第2章

OnhisfirstarrivalatGreshamsburyhehadbeenputbythesquireintoahouse，whichhestilloccupiedwhenthatsquire\'sgrandsoncameofage。Thereweretwodecent，commodious，privatehousesinthevillage——alwaysexceptingtherectory，whichstoodgrandlyinitsowngrounds，and，therefore，wasconsideredasrankingabovethevillageresidences——ofthesetwoDrThornehadthesmaller。Theystoodexactlyattheanglebeforedescribed，ontheoutersideofit，andatrightanglestoeachother。Theypossessedgoodstablesandamplegardens；

anditmaybeaswelltospecify，thatMrUmbleby，theagentandlawyertotheestate，occupiedthelargerone。

HereDrThornelivedforelevenortwelveyears，allalone；andthenfortenorelevenmorewithhisniece，MaryThorne。Marywasthirteenwhenshecametotakeuppermanentabodeasmistressoftheestablishment——or，atanyrate，toactastheonlymistresswhichtheestablishmentpossessed。Thisadventgreatlychangedthetenorofthedoctor\'sways。Hehadbeenbeforepurebachelor；notaroominhishousehadbeencomfortablyfurnished；heatfirstcommencedinamakeshiftsortofway，becausehehadnotathiscommandthemeansofcommencingotherwise；andhehadgoneoninthesamefashion，becausetheexacttimehadnevercomeatwhichitwasimperativeinhimtosethishouseinorder。Hehadhadnofixedhourforhismeals，nofixedplaceforhisbooks，nofixedwardrobeforhisclothes。Hehadafewbottlesofgoodwineinhiscellar，andoccasionallyaskedabrotherbachelortotakeachopwithhim；butbeyondthishehadtouchedverylittleonthecaresofhousekeeping。Aslop-bowlfullofstrongtea，togetherwithbread，andbutter，andeggs，wasproducedforhiminthemorning，andheexpectedthatatwhateverhourhemightarriveintheevening，somefoodshouldbepresentedtohimwherewithtosatisfythecravingsofnature；if，inadditiontothis，hehadanotherslop-bowlofteaintheevening，hegotallthatheeverrequired，orall，atleast，thatheeverdemanded。

ButwhenMarycame，orrather，whenshewasabouttocome，thingswerealtogetherchangedatthedoctor\'s。Peoplehadhithertowondered——andespeciallyMrsUmbleby——howagentlemanlikeDrThornecouldcontinuetoliveinsoslovenlyamanner；andhowpeopleagainwondered，andagainespeciallyMrsUmbleby，howthedoctorcouldpossiblythinkitnecessarytoputsuchalotoffurnitureintoahousebecausealittlechitofagirloftwelveyearswascomingtolivewithhim。

MrsUmblebyhadgreatscopeforherwonder。Thedoctormadeathoroughrevolutioninhishousehold，andfurnishedhishousefromthegroundtotheroofcompletely。Hepainted——forthefirsttimesincethecommencementofhistenancy——hepapered，hecarpeted，asthoughaMrsThornewithagoodfortunewerecominghometo-morrow；andallforagirloftwelveyearsold。\'Andnow，\'saidMrsUmbleby，toherfriendMissGushing，\'howdidhefindoutwhattobuy？\'asthoughthedoctorhadbeenbroughtuplikeawildbeast，ignorantofthenatureoftablesandchairs，andwithnomoredevelopedideasofdrawing-roomdraperythananhippopotamus。

TotheutteramazementofMrsUmblebyandMissGushing，thedoctordiditverywell。Hesaidnothingaboutittoanyone——heneverdidsaymuchaboutsuchthings——buthefurnishedhishousewellanddiscreetly；

andwhenMaryThornecamehomefromherschoolatBath，towhichshehadbeentakensomesixyearspreviously，shefoundherselfcalledupontobethepresidinggeniusofaperfectparadise。

Ithasbeensaidthatthedoctorhadmanagedtoendearhimselftothenewsquirebeforetheoldsquire\'sdeath，andthat，therefore，thechangeatGreshamsburyhadhadnoprofessionalilleffectsuponhim。

Suchwasthecaseatthetime；but，nevertheless，alldidnotgosmoothlyintheGreshamsburymedicaldepartment。Therewassixorsevenyears\'differenceinagebetweenMrGreshamandthedoctor，andmoreover，MrGreshamwasyoungforhisage，andthedoctorold；but，nevertheless，therewasaverycloseattachmentbetweenthemearlyinlife。Thiswasneverthoroughlysundered，and，backedbythisthedoctordidmaintainhimselfforsomeyearsbeforetheartilleryofLadyArabella\'sartillery。Butdropsfalling，iftheyfallconstantly，willborethroughastone。

DrThorne\'spretensions，mixedwithhissubversiveprofessionaldemocratictendencies，hisseven-and-sixpennyvisits，addedtohisutterdisregardofLadyArabella\'sairs，weretoomuchforherspirit。HebroughtFrankthroughhisfirsttroubles，andthatatfirstingratiatedher；hewasequallysuccessfulwiththeearlydietaryofAugustaandBeatrice；but，ashissuccesswasobtainedindirectoppositiontotheCourcyCastlenurseryprinciples，thishardlydidmuchinhisfavour。

Whenthethirddaughterwasborn，heatoncedeclaredthatshewasaveryweaklyflower，andsternlyforbadethemothertogotoLondon。Themother，lovingherbabe，obeyed；butdidnotthelesshatethedoctorfortheorder，whichshefirmlybelievedwasgivenattheinstanceandexpressdictationofMrGresham。Thenanotherlittlegirlcameintotheworld，andthedoctorwasmoreimperativethaneverastothenurseryrulesandtheexcellenceofcountryair。Quarrelswerethusengendered，andLadyArabellawastaughttobelievethatthisdoctorofherhusband\'swasafterallnoSolomon。Inherhusband\'sabsenceshesentforDrFillgrave，givingveryexpressintimationthathewouldnothavetowoundeitherhiseyesordignitybyencounteringhisenemy；andshefoundDrFillgraveagreatcomforttoher。

ThenDrThornegaveMrGreshamtounderstandthat，undersuchcircumstances，hecouldnotvisitprofessionallyatGreshamsburyanylonger。Thepoorsquiresawtherewasnohelpforit，andthoughhemaintainedhisfriendlyconnexionwithhisneighbour，theseven-and-sixpennyvisitswereatanend。DrFillgravefromBarchester，andthegentlemanatSilverbridge，dividedtheresponsibilitybetweenthem，andthenurseryprinciplesofCourcyCastlewereagaininvogueatGreshamsbury。

Sothingswentonforyears，andthoseyearswereyearsofsorrow。Wemustnotascribetoourdoctor\'senemiesthesufferingsandsickness，anddeathsthatoccurred。ThefourfraillittleonesthatdiedwouldprobablyhavebeentakenhadLadyArabellabeenmoretolerantofDrThorne。Butthefactwas，thattheydiddie；andthatthemother\'sheartthengotthebetterofthewoman\'spride，andLadyArabellahumbledherselfbeforeDrThorne。Shehumbledherself，orwouldhavedoneso，hadthedoctorpermittedher。Buthe，withhiseyesfulloftears，stoppedtheutteranceofherapology，tookhertwohandsinhis，pressedthemwarmly，andassuredherthathisjoyinreturningwouldbegreat，forthelovethatheboretoallthatbelongedtoGreshamsbury。

Andsotheseven-and-sixpennyvisitswererecommenced；andthegreattriumphofDrFillgravecametoanend。

GreatwasthejoyintheGreshamsburynurserywhenthesecondchangetookplace。Amongthedoctor\'sattributes，nothithertomentioned，wasanaptitudeforthesocietyofchildren。Hedelightedtotalktochildren，andtoplaywiththem。Hewouldcarrythemonhisback，threeorfouratatime，rollwiththemontheground，racewiththeminthegarden，inventgamesforthem，contriveamusementsincircumstanceswhichseemedquiteadversetoallmannerofdelight；and，aboveall，hisphysicwasnotnearlysonastyasthatwhichcamefromSilverbridge。

