
Franksatsilentforamomentortwowhilehismother，withalookalmostofagony，gazedintohisface。"Iwillasknoone，"atlasthesaid。
"Oh，myboy！myboy！"
"Noonebutmyselfcanknowmyheart。"
"Andyouwillsacrificealltosuchaloveasthat，all；her，also，whomyousaythatyousolove？Whathappinesscanyougiveherasyourwife？
Oh，Frank！isthattheonlyansweryouwillmaketoyourmotheronherknees？
"Oh，mother！mother！"
"No，Frank，Iwillnotletyouruinyourself；Iwillnotletyoudestroyyourself。Promisethis，atleast，thatyouwillthinkofwhatIhavesaid。"
"Thinkofit！Idothinkofit。"
"Ah，butthinkofitinearnest。YouwillbeabsentnowinLondon；youwillhavethebusinessoftheestatetomanage；youwillhaveheavycaresuponyourhands。Thinkofitasaman，andnotasaboy。"
"Iwillseeherto-morrowbeforeIgo。"
"No，Frank，no；grantmethattrifle，atanyrate。Thinkuponthiswithoutseeingher。Donotproclaimyourselfsoweakthatyoucannottrustyourselftothinkoverwhatyourmothersaystoyouwithoutaskingherleave。Thoughyoubeinlove，donotbechildishwithit。WhatI
havetoldyouascomingfromheristrue，wordforword；ifitwerenot，youwouldsoonlearnso。ThinknowofwhatIhavesaid，andofwhatshesays，andwhenyoucomebackfromLondon，thenyoucandecide。"
TosomuchFrankconsentedaftersomefurtherparley；namely，thathewouldproceedtoLondononthefollowingMondaymorningwithoutagainseeingMary。Andinthemeantime，shewaswaitingwithsoreheartforhisanswertothatletterthatwaslying，andwasstilltolieforsomanyhours，inthesafeprotectionofSilverbridgepostmistress。
Itmayseemstrange；but，intruth，hismother"seloquencehadmoreeffectonFrankthanthatofhisfather：andyet，withhisfatherhehadalwayssympathized。Buthismotherhadbeenenergetic；whereas，hisfather，ifnotlukewarm，had，atanyrate，beentimid。"Iwillasknoone，"Frankhadsaidinthestrongdeterminationofhisheart；andyetthewordswerehardlyoutofhismouthbeforehebethoughthimselfthathewouldtalkthethingoverwithHarryBaker。"Not，"saidhetohimself，"thatIhaveanydoubt：Ihavenodoubt；butIhatetohavealltheworldagainstme。MymotherwishesmetoaskHarryBaker。Harryisagoodfellow，andIwillaskhim。"Andwiththisresolvehebetookhimselftobed。
ThefollowingdaywasSunday。AfterbreakfastFrankwentwiththefamilytochurch，aswasusual；andthere，asusual，hesawMaryinDrThorne"spew。She，asshelookedathim，couldnotbutwonderwhyhehadnotansweredtheletterwhichwasstillatSilverbridge；andheendeavouredtoreadintoherfacewhetheritwastrue，ashismothertoldhim，thatshewasquitereadytogivehimup。Theprayersofbothofthemweredisturbed，asissooftenthecasewiththeprayersofotheranxiouspeople。
TherewasaseparatedooropeningfromtheGreshamsburypewoutintotheGreshamsburygrounds，sothatthefamilywerenotforcedintounseemlycommunitywiththevillagemultitudeingoingtoandfromtheirprayers；
forthefrontdoorofthechurchledoutintoaroadwhichhadnoconnexionwiththeprivatepath。ItwasnotunusualwithFrankandhisfathertogoround，aftertheservice，tothechiefentrance，sothattheymightspeaktotheirneighbours，andgetridofsomeoftheexclusivenesswhichwasintendedforthem。Onthismorningthesquiredidso；butFrankwalkedhomewithhismotherandsisters，sothatMarysawnomoreofhim。
Ihavesaidthathewalkedhomewithhismotherandsisters；butheratherfollowedintheirpath。Hewasnotinclinedtotalkmuch，atleast，nottothem；andhecontinuedaskinghimselfthequestion——whetheritcouldbepossiblethathewaswronginremainingtruetohispromise？Coulditbethatheowedmoretohisfatherandhismother，andwhattheychosetocallhisposition，thanhedidtoMary？
Afterchurch，MrGazebeetriedtogetholdofhim，fortherewasstillmuchtobesaid，andmanyhintstobegiven，astohowFrankshouldspeak，and，moreespecially，astohowtoholdhistongueamongthelearnedpunditsinandaboutChanceryLane。"YoumustbeverywideawakewithMessrsSlowandBideawhile，"saidMrGazebee。ButFrankwouldnothearkentohimjustatthatmoment。HewasgoingtorideovertoHarryBaker，soheputMrGazebeeofftillthehalf-hourbeforedinner，——orelsethehalf-houraftertea。
OnthepreviousdayhehadreceivedaletterfromMissDunstable，whichhehadhithertoreadbutonce。Hismotherhadinterruptedhimashewasabouttorefertoit；andnow，ashisfather"snagwasbeingsaddled——hewasstillprudentinsavingtheblackhorse——heagaintookitout。
MissDunstablehadwritteninexcellenthumour。ShewasingreatdistressabouttheoilofLebanon，shesaid。"Ihavebeentryingtogetapurchaserforthelasttwoyears；butmylawyerwon"tletmesellit，becausethewould-bepurchasersofferathousandpoundsorsolessthanthevalue。Iwouldgivetentogetridofthebore；butIamaslittleabletoactmyselfasSanchowasinhisgovernment。TheoilofLebanon！
Didyouhearanythingofitwhenyouwereinthoseparts？Ithoughtofchangingthenameto“Londonparticular“；butmylawyerssaysthebrewerswouldbringanactionagainstme。"
"Iwasgoingdowntoyourneighbourhood——toyourfriendtheduke"s，atleast。ButIampreventedbymypoordoctor，whoissoweakthatImusttakehimtoMalvern。Itisagreatbore；butIhavethesatisfactionthatIdomydutybyhim！
"YourcousinGeorgeistobemarriedatlast。SoIhear，atleast。Heloveswisely，ifnotwell；forhiswidowhasthenameofbeingprudentandfairlywelltodointheworld。Shehasgotoverthecapricesofheryouth。DearAuntDeCourcywillbesodelighted。ImightperhapshavemetheratGatherumCastle。Idosoregretit。
"MrMoffathasturnedupagain。Weallthoughtyouhadfinallyextinguishedhim。Heleftacardtheotherday，andIhavetoldtheservantalwaystosaythatIamathome，andthatyouarewithme。HeisgoingtostandforsomeboroughinthewestofIreland。He"susedtoshillelaghsbythistime。
"Bytheby，Ihaveacadeauforafriendofyours。Iwon"ttellyouwhatitis，norpermityoutocommunicatethefact。ButwhenyoutellmethatinsendingitImayfairlycongratulateheronhavingsodevotedaslaveasyou，itshallbesent。
"Ifyouhavenothingbettertodoatpresent，docomeandseemyinvalidatMalvern。PerhapsyoumighthaveamindtotreatfortheoilofLebanon。I"llgiveyoualltheassistanceIcanincheatingmylawyers。"
TherewasnotmuchaboutMaryinthis；butstill，thelittlethatwassaidmadehimagaindeclarethatneitherfathernormothershouldmovehimfromhisresolution。"Iwillwritetoherandsaythatshemaysendherpresentwhenshepleases。OrIwillrundowntoMalvernforaday。
Itwilldomegoodtoseeher。"Andsoheresolved，herodeawaytoMillHill，thinking，ashewent，howhewouldputthemattertoHarryBaker。
Harrywasathome；butweneednotdescribethewholeinterview。HadFrankbeenaskedbeforehand，hewouldhavedeclared，thatonnopossiblesubjectcouldhehavehadtheslightesthesitationinaskingHarryanyquestion，orcommunicatingtohimanytidings。Butwhenthetimecame，hefoundthathedidhesitatemuch。HedidnotwanttoaskhisfriendifheshouldbewisetomarryMaryThorne。Wiseornot，hewasdeterminedtodothat。Buthewishedtobequitesurethathismotherwaswronginsayingthatalltheworldwoulddissuadehimfromit。MissDunstable，atanyrate，didnotdoso。
Atlast，seatedonastileatthebackoftheMillHillstables，whileHarrystoodclosebeforehimwithbothhishandsinhispockets，hedidgethisstorytold。ItwasbynomeansthefirsttimethatHarryBakerhadheardaboutMaryThorne，andhewasnot，therefore，sosurprisedashemighthavebeen，hadtheaffairbeennewtohim。Andthus，standingthereinthepositionwehavedescribed，didMrBaker，junior，giveutterancetosuchwisdomaswasinhimonthissubject。
"Yousee，Frank，therearetwosidestoeveryquestion；and，asItakeit，fellowsaresoapttogowrongbecausetheyaresofondofoneside，theywon"tlookattheother。There"snodoubtaboutit，LadyArabellaisaverycleverwoman，andknowswhat"swhat；andthere"snodoubtaboutthiseither，thatyouhaveaveryticklishhandofcardstoplay。"
"I"llplayitstraightforward；andthat"smygame"saidFrank。
"Wellandgood，mydearfellow。That"sthebestgamealways。Butwhatisstraightforward？Betweenyouandme，Ifearthere"snodoubtthatyourfather"spropertyhasgotintoadeuceofamess。"
"Idon"tseethatthathasanythingtodowithit。"
"Yes，butithas。Iftheestatewasallright，andyourfathercouldgiveyouathousandayeartoliveonwithoutfeelingit，andifyoureldestchildwouldbecock-sureofGreshamsbury，itmightbeverywellthatyoushouldpleaseyourselfastomarryingatonce。Butthat"snotthecase；andyetGreshamsburyistoogoodacardtobeflungaway。"
"Icouldflingitawayto-morrow，"saidFrank。
"Ah！youthinkso，"saidHarrytheWise。"Butifyouweretohearto-morrowthatSirLouisScatcherdweremasterofthewholeplace，andbed——dtohim，youwouldfeelveryuncomfortable。"HadHarryknownhownearSirLouiswastohislaststruggle，hewouldnothavespokenofhiminthismanner。"That"sallveryfinetalk，butitwon"tbearwearandtear。YoudocareforGreshamsburyifyouarethefellowItakeyoutobe：careforitverymuch；andyoucaretoomuchforyourfatherbeingGreshamofGreshamsbury。"
"Thiswon"taffectmyfatheratall。"
"Ah，butitwillaffecthimverymuch。IfyouweretomarryMissThorneto-morrow，therewouldatoncebeanendtoanyhopetosaveyourproperty。"
"AnddoyoumeantosayI"mtobealiartoherforsuchreasonsasthat？Why，Harry，IshouldbeasbadasMoffat。Onlyitwouldbetentimesmorecowardly，asshehasnobrother。"
"Imustdifferfromyoutherealtogether；butmind，Idon"tmeantosayanything。Tellmethatyouhavemadeupyourmindtomarryher，andI"llsticktoyouthroughthickandthin。Butifyouaskmyadvice，why，I
mustgiveit。ItisquiteadifferentaffairtothatofMoffat"s。Hehadlotsoftin，everythinghecouldwant，andtherecouldbenoreasonwhyheshouldnotmarry，——exceptthathewasasnob，ofwhomyoursisterwaswellquit。Butthisisverydifferent。IfI，asyourfriend，weretoputittoMissThorne，whatdoyouthinkshewouldsayherself？"
"Shewouldsaywhateverwasbestforme。"
"Exactly：becausesheisatrump。AndIsaythesame。Therecanbenodoubtaboutit，Frank，myboy：suchamarriagewouldbeveryfoolishforyouboth；veryfoolish。NobodycanadmireMissThornemorethanIdo；
butyououghtn"ttobeamarryingmanforthenexttenyears，unlessyougetafortune。Ifyoutellherthetruth，andifshe"sthegirlItakehertobe，she"llnotaccuseyouofbeingfalse。She"llpeakforawhile；andsowillyou，oldchap。Butothershavehadtodothatbeforeyou。Theyhavegotoveritandsowillyou。"
SuchwasthespokenwisdomofHarryBaker，andwhocansaythathewaswrong？Franksatawhileonhisrustleseat，paringhisnailswithhispenknife，andthenlookingup，hethusthankedhisfriend：-
"I"msureyoumeanwell，Harry；andI"mmuchobligedtoyou。Idaresayyou"rerighttoo。But，somehow，itdoesn"tcomehometome。Andwhatismore，afterwhathaspassed，IcouldnottellherthatIwishtopartfromher。Icouldnotdoit。Andbesides，Ihavethatsortoffeeling，thatifIheardshewastomarryanyoneelse，IamsureIwouldblowhisbrainsout。Eitherhisormyown。"
"Well，Frank，youmaycountonmeforanything，exceptthelastproposition："andsotheyshookhands，andFrankrodebacktoGreshamsbury。
CHAPTERXLV
LAWBUSINESSINLONDON
OntheMondaymorningatsixo"clock，MrOrielandFrankstartedtogether；butearlyasitwas，Beatricewasuptogivethemacupofcoffee，MrOrielhavingsleptthatnightinthehouse。WhetherFrankwouldhavereceivedthecoffeefromhissister"sfairhandshadnotMrOrielbeenthere，maybedoubted。He，however，loudlyassertedthatheshouldnothavedoneso，whenshelaidclaimtogreatmeritforrisingonhisbehalf。
MrOrielhadbeenspeciallyinstigatedbyLadyArabellatousetheopportunityoftheirjointjourney，forpointingouttoFranktheiniquityaswellasmadnessofthecoursehewaspursuing；andhehadpromisedtoobeyherladyship"srequest。ButMrOrielwasperhapsnotanenterprisingman，andwascertainlynotapresumptuousone。Hedidintendtodoashewasbid；butwhenhebegan，withtheobjectofleadinguptothesubjectofFrank"sengagement，healwayssofteneddownintosomemucheasierenthusiasminthematterofhisownengagementwithBeatrice。Hehadnotthatperspicuous，butnotover-sensitivestrengthofmindwhichhadenabledHarryBakertoexpresshisopinionoutatonce；andboldlyashedidit，yettodosowithoutoffence。
FourtimesbeforethetrainarrivedinLondon，hemadesomelittleattempt；butfourtimeshefailed。Asthesubjectwasmatrimony，itwashiseasiestcoursetobeginabouthimself；butnevercouldhegetanyfurther。
"NomanwasevermorefortunateinawifethanIshallbe，"hesaid，withasoft，euphuisticself-complacency，whichwouldhavebeensillyhaditbeenadoptedtoanyotherpersonthanthebride"sbrother。Hisintention，however，wasverygood，forhemeanttoshow，thatinhiscasemarriagewasprudentandwise，becausehiscasedifferedsowidelyfromthatofFrank。
"Yes，"saidFrank。"Sheisanexcellentgoodgirl："hehadsaiditthreetimesbefore，andwasnotveryenergetic。
"Yes，andsoexactlysuitedtome；indeed，allthatIcouldhavedreamedof。Howverywellshelookedthismorning！Somegirlsonlylookwellatnight。Ishouldnotlikethatatall。"
"Youmustn"texpecthertolooklikethatalwaysatsixo"clocka。m。，"
saidFrank，laughing。"Youngladiesonlytakethattroubleonveryparticularoccasions。Shewouldn"thavecomedownlikethatifmyfatherorIhadbeengoingalone。No，andshewon"tdothatforyouinacoupleofyears"time。"
"Oh，butshe"salwaysnice。Ihaveseenherathomeasmuchalmostasyoucoulddo；andthenshe"ssosincerelyreligious。"
"Oh，yes，ofcourse；thatis，Iamsuresheis，"saidFrank，lookingsolemnasbecamehim。
"She"smadetobeaclergyman"swife。"
"Well，soitseems，"saidFrank。
"Amarriedlife，I"msure，thehappiestintheworld——ifpeopleareonlyinapositiontomarry，"saidMrOriel，graduallydrawingneartotheaccomplishmentofhisdesign。
"Yes；quiteso。Doyouknow，Oriel，Ineverwassosleepyinmylife。
WhatwithallthatfussofGazebee"s，andonethingandanother，Icouldnotgettobedtilloneo"clock；andthenIcouldn"tsleep。I"lltakeasnoozenow，ifyouwon"tthinkituncivil。"Andthen，puttinghisfeetontheoppositeseat，hesettledhimselfcomfortablytohisrest。AndsoMrOriel"slastattemptforlecturingFrankintherailway-carriagefadedawayandwasannihilated。
Bytwelveo"clockFrankwaswithMessrsSlow&Bideawhile。MrBideawhilewasengagedatthemoment，buthefoundthemanagingChanceryclerktobeaverychattygentleman。Judgingfromwhathesaw，hewouldhavesaidthattheworktobedoneatMessrsSlow&Bideawhile"swasnotveryheavy。
"AsingularmanthatSirLouis，"saidtheChanceryclerk。
"Yes；verysingular，"saidFrank。
"Excellentsecurity；nobetter；andyethewillforeclose；butyouseehehasnopowerhimself。Butthequestionis，canthetrusteerefuse？
Then，again，trusteesaresocircumscribednowadaysthattheyareafraidtodoanything。Therehasbeensomuchsaidlately，MrGresham，thatamandoesn"tknowwhereheis，orwhatheisdoing。Nobodytrustsanybody。Therehavebeensuchterriblethingsthatwecan"twonderatit。OnlythinkofthecaseofthoseHills！Howcananyoneexpectthatanyoneelsewillevertrustalawyeragainafterthat？Butthat"sMrBideawhile"sbell。Howcanoneexpectit？Hewillseeyounow，Idaresay，MrGresham。"
Soitturnedout，andFrankwasusheredintothepresenceofMrBideawhile。Hehadgothislessonbyheart，andwasgoingtorushintothemiddleofhissubject；suchacourse，however，wasnotinaccordancewithMrBideawhile"susualpractice。MrBideawhilegotupfromhislargewooden-seatedWindsorchair，and，withasoftsmile，inwhich，however，wasmingledsomeslightdashoftheattorney"sacuteness，putouthishandtohisyoungclient；not，indeed，asthoughheweregoingtoshakehandswithhim，butasthoughthehandweresomeripefruitallbutfalling，whichhisvisitormighttakeandpluckifhethoughtproper。
Franktookholdofthehand，whichreturnednopressure，andthenletitgoagain，notmakinganyattempttogatherthefruit。
"Ihavecomeuptotown，MrBideawhile，aboutthismortgage。"
"Mortgage——ah，sitdown，MrGresham；sitdown。Ihopeyourfatherisquitewell？"
"Quitewell，thankyou。"
"Ihaveagreatregardforyourfather。SoIhadforyourgrandfather；
averygoodmanindeed。You，perhaps，don"trememberhim，MrGresham？"
"HediedwhenIwasonlyayearold。"
"Oh，yes；no，youofcourse，can"trememberhim；butIdowell：heusedtobeveryfondofsomeportwineIhad。Ithinkitwas“11“；andifI
don"tmistake，Ihaveabottleortwoofityet；butitisnotworthdrinkingnow。Portwine，youknow，won"tkeepbeyondacertaintime。
Thatwasverygoodwine。Idon"texactlyrememberwhatitstoodmeadozenthen；butsuchwinecan"tbehadnow。AsfortheMadeira，youknowthere"sanendofthat。DoyoudrinkMadeira，MrGresham？"
"No，"saidFrank，"notveryoften。"
"I"msorryforthat，forit"safinewine；butthenthere"snoneofitleft，youknow。Ihaveafewdozen，I"mtoldthey"regrowingpumpkinswherethevineyardswere。IwonderwhattheydowithallthepumpkinstheygrowinSwitzerland！You"vebeentoSwitzerland，MrGresham？"
FranksaidhehadbeninSwitzerland。
"It"sabeautifulcountry；mygirlsmademegotherelastyear。Theysaiditwoulddomegood；butthenyouknow，theywantedtoseeitthemselves；ha！ha！ha！However，IbelieveIshallgoagainthisautumn。
ThatistoAix，orsomeofthoseplaces；justforthreeweeks。Ican"tspareanymoretime，MrGresham。Doyoulikethatdiningatthetablesd"hote？"
"Prettywell，sometimes。"
"Onewouldgettiredofit——eh！ButtheygaveuscapitaldinnersatZurich。Idon"tthinkmuchoftheirsoup。Buttheyhadfish，andaboutsevenkindsofmeatsandpoultry，andthreeorfourpuddings，andthingsofthatsort。Uponmyword，Ithoughtwedidverywell，andsodidmygirls，too。Youseeagreatmanyladiestravellingnow。"
"Yes，"saidFrank；"agreatmany。"
"Uponmyword，Ithinktheyareright；thatis，iftheycanaffordtime。
Ican"taffordtime。I"mhereeverydaytillfive，MrGresham；thenIgooutanddineinFleetStreet，andthenbacktoworktillnine。"
"Dearme！that"sveryhard。"
"Well，yesitishardwork。Myboysdon"tlikeit；butImanagesomehow。IgetdowntomylittleplaceinthecountryonSaturday。I
shallbemosthappytoseeyoutherenextSaturday。"
Frank，thinkingitwouldbeoutrageousonhisparttotakeupmuchofthetimeofthegentlemanwhowasconstrainedtoworksounreasonablyhard，beganagaintotalkabouthismortgages，and，insodoing，hadtomentionthenameofMrYatesUmblelby。
"Ah，poorUmblelby！"saidMrBideawhile；"whatishedoingnow？Iamquitesureyourfatherwasright，orhewouldn"thavedoneit；butI
usedtothinkthatUmblebywasadecentsortofmanenough。Notsogrand，youknow，asyourGazebeesandGumptions——eh，MrGresham？TheydosayyoungGazebeeisthinkingofgettingintoParliament。Letmesee：
Umblebymarried——whowasithemarried？Thatwasthewayyourfathergotholdofhim；notyourfather，butyourgrandfather。Iusedtoknowallaboutit。Well，IwassorryforUmbleby。Hehasgotsomething，I
suppose——eh？"
FranksaidthathebelievedMrYatesUmblebyhadsomethingwherewithtokeepthewolffromthedoor。
"SoyouhavegotGazebeedowntherenow？Gumption，Gazebee&Gazebee：
verygoodpeople，I"msure；only，perhaps，theyhavealittletoomuchonhandtodoyourfatherjustice。"
"ButaboutSirLouisScatcherd，MrBideawhile。"
"Well，aboutSirLouis；averybadsortoffellow，isn"the？Drinks——eh？
Iknewhisfatheralittle。Hewasaroughdiamond，too。IwasoncedowninNorthamptonshire，aboutsomerailwaybusiness；letmesee；IalmostforgetwhetherIwaswithhim，oragainsthim。ButIknowhemadesixtythousandpoundsbyonehour"swork；sixtythousandpounds！Andthenhegotsomadwithdrinkingthatweallthought——"
AndsoMrBideawhilewentonfortwohours，andFrankfoundnoopportunityofsayingonewordaboutthebusinesswhichhadbroughthimuptotown。Whatwonderthatsuchamanasthisshouldbeobligedtostayathisofficeeverynighttillnineo"clock？
Duringthesetwohours，aclerkhadcomeinthreeorfourtimes，whisperingsomethingtothelawyer，who，onthelastofsuchoccasions，turnedtoFrank，saying，"Well，perhapsthatwilldoforto-day。Ifyou"llmanagetocallto-morrow，sayabouttwo，Iwillhavethewholethinglookedup；or，perhapsWednesdayorThursdaywouldsuityoubetter。"Frank，declaringthatthemorrowwouldsuithimverywell，tookhisdeparture，wonderingmuchatthemannerinwhichbusinesswasdoneatthehouseofMessrsSlowandBideawhile。
Whenhecalledthenextday，theofficeseemedtoberatherdisturbed，andhewasshownquicklyintoMrBideawhile"sroom。"Haveyouheardthis？"saidthatgentleman，puttingatelegramintohishands。ItcontainedtidingsofthedeathofSirLouisScatcherd。Frankimmediatelyknewthatthesetidingsmustbeofimportancetohisfather；buthehadnoideahowvitallytheyconcernedhisownmoreimmediateinterests。
"DrThornewillbeupintownonThursdayeveningafterthefuneral，"
saidthetalkativeclerk。"Andnothingofcoursecanbedonetillhecomes，"saidMrBideawhile。AndsoFrank，ponderingonthemutabilityofhumanaffairs，againtookhisdeparture。