Hehadagreattheoryastothehappinessofchildren；andthoughhewasnotdisposedaltogethertothrowoverthepreceptsofSolomon——alwaysbargainingthatheshould，undernocircumstances，behimselftheexecutioner——hearguedthattheprincipaldutywhichaparentowedtoachildwastomakehimhappy。Notonlywasthemantobemadehappy——thefutureman，ifthatmightbepossible——buttheexistingboywastobetreatedwithequalfavour；andhishappiness，sosaidthedoctor，wasofmucheasierattainment。

\'Whystruggleafterfutureadvantageattheexpenseofthepresentpain，seeingthattheresultsweresoverydoubtful？\'

Manyanopponentofthedoctorhadthoughttocatchhimonthehipwhensosingularadoctrinewasbroached；buttheywerenotalwayssuccessful。\'What！\'saidhissensibleenemies，\'isJohnnynottobetaughttoreadbecausehedoesnotlikeit？\'\'Johnnymustreadbyallmeans，\'wouldthedoctoranswer；\'butisitnecessarythatheshouldnotlikeit？Ifthepreceptorhaveitinhim，maynotJohnnylearnnotonlytoread，buttoliketolearntoread？\'

\'But，\'wouldsayhisenemies，\'childrenmustbecontrolled。\'

\'Andsomustmenalso，\'wouldsaythedoctor。\'Imustnotstealyourpeaches，normakelovetoyourwife，norlibelyourcharacter。MuchasImightwishthroughmynaturaldepravitytoindulgeinsuchvices，I

amdebarredfromthemwithoutpain，andImayalmostsaywithoutunhappiness。\'

Andsotheargumentwenton，neitherpartyconvincingtheother。But，inthemeantime，thechildrenoftheneighbourhoodbecameveryfondofDrThorne。

DrThorneandthesquirewerestillfastfriends，butcircumstanceshadoccurred，spreadingthemselvesnowoveraperiodofmanyyears，whichalmostmadethepoorsquireuneasyinthedoctor\'scompany。MrGreshamowedalargesumofmoney，andhehad，moreover，alreadysoldaportionofhisproperty。UnfortunatelyithadbeentheprideoftheGreshamsthattheiracreshaddescendedfromoneanotherwithoutanentail，sothateachpossessorofGreshamsburyhadhadthefullpowertodisposeofthepropertyashepleased。Anydoubtastoitsgoingtothemaleheirhadneverhithertobeenfelt。Ithadoccasionallybeenencumberedbychargesforyoungerchildren；butthesechargeshadbeenliquidated，andthepropertyhadcomedownwithoutanyburdentothepresentsquire。Nowaportionofthislandhadbeensold，andithadbeensoldtoacertaindegreethroughtheagencyofDrThorne。

Thismadethesquireanunhappyman。Nomanlovedhisfamilynameandhonour，hisoldfamilyblazonandstandingmorethoroughlythanhedid；

hewaseverywhitaGreshamatheart；buthisspirithadbeenweakerthanthatofhisforefathers；and，inhisdays，forthefirsttime，theGreshamsweregoingtothewall！Tenyearsbeforethebeginningofourstoryithadbeennecessarytoraisealargesumofmoneytomeetandpayoffpressingliabilities，anditwasfoundthatthiscouldbedonewithmorematerialadvantagebysellingaportionofthepropertythaninanyotherway。Aportionofit，aboutathirdofthewholeinvalue，wasaccordinglysold。

BoxallHilllayhalfbetweenGreshamsburyandBarchester，andwasknownashavingthebestpartridgeshootinginthecounty；ashavingonitalsoacelebratedfoxcover，BoxallGorse，heldinveryhighreputebyBarsetshiresportsmen。Therewasnoresidenceontheimmediateestate，anditwasaltogetherdividedfromtheremainedoftheGreshamsburyproperty。This，withmanyinwardandoutwardgroans，MrGreshampermittedtobesold。

Itwassold，andsoldwell，byprivatecontracttoanativeofBarchester，who，havingrisenfromtheworld\'sranks，hadmadeforhimselfgreatwealth。Somewhatofthisman\'scharactermusthereafterbetold；itwillsufficetosaythathereliedforadviceinmoneymattersuponDrThorne，andthatatDrThorne\'ssuggestionhehadpurchasedBoxallHill，partridge-shootingandgorsecoverallincluded。HehadnotonlyboughtBoxallHill，buthadsubsequentlylentthesquirelargesumsofmoneyonmortgage，inallwhichtransactionsthedoctorhadtakenpart。IthadthereforecometopassthatMrGreshamwasnotinfrequentlycalledupontodiscusshismoneyaffairswithDrThorne，andoccasionallytosubmittolecturesandadvicewhichmightperhapsaswellhavebeenomitted。

SomuchforDrThorne。AfewwordsmuststillbesaidaboutMissMaryThornebeforewerushintoourstory；thecrustwillthenhavebeenbroken，andthepiewillbeopentotheguests。LittleMissMarywaskeptatafarm-housetillshewassix；shewasthensenttoschoolatBath，andtransplantedtothedoctor\'snewlyfurnishedhouse，alittlemorethansixyearsafterthat。Itmustnotbesupposedthathehadlostsightofhischargeduringherearlieryears。Hewasmuchtoowellawareofthenatureofthepromisewhichhehadmadetothedepartingmothertodothat。Hehadconstantlyvisitedhislittleniece，andlongbeforethefirsttwelveyearsofherlifewereoverhadlostconsciousnessofhispromise，andofhisdutytothemother，inthestrongertiesofdownrightpersonallovefortheonlycreaturethatbelongedtohim。

WhenMarycamehomethedoctorwaslikeachildinhisglee。Hepreparedsurprisesforherwithasmuchforethoughtandtroubleasthoughhewerecontrivingminestoblowupanenemy。Hetookherfirstintotheshop，andthenintothekitchen，thencetothedining-rooms，afterthattohisandherbedrooms，andsoontillhecametothefullgloryofthenewdrawing-room，enhancingthepleasurebylittlejokes，andtellingherthatheshouldneverdaretocomeintothelastparadisewithoutherpermission，andnotthentillhehadtakenoffhisboots。Childasshewas，sheunderstoodthejoke，andcarrieditonlikealittlequeen；andsotheysoonbecamethefirmestoffriends。

ButthoughMarywasqueen，itwasstillnecessarythatsheshouldbeeducated。ThoseweretheearlierdaysinwhichLadyArabellahadhumbledherself，andtoshowherhumilitysheinvitedMarytosharethemusic-lessonsofAugustaandBeatriceatthegreathouse。A

music-masterfromBarchestercameoverthreetimesaweek，andremainedforthreehours，andifthedoctorchosetosendhisgirlover，shecouldpickupwhatwasgoingonwithoutdoinganyharm。SosaidtheLadyArabella。Thedoctorwithmanythanksandwithnohesitation，acceptedtheoffer，merelyadding，thathehadperhapsbettersettleseparatelywithSignorCantabili，themusic-master。HewasverymuchobligedtoLadyArabellaforgivinghislittlegirlpermissiontojoinherlessonstothoseoftheMissGreshams。

ItneedhardlybesaidthattheLadyArabellawasonfireatonce。

SettlewithSignorCantabili！No，indeed；shewoulddothat；theremustbenoexpensewhateverincurredinsuchanarrangementonMissThorne\'saccount！Buthere，asinmostthings，thedoctorcarriedhispoint。Itbeingthetimeofthelady\'shumility，shecouldnotmakeasgoodafightasshewouldotherwisehavedone；andthusshefound，tohergreatdisgust，thatMaryThornewaslearningmusicinherschoolroomonequalterms，asregardedpayment，withherowndaughters。Thearrangementhavingbeenmadecouldnotbebroken，especiallyastheyoungladyinnowisemadeherselfdisagreeable；andmoreespeciallyastheMissGreshamsthemselveswereveryfondofher。