HecoulddonothingnowbutwaitforDrThorne"sarrival，andsoheamusedhimselfintheintervalbyrunningdowntoMalvern，andtreatingwithMissDunstableinpersonfortheoilofLebanon。HewentdownontheWednesday，andthus，failedtoreceive，ontheThursdaymorning，Mary"sletter，whichreachedLondononthatday。Hereturned，however，ontheFriday，andthengotit；andperhapsitwaswellforMary"shappinessthathehadseenMissDunstableintheinterval。"Idon"tcarewhatyourmothersays，"saidshe，withemphasis。"Idon"tcareforanyHarry，whetheritbeHarryBakeroroldHarryhimself。Youmadeherapromise，andyouareboundtokeepit；ifnotononeday，thenonanother。What！becauseyoucannotdrawbackyourself，getoutofitbyinducinghertodoso！AuntdeCourcyherselfcouldnotimproveuponthat。"Fortifiedinthismanner，hereturnedtotownontheFridaymorning，andthengotMary"sletter。FrankalsogotanotefromDrThorne，statingthathehadtakenuphistemporarydomicileattheGray"sInnCoffee-house，soastobenearthelawyers。
IthasbeensuggestedthatthemodernEnglishwritersoffictionshouldamongthemkeepabarrister，inorderthattheymaybesetrightonsuchlegalpointsaswillariseintheirlittlenarratives，andthusavoidtheexposureoftheirownignoranceofthelaws，which，now，alas！theytoooftenmake。Theideaasworthyofconsideration，andIcanonlysay，thatifsuchanarrangementcanbemade，andifacounselloradequatelyskilfulcanbefoundtoaccepttheoffice，Ishallbehappytosubscribemyquota；itwouldbebutamodesttributetowardsthecost。
Butasthesuggestionhasnotyetbeencarriedout，andasthereisatpresentnolearnedgentlemanwhosedutywouldinducehimtosetmeright，IcanonlypleadformercyifIbewrongallottingallSirRoger"svastpossessionsinperpetuitytoMissThorne，allegingalso，inexcuse，thatthecourseofmynarrativeabsolutelydemandsthatsheshallbeultimatelyrecognizedasSirRoger"sundoubtedheiress。
Such，afteranotimmoderatedelay，wastheopinionexpressedtoDrThornebyhislawadvisers；andsuch，infact，turnedouttobethecase。Iwillleavethematterso，hopingthatmyveryabsenceofdefencemayservetoprotectmefromsevereattack。IfundersuchawillasthatdescribedashavingbeenmadebySirRoger，Marywouldnothavebeentheheiress，thatwillmusthavebeendescribedwrongly。
ButitwasnotquiteatoncethatthosetidingsmadethemselvesabsolutelycertaintoDrThorne"smind；norwasheabletoexpressanysuchopinionwhenhefirstmetFrankinLondon。AtthattimeMary"sletterwasinFrank"spocket；andFrank，thoughhisrealbusinessappertainedmuchmoretothefactofSirLouis"sdeath，andtheeffectthatwouldimmediatelyhaveonhisfather"saffairs，wasmuchmorefullofwhatsomuchmorenearlyconcernedhimself。"IwillshowitDrThornehimself，"saidhe，"andaskhimwhathethinks。"
DrThornewasstretchedfastasleeponthecomfortlesshorse-hairsofainthedingysitting-roomattheGray"sInnCoffee-housewhenFrankfoundhim。Thefuneral，andhisjourneytoLondon，andthelawyershadtogetherconqueredhisenergies，andhelayandsnored，withnoseupright，whileheavyLondonsummerfliessettledonhisheadandface，androbbedhisslumbersofhalftheircharms。
"Ibegyourpardon，"saidhe，jumpingupasthoughhehadbeendetectedinsomedisgracefulact。"Uponmyword，Frank，Ibegyourpardon；
but——well，mydearfellow，allwellatGreshamsbury——eh？"andasheshookhimself，hemadealungeatoneuncommonlydisagreeableflythathadbeenathimforthelasttenminutes。Itishardlynecessarytosaythathemissedhisenemy。
"Ishouldhavebeenwithyoubefore，doctor，butIwasdownatMalvern。"
"AtMalvern，eh？Ah！soOrieltoldme。ThedeathofpoorSirLouiswasverysudden——wasitnot？"
"Very。"
"Poorfellow——poorfellow！Hisfatehasforsometimebeenpasthope。
Itisamadness，Frank；theworstofmadness。Onlythinkofit——fatherandson！Andsuchacareerasthefatherhad——suchacareerasthesonmighthavehad！"
"Ithasbeenveryquicklyrun，"saidFrank。
"Mayitbeallforgivenhim！IsometimescannotbutbelieveinaspecialProvidence。Thatpoorfellowwasnotable，neverwouldhavebeenable，tomakeproperuseofthemeanswhichfortunehadgivenhim。I
hopetheymayfallintobetterhands。Thereisnouseindenyingit，hisdeathwillbeanimmenserelieftome，andareliefalsotoyourfather。
Allthislawbusinesswillnow，ofcourse，bestopped。Asforme，IhopeImayneverbetrusteeagain。"
Frankhadputhishandfourorfivetimesintohisbreast-pocket，andhadasoftentakenoutandputbackagainMary"sletterbeforehecouldfindhimselfabletobringDrThornetothesubject。Atlasttherewasalullinthepurelylegaldiscussion，causedbythedoctorintimatingthathesupposedFrankwouldnowsoonreturntoGreshamsbury。
"Yes；Ishallgoto-morrowmorning。"
"What！sosoonasthat？IcountedonhavingyouonedayinLondonwithme。"
"No，Ishallgoto-morrow。I"mnotfitforcompanyforanyone。NoramIfitforanything。Readthat，doctor。It"snouseputtingitoffanylonger。Imustgetyoutotalkthisoverwithme。Justreadthat，andtellmewhatyouthinkaboutit。Itwaswrittenaweekago，butsomehowIhaveonlygotitto-day。"Andputtingtheletterintothedoctor"shands，heturnedawaytothewindow，andlookedoutamongtheHolbornomnibuses。DrThornetooktheletterandreadit。Mary，aftershehadwrittenit，hadbewailedtoherselfthattheletterwascold；butithadnotseemedcoldtoherlover，nordiditappearsotoheruncle。WhenFrankturnedroundfromthewindow，thedoctor"shandkerchiefwasuptohiseyes；who，inordertohidethetearsthatwerethere，wasobligedtogothrougharatherviolentprocessofblowinghisnose。
"Well，"hesaid，ashegavebackthelettertoFrank。
Well！whatdidwellmean？Wasitwell？orwoulditbewellwerehe，Frank，tocomplywiththesuggestionmadetohimbyMary？
"Itisimpossible，"hesaid，"thatmattersshouldgoonlikethat。Thinkwhathersufferingsmusthavebeenbeforeshewrotethat。Iamsureshelovesme。"
"Ithinkshedoes，"saidthedoctor。
"Anditisoutofthequestionthatsheshouldbesacrificed；norwillI
consenttosacrificemyownhappiness。Iamquitewillingtoworkformybread，andIamsurethatIamable。Iwillnotsubmitto——Doctor，whatanswerdoyouthinkIoughttogivetothatletter？Therecanbenopersonsoanxiousforherhappinessasyouare——exceptmyself。"Andasheaskedthequestion，heagainputintothedoctor"shands，almostunconsciously，theletterwhichhehadstillbeenholdinginhisown。
Thedoctorturneditoverandover，andthenopeneditagain。
"WhatansweroughtItomaketoit？"demandedFrank，withenergy。
"Yousee，Frank，Ihaveneverinterferedinthismatter，otherwisethantotellyouthewholetruthaboutMary"sbirth。"
"Oh，butyoumustinterfere：youshouldsaywhatyouthink。"
"Circumstancedasyouarenow——thatis，justatthepresentmoment——youcouldhardlymarryimmediately。"
"Whynotletmetakeafarm？Myfathercould，atanyrate，manageacoupleofthousandpoundsorsoformetostockit。Thatwouldnotbeaskingmuch。Ifhecouldnotgiveitme，Iwouldnotscrupletoborrowsomuchelsewhere。"AndFrankbethoughthimofallMissDunstable"soffers。
"Oh，yes；thatcouldbemanaged。"
"Thenwhynotmarryimmediately；sayinsixmonthsorso？Iamnotunreasonable；though，Heavenknows，Ihavebeenkeptinsuspenselongenough。Asforher，Iamsureshemustbesufferingfrightfully。Youknowherbest，and，therefore，IaskyouwhatanswerIoughttomake：asformyself，Ihavemadeupmyownmind；Iamnotachild，norwillIletthemtreatmeassuch。"
Frank，ashespoke，waswalkingrapidlyabouttheroom；andhbroughtouthisdifferentpositions，oneaftertheother，withalittlepause，whilewaitingforthedoctor"sanswer。Thedoctorwassitting，withtheletterstillinhishands，ontheheadofthesofa，turningoverinhismindtheapparentabsurdityofFrank"sdesiretoborrowtwothousandpoundsforafarm，when，inallhumanprobability，hemightinafewmonthsbeinpossessionofalmostanysumheshouldchoosetoname。AndyethewouldnottellhimofSirRoger"swill。"Ifitshouldturnouttobeallwrong？"saidhetohimself。
"Doyouwishmetogiveherup？"saidFrank，atlast。
"No。HowcanIwishit？HowcanIexpectabettermatchforher？
Besides，Frank，IlovenomanintheworldsowellasIdoyou。"
"Thenwillyouhelpme？"
"What！againstyourfather？"
"Against！no，notagainstanybody。ButwillyoutellMaryshehasyourconsent？"
"Ithinksheknowsthat。"
"Butyouhaveneversaidanythingtoher？"
"Lookhere，Frank；youaskmeformyadvice，andIwillgiveityou：gohome，though，indeed，Iwouldratheryouwentanywhereelse。"
"No，Imustgohome；andImustseeher。"
"Verywell，gohome：asforseeingMary，Ithinkyouhadbetterputitoffforafortnight。"
"Quiteimpossible。"
"Well，that"smyadvice。But，atanyrate，makeupyourmindtonothingforafortnight。Waitforonefortnight，andIthenwilltellyouplainly——youandhertoo——whatIthinkyououghttodo。Attheendofafortnightcometome，andtellthesquirethatIwilltakeitasagreatkindnessifhewillcomewithyou。Shehassufferedterribly，terribly；
anditisnecessarythatsomethingshouldbesettled。Butafortnightcanmakenogreatdifference。"
"Andtheletter？"
"Oh！there"stheletter。"
"ButwhatshallIsay？OfcourseIshallwritetoherto-night。"
"Tellhertowaitafortnight。And，Frank，mindyoubringyourfatherwithyou。"
Frankcoulddrawnothingfurtherfromhisfriendsaveconstantrepetitionsofthischargetohimtowaitafortnight，——justoneotherfortnight。
"Well，Iwillcometoyouatanyrate，"saidFrank；"and，ifpossible，I
willbringmyfather。ButIshallwritetoMaryto-night。"
OntheSaturdaymorning，Mary，whowasthennearlybroken-heartedatherlover"ssilence，receivedashortnote：——
"MYOWNMARY
"Ishallbehometo-morrow。Iwillbynomeansreleaseyoufromyourpromise。OfcourseyouwillperceivethatIonlygotyourletterto-day。"
Yourowndearest，FRANK。"
Shortasitwas，thissufficedMary。Itisonethingforayoungladytomakeprudent，heart-breakingsuggestions，butquiteanothertohavethemaccepted。ShedidcallhimdearestFrank，evenonthatoneday，almostasoftenashehaddesiredher。
CHAPTERXLVI
OURPETFOXFINDSATAIL
Frankreturnedhome，andhisimmediatebusinesswasofcoursewithhisfather，andwithMrGazebee，whowasstillatGreshamsbury。
"Butwhoistheheir？"askedMrGazebee，whenFrankhadexplainedthatthedeathofSirLouisrenderedunnecessaryanyimmediatelegalsteps。
"Uponmyword，Idon"tknow，"saidFrank。
"YousawDrThorne，"saidthesquire。"Hemusthaveknown。"
"Ineverthoughtofaskinghim，"saidFrank，naively。
MrGazebeelookedrathersolemn。"Iwonderatthat，"saidhe；"foreverythingdependsonthehandsthepropertywillgointo。Letmesee；I