AndsoMaryThornelearntmusicatGreshamsbury，andwithhermusicshelearntotherthingsalso；howtobehaveherselfamonggirlsofherownage；howtospeakandtalkasotheryoungladiesdo；howtodressherself，andhowtomoveandwalk。Allwhich，shebeingquicktolearnwithouttroubleatthegreathouse。SomethingalsoshelearntofFrench，seeingthattheGreshamsburyFrenchgovernesswasalwaysintheroom。

Andthensomefewyearslater，therecamearector，andarector\'ssister；andwiththelatterMarystudiedGermanandFrenchalso。Fromthedoctorhimselfshelearntmuch；thechoice，namely，ofEnglishbooksforherownreading，andhabitsofthoughtsomewhatakintohisown，thoughmodifiedbythefemininesoftnessofherindividualmind。

AndsoMaryThornegrewupandwaseducated。Ofherpersonalappearanceitcertainlyismybusinessasanauthortosaysomething。

Sheismyheroine，and，assuch，mustnecessarilybeverybeautiful；

but，intruth，hermindandinnerqualitiesaremoreclearlydistincttomybrainthanheroutwardformandfeatures。Iknowthatshewasfarfrombeingtall，andfarfrombeingshowy；thatherfeetandhandsweresmallanddelicate；thathereyeswerebrightwhenlookedat，butnotbrilliantsoastomaketheirbrilliancypalpablyvisibletoallaroundher；herhairwasdarkbrown，andwornveryplainlybrushedfromherforehead；herlipswerethin，andhermouth，perhaps，ingeneralinexpressive，butwhenshewaseagerinconversationitwouldshowitselftobeanimatedwithcurvesofwondrousenergy；and，quietasshewasinmanner，soberanddemureaswasherusualsettledappearance，shecouldtalk，whenthefitcameonher，withanenergywhichintruthsurprisedthosewhodidnotknowher；aye，andsometimesthosewhodid。Energy！nay，itwasoccasionallyaconcentrationofpassion，whichleftherforthemomentperfectlyunconsciousofallothercaresbutsolicitudeforthatsubjectwhichshemightthenbeadvocating。

Allherfriends，includingthedoctor，hadattimesbeenmadeunhappybythisvehemenceofcharacter；butyetitwastothatveryvehemencethatsheoweditthatallherfriendslovedher。IthadoncenearlybanishedherinearlyyearsfromtheGreshamsburyschoolroom；andyetitendedinmakingherclaimtoremaintheresostrong，thatLadyArabellacouldnolongeropposeit，evenwhenshehadthewishtodoso。

AnewFrenchgovernesshadlatelycometoGreshamsbury，andwas，orwastobe，agreatpetwithLadyArabella，havingallthegreatgiftswithwhichagovernesscanbeendowed，andbeingalsoaprotegefromthecastle。Thecastle，inGreshamsburyparlance，alwaysmeantthatofCourcy。SoonafterthisavaluedlittlelocketbelongingtoAugustaGreshamwasmissing。TheFrenchgovernesshadobjectedtoitsbeingwornintheschoolroom，andithadbeensentuptothebedroombyayoungservant-girl，thedaughterofasmallfarmerontheestate。Thelocketwasmissing，andafterawhile，aconsiderablenoiseinthematterhavingbeenmade，wasfound，bythediligenceofthegoverness，somewhereamongthebelongingsoftheEnglishservant。GreatwastheangerofLadyArabella，loudweretheprotestationsofthegirl，mutethewoeofherfather，piteousthetearsofhermother，inexorablethejudgmentoftheGreshamsburyworld。Butsomethingoccurred，itmattersnownotwhat，toseparateMaryThorneinopinionfromthatworldatlarge。Outshethenspoke，andtoherfaceaccusedthegovernessoftherobbery。FortwodaysMarywasindisgracealmostasdeepasthatofthefarmer\'sdaughter。Butshewasneitherquietordumbinherdisgrace。WhenLadyArabellawouldnothearher，shewenttoMrGresham。Sheforcedheruncletomoveinthematter。Shegainedovertoherside，onebyone，thepotentatesoftheparish，andendedbybringingMam\'selleLarrondownonherkneeswithaconfessionofthefacts。FromthattimeMaryThornewasdeartothetenantryofGreshamsbury；andspeciallydeartoonesmallhousehold，wherearough-spokenfatherofafamilywasoftenheardtodeclare，thatforMissMaryThornehe\'dfacemanormagistrate，dukeordevil。

AndsoMaryThornegrewupunderthedoctor\'seye，andatthebeginningofourtaleshewasoneoftheguestsassembledatGreshamsburyonthecomingofageoftheheir，sheherselfhavingthenarrivedatthesameperiodofherlife。

CHAPTERIV

LESSONSFROMCOURCYCASTLE

ItwasthefirstofJuly，youngFrankGresham\'sbirthday，andtheLondonseasonwasnotyetover；nevertheless，LadydeCourcyhadmanagedtogetdownintothecountrytogracethecomingofageoftheheir，bringingwithheralltheLadiesAmelia，Rosina，Margaretta，andAlexandrina，togetherwithsuchoftheHonourableJohnsandGeorgesascouldbecollectedfortheoccasion。

TheLadyArabellahadcontrivedthisyeartospendtenweeksintown，which，byalittlestretching，shemadetopassfortheseason；andhadmanaged，moreover，atlasttorefurnish，notingloriously，thePortmanSquaredrawing-room。ShehadgoneuptoLondonunderthepretext，imperativelyurged，ofAugusta\'steeth——youngladies\'teetharenotinfrequentlyofvalueinthisway；——andhavingreceivedauthorityforanewcarpet，whichwasreallymuchwanted，hadmadesuchdexteroususeofthatsanctionastorunupanupholsterer\'sbillofsixorsevenhundredpounds。Shehadofcoursehadhercarriageandhorses；thegirlsofcoursehadgoneout；ithadbeenpositivelynecessarytohaveafewfriendsinPortmanSquare；and，altogether，thetenweekshadnotbeenunpleasant，andnotinexpensive。

Forafewconfidentialminutesbeforedinner，LadydeCourcyandhersister-in-lawsatetogetherinthelatter\'sdressing-room，discussingtheunreasonablenessofthesquire，whohadexpressedhimselfwithmorethanordinarybitternessastothefolly——hehadprobablyusedsomestrongerword——oftheseLondonproceedings。

\'Heavens！，\'saidthecountess，withmucheageranimation；\'whatcanthemanexpect？Whatdoeshewishyoutodo？\'

\'HewouldliketosellthehouseinLondon，andburyusallhereforever。Mind，Iwasthereonlyfortenweeks。\'

\'Barelytimeforthegirlstogettheirteethproperlylookedat！ButArabella，whatdoeshesay？\'LadydeCourcywasveryanxioustolearntheexacttruthofthematter，andascertain，ifshecould，whetherMrGreshamwasreallyaspoorashepretendedtobe。

\'Why，hesaidyesterdaythathewouldhavenomoregoingtotownatall；thathewasbarelyabletopaytheclaimsmadeonhim，andkeepupthehousehere，andthathewouldnot——\'

\'Wouldnotwhat？\'askedthecountess。

\'Why，hesaidthathewouldnotutterlyruinpoorFrank。\'

\'RuinFrank！\'

\'That\'swhathesaid。\'

\'But，surely，Arabella，itisnotsobadasthat？Whatpossiblereasoncantherebeforhimtobeindebt？\'

\'Heisalwaystalkingofthoseelections。\'