thinkSirRogerhadamarriedsister。Wasnotthatso，MrGresham？"Andthenitoccurredforthefirsttime，bothtothesquireandtohisson，thatMaryThornewastheeldestchildofthissister。ButitneveroccurredtoeitherofthemthatMarycouldbethebaronet"sheir。
DrThornecamedownforacoupleofdaysbeforethefortnightwasovertoseehispatients，andthenreturnedagaintoLondon。Butduringthisshortvisithewasutterlydumbonthesubjectoftheheir。HecalledatGreshamsburytoseeLadyArabella，andwasevenquestionedbythesquireonthesubject。Butheobstinatelyrefusedtosayanythingmorethannothingcertaincouldbeknownforafewdays。
Immediatelyafterhisreturn，FranksawMary，andtoldherallthathadhappened。"Icannotunderstandmyuncle，"saidshe，almosttremblingasshestoodclosetohiminherowndrawing-room。"Heusuallyhatesmysteries，andyetnowheissomysterious。Hetoldme，Frank——thatwasafterIhadwrittenthatunfortunateletter——"
"Unfortunateindeed！Iwonderwhatyoureallythoughtofmewhenyouwerewritingit？"
"Ifyouhadheardwhatyourmothersaid，youwouldnotbesurprised。
But，afterthat，unclesaid——"
"Saidwhat？"
"Heseemedtothink——Idon"trememberwhatitwashesaid。Buthesaid，hehopedthatthingsmightyetturnoutwell；andthenIwasalmostsorrythatIhadwrittentheletter。"
"Ofcourseyouweresorry，andsoyououghttohavebeen。TosaythatyouwouldnevercallmeFrankagain！"
"Ididn"texactlysaythat。"
"IhavetoldhimthatIwillwaitafortnight，andsoIwill。Afterthat，Ishalltakethematterintomyownhands。"
ItmaybesupposedthatLadyArabellawasnotwellpleasedtolearnthatFrankandMaryhadbeenagaintogether；and，intheagonyofherspirit，shedidsaysomeill-naturedthingsbeforeAugusta，whohadnowreturnedhomefromCourcyCastle，astothegrossimproprietyofMary"sconduct。
ButtoFrankshesaidnothing。
NorwastheremuchsaidbetweenFrankandBeatrice。Ifeverythingcouldreallybesettledattheendofthatfortnightwhichwastowitnessthedisclosureofthedoctor"smystery，therewouldstillbetimetoarrangethatMaryshouldbeatthewedding。"Itshallbesettledthen，"hesaidtohimself；"andifitbesettled，mymotherwillhardlyventuretoexcludemyaffiancedbridefromthehouse。"ItwasnowthebeginningofAugust，anditwantedyetamonthtotheOrielwedding。
ButthoughhesaidnothingtohismotherortoBeatrice，hedidsaymuchtohisfather。Inthefirstplace，heshowedhimMary"sletter。"Ifyourheartbenotmadeofstoneitwillbesoftenedbythat，"hesaid。MrGresham"sheartwasnotofstone，andhedidacknowledgethattheletterwasaverysweetletter。Butweknowhowthedropofwaterhollowsstone。ItwasnotbytheviolenceofhisappealthatFranksucceededinobtainingfromhisfatherasortofhalf-consentthathewouldnolongeropposethematch；butbytheassiduitywithwhichtheappealwasrepeated。Frank，aswehavesaid，hadmorestubbornnessofwillthanhisfather；andso，beforethefortnightwasover，thesquirehadbeentalkedover，andpromisedtoattendatthedoctor"sbidding。
"IsupposeyouhadbettertaketheHazlehurstfarm，"saidhetohisson，withasigh。"Itjoinstheparkandthehome-fields，andIwillgiveyouthemupalso。Godknows，Idon"tcareaboutfarminganymore——oraboutanythingelseeither。"
"Don"tsaythat，father。"
"Well，well！But，Frank，wherewillyoulive？Theoldhouseisbigenoughforusall。ButhowwouldMarygetonwithyourmother？"
Attheendofthisfortnight，truetohistime，thedoctorreturnedtothevillage。Hewasabadcorrespondent；andthoughhehadwrittensomeshortnotestoMary，hehadsaidnowordtoherabouthisbusiness。Itwaslateintheeveningwhenhegothome，anditwasunderstoodbyFrankandthesquirethattheyweretobewithhimonthefollowingmorning。
NotawordhadbeensaidtoLadyArabellaonthesubject。
Itwaslateintheeveningwhenhegothome，andMarywaitedforhimwithaheartalmostsickwithexpectation。Assoonastheflyhadstoppedatthelittlegatesheheardhisvoice，andheardatoncethatitwasquick，joyful，andtellingmuchofinwardsatisfaction。Hehadagood-naturedwordforJanet，andcalledThomasanoldblunder-headinamannerthatmadeBridgetlaughoutright。
"He"llhavehisnoseputoutofjointsomeday；won"the？"saidthedoctor。Bridgetblushedandlaughedagain，andmadeasigntoThomasthathehadbetterlooktohisface。
Marywasinhisarmsbeforehewasyetwithinthedoor。"Mydarling，"
saidhe，tenderlykissingher。"Youaremyowndarlingyetawhile。"
"OfcourseIam。AmInotalwaystobeso？"
"Well，well；letmehavesometea，atanyrate，forI"minafeverofthirst。TheymaycallthatteaattheJunctioniftheywill；butifChinaweresunkundertheseaitwouldmakenodifferencetothem。"
DrThornealwayswasinafeverofthirstwhenhegothomefromtherailway，andalwaysmadecomplaintastoteaattheJunction。Marywentaboutherusualworkwithalmostmorethanherusualalacrity，andsotheyweresoonseatedinthedrawing-roomtogether。
Shesoonfoundthathismannerwasmorethanordinarilykindtoher；andtherewasmoreoversomethingabouthimwhichseemedtomakehimsparklewithcontentment，buthesaidnowordaboutFrank，nordidhemakeanyallusiontothebusinesswhichhadtakenhimuptotown。
"Haveyougotthroughallyourwork？"shesaidtohimonce。
"Yes，yes；Ithinkall。"
"Andthoroughly？"
"Yes；thoroughly，Ithink。ButIamverytired，andsoareyoutoo，darling，withwaitingforme。"
"Oh，no，Iamnottired，"saidshe，asshewentoncontinuallyfillinghiscup；"butIamsohappytohaveyouhomeagain。Youhavebeenawaysomuchlately。"
"Ah，yes；wellIsupposeIshallnotgoawayanymorenow。Itwillbesomebodyelse"sturnnow。"
"Uncle，Ithinkyouaregoingtotakeupwritingmysteryromances，likeMrsRadciffe"s。"
"Yes；andI"llbeginto-morrow，certainlywith——But，Mary，Iwillnotsayanotherwordto-night。Givemeakiss，dearest，andI"llgo。"
Marydidkisshim，andhedidgo。Butasshewasstilllingeringintheroom，puttingawayabook，orareelofthread，andthensittingdowntothinkwhatthemorrowwouldbringforth，thedoctoragaincameintotheroominhisdressing-gown，andwiththeslipperson。
"What，notgoneyet？"saidhe。
"No，notyet；I"mgoingnow。"
"YouandI，Mary，havealwaysaffectedagooddealofindifferenceastomoney，andallthatsortofthing。"
"Iwon"tacknowledgethatithasbeenanaffectationatall，"sheanswered。
"Perhapsnot；butwehaveoftenexpressedit，havewenot？"
"Isuppose，uncle，youthinkthatwearelikethefoxthatlosthistail，orrathersomeunfortunatefoxthatmightbebornwithoutone。"
"Iwonderhowweshouldeitherofusbearitifwefoundourselvessuddenlyrich。Itwouldbeagreattemptation——asoretemptation。I
fear，Mary，thatwhenpoorpeopletalkdisdainfullyofmoney，theyoftenarelikeyourfox，bornwithoutatail。Ifnaturesuddenlyshouldgivethatbeastatail，wouldhenotbeprouderofitthanalltheotherfoxesinthewood？"
"Well，Isupposehewould。That"stheverymeaningofthestory。Buthowmoralyou"vebecomeallofasudden，attwelveo"clockatnight！
InsteadofbeingMrsRadcliffe，Ishallthinkyou"reMrAesop。"
Hetookupthearticlewhichhehadcometoseek，andkissingheragainontheforehead，wentawaytohisbed-roomwithoutfurtherspeech。"Whatcanhemeanbyallthisaboutmoney？"saidMarytoherself。"ItcannotbethatbySirLouis"sdeathhewillgetanyofallthisproperty；"andthenshebegantobethinkherselfwhether，afterall，shewouldwishhimtobearichman。"Ifhewereveryrich，hemightdosomethingtoassistFrank；andthen——"
Thereneverwasafoxyetwithoutatailwhowouldnotbedelightedtofindhimselfsuddenlypossessedofthatappendage。Never；lettheuntailedfoxhavebeeneversosincereinhisadvicetohisfriends！Weareallofus，thegoodandthebad，lookingfortails——foronetail，orformorethanone；wedosotoooftenbywaysthataremeanenough：butperhapsthereisnotail-seekermoremean，moresneakinglymeanthanhewholooksouttoadornhisbarebackbyatailbymarriage。
Thedoctorwasupveryearlythenextmorning，longbeforeMarywasreadywithherteacups。Hewasup，andinhisownstudybehindtheshop，arrangingdingypapers，pullingabouttinboxeswhichhehadbroughtdownwithhimfromLondon，andpilingonhiswriting-tableonesetofdocumentsinoneplace，andoneinanother。"IthinkIunderstanditall，"saidhe；"butyetIknowIshallbebothered。Well，Ineverwillbeanyone"strusteeagain。Letmesee！"andthenhesatdown，andwithbewilderedlookrecapitulatedtohimselfsundryheavyitems。"WhatthosesharesarereallyworthIcannotunderstand，andnobodyseemstobeabletotellone。Theymustmakeitoutamongthemasbesttheycan。Letmesee；that"sBoxallHill，andthisisGreshamsbury。I"llputanewspaperoverGreshamsbury，orthesquirewillknowit！"andthen，havingmadehisarrangements，hewenttohisbreakfast。
IknowIamwrong，mymuchandtrulyhonouredcritic，aboutthesetitle-deedsanddocuments。Butwhenwe"vegotabarristerinhand，thenifIgowrongafterthat，lettheblamebeonmyownshoulders——oronhis。
Thedoctoratehisbreakfastquickly；anddidnottalkmuchtohisniece。Butwhathedidsaywasofanaturetomakeherfeelstrangelyhappy。Shecouldnotanalyseherownfeelings，orgiveareasonforherownconfidence；butshecertainlydidfeel，andeventrust，thatsomethingwasgoingtohappenafterbreakfastwhichwouldmakehermorehappythanshehadbeenformanymonths。
"Janet，"saidhe，lookingathiswatch，"ifMrGreshamandMrFrankcall，showthemintomystudy。Whatareyougoingtodowithyourself，mydear？"
"Idon"tknow，uncle；youaresomysterious，andIaminsuchatwitter，thatIdon"tknowwhattodo。WhyisMrGreshamcominghere——thatis，thesquire？"
"BecauseIhavebusinesswithhimabouttheScatcherdproperty。YouknowthatheowedSirLouismoney。Butdon"tgoout，Mary。IwantyoutobeinthewayifIshouldhavetocallforyou。Youcanstayinthedrawing-room，can"tyou？"
"Oh，yes，uncle；orhere。"
"No，dearest；gointothedrawing-room。"Maryobedientlydidasshewasbid；andthereshesat，forthenextthreehours，wondering，wondering，wondering。Duringthegreaterpartofthattime，however，shewellknewthatMrGresham，senior，andMrGresham，junior，werebothwithheruncle，below。
Ateleventhedoctor"svisitorscame。hehadexpectedthemsomewhatearlier，andwasbeginningtobecomefidgety。Hehadsomuchonhishandsthathecouldnotsitstillforamomenttillhehad，atanyrate，commencedit。Theexpectedfootstepswereatlastheardonthegravel-path，andmomentortwoafterwardsJanetusheredthefatherandsonintotheroom。
Thesquiredidnotlookverywell。Hewaswornandsorrowful，andratherpale。Thedeathofhisyoungcreditormightbesupposedtohavegivenhimsomerelieffromhismorepressingcares，butthenecessityofyieldingtoFrank"swisheshadalmostmorethanbalancedthis。Whenamanhasdailytoreflectthatheispoorerthanhewasthedaybefore，hesoonbecomeswornandsorrowful。
ButFrankwaswell；bothinhealthandspirits。HealsofeltasMarydid，thatthedaywastobringforthsomethingwhichshouldendhispresenttroubles；andhecouldnotbutbehappytothinkthathecouldnowtellDrThornethathisfather"sconsenttohismarriagehadbeengiven。
Thedoctorshookhandswiththemboth，andthentheysatdown。Theywereallratherconstrainedintheirmanner；andatfirstitseemedthatnothingbutlittlespeechesofcomplimentweretobemade。Atlast，thesquireremarkedthatFrankhadbeentalkingtohimaboutMissThorne。
"AboutMary？"saidthedoctor。
"Yes；aboutMary，"saidthesquire，correctinghimself。Itwasquiteunnecessarythatheshouldusesocoldanameastheother，nowthathehadagreedtothematch。
"Well！"saidDrThorne。
"Isupposeitmustbeso，doctor。Hehassethisheartuponit，andGodknows，Ihavenothingtosayagainsther——againstherpersonally。Noonecouldsayawordagainsther。Sheisasweet，goodgirl，excellentlybroughtup；and，asformyself，Ihavealwayslovedher。"Frankdrewneartohisfather，andpressedhishandagainstthesquire"sarm，bywayofgivinghim，insomesort，afilialembraceforhiskindness。
"Thankyou，squire，thankyou，"saidthedoctor。"Itisverygoodofyoutosaythat。Sheisagoodgirl，andifFrankchoosestotakeher，hewill，inmyestimation，havemadeagoodchoice。"
"Chooses！"saidFrank，withalltheenthusiasmofalover。
Thesquirefelthimselfperhapsalittleruffledatthewayinwhichthedoctorreceivedhisgraciousintimation；buthedidnowshowitashewenton。"Theycannot，youknow，doctor，looktoberichpeople——"
"Ah！well，well，"interruptedthedoctor。
"IhavetoldFrankso，andIthinkthatyoushouldtellMary。Frankmeanstotakesomelandintohishand，andhemustfarmitasafarmer。
Iwillendeavourtogivehimthree，orperhapsfourhundredayear。Butyouknowbetter——"
"Stop，squire；stopaminute。Wewilltalkaboutthatpresently。ThisdeathofpoorSirLouiswillmakeadifference。"
"Notpermanently，"saidthesquiremournfully。
"Andnow，Frank，"saidthedoctor，notattendingtothesquire"slastwords，"whatdoyousay？"
"WhatdoIsay？IsaywhatIsaidtoyouinLondontheotherday。I
believeMarylovesme；indeed，Iwon"tbeaffected——Iknowshedoes。I
havelovedher——Iwasgoingtosayalways；and，indeed，Ialmostmightsayso。Myfatherknowsthatthisisnolightfancyofmine。Astowhathesaysaboutourbeingpoor，why——"
Thedoctorwasveryarbitrary，andwouldhearneitherofthemonthesubject。
"MrGresham，"saidhe，interruptingFrank，"ofcourseIamwellawarehowverylittlesuitedMaryisbybirthtomarryyouronlyson。"
"Itistoolatetothinkaboutthatnow，"saidthesquire。
"Itisnottoolateformetojustifymyself，"repliedthedoctor。"Wehavelongknowneachother，MrGresham，andyousaidheretheotherday，thatthisisasubjectastowhichwehavebeenofonemind。Birthandbloodareveryvaluablegifts。"
"Icertainlythinkso，"saidthesquire；"butonecan"thaveeverything。"
"No；onecan"thaveeverything。"
"IfIamsatisfiedinthatmatter——"beganFrank。
"Stopamoment，mydearboy，"saidthedoctor。"Asyourfathersays，onecan"thaveeverything。Mydearfriend——"andhegavehishandtothesquire——"donotbeangryifIalludedforamomenttotheestate。Ithasgrievedmetoseeitmeltingaway——theoldfamilyacresthathavesolongbeentheheritageoftheGreshams。"
"Weneednottalkaboutthatnow，DrThorne，"saidFrank，inanalmostangrytone。
"ButImust，Frank，foronemoment，tojustifymyself。IcouldnothaveexcusedmyselfinlettingMarythinkthatshecouldbecomeyourwifeifIhadnothopedthatgoodmightcomeofit。"
"Well；goodwillcomeofit，"saidFrank，whodidnotquiteunderstandatwhatthedoctorwasdriving。
"Ihopeso。Ihavehadmuchdoubtaboutthis，andhavebeensorelyperplexed；butnowIdohopeso。Frank——MrGresham——"andthenDrThornerosefromhischair；butwas，foramoment，unabletogoonwithhistale。
"Wewillhopethatitisallforthebest，"saidthesquire。
"Iamsureitis，"saidFrank。
"Yes；Ihopeitis。Idothinkitis；Iamsureitis，Frank。Marywillnotcometoyouempty-handed。Iwishforyoursake——yes，andforherstoo——thatherbirthwereequaltoherfortune，asherworthissuperiortoboth。MrGresham，thismarriagewill，atanyrate，putanendtoyourpecuniaryembarrassments——unless，indeed，Frankshouldproveahardcreditor。MynieceisSirRogerScatcherd"sheir。"
Thedoctor，assoonashemadetheannouncement，begantoemployhimselfsedulouslyaboutthepapersonthetable；which，intheconfusioncausedbyhisownemotion，hetransferredhitherandthitherinsuchamannerastoupsetallhispreviousarrangements。"Andnow，"hesaid，"Imightaswellexplain，aswellasIcan，ofwhatthatfortuneconsists。Here，thisis——no——"
"But，DrThorne，"saidthesquire，nowperfectlypale，andalmostgaspingforbreath，"whatisityoumean？"
"There"snotashadowofdoubt，"saidthedoctor。"I"vehadSirAbrahamHaphazard，andSirRicketyGiggs，andoldNeversayeDis，andMrSnilam；
andtheyareallofthesameopinion。Thereisnotthesmallestdoubtaboutit。Ofcourse，shemustadminister，andallthat；andI"mafraidthere"llbeaveryheavysumtopayforthetax；forshecannotinheritasaniece，youknow。MrSnilampointedoutthatparticularly。But，afterallthat，there"llbe——I"vegotitdownonapieceofpaper，somewhere——threegrainsofbluepill。I"mreallysobothered，squire，withallthesepapers，andallthoselawyers，thatIdon"tknowwhetherI"msittingorstanding。There"sreadymoneyenoughtopayallthetaxandallthedebts。Iknowthat，atanyrate。"
"Youdon"tmeantosaythatMaryThorneisnowpossessedofallSirRogerScatcherd"swealth？"atlastejaculatedthesquire。
"Butthat"sexactlywhatIdomeantosay，"saidthedoctor，lookingupfromhispaperswithatearinhiseye，andasmileonhismouth；"andwhatismore，squire，youoweheratthepresentmomentexactly——I"vegotthatdowntoo，somewhere，onlyIamsobotheredwithallthesepapers。Come，squire，whendoyoumeantopayher？She"sinagreathurry，asyoungladiesarewhentheywanttogetmarried。"
Thedoctorwasinclinedtojokeifpossible，soastocarryoff，asitwere，someofthegreatweightofobligationwhichitmightseemthathewasthrowingonthefatherandson；butthesquirewasbynomeansinastatetounderstandajoke：hardlyasyetinastatetocomprehendwhatwassoveryseriousinthismatter。
"DoyoumeanthatMaryistheownerofBoxallHill？"saidhe。
"IndeedIdo，"saidthedoctor；andhewasjustgoingtoadd，"andofGreshamsburyalso，"buthestoppedhimself。
"What，thewholepropertythere？"
"That"sonlyasmallportion，"saidthedoctor。"Ialmostwishitwereall，forthenIwouldnotbesobothered。Lookhere；thesearetheBoxallHilltitle-deeds；that"sthesimplestpartofthewholeaffair；
andFrankmaygoandsettlehimselfthereto-morrowifhepleases。"
"Stopamoment，DrThorne，"saidFrank。Theseweretheonlywordswhichhehadyetutteredsincethetidingshadbeenconveyedtohim。
"Andthese，squire，aretheGreshamsburypapers："andthedoctor，withconsiderableceremony，withdrewthecoveringnewspapers。"Lookatthem；
theretheyallareonceagain。WhenIsuggestedtoMrSnilamthatI
supposedtheymightnowallgobacktotheGreshamsburymunimentroom，I
thoughthewouldhavefainted。AsIcannotreturnthemtoyou，youwillhavetowaittillFrankshallgivethemup。"
"But，DrThorne，"saidFrank。
"Well，myboy。"
"DoesMaryknowallaboutthis？"
"Notawordofit。Imeanthatyoushalltellher。"
"Perhaps，undersuchveryalteredcircumstances——"
"Eh？"
"Thechangeissogreatandsosudden，soimmenseinitseffects，thatMarymaywishperhaps——"
"Wish！wishwhat？Wishnottobetoldofitatall？"
"Ishallnotthinkofholdinghertoherengagement——thatis，if——Imeantosay，sheshouldhavetimeatanyrateforconsideration。"
"Oh，Iunderstand，"saidthedoctor。"Sheshallhavetimeforconsideration。Howmuchshallwegiveher，squire，threeminutes？GouptoherFrank：sheisinthedrawing-room。"
Frankwenttothedoor，andthenhesitated，andreturned。"Icouldnotdoit，"saidhe。"Idon"tthinkthatIunderstanditallyet。IamsobewilderedthatIcouldnottellher；"andhesatdownatthetable，andbegantosobwithemotion。
"Andsheknowsnothingofit？"saidthesquire。
"Notaword。IthoughtthatIwouldkeepthepleasureoftellingherforFrank。"
"Sheshouldnotbeleftinsuspense，"saidthesquire。
"Come，Frank，gouptoher，"againurgedthedoctor。"You"vebeenreadyenoughwithyourvisitswhenyouknewthatyououghttostayaway。"
"Icannotdoit，"saidFrank，afterapauseofsomemoments；"norisitrightthatIshould。Itwouldbetakingadvantageofher。"
"Gotoheryourself，doctor；itisyouthatshoulddoit，"saidthesquire。
Aftersomefurtherslightdelay，thedoctorgotup，anddidgoupstairs。
He，even，washalfafraidofthetask。"Itmustbedone，"hesaidtohimself，ashisheavystepsmountedthestairs。"Buthowtotellit？"
Whenheentered，Marywasstandinghalf-wayuptheroom，asthoughshehadrisentomeethim。Herfacewastroubled，andhereyeswerealmostwild。Theemotion，thehopes，thefearsofthemorninghadalmostbeentoomuchforher。Shehadheardthemurmuringofthevoicesintheroombelow，andhadknownthatoneofthemwasthatofherlover。Whetherthatdiscussionwastobeforhergoodorillshedidnotknow；butshefeltthatfurthersuspensewouldalmostkillher。"Icouldwaitforyears，"shesaidtoherself，"ifIdidbutknow。IfIlosthim，I
supposeIshouldbearit，ifIdidbutknow。"——Well；shewasgoingtoknow。
Herunclemetherinthemiddleoftheroom。Hisfacewasserious，thoughnotsad；tooserioustoconfirmherhopesatthatmomentofdoubt。"Whatisit，uncle？"shesaid，takingoneofhishandsbetweenbothofherown。"Whatisit？Tellme。"Andasshelookedupintohisfacewithherwildeyes，shealmostfrightenedhim。
"Mary，"hesaidgravely，"youhaveheardmuch，IknowofSirRogerScatcherd"sgreatfortune。"
"Yes，yes，yes！"
"NowthatpoorSirLouisisdead——"
"Well，uncle，well？"
"Ithasbeenleft——"
"ToFrank！toMrGresham，tothesquire！"exclaimedMary，whefelt，withanagonyofdoubt，thatthissuddenaccessionofimmensewealthmightseparateherstillfurtherfromherlover。
"No，Mary，nottotheGreshams；buttoyourself。"
"Tome！"shecried，andputtingbothherhandstoherforehead，sheseemedtobeholdinghertemplestogether。"Tome！"
"Yes，Mary；itisallyourownnow。Todoasyoulikebestwithitall——all。MayGod，inHismercy，enableyoutobeartheburden，andlightenforyouthetemptation！"
Shehadsofarmovedastofindthenearestchair，andthereshewasnowseated，staringatherunclewithfixedeyes。"Uncle，"shesaid，"whatdoesitmean？"Thenhecame，andsittingbesideher，heexplained，asbesthecould，thestoryofherbirth，andherkinshipwiththeScatcherds。"Andwhereishe，uncle？"shesaid。"Whydoeshenotcometome？"