\'But，mydear，BoxallHillpaidallthatoff。OfcourseFrankwillnothavesuchanincomeastherewaswhenyoumarriedintothefamily；weallknowthat。Andwhomwillhehavetothankbuthisfather？ButBoxallHillpaidallthosedebts，andwhyshouldtherebeanydifficultynow？\'

\'Itwasthosenastydogs，Rosina，\'saidtheLadyArabella。

\'Well，IforoneneverapprovedofthehoundscomingtoGreshamsbury。

Whenamanhasonceinvolvedhispropertyheshouldnotincuranyexpensesthatarenotabsolutelynecessary。ThatisagoldenrulewhichMrGreshamoughttohaveremembered。Indeed，Iputittohimnearlyinthoseverywords；butMrGreshamneverdid，andneverwillreceivewithcommoncivilityanythingthatcomesfromme。\'

\'Iknow，Rosina，heneverdid；andyetwherewouldhehavebeenbutfortheDeCourcys？\'Soexclaimed，inhergratitude，theLadyArabella；tospeakthetruth，however，butfortheDeCourcys，MrGreshammighthavebeenatthismomentonthetopofBoxallHill，monarchofallhesurveyed。

\'AsIwassaying，\'continuedthecountess，\'IneverapprovedofthehoundscomingtoGreshamsbury；butyet，mydear，thehoundscan\'thaveeatenupeverything。Amanwithtenthousandayearoughttobeabletokeephounds；particularlyashehadasubscription。\'

\'Hesaysthesubscriptionwaslittleornothing。\'

\'That\'snonsense，mydear。Now，Arabella，whatdoeshedowithhismoney？That\'sthequestion。Doeshegamble？\'

\'Well，\'saidLadyArabella，veryslowly，\'Idon\'tthinkhedoes。\'Ifthesquiredidgamblehemusthavedoneitveryslyly，forherarelywentawayfromGreshamsbury，andcertainlyveryfewmenlookinglikegamblerswereinthehabitofcomingthitherasguests。\'Idon\'tthinkhedoesgamble。\'LadyArabellaputheremphasisonthewordgamble，asthoughherhusband，ifhemightperhapsbecharitablyacquittedofthatvice，wascertainlyguiltyofeveryotherknowninthecivilizedworld。

\'Iknowheused，\'saidLadydeCourcy，lookingverywise，andrathersuspicious。Shecertainlyhadsufficientdomesticreasonsfordislikingthepropensity；\'Iknowheused；andwhenamanbegins，heishardlyevercured。\'

\'Well，ifhedoes，Idon\'tknowit，\'saidtheLadyArabella。

\'Themoney，mydear，mustgosomewhere。Whatexcusedoeshegivewhenyoutellhimyouwantthisandthat——allthecommonnecessariesoflife，thatyouhavealwaysbeenusedto？\'

\'Hegivesnoexcuse；sometimeshesaysthefamilyissolarge。\'

\'Nonsense！Girlscostnothing；there\'sonlyFrank，andhecan\'thavecostanythingyet。CanhebesavingmoneytobuybackBoxallHill？\'

\'Ohno！\'saidtheLadyArabella，quickly。\'Heisnotsavinganything；

heneverdid，andneverwillsave，thoughheissostingytome。Heishardpushedformoney，Iknowthat。\'

\'Thenwherehasitgone？\'saidtheCountessdeCourcy，withalookofsterndecision。

\'Heavenonlyknows！Now，Augustaistobemarried。Imustofcoursehaveafewhundredpounds。YoushouldhaveheardhowhegroanedwhenI

askedhimforit。Heavenonlyknowswherethemoneygoes！\'Andtheinjuredwifewipedapiteoustearfromhereyewithherfinedresscambrichandkerchief。\'Ihaveallthesufferingsandprivationsofapoorman\'swife，butIhavenoneoftheconsolations。Hehasnoconfidenceinme；henevertellsmeanything；henevertalkstomeabouthisaffairs。Ifhetalkstoanyoneitistothathorriddoctor。\'

\'What，DrThorne？\'NowtheCountessdeCourcyhatedDrThornewithaholyhatred。

\'Yes；DrThorne。Ibelievethatheknowseverything；andadviseseverything，too。WhateverdifficultiespoorGreshammayhave，IdobelieveDrThornehasbroughtthemabout。Idobelieveit，Rosina。\'

\'Well，thatissurprising。MrGreshamwithallhisfaultsisagentleman；andhowhecantalkabouthisaffairswithalowapothecarylikethatI，forone，cannotimagine。LorddeCourcyhasnotalwaysbeentomeallthatheshouldhavebeen；farfromit。\'AndLadydeCourcythoughtoverinhermindinjuriesofamuchgraverdescriptionthananythathersister-in-lawhadeversuffered；\'butIhaveneverknownanythinglikethatatCourcyCastle。SurelyUmblebyknowsallaboutit，doesn\'the？\'

\'Nothalfsomuchasthedoctor，\'saidLadyArabella。

Thecountessshookherheadslowly；theideaofMrGresham，acountrygentlemanofgoodestatelikehim，makingaconfidantofacountrydoctorwastoogreatashockforhernerves；andforawhileshewasconstrainedtositsilentbeforeshecouldrecoverherself。

\'Onethingatanyrateiscertain，Arabella，\'saidthecountess，assoonasshefoundherselfagainsufficientlycomposedtooffercounselinaproperlydictatorialmanner。\'Onethingatanyrateiscertain；

ifMrGreshambeinvolvedsodeeplyasyousay，Frankhasbutonlyonedutybeforehim。Hemustmarrymoney。Theheiroffourteenthousandayearmayindulgehimselfinlookingforblood，asMrGreshamdid，mydear\'——itmustbeunderstoodthattherewasverylittlecomplimentinthis，astheLadyArabellahadalwaysconceivedherselftobeabeauty——\'orforbeauty，assomemendo，\'continuedthecountess，thinkingofthechoicethatthepresentEarldeCourcyhadmade；\'butFrankmustmarrymoney。Ihopehewillunderstandthisearly；domakehimunderstandthisbeforehemakesafoolofhimself：whenamanthoroughlyunderstandsthis，whenheknowswhathiscircumstancesrequire，why，thematterbecomeseasytohim。IhopethatFrankunderstandsthathehasnoalternative。Inhispositionhemustmarrymoney。\'

But，alas！alas！FrankGreshamhadalreadymadeafoolofhimself。

\'Well，myboy，Iwishyoujoywithallmyheart，\'saidtheHonourableJohn，slappinghiscousinontheback，ashewalkedroundtothestable-yardwithhimbeforedinner，toinspectasetterpuppyofpeculiarlyfinebreedwhichhadbeensenttoFrankasabirthdaypresent。\'IwishIwereanelderson；butwecan\'tallhavethatluck。\'

\'Whowouldn\'tsoonerbetheyoungersonofanearlthantheeldestsonofaplainsquire？\'saidFrank，wishingtosaysomethingcivilinreturnforhiscousin\'scivility。

\'Iwouldn\'tforone，\'saidtheHonourableJohn。\'WhatchancehaveI？

There\'sPorlockasstrongasahorse；andthenGeorgecomesnext。Andthegovernor\'sgoodforthesetwentyyears。\'Andtheyoungmansighedashereflectedwhatsmallhopetherewasthatallthosewhowerenearestanddearesttohimshoulddieoutofhisway，andleavehimtothesweetenjoymentofanearl\'scoronetandfortune。\'Now，you\'resureofyourgamesomeday；andasyou\'venobrothers，Isupposethesquire\'llletyoudoprettywellwhatyoulike。Besides，he\'snotsostrongasmygovernor，thoughhe\'syounger。\'

Frankhadneverlookedathisfortuneinthislightbefore，andwassoslowandgreenthathewasnotmuchdelightedattheprospectnowthatitwasofferedtohim。Hehadalways，however，beentaughttolooktohiscousins，theDeCourcys，asmenwithwhomitwouldbeveryexpedientthatheshouldbeintimate；hethereforeshowednooffence，butchangedtheconversation。