"Iwantedhimtocome，butherrefused。Theyareboththerenow，thefatherandson；shallIfetchthem？"
"Fetchthem！whom？Thesquire？No，uncle；butmaywegotothem？"
"Surely，Mary。"
"But，uncle——"
"Yes，dearest。"
"Isittrue？areyousure？Forhissake，youknow；notformyown。Thesquire，youknow——Oh，uncle！Icannotgo。"
"Theyshallcometoyou。"
No——no。Ihavegonetohimsuchhundredsoftimes；Iwillneverallowthatheshallbesenttome。But，uncle，isittrue？"
Thedoctor，ashewentdownstairs，mutteredsomethingaboutSirAbrahamHaphazard，andSirRicketyGiggs；butthesegreatnamesweremuchthrownawayuponpoorMary。Thedoctorenteredtheroomfirst，andtheheiressfollowedhimwithdowncasteyesandtimidsteps。Shewasatfirstafraidtoadvance，butwhenshedidlookup，andsawFrankstandingalonebythewindow，herloverrestoredhercourage，andrushinguptohim，shethrewherselfintohisarms。"Oh，Frank；myownFrank！myownFrank！weshallneverbeseparatedagain。"
CHAPTERXLVII
HOWTHEBRIDEWASRECEIVED，ANDWHOWEREASKEDTOTHEWEDDING
AndthusafteralldidFrankperformhisduty；hedidmarrymoney；orrather，astheweddinghasnotyettakenplace，andis，indeed，asyethardlytalkedof，weshouldmoreproperlysaythathehadengagedhimselftomarrymoney。Andthen，suchaquantityofmoney！theScatcherdwealthgreatlyexceededtheDunstablewealth；sothatourheromaybelookedonashavingperformedhisdutiesinamannerdeservingtheveryhighestcommendationfromallclassesoftheDeCourcyconnexion。
Andhereceivedit。Butthatwasnothing。ThatheshouldbefetedbytheDeCourcysandtheGreshams，nowthathewasabouttodohisdutybyhisfamilyinsoexemplaryamanner：thatheshouldbepattedontheback，nowthathenolongermeditatedthatvilecrimewhichhadbeensoabhorrenttohismother"ssoul；thiswasonlynatural；thisishardlyworthyofremark。Buttherewasanothertobefeted，anotherpersontobemadeapersonage，anotherblessedhumanmortalabouttodoherdutybythefamilyofGreshaminamannerthatdeserved，andshouldreceive，LadyArabella"swarmestcaresses。
DearMary！Itwas，indeed，notsingularthatsheshouldbepreparedtoactsowell，seeingthatinearlyyouthshehadhadtheadvantageofaneducationintheGreshamsburynursery；butnotonthataccountwasitthelessfittingthathervirtueshouldbeacknowledged，eulogized，nay，allbutworshipped。
Howthepartyatthedoctor"sgotitselfbrokenup，Iamnotpreparedtosay。Frank，Iknow，stayed，anddinedthere，andhispoormother，whowouldnotretiretoresttillshehadkissedhim，andblessedhim，andthankedhimforallhewasdoingforthefamily，waskeptwaitinginherdressing-roomtillaveryunreasonablehourofthenight。
Itwasthesquirewhobroughtthenewsuptothehouse。"Arabella，"hesaid，inalow，butsomewhatsolemnvoice，"youwillbesurprisedatthenewsIbringyou。MaryThorneistheheiresstoalltheScatcherdproperty！"
"Oh，heavens！MrGresham。"
"Yes，indeed，"continuedthesquire。"Soitis；itisvery，very——"ButLadyArabellahadfainted。Shewasawomanwhogenerallyhadherfeelingsandheremotionsmuchunderherowncontrol；butwhatshenowheardwastoomuchforher。Whenshecametohersenses，thefirstwordsthatescapedherlipswere，"DearMary！"
Butthehouseholdhadtosleeponthenewsbeforeitcouldbefullyrealized。Thesquirewasnotbynatureamercenaryman。IfIhaveatallsucceededinputtinghischaracterbeforethereader，hewillberecognizedasonenotoverattachedtomoneyformoney"ssake。Butthingshadgonesohardwithhim，theworldhadbecomesorough，soungracious，sofullofthorns，thewantofmeanshadbecomeanevilsokeenlyfeltineveryhour，thatitcannotbewonderedatthathisdreamsthatnightshouldbeofagoldenElysium。Thewealthwasnotcomingtohim。True。Buthischiefsorrowhadbeenforhisson。Nowthatsonwouldbehisonlycreditor。Itwasasthoughmountainsofmarblehadbeentakenoffhisbosom。
ButLadyArabella"sdreamsflewawayatonceintotheseventhheaven。
Sordidastheycertainlywere，theywerenotabsolutelyselfish。FrankwouldnowcertainlybethefirstcommonerinBarsetshire；ofcoursehewouldrepresentthecounty；ofcoursetherewouldbethehouseintown；
itwouldn"tbeherhouse，butshewascontentedthatthegrandeurshouldbethatofherchild。Hewouldhaveheavenknowswhattospendperannum。AndthatitshouldcomethroughMaryThorne！WhatablessingshehadallowedMarytobebroughtintotheGreshamsburynursery！DearMary！
"Shewillofcoursebeonenow，"saidBeatricetohersister。Withher，atthepresentmoment，"one"ofcoursemeantoneofthebevythatwastoattendheratthealtar。"Ohdear！hownice！Ishan"tknowwhattosaytoherto-morrow。ButIknowonething。"
"Whatisthat？"askedAugusta。
"Shewillbeasmildandmeekasalittledove。Ifsheandthedoctorhadlosteveryshillingintheworld，shewouldhavebeenproudasaneagle。"ItmustbeacknowledgedthatBeatricehadhadthewittoreadMary"scharacterright。
ButAugustawasnotquitepleasedwiththewholeaffair。Notthatshebegrudgedherbrotherhisluck，orMaryherhappiness。Butherideasofrightandwrong——perhapsweshouldrathersayLadyAmelia"sideas——wouldnotbefairlycarriedout。
"Afterall，Beatrice，thisdoesnotalterherbirth。IknowitisuselesssayinganythingtoFrank。"
"Why，youwouldn"tbreakboththeirheartsnow？"
"Idon"twanttobreaktheirhearts，certainly。Buttherearethosewhoputtheirdearestandwarmestfeelingsunderrestraintratherthandeviatefromwhattheyknowtobeproper。"PoorAugusta！shewasthesternprofessoroftheorderofthisphilosophy；thelastinthefamilywhopractisedwithunflinchingcourageitscruelbehests；thelast，alwaysexceptingtheLadyAmelia。
AndhowsleptFrankthatnight？Withhim，atleast，letushope，nay，letussayboldly，thathishappiestthoughtswerenotwiththewealthwhichhewastoacquire。ButyetitwouldbesomethingtorestoreBoxallHilltoGreshamsbury；somethingtogivebacktohisfatherthoserumpledvellumdocuments，sincethedepartureofwhichthesquirehadneverhadahappyday；nay，somethingtocomeforthagaintohisfriendsasagay，youngcountrysquire，insteadofafarmer，clod-compellingforhisbread。Wewouldnothavehimthoughttobebetterthanhewas，norwouldwewishhimtomakehimofotherstuffthannaturegenerallyuses。HisheartdidexultatMary"swealth；butitleapedhigherstillwhenhethoughtofpurerjoys。
AndwhatshallwesayofMary"sdreams？Withher，itwasaltogetherwhatsheshouldgive，notatallwhatsheshouldget。Frankhadlovedhersotrulywhenshewassopoor，suchanuttercastaway；Frank，whowithhisbeauty，andspirit，andhistalentsmighthavewonthesmilesoftherichest，thegrandest，thenoblest！Whatlady"sheartwouldnothaverejoicedtobeallowedtoloveherFrank？Buthehadbeentruetoherthrougheverything。Ah！howoftenshethoughtofthathour，whensuddenlyappearingbeforeher，hehadstrainedhertohisbreast，justasshehadresolvedhowbesttobearthedeath-likechillofhissupposedestrangements！Shewasalwaysthinkingofthattime。Shefedherlovebyrecurringoverandovertothealteredfeelingofthatmoment。Anynowshecouldpayhimforhisgoodness。Payhim！No，thatwouldbeabaseword，abasethought。Herpaymentmustbemade，ifGodwouldsograntit，inmany，manyyearstocome。Butherstore，suchasitwas，shouldbeemptiedintohislap。Itwassoothingtoherpridethatshewouldnothurthimbyherlove，thatshewouldbringnoinjurytotheoldhouse。"Dear，dearFrank"shemurmured，asherwakingdream，conqueredatlastbysleep，gavewaytothoseofthefairyworld。
ButshethoughtnotonlyofFrank；dreamednotonlyofhim。Whathadhenotdoneforher，thatuncleofhers，whohadbeenmorelovingtoherthananyfather！Howwashe，too，tobepaid？Paid，indeed！Lovecanonlybepaidinitsowncoin：itknowsofnootherlegaltender。Well，ifherhomewastobeGreshamsbury，atanyrateshewouldnotbeseparatedfromhim。
Whatthedoctordreamedofthat，neitherheoranyoneeverknew。"Why，uncle，Ithinkyou"vebeenasleep，"saidMarytohimthateveningashemovedforamomentuneasilyonthesofa。Hehadbeenasleepforthelastthree-quartersofanhour；——butFrank，hisguest，hadfeltnooffence。
"No，I"venotbeenexactlyasleep，"saidhe；"butI"mverytired。I
wouldn"tdoitallagain，Frank，todoublethemoney。Youhaven"tgotanymoretea，haveyou，Mary？"
Onthefollowingmorning，Beatricewasofcoursewithherfriend。Therewasnoawkwardnessbetweentheminmeeting。Beatricehadlovedherwhenshewaspoor，andthoughtheyhadnotlatelythoughtalikeononeveryimportantsubject，MarywastoogracioustoimputethattoBeatriceasacrime。
"Youwillbeonenow，Mary；ofcourseyouwill。"
"IfLadyArabellawillletmecome。"
"Oh，Mary；letyou！Doyourememberwhatyousaidonceaboutcoming，andbeingnearme？Ihavesooftenthoughtofit。Andnow，Mary，ImusttellyouaboutCaleb；"andtheyoungladysettledherselfonthesofa，soastohaveacomfortablelongtalk。Beatricehadbeenquiteright。
Marywasasmeekwithher，andasmildasadove。
AndthenPatienceOrielcame。"Myfine，youngdarling，magnificent，overgrownheiress，"saidPatience，embracingher。"Mybreathdesertedme，andIwasnearlystunnedwhenIheardofit。Howsmallweshallallbe，mydear！Iamquitepreparedtotoadytoyouimmensely；butpraybealittlegracioustome，forthesakeofauldlangsyne。"
Marygavealong，longkiss。"Yes，forauldlangsyne，Patience；whenyoutookmeawayunderyourwingtoRichmond。"Patiencealsohadlovedherwhenshewasintrouble，andthatlove，too，shouldneverbeforgotten。
ButthegreatdifficultywasLadyArabella"sfirstmeetingwithher。"I
thinkI"llgodowntoherafterbreakfast，"saidherladyshiptoBeatrice，asthetwoweretalkingoverthematterwhilethemotherwasfinishinghertoilet。
"Iamsureshewillcomeupifyoulikeit，mamma。"
"Sheisentitledtoeverycourtesy——asFrank"sacceptedbride，youknow，"saidLadyArabella。"Iwouldnotforworldsfailinanyrespecttoherforhissake。"
"Hewillbegladenoughforhertocome，Iamsure，"saidBeatrice。"I
wastalkingtoCalebthismorning，andhesays——"
Thematterwasofimportance，andLadyArabellagaveithermostmatureconsideration。Themannerofreceivingintoone"sfamilyanheiresswhosewealthiscureallone"sdifficulties，disperseallone"stroubles，giveabalmtoallthewoundsofmisfortune，mustunderanycircumstances，beworthyofmuchcare。ButwhenthatheiresshadbeentreatedasMaryhadbeentreated！
"Imustseeher，atanyrate，beforeIgotoCourcy。"saidLadyArabella。
"AreyougoingtoCourcy，mamma？"