\'ShallyouhuntwiththeBarsetshirethisseason，John？Ihopeyouwill；Ishall。\'

\'Well，Idon\'tknow。It\'sveryslow。It\'salltillagehere，orelsewoodland。IratherfancyIshallgotoLeicestershirewhenthepartridge-shootingisover。Whatsortofalotdoyoumeantocomeoutwith，Frank？\'

Frankbecamealittleredasheanswered，\'Oh，Ishallhavetwo，\'hesaid；\'thatis，themareIhavehadthesetwoyears，andthehorsemyfathergavemethismorning。\'

\'What！onlythosetwo？andthemareisnothingmorethanapony。\'

\'Sheisfifteenhands，\'saidFrank，offended。

\'Well，Frank，Icertainlywouldnotstandthat，\'saidtheHonourableJohn。\'What，gooutbeforethecountywithoneuntrainedhorseandapony；andyoutheheirtoGreshamsbury！\'

\'I\'llhavehimtrainedbeforeNovember，\'saidFrank，\'thatnothinginBarsetshirewillstophim。Petersays\'——PeterwastheGreshamsburystud-groom——\'thathetucksuphislegsbeautifully。\'

\'Butwhothedeucewouldthinkofgoingtoworkwithonehorse；ortwoeither，ifyouinsistoncallingtheoldponyahuntress？I\'llputyouuptoatrick，mylad：ifyoustandthatyou\'llstandanything；andifyoudon\'tmeantogoinleading-stringsallyourlife，nowisthetimetoshowit。There\'syoungBaker——HarryBaker，youknow——hecameofagelastyear，andhehasasprettyastringofnagsasanyonewouldwishtoseteyeson；fourhuntersandahack。Now，ifoldBakerhasfourthousandayearit\'severyshillinghehasgot。\'

Thiswastrue，andFrankGresham，whointhemorninghadbeenmadesohappybyhisfather\'spresentofahorse，begantofeelthathardlyenoughhadbeendoneforhim。ItwastruethatMrBakerhadonlyfourthousandayear；butitwasalsotruethathehadnootherchildthanHarryBaker；thathehadnogreatestablishmenttokeepup；thatheowedashillingtonoone；and，also，thathewasagreatfoolinencouragingamereboytoapeallthecapricesofamanofwealth。

Nevertheless，foramoment，FrankGreshamdidfeelthat，consideringhisposition，hewasbeingtreatedratherunworthily。

\'Takethematterinyourownhands，Frank，\'saidtheHonourableJohn，seeingtheimpressionthathehadmade。\'Ofcoursethegovernorknowsverywellthatyouwon\'tputupwithsuchastableasthat。Lordblessyou！Ihaveheardthatwhenhemarriedmyaunt，andthatwaswhenhewasaboutyourage，hehadthebeststudinthewholecounty；andthenhewasinParliamentbeforehewasthree-and-twenty。\'

\'Hisfather，youknow，diedwhenhewasveryyoung，\'saidFrank。

\'Yes；Iknowhehadastrokeofluckthatdoesn\'tfalltoeveryone；

but——\'

YoungFrank\'sfacegrewdarknowinsteadofred。Whenhiscousinsubmittedtohimthenecessityofhavingmorethantwohorsesforhisownusehecouldlistentohim；butwhenthesamemonitortalkedofthechanceofafather\'sdeathasastrokeofluck，Frankwastoomuchdisgustedtobeablepassitoverwithindifference。What！washethustothinkofhisfather，whosefacewasalwayslightedupwithpleasurewhenhisboycameneartohim，andsorarelybrightatanyothertime？Frankhadwatchedhisfathercloselyenoughtobeawareofthis；heknewhowhisfatherdelightedinhim；hehadhadcausetoguessthathisfatherhadmanytroubles，andthathestrovehardtobanishthememoryofthemwhenhissonwaswithhim。Helovedhisfathertruly，purely，andthoroughly，likedtobewithhim，andwouldbeproudtobehisconfidant。Couldhelistenquietlywhilehiscousinspokeofthechanceofhisfather\'sdeathasastrokeofluck？

\'Ishouldn\'tthinkitastrokeofluck，John。Ishouldthinkitthegreatestmisfortuneintheworld。\'

Itissodifficultforayoungmantoenumeratesententiouslyaprincipleofmorality，orevenanexpressionofordinarygoodfeeling，withoutgivinghimselfsomethingofaridiculousair，withoutassumingsomethingofamockgrandeur！

\'Oh，ofcourse，mydearfellow，\'saidtheHonourableJohn，laughing；

\'that\'samatterofcourse。Weallunderstandthatwithoutsayingit。

Porlock，ofcourse，wouldfeelexactlythesameaboutthegovernor；butifthegovernorweretowalk，IthinkPorlockwouldconsolehimselfwiththethirtythousandayear。\'

\'Idon\'tknowwhatPorlockwoulddo；he\'salwaysquarrellingwithmyuncle，Iknow。Ionlyspokeofmyself；Ineverquarrelledwithmyfather，andIhopeInevershall。\'

\'Allright，myladofwax，allright。Idaresayyouwon\'tbetried；

butityouare，you\'llfindbeforesixmonthsareover，thatit\'saverynicethingtomasterofGreshamsbury。\'

\'I\'msureIshouldn\'tfindanythingofthekind。\'

\'Verywell，sobeit。Youwouldn\'tdoasyoungHatherlydid，atHatherlyCourt，inGloucestershire，whenhisfatherkickedthebucket。

YouknowHatherly，don\'tyou？\'

\'No；Ineversawhim。\'

\'He\'sSirFredericknow，andhas，orhad，oneofthefinestfortunesinEngland，foracommoner；themostofitisgonenow。Well，whenheheardofhisgovernor\'sdeath，hewasinParis，buthewentofftoHatherlyasfastasspecialtrainandpost-horseswouldcarryhim，andgottherejustintimeforthefuneral。AshecamebacktoHatherlyCourtfromthechurch，theywereputtingupthehatchmentoverthedoor，andMasterFredsawthattheundertakershadputatthebottom“Resurgam“。Youknowwhatthatmeans？\'

\'Oh，yes，\'saidFrank。

\'“I\'llcomebackagain。“\'saidtheHonourableJohn，construingtheLatinforthebenefitofhiscousin。\'“NO，“saidFredHatherly，lookingupatthehatchment；“I\'mblessedifyoudo，oldgentleman。

Thatwouldbetoomuchofajoke；I\'lltakecareofthat。“Sohegotupatnight，andhegotsomefellowswithhim，andtheyclimbedupandpaintedout“Resurgam“，andtheypaintedintoitsplace，“Requiescatinpace“；whichmeans，youknow，“you\'dagreatdealbetterstaywhereyouare“。NowIcallthatgood。FredHatherlydidthatassureas——assureas——assureasanything。\'

Frankcouldnothelplaughingatthestory，especiallyathiscousin\'smodeoftranslatingtheundertaker\'smottoes；andthentheysaunteredbackfromthestablesintothehousetodressfordinner。

DrThornehadcometothehousesomewhatbeforedinner-time，atMrGresham\'srequest，andwasnowsittingwiththesquireinhisownbook-room——socalled——whileMarywastalkingtosomeofthegirlsupstairs。

\'Imusthavetenortwelvethousandpounds；tenattheveryleast，\'

saidthesquire，whowassittinginhisusualarm-chair，closetohislitteredtable，withhisheadsupportedonhishand，lookingveryunlikethefatherofanheirofanobleproperty，whohadthatdaycomeofage。

ItwasthefirstofJuly，andofcoursetherewasnofireinthegrate；

but，nevertheless，thedoctorwasstandingwithhisbacktothefireplace，withhiscoat-tailsoverhisarms，asthoughhewereengaged，nowinsummerashesooftenwasinwinter，intalking，androastinghishinderpersonatthesametime。

\'Twelvethousandpounds！It\'saverylargesumofmoney。\'

\'Isaidten，\'saidthesquire。

\'Tenthousandpoundsisaverylargesumofmoney。Thereisnodoubthe\'llletyouhaveit。Scatcherdwillletyouhaveit；butIknowhe\'llexpecttohavethetitledeeds。\'

\'What！fortenthousandpounds？\'saidthesquire。\'ThereisnotaregistereddebtagainstthepropertybuthisownandArmstrong\'s。\'

\'Buthisownisverylargealready。\'

\'Armstrong\'sisnothing；aboutfour-and-twentythousandpounds。\'

\'Yes；buthecomesfirst，MrGresham。\'

\'Well，whatofthat？Tohearyoutalk，onewouldthinkthattherewasnothingleftofGreshamsbury。What\'sfour-and-twentythousandpounds？DoesScatcherdknowwhatrent-rollis？\'

\'Oh，yes，heknowsitwellenough：Iwishhedidnot。\'

\'Whathemeansis，thathemusthaveamplesecuritytocoverwhathehasalreadyadvancedbeforehegoeson。Iwishtogoodnessyouhadnofurtherneedtoborrow。Ididthinkthatthingsweresettledlastyear。\'

\'Ohifthere\'sanydifficulty，Umblebywillgetitforme。\'

\'Yes；andwhatwillyouhavetopayforit？\'

\'I\'dsoonerpaydoublethatbetalkedtointhisway，\'saidthesquire，angrily，and，ashespoke，hegotuphurriedlyfromhischair，thrusthishandsintohistrousers-pockets，walkedquicklytothewindow，andimmediatelywalkingbackagain，threwhimselfoncemoreintohischair。

\'Therearesomethingsamancannotbear，doctor，\'saidhe，beatingthedevil\'stattooonthefloorwithoneofhisfeet，\'thoughGodknowsI

oughttobepatientnow，forIammadetobearagoodmanythings。YouhadbettertellScatcherdthatIamobligedtohimforhisoffer，butthatIwillnottroublehim。\'

Thedoctorduringthislittleoutbursthadstoodquitesilentwithhisbacktothefireplaceandhiscoat-tailshangingoverhisarms；butthoughhisvoicesaidnothing，hisfacesaidmuch。Hewasveryunhappy；hewasgreatlygrievedtofindthatthesquirewassosoonagaininwantofmoney，andgreatlygrievedalsotofindthatthiswanthadmadehimsobitterandunjust。MrGreshamhadattackedhim；butashewasdeterminednottoquarrelwithMrGresham，herefrainedfromanswering。

Thesquirealsoremainedsilentforafewminutes；buthewasnotendowedwiththegiftofsilence，andwassoon，asitwere，compelledtospeakagaain。

\'PoorFrank！\'saidhe。\'IcouldyetbeeasyabouteverythingifitwerenotfortheinjuryIhavedonehim。PoorFrank！\'

Thedoctoradvancedafewpacesfromofftherug，andtakinghishandoutofhispocket，helaiditgentlyonthesquire\'sshoulder。\'Frankwilldoverywellyet，\'saidthehe。\'Itisnotabsolutelynecessarythatamanshouldhavefourteenthousandpoundsayeartobehappy。\'

\'Myfatherleftmethepropertyentire，andIshouldleaveitentiretomyson；——butyoudon\'tunderstandthis。\'

Thedoctordidunderstandthefeelingfully。Thefact，ontheotherhand，wasthat，longashehadknownhim，thesquiredidnotunderstandthedoctor。

\'Iwouldyoucould，MrGresham，\'saidthedoctor，\'sothatyourmindmightbehappier；butthatcannotbe，and，therefore，Isayagain，thatFrankwilldoverywellyet，althoughhewillnotinheritfourteenthousandpoundsayear；andIwouldhaveyousaythesamethingtoyourself。\'

\'Ah！youdon\'tunderstandit，\'persistedthesquire。\'Youdon\'tknowhowamanfeelswhenhe——Ah，well！it\'snousemytroublingyouwithwhatcannotbemended。IwonderwhetherUmblebyisabouttheplaceanywhere？\'

Thedoctorwasagainstandingwithhisbackagainstthechimney-piece，andwithhishandsinhispockets。

\'YoudidnotseeUmblebyasyoucamein？\'againaskedthesquire。

\'No，Ididnot；andifyouwilltakemyadviceyouwillnotseehimnow；atanyratewithreferencetothismoney。\'

\'ItellyouImustgetitfromsomeone；yousayScatcherdwon\'tletmehaveit。\'

\'No，MrGresham；Ididnotsaythat。\'

\'Well，yousaidwhatwasasbad。AugustaistobemarriedinSeptember，andthemoneymustbehad。IhaveagreedtogiveMoffatsixthousandpounds，andheistohavethemoneydowninhardcash。\'

\'Sixthousandpounds，\'saidthedoctor。\'Well，Isupposethatisnotmorethanyourdaughtershouldhave。Butthen，fivetimessixarethirty；thirtythousandpoundswillbealargesumtomakeup。\'

Thefatherthoughttohimselfthathisyoungergirlswerebutchildren，andthatthetroubleofarrangingtheirmarriageportionsmightwellbepostponedawhile。Sufficientforthedayistheevilthereof。

\'ThatMoffatisagripping，hungryfellow，\'saidthesquire。\'IsupposeAugustalikeshim；and，asregardsmoney，itisagoodmatch。\'

\'IfMissGreshamloveshim，thatiseverything。Iamnotinlovewithhimmyself；butthen，Iamnotayounglady。\'

\'TheDeCourcysareveryfondofhim。LadydeCourcysaysthatheisaperfectgentleman，andthoughtverymuchofinLondon。\'

\'Oh！ifLadydeCourcysaysthat，ofcourse，it\'sallright，\'saidthedoctor，withaquietsarcasm，thatwasaltogetherthrownawayonthesquire。

ThesquiredidnotlikeanyoftheDeCourcys；especially，hedidnotlikeLadydeCourcy；butstillhewasaccessibletoacertainamountofgratificationinthenearconnexionwhichhehadwiththeearlandcountess；andwhenhewantedtosupporthisfamilygreatness，wouldsometimesweaklyfallbackuponthegrandeurofCourcyCastle。Itwasonlywhentalkingtohiswifethatheinvariablysnubbedthepretensionsofhisnoblerelatives。

Thetwomenafterthisremainedsilentforawhile；andthenthedoctor，renewingthesubjectforwhichhehadbeensummonedintothebook-room，remarkedthatasScatcherdwasnowinthecountry——hedidnotsay，wasnowatBoxallHill，ashedidnotwishtowoundthesquire\'sears——perhapshehadbettergoandseehim，andascertaininwhatwaythisaffairofthemoneymightbearranged。Therewasnodoubt，hesaid，thatScatcherdwouldsupplythesumrequiredatalowerrateofinterestthanthatwhichitcouldbeprocuredthroughUmbleby\'smeans。

\'Verywell，\'saidthesquire。\'I\'llleaveitinyourhands，then。I

thinktenthousandpoundswilldo。AndnowI\'lldressfordinner。\'Andthenthedoctorlefthim。

Perhapsthereaderwillsupposeafterthisthatthedoctorhadsomepecuniaryinterestofhisowninarrangingthesquire\'sloans；or，atanyrate，hewillthinkthatthesquiremusthavesothought。Notintheleast；neitherhadheanysuchinterest，nordidthesquirethinkthathehadany。WhatDrThornedidinthismatterthesquirewellknewwasdoneforlove。ButthesquireofGreshamsburywasagreatmanatGreshamsbury；anditbehovedhimtomaintainthegreatnessofhissquirehoodwhendiscussinghisaffairswiththevillagedoctor。SomuchhehadatanyratelearntfromhiscontactwiththeDeCourcys。