"Oh，certainly；yes，Imustseemysister-in-lawnow。Youdon"tseemtorealizetheimportance，mydear，ofFrank"smarriage。Hewillbeinagreathurryaboutit，and，indeed，Icannotblamehim。Iexpecttheywillallcomehere。"
"Who，mamma？TheDeCourcys？"
"Yes，ofcourse。Ishallbeverymuchsurprisediftheearldoesnotcomenow。AndImustconsultmysister-in-lawastotheaskingoftheDukeofOmnium。"
PoorMary！
"AndIthinkitwillperhapsbebetter，"continuedLadyArabella，"thatweshouldhavealargerpartythanintendedatyouraffair。Thecountess，I"msure，wouldcomenow。Wecouldn"tputitofffortendays；
couldwe，dear？"
"Putitofftendays！"
"Yes；itwouldbeconvenient。"
"Idon"tthinkMrOrielwouldlikethatatall，mamma。YouknowhehasmadeallhisarrangementsforhisSundays——"
Pshaw！Theideaoftheparson"sSundaysbeingallowedtohaveanybearingonsuchamatterasFrank"sweddingwouldnowbecome！Why，theywouldhave——howmuch？Betweentwelveandfourteenthousandayear！LadyArabella，whohadmadehercalculationsadozentimesduringthenight，hadneverfoundittobemuchlessthanthelargersum。MrOriel"sSundaysindeed！
Aftermuchdoubt，LadyArabellaaccededtoherdaughter"ssuggestion，thatMaryshouldbereceivedatGreshamsburyinsteadofbeingcalledonatthedoctor"shouse。"Ifyouthinkshewon"tmindthecomingupfirst，"saidherladyship。"Icertainlycouldreceiveherbetterhere。I
shouldbemore——more——moreable，youknow，toexpresswhatIfeel。Wehadbettergointothebigdrawing-roomto-day，Beatrice。WillyouremembertotellMrsRichards？"
"Oh，certainly，"wasMary"sanswerwhenBeatrice，withavoicealittletrembling，proposedhertowalkuptothehouse。"CertainlyIwill，ifLadyArabellawillreceiveme；——only，onething，Trichy。"
"What"sthat，dearest？"
"FrankwillthinkthatIcomeafterhim。"
"Nevermindwhathethinks。Totellyouthetruth，Mary，IoftencallonPatienceforthesakeoffindingCaleb。That"sallfairnow，youknow。"
Maryveryquietlygotputonherstrawbonnet，andsaidshewasreadytogouptothehouse。Beatricewasalittlefluttered，andshowedit。Marywas，perhaps，agooddealfluttered，butshedidnotshowit。ShehadthoughtagooddealaboutherfirstinterviewwithLadyArabella，ofherfirstreturntothehouse；butshehadresolvedtocarryherselfasthoughthematterwereeasytoher。ShewouldnotallowittobeseenthatshefeltthatshebroughtwithhertoGreshamsbury，comfort，ease，andrenewedopulence。
SosheputonherstrawbonnetandwalkedupwithBeatrice。Everybodyabouttheplacehadalreadyheardthenews。Theoldwomanatthelodgecurtsiedlowtoher；thegardener，whowasmowingthelawn。Thebutler，whoopenedthefrontdoor——hemusthavebeenwatchingMary"sapproach——hadmanifestlyputonacleanwhiteneckclothfortheoccasion。
"Godblessyouoncemore，MissThorne！"saidtheoldman，inahalf-whisper。Marywassomewhattroubled，foreverythingseemed，inamanner，tobowdownbeforeher。Andwhyshouldnoteverythingbowdownbeforeher，seeingthatshewasintruththeownerofGreshamsbury？
Andthenaservantinliverywouldopenthebigdrawing-roomdoor。ThisratherupsetbothMaryandBeatrice。ItbecamealmostimpossibleforMarytoentertheroomjustasshewouldhavedonetwoyearsago；butshegotthroughthedifficultywithmuchself-control。
"Mamma，here"sMary，"saidBeatrice。
NorwasLadyArabellaquitemistressofherself，althoughshehadstudiedminutelyhowtobearherself。
"Oh，Mary，dearMary；whatcanIsaytoyou？"andthen，withahandkerchieftohereyes，sheranforwardandhidherfaceinMissThorne"sshoulders。"WhatcanIsay——canyouforgivemyanxietyformyson？"
"Howdoyoudo，LadyArabella？"saidMary。
"Mydaughter！mychild！myFrank"sownbride！Oh，Mary！oh，mychild！
IfIhaveseemedunkindtoyou，ithasbeenthroughlovetohim。"
"Allthesethingsareovernow，"saidMary。"MrGreshamtoldmeyesterdaythatIshouldbereceivedasFrank"sfuturewife；andso，yousee，Ihavecome。"AndthensheslippedthroughLadyArabella"sarms，andsatdown，meeklydown，onachair。InfiveminutesshehadescapedwithBeatriceintotheschool-room，andwaskissingthechildren，andturningoverthenewtrousseau。Theywere，however，sooninterrupted，andtherewas，perhaps，someotherkissingbesidesthatofthechildren。
"Youhavenobusinesshereatall，Frank，"saidBeatrice。"Hashe，Mary？"
"Noneintheworld，Ishouldthink。"
"Seewhathehasdonetomypoplin；Ihopeyouwon"thaveyourthingstreatedsocruelly。He"llbecarefulenoughaboutthem。"
"IsOrielagoodhandatpackingupfinery——eh，Beatrice，"saidFrank。
"Heis，atanyrate，toowell-behavedtospoilit。"ThusMarywasagainmadeathomeonthehouseholdofGreshamsbury。
LadyArabelladidnotcarryoutherlittleplanofdelayingtheOrielwedding。Herideahadbeentoaddsomegrandeurtoit，inordertomakeitamorefittingprecursorofthatothergreaterweddingwhichwastofollowsooninitswake。Butthis，withtheassistanceofthecountess，shefoundherselfabletodowithoutinterferingwithpoorMrOriel"sSundayarrangements。Thecountessherself，withtheLadiesAlexandrinaandMargaretta，nowpromisedtocome，eventothefirstaffair；andfortheother，thewholeDeCourcyfamilywouldturnout，countandcountess，lordsandladies，HonourableGeorgesandHonourableJohns。
Whathonour，indeed，couldbetoogreattoshowtoabridewhohadfourteenthousandayearinherownright，ortoacousin，whohaddonehisdutybysecuringsuchabridetohimself！
"Ifthedukebeinthecountry，Iamsurehewillbehappytocome，"
saidthecountess。"Ofcourse，hewillbetalkingtoFrankaboutpolitics。Isupposethesquirewon"texpectFranktobelongtotheoldschoolnow。"
"Frank，ofcourse，willjudgeforhimself，Rosina；——withhisposition，youknow！"AndsothingsweresettledatCourcyCastle。
AndthenBeatricewasweddedandcarriedofftotheLakes。Mary，asshehadpromised，didstandnearher；butnotexactlyintheginghamfrockofwhichshehadoncespoken。Sheworeonthatoccasion——Butitwillbetoomuch，perhaps，totellthereaderwhatsheworeasBeatrice"sbridesmaid，seeingthatacoupleofpages，atleast，mustbedevotedtohermarriage-dress，andseeing，also，thatwehaveonlyafewpagestofinisheverything；thelistofvisitors，themarriagesettlements，thedress，andallincluded。
ItwasinvainthatMaryendeavouredtorepressLadyArabella"sardourforgranddoings。Afterall，shewastobemarriedfromthedoctor"shouse，andnotfromGreshamsbury，anditwasthedoctorwhoshouldhaveinvitedtheguests；but，inthismatter，hedidnotchoosetoopposeherladyship"sspirit，andshehaditallherownway。
"WhatcanIdo？"saidhetoMary。"Ihavebeencontradictingherineverythingforthelasttwoyears。Theleastwecandoistoletherhaveherownwaynowinatriflelikethis。"
ButtherewasonepointonwhichMarywouldletnobodyhavehisorherownway；onwhichthewaytobetakenwasverymanifestlytobeherown。
Thiswastouchingthemarriagesettlements。Itmustnotbesupposed，thatifBeatriceweremarriedonaTuesday，MarycouldbemarriedontheTuesdayweekfollowing。Ladieswithtwelvethousandayearcannotbedisposedofinthatway：andbridegroomswhodotheirdutybymarryingmoneyoftenhavetobekeptwaiting。Itwasspring，theearlyspring，beforeFrankwasmadealtogetherahappyman。
Butawordaboutthesettlements。Onthissubjectthedoctorthoughthewouldhavebeendrivenmad。MessrsSlowandBideawhile，asthelawyersoftheGreshamsburyfamily——itwillbeunderstoodthatMrGazebee"slawbusinesswasofquiteadifferentnature，andhiswork，asregardedGreshamsbury，wasnownearlyover——MessrsSlowandBideawhiledeclaredthatitwouldneverdoforthemtoundertakealonetodrawoutthesettlements。Anheiress，suchasMary，musthavelawyersofherown；
halfadozenatleast，accordingtotheapparentopinionofMessrsSlowandBideawhile。Andsothedoctorhadtogotootherlawyers，andtheyagainhadtoconsultSirAbraham，andMrSnilamonadozendifferentheads。
IfFrankbecametenantintail，inrightofhiswife，butunderhisfather，wouldhebeabletograntleasesformorethantwenty-oneyears？
and，ifso，towhomwouldtherightoftroverbelong？Astoflotsamandjetsam——therewasalittleproperty，MrCritic，onthesea-shore——thatwasamatterthathadtobeleftunsettledatthelast。Suchpointsasthesedotakealongtimetoconsider。Allthisbewilderedthedoctorsadly，andFrankhimselfbegantomakeaccusationsthathewastobedoneoutofhiswifealtogether。
But，aswehavesaid，therewasonepointonwhichMarywouldhaveherownway。Thelawyersmighttieupastheywouldonherbehalfallthemoney，andshares，andmortgageswhichhadbelongedtothelateSirRoger，withthisexception，allthathadeverappertainedtoGreshamsburyshouldbelongtoGreshamsburyagain；notinperspective，nottoherchildren，ortoherchildren"schildren，butatonce。FrankshouldbelordofBoxallHillinhisownright；andastothoseotherliensonGreshamsbury，letFrankmanagethatwithhisfatherashemightthinkfit。Shewouldonlytroubleherselftoseethathewasempoweredtodoashedidthinkfit。
"But，"arguedtheancient，respectablefamilyattorneytothedoctor，"thatamountstotwo-thirdsofthewholeestate。Two-thirds，DrThorne！
Itispreposterous；Ishouldalmostsayimpossible。"Andthescantyhairsonthepoorman"sheadalmoststoodonendashethoughtoftheoutrageousmannerinwhichtheheiresspreparedtosacrificeherself。
"Itwillallbethesameintheend，"saidthedoctor，tryingtomakethingssmooth。"Ofcourse，theirjointobjectwillbetoputtheGreshamsburypropertytogetheragain。"
"But，mydearsir，"——andthen，fortwentyminutes，thelawyerwentonprovingthatitwouldbenomeansbethesamething；but，nevertheless，MaryThornedidhaveherownway。
Inthecourseofthewinter，LadydeCourcytriedveryhardtoinducetheheiresstovisitCourcyCastle，andthisrequestwassobackedbyLadyArabella，thatthedoctorsaidhethoughtshemightaswellgothereforthreeorfourdays。Buthere，again，Marywasobstinate。
"Idon"tseeitatall，"shesaid。"Ifyoumakeapointofit，orFrank，orMrGresham，Iwillgo；butIcan"tseeanypossiblereason。"
Thedoctor，whensoappealedto，wouldnotabsolutelysaythathemadeapointofit，andMarywastolerablysafeasregardedFrankorthesquire。Ifshewent，Frankwouldbeexpectedtogo，andFrankdislikedCourcyCastlealmostmorethanever。Hisauntwasnowmorethanciviltohim，and，whentheyweretogether，neverceasedtocomplimenthimonthedesirablewayinwhichhehaddonehisdutybythefamily。
AndsoonafterChristmasavisitorcametoMary，andstayedafortnightwithher：onewhomneithershenorthedoctorhadexpected，andofwhomtheyhadnotmuchmorethanheard。ThiswasthefamousMissDunstable。