Andthedoctor——proud，arrogant，contradictory，headstrongashewas——whydidhebeartobethussnubbed？BecauseheknewthatthesquireofGreshamsbury，whenstrugglingwithdebtandpoverty，requiredanindulgenceforhisweakness。HadMrGreshambeenineasycircumstances，thedoctorwouldbynomeanshavestoodsoplacidlywithhishandsinhispockets，andhavehadMrUmblebythusthrowninhisteeth。Thedoctorlovedthesquire，lovedhimashisownoldestfriend；buthelovedhimtentimesbetterasbeinginadversitythanhecouldeverdonehadthingsgonewellatGreshamsburyinhistime。

Whilethiswasgoingondownstairs，MarywassittingupstairswithBeatriceGreshamintheschoolroom。Theoldschoolroom，socalled，wasnowasitting-room，devotedtotheuseofthegrown-upladiesofthefamily，whereasoneoftheoldnurserieswasnowthemodernschoolroom。Marywellknewherwaytothesanctum，and，withoutaskinganyquestions，walkeduptoitwhenherunclewenttothesquire。OnenteringtheroomshefoundthatAugustaandtheLadyAlexandrinawerealsothere，andshehesitatedforamomentatthedoor。

\'Comein，Mary，\'saidBeatrice，\'youknowmycousinAlexandrina。\'Marycamein，andhavingshakenhandswithhertwofriends，wasbowingtothelady，whentheladycondescended，putouthernoblehand，andtouchedMissThorne\'sfingers。

BeatricewasMary\'sfriend，andmanyheart-burningsandmuchmentalsolicitudedidthatyoungladygivetohermotherbyindulginginsuchafriendship。ButBeatrice，withsomefaults，wastrueatheart，andshepersistedinlovingMaryThorneinspiteofthehintswhichhermothersofrequentlygaveastotheimproprietyofsuchanaffection。

NorhadAugustaanyobjectiontothesocietyofMissThorne。Augustawasastrong-mindedgirl，withmuchoftheDeCourcyarrogance，butquiteaswellinclinedtoshowitinoppositiontohermotherasinanyotherform。ToheraloneinthehousedidLadyArabellashowmuchdeference。Shewasnowgoingtomakeasuitablematchwithamanoflargefortune，whohadbeenprocuredforherasaneligiblepartibyheraunt，thecountess。Shedidnotpretend，hadneverpretended，thatshelovedMrMoffat，butsheknew，shesaid，thatinthepresentstateofherfather\'saffairssuchamatchwasexpedient。MrMoffatwasayoungmanofverylargefortune，inParliament，andinclinedtobusiness，andineverywayrecommendable。Hewasnotamanofbirth，tobesure；thatwastobelamented；——inconfessingthatMrMoffatwasnotamanofbirth，Augustadidnotgosofarastoadmitthathewasthesonofatailor；such，however，wastherigidtruthinthismatter——hewasnotamanofbirth，thatwastobelamented；butinthepresentstateofaffairsatGreshamsbury，sheunderstoodwellthatitwasherdutytopostponeherownfeelingsinsomerespect。MrMoffatwouldbringfortune；shewouldbringbloodandconnexion。Andasshesosaid，herbosomglowedwithstrongpridetothinkthatshewouldbeabletocontributesomuchmoretowardstheproposedfuturepartnershipthanherhusbandwoulddo。

\'TwasthusthatMissGreshamspokeofhermatchtoherdearfriends，hercousinstheDeCourcysforinstance，toMissOriel，hersisterBeatrice，andeventoMaryThorne。Shehadnoenthusiasm，sheadmitted，butshethoughtshehadgoodjudgment。ShethoughtshehadshowngoodjudgmentinacceptingMrMoffat\'soffer，thoughshedidnotpretendtoanyromanceofaffection。And，havingsosaid，shewenttoworkwithconsiderablementalsatisfaction，choosingfurniture，carriages，andclothes，notextravagantlyashermotherwouldhavedone，notindeferencetosternerdictatesofthelatestfashionasherauntwouldhavedone，withnoneofthegirlishgleeinnewpurchaseswhichBeatricewouldhavefelt，butwithsoundjudgment。Sheboughtthingsthatwererich，forherhusbandwastoberich，andshemeanttoavailherselfofhiswealth；sheboughtthingsthatwerefashionable，forshemeanttoliveinthefashionableworld；butsheboughtwhatwasgood，andstrong，andlasting，andworthitsmoney。

AugustaGreshamhadperceivedearlyinlifethatshecouldnotobtainsuccesseitherasanheiress，orasabeauty，norcouldsheshineasawit；shethereforefellbackonsuchqualitiesasshehad，anddeterminedtowintheworldasastrong-minded，usefulwoman。Thatwhichshehadofherownwasblood；havingthat，shewouldinallwaysdowhatinherlaytoenhanceitsvalue。Hadshenotpossessedit，itwouldtohermindhavebeenthevainestofpretences。

WhenMarycamein，theweddingpreparationswerebeingdiscussed。Thenumberandnamesofthebridesmaidswerebeingsettled，thedresseswereonthetapis，theinvitationstobegivenweretalkedover。

SensibleasAugustawas，shewasnotabovesuchfemininecares；shewas，indeed，ratheranxiousthattheweddingshouldgooffwell。Shewasalittleashamedofhertailor\'sson，andthereforeanxiousthatthingsshouldbeasbrilliantaspossible。

Thebridesmaid\'snameshadjustbeenwrittenonacardasMaryenteredtheroom。ThereweretheLadiesAmelia，Rosina，Margaretta，andAlexandrinaofcourseattheheadofit；thencameBeatriceandthetwins；thenMissOriel，who，thoughonlyaparson\'ssister，wasapersonofnote，birthandfortune。Afterthistherehadbeenhereagreatdiscussionwhetherornotthereshouldbeanymore。Ifthereweretobeonemoretheremustbetwo。NowMissMoffathadexpressedadirectwish，andAugusta，thoughshewouldmuchratherhavedonewithouther，hardlyknewhowtorefuse。Alexandrina——wehopewemaybeallowedtodropthe\'lady\'forthesakeofbrevity，forthepresentsceneonly——wasdeadagainstsuchanunreasonablerequest。\'Wenoneofusknowher，youknow；anditwouldnotbecomfortable。\'Beatricestronglyadvocatedthefuturesister-in-law\'sacceptanceintothebevy；

shehadherownreasons；shewaspainedthatMaryThorneshouldnotbeamongthenumber，andifMissMoffatwereaccepted，perhapsMarymightbebroughtinashercolleague。

\'IfyouhaveMissMoffat，\'saidAlexandrina，\'youmusthavedearPussytoo；andIreallythinkthatPussyistooyoung；itwillbetroublesome。\'PussywastheyoungestMissGresham，whowasnowonlyeightyearsold，andwhoserealnamewasNina。

\'Augusta，\'saidBeatrice，speakingwithsomeslighthesitation，somesoupconofdoubtbeforethehighestauthorityofhernoblecousin，\'ifyoudohaveMissMoffatwouldyoumindaskingMaryThornetojoinher？

IthinkMarywouldlikeit，because，yousee，PatienceOrielistobeone；andwehaveknownMarymuchlongerthanwehaveknownPatience。\'

ThenoutandspaketheLadyAlexandrina。

\'Beatrice，dear，ifyouthinkofwhatyouareasking，Iamsureyouwillseethatitwouldnotdo；wouldnotdoatall。MissThorneisaverynicegirl，Iamsure；and，indeed，whatlittleIhaveseenofherIhighlyapprove。But，afterall，whoisshe？Mamma，Iknow，thinksthatAuntArabellahasbeenwrongtoletbeheresomuch，but——\'

Beatricebecameratherredintheface，and，inspiteofthedignityofhercousin，waspreparingtodefendherfriend。

\'Mind，IamnotsayingawordagainstMissThorne。\'