"Birdsofafeatherflocktogether，"saidMrsRantaway——lateMissGushing——whensheheardofthevisit。"Therailwayman"sniece——ifyoucancallheraniece——andthequack"sdaughterwilldoverywelltogether，nodoubt。"
"Atanyrate，theycancounttheirmoney-bags，"saidMrsUmbleby。
Andinfact，MaryandMissDunstabledidgetonverywelltogether；andMissDunstablemadeherselfquitehappyatGreshamsbury，althoughsomepeople——includingMrsRantaway——contrivedtospreadareport，thatDrThorne，jealousofMary"smoneywasgoingtomarryher。
"Ishallcertainlycomeandseeyouturnedoff，"saidMissDunstable，takingleaveofhernewfriend。MissDunstable，itmustbeacknowledged，wasalittletoofondofslang；butthen，aladywithherfortune，andofherage，maybefondofalmostwhatevershepleases。
Andsobydegreesthewinterworeaway——veryslowlytoFrank，ashedeclaredoftenenough；andslowly，perhaps，toMaryalso，butshedidnotsayso。Thespringcameround。ThecomicalmanacsgiveusdreadfulpicturesofJanuaryandFebruary；but，intruth，themonthswhichshouldbemadetolookgloomyinEnglandareMarchandApril。LetnomanboasthimselfthathehasgotthroughtheperilsofwintertillatleasttheseventhofMay。
ItwasearlyinApril，however，thatthegreatdoingsweretobedoneatGreshamsbury。Notexactlyonthefirst。Itmaybepresumed，thatinspiteofthepractical，common-sensespiritoftheage，veryfewpeopledochoosetohavethemselvesunitedonthatday。Butsomedayinthefirstweekofthatmonthwasfixedfortheceremony，andfromtheendofFebruaryallthroughMarch，LadyArabellaworkedandstroveinamannerthatentitledhertoprofoundadmiration。
Itwasatlastsettledthatthebreakfastshouldbeheldinthelargedining-roomatGreshamsbury。TherewasadifficultyaboutitwhichtaxedLadyArabellatotheutmost，for，inmakingtheproposition，shecouldnotbutseemtobethrowingsomeslightonthehouseinwhichtheheiresshadlived。ButwhentheaffairwasonceopenedtoMary，itwasastonishinghoweasyitbecame。
"Ofcourse，"saidMary，"alltheroomsinourhousewouldnotholdhalfthepeopleyouaretalkingabout——iftheymustcome。"
LadyArabellalookedsobeseechingly，nay，sopiteously，thatMaryhadnotanotherwordtosay。Itwasevidentthattheymustallcome：theDeCourcystothefifthgeneration；theDukeofOmniumhimself，andothersinconcatenationaccordingly。
"Butwillyourunclebeangryifwehavethebreakfastupthere？HehasbeensoveryhandsometoFrank，thatIwouldn"tmakehimangryforalltheworld。"
"Ifyoudon"ttellhimanythingaboutit，LadyArabella，he"llthinkthatitisalldoneproperly。Hewillneverknow，ifhe"snottold，thatheoughttogivethebreakfast，notyou。"
"Won"the，mydear？"AndLadyArabellalookedheradmirationforthisverytalentedsuggestion。Andsothatmatterwasarranged。Thedoctorneverknew，tillMarytoldhimsomeyearorsoafterwards，thathehadbeenremissinanypartofhisduty。
Andwhowasaskedtothewedding？Inthefirstplace，wehavesaidthattheDukeofOmniumwasthere。Thiswas，infact，theonecircumstancethatmadethisweddingsosuperiortoanyotherthathadevertakenplaceinthatneighbourhood。TheDukeofOmniumneverwentanywhere；andyethewenttoMary"swedding！AndMary，whentheceremonywasover，absolutelyfoundherselfkissedbyaduke。"DearestMary！"exclaimedLadyArabella，inherecstasyofjoy，whenshesawthehonourthatwasdonetoherdaughter-in-law。
"IhopeweshallinduceyoutocometoGatherumCastlesoon，"saidtheduketoFrank。"Ishallbehavingafewfriendsthereintheautumn。Letmesee；Ideclare，Ihavenotseenyousinceyouweregoodenoughtocometomycollection。Ha！ha！ha！Itwasn"tbadfun，wasit？"Frankwasnotverycordialwithhisanswer。Hehadnotquitereconciledhimselftothedifferenceofhisposition。Whenhewastreatedasoneofthe"collection"atGatherumCastle，hehadnotmarriedmoney。
ItwouldbevaintoenumeratealltheDeCourcysthatwerethere。Therewastheearl，lookingverygracious，andtalkingtothesquireaboutthecounty。AndtherewasLordPorlock，lookingveryungracious，andnottalkingtoanybodyaboutanything。Andtherewasthecountess，whoforthelastweekhaddonenothingbutpatFrankonthebackwhenevershecouldcatchhim。AndthereweretheLadiesAlexandrina，Margaretta，andSelina，smilingateverybody。AndtheHonourableGeorge，talkinginwhisperstoFrankabouthiswidow——"Notsuchacatchasyours，youknow；
butsomethingextremelysnug；——andhaveitallmyownway，too，oldfellow，orIshan"tcometothescratch。"AndtheHonourableJohnpreparedtotoadyFrankabouthisstringofhunters；andtheLadyAmelia，byherself，notquitecontentedwiththesedemocraticnuptials——"Afterall，sheissoabsolutelynobody；absolutely，absolutely，"shesaidconfidentiallytoAugusta，shakingherhead。ButbeforeLadyAmeliahadleftGreshamsbury，AugustawasquiteatalosstounderstandhowtherecouldbeneedforsomuchconversationbetweenhercousinandMrMortimerGazebee。
AndthereweremanymoreDeCourcys，whomtoenumeratewouldbemuchtoolong。
Andthebishopofthediocese，andMrsProudiewerethere。Ahinthadevenbeengiven，thathislordshipwouldhimselfcondescendtoperformtheceremony，ifthisshouldbewished；butthatworkhadalreadybeenanticipatedbyaveryoldfriendoftheGreshams。ArchdeaconGrantly，therectorofPlumsteadEpiscopi，hadlongsinceundertakenthispartofthebusiness；andtheknotwaseventuallytiedbythejointeffortsofhimselfandMrOriel。MrsGrantlycamewithhim，andsodidMrsGrantly"ssister，thenewdean"swife。ThedeanhimselfwasatthetimeunfortunatelyabsentatOxford。
AndalltheBakersandtheJacksonswerethere。Thelasttimetheyhadallmettogetherunderthesquire"sroof，wasontheoccasionofFrank"scomingofage。Thepresentgaladoingswerecarriedonaverydifferentspirit。Thathadbeenaverypooraffair，butthiswasworthyofthebestofGreshamsbury。
Occasionalsohadbeentakenofthishappymomenttomakeup，orrathertogetridofthelastshredsofthelastfeudthathadsolongseparatedDrThornefromhisownrelatives。TheThornesofUllathornehadmademanyoverturesinacovertway。Butourdoctorhadcontrivedtorejectthem。"TheywouldnotreceiveMaryastheircousin，"saidhe，"andIwillgonowherethatshecannotgo。"Butnowallthiswasaltered。MrsGreshamwouldcertainlybereceivedinanyhouseinthecounty。Andthus，MrThorneofUllathorne，anamiable，popularoldbachelor，cametothewedding；andsodidhismaidensisterMissThorne，thanwhosenokinderheartglowedallthroughBarsetshire。
"Mydear，"saidshetoMary，kissingher，andofferinghersomelittletribute，"Iamverygladtomakeyouracquaintance；very。Itwasnotherfault，"sheadded，speakingtoherself。"AndnowthatshewillbeaGresham，thatneednotbeanylongerbethoughtof。"Nevertheless，couldMissThornehavespokenherinwardthoughtsoutloud，shewouldhavedeclared，thatFrankwouldhavedonebettertohavebornehispovertythanmarrywealthwithoutblood。Butthen，therearebutfewsostanchasMissThorne；perhapsnoneinthecounty——alwaysexceptingtheladyAmelia。
AndMissDunstable，also，wasabridesmaid。"Oh，no"saidshe，whenasked；"youshouldhavethemyoungandpretty。"ButshegavewaywhenshefoundthatMarydidnotflatterherbytellingherthatshewaseithertheoneortheother。"Thetruthis，"saidMissDunstable，"I
havealwaysbeenalittleinlovewithyourFrank，andsoIshalldoitforhissake。"Therewerebutfour：theothertwoweretheGreshamtwins。LadyArabellaexertedherselfgreatlyinframinghintstoinduceMarytoasksomeoftheDeCourcyladiestodohersomuchhonour；butonthisheadMarywouldpleaseherself。"Rank，"shesaidtoBeatrice，withacurlonherlip，"hasitsdrawbacks——andmustputupwiththem。"
AndnowIfindthatIhavenotonepage——nothalfapage——forthewedding-dress。Butwhatmatters？WillitnotbeallfoundwritteninthecolumnsoftheMorningPost？
AndthusFrankmarriedmoney，andbecameagreatman。Letushopethathewillbeahappyman。Asthetimeofthestoryhasbeenbroughtdownsoneartothepresentera，itisnotpracticableforthenovelisttotellmuchofhisfuturecareer。WhenIlastheardfromBarsetshire，itseemedtobequitesettledthatheistotaketheplaceofoneoftheoldmembersatthenextelection；andtheysay，also，thatthereisnochanceofanyopposition。Ihaveheard，too，thattherehavebeenmanyveryprivateconsultationsbetweenhimandvariousgentlemenofthecounty，withreferencetothehunt；andthegeneralfeelingissaidtobethatthehoundsshouldgotoBoxallHill。
AtBoxallHilltheyoungpeopleestablishedthemselvesontheirreturnfromthecontinent。AndthatremindsmethatonewordmustbesaidofLadyScatcherd。
"Youwillalwaysstayherewithus，"saidMarytoher，caressingherladyship"sroughhand，andlookingkindlyintothatkindface。
ButLadyScatcherdwouldnotconsenttothis。"Iwillcomeandseeyousometimes，andthenIshallenjoymyself。Yes，Iwillcomeandseeyou，andmyowndearboy。"TheaffairwasendedbyhertakingMrsOpieGreen"scottage，inorderthatshemightbenearthedoctor；MrsOpieGreenhavingmarried——somebody。
Andofwhomelsemustwesayaword？Patience，also，ofcourse，gotahusband——orwilldoso。DearPatience！itwouldbeathousandpitiesthatsogoodawifeshouldbelosttotheworld。WhetherMissDunstablewilleverbemarried，orAugustaGresham，orMrMoffat，oranyofthetribeoftheDeCourcys——exceptLadyAmelia——Icannotsay。Theyhaveallofthemstilltheirfuturebeforethem。ThatBridgetwasmarriedtoThomas——thatIamabletoassert；forIknowthatJanetwasmuchputoutbytheirjointdesertion。
LadyArabellahasnotyetlostheradmirationforMary，andMary，inreturn，behavesadmirably。Anothereventisexpected，andherladyshipisalmostasanxiousaboutthatasshewasaboutthewedding。"Amatter，youknow，ofmuchimportanceinthecounty！"shewhisperedtoLadyDeCourcy。
Nothingcanbemorehappythantheintercoursebetweenthesquireandhisson。Whattheirexactarrangementsare，weneednotspeciallyinquire；butthedemonofpecuniaryembarrassmenthasliftedhisblackwingsfromthedemesneofGreshamsbury。
Andnowwehavebutonewordleftforthedoctor。"Ifyoudon"tcomeanddinewithme，"saidthesquiretohim，whentheyfoundthemselvesbothdeserted，"mindIshallcomeanddinewithyou。"Andonthisprincipletheyseemtoact。DrThornecontinuestoextendhispractice，tothegreatdisgustofDrFillgrave；andwhenMarysuggestedtohimthatheshouldretire，healmostboxedherears。Heknowstheway，however，toBoxallHillaswellasheeverdid，andiswillingtoacknowledge，thattheteathereisalmostasgoodasiteverwasatGreshamsbury。
End