\'IfIammarriedbeforeher，sheshallbeoneofmybridesmaids，\'saidBeatrice。

\'Thatwillprobablydependoncircumstances，\'saidtheLadyAlexandrina；IfindthatIcannotbringmycourteouspentodropthetitle。\'ButAugustaisverypeculiarlysituated。MrMoffat，is，yousee，notoftheveryhighestbirth；and，therefore，sheshouldtakecarethatonhersideeveryoneaboutheriswellborn。\'

\'ThenyoucannothaveMissMoffat，\'saidBeatrice。

\'No；IwouldnotifIcouldhelpit，\'saidthecousin。

\'ButtheThornesareasgoodafamilyastheGreshams，\'saidBeatrice。

Shehadnotquitethecouragetosay，asgoodastheDeCourcys。

\'Idaresaytheyare；andifthiswasMissThorneofUllathorne，Augustaprobablywouldnotobjecttoher。ButcanyoutellmewhoMissMaryThorneis？\'

\'SheisDrThorne\'sniece。\'

\'Youmeanthatsheiscalledso；butdoyouknowwhoherfatherwas，orwhohermotherwas？I，forone，mustownthatIdonot。Mamma，I

believe，does，but——\'

AtthismomentthedooropenedgentlyandMaryThorneenteredtheroom。

Itmayeasilybeconceived，thatwhileMarywasmakinghersalutationsthethreeotheryoungladieswerealittlecastaback。TheLadyAlexandrina，however，quicklyrecoveredherself，and，byherinimitablepresenceofmindandfacilegraceofmanner，soonputthematteronaproperfooting。

\'WewerediscussingMissGresham\'smarriage，\'saidshe；\'IamsureI

maymentiontoanacquaintanceofsolongstandingasMissThorne，thatthefirstofSeptemberhasbeennowfixedforthewedding。\'

MissGresham！Acquaintanceofsolongstanding！Why，MaryandAugustaGreshamhadforyears，wewillhardlysayforhowmany，passedtheirmorningstogetherinthesameschoolroom；hadquarrelled，andsquabbled，andcaressedandkissed，andbeenallbutsisterstoeachother。Acquaintanceindeed！Beatricefeltthatherearsweretingling，andevenAugustawasalittleashamed。Mary，however，knewthatthecoldwordshadcomefromaDeCourcy，andnotfromaGresham，anddidnot，therefore，resentthem。

\'Soit\'ssettled，Augusta，isit？\'saidshe；\'thefirstofSeptember。I

wishyoujoywithallmyheart，\'and，cominground，sheputherarmoverAugusta\'sshoulderandkissedher。TheLadyAlexandrinacouldnotbutthinkthatthedoctor\'snieceutteredhercongratulationsverymuchasthoughshewerespeakingtoanequal；verymuchasthoughshehadafatherandmotherofherown。

\'Youwillhavedeliciousweather，\'continuedMary。\'September，andthebeginningofOctober，isthenicesttimeoftheyear。IfIweregoinghoneymooningitisjustthetimeofyearIwouldchoose。\'

\'Iwishyouwere，Mary，\'saidBeatrice。

\'SodonotI，dear，tillIhavefoundsomedecentsortofabodytohoneymoonalongwithme。Iwon\'tstiroutofGreshamsburytillIhavesentyouoffbeforeme，atanyrate。Andwherewillyougo，Augusta？\'

\'Wehavenotsettledthat，\'saidAugusta。\'MrMoffattalksofParis。\'

\'WhoeverheardofgoingtoParisinSeptember？\'saidtheLadyAlexandrina。

TheLadyAlexandrinawasnotpleasedtofindhowcompletelythedoctor\'sniecetookuponherselftotalk，andsit，andactatGreshamsburyasthoughshewasonaparwiththeyoungladiesofthefamily。ThatBeatriceshouldhaveallowedthiswouldnothavesurprisedher；butitwastobeexpectedthatAugustawouldhaveshownbetterjudgment。

\'Thesethingsrequiresometactintheirmanagement；somedelicacywhenhighinterestsareatstake，\'saidshe；\'IagreewithMissThorneinthinkingthat，inordinarycircumstances，withordinarypeople，perhaps，theladyshouldhaveherway。Rank，however，hasitsdrawbacks，MissThorne，aswellasitsprivileges。\'

\'Ishouldnotobjecttothedrawbacks，\'saidthedoctor\'sniece，\'presumingthemtobeofsomeuse；butIfearImightfailingettingonsowellwiththeprivileges。\'

TheLadyAlexandrinalookedatherasthoughnotfullyawarewhethersheintendedtobepert。Intruth，theLadyAlexandrinawasratherinthedarkonthesubject。Itwasalmostimpossible，itwasincredible，thatafatherless，motherless，doctor\'snieceshouldbeperttoanearl\'sdaughteratGreshamsbury，seeingthatthatearl\'sdaughterwasthecousinofthemissGreshams。AndyettheLadyAlexandrinahardlyknewwhatotherconstructiontoputonthewordsshehadjustheard。

Itwasatanyratecleartoherthatitwasnotbecomingthatsheshouldjustthenstayanylongerinthatroom。Whethersheintendedtobepertornot，MissMaryThornewas，tosaytheleast，veryfree。TheDeCourcyladiesknewwhatwasduetothem——noladiesbetter；and，therefore，theLadyAlexandrinamadeuphermindatoncetogotoherownbedroom。

\'Augusta，\'shesaid，risingslowlyfromherchairwithmuchstatelycomposure，\'itisnearlytimetodress；willyoucomewithme？Wehaveagreatdealtodiscuss，youknow。\'

Sosheswamoutoftheroom，andAugusta，tellingMarythatshewouldseeheragainatdinner，swam——no，triedtoswim——afterher。MissGreshamhadhadgreatadvantages；butshehadnotbeenabsolutelybroughtupatCourcyCastle，andcouldnotasyetquiteassumetheCourcystyleofswimming。

\'There，\'saidMary，asthedoorclosedbehindtherustlingmuslinsoftheladies。\'There，Ihavemadeanenemyforever，perhapstwo；that\'ssatisfactory。\'

\'Andwhyhaveyoudoneit，Mary？WhenIamfightingyourbattlesbehindyourback，whydoyoucomeandupsetitallbymakingthewholefamilyoftheDeCourcysdislikeyou？Insuchamatterasthat，they\'llallgotogether。\'

\'Iamsuretheywill，\'saidMary；\'whethertheywouldbeequallyunanimousinacaseofloveandcharity，that，indeed，isanotherquestion。\'

\'Butwhyshouldyoutrytomakemycousinangry；youthatoughttohavesomuchsense？Don\'tyourememberthatyouweresayingyourselftheotherday，oftheabsurdityofcombattingpretenceswhichtheworldsanctions？\'

\'Ido，Trichy，Ido；don\'tscoldmenow。Itissomucheasiertopreachthantopractise。IdosowishIwasaclergyman。\'

\'Butyouhavedonesomuchharm，Mary。\'

\'HaveI？\'saidMary，kneelingdownonthegroundatherfriend\'sfeet。

\'IfIhumblemyselfverylow；ifIkneelthroughthewholeeveninginacorner；ifIputmyneckdownandletallyourcousinstrampleonit，andthenyouraunt，wouldnotthatmakeatonement？Iwouldnotobjecttowearingsackcloth，either；andI\'deatalittleashes——or，atanyrate，I\'dtry。\'

\'Iknowyou\'reclever，Mary；butstillIthinkyou\'reafool。Ido，indeed。\'

\'Iamafool，Trichy，Idoconfessit；andamnotabitclever；butdon\'tscoldme；youseehowhumbleIam；notonlyhumblebutumble，whichIlookupontobethecomparative，or，indeed，superlativedegree。Orperhapstherearefourdegrees；humble，umble，stumble，tumble；andthen，whenoneisabsolutelyinthedirtattheirfeet，perhapsthesebigpeoplewon\'twishonetostoopanyfurther。\'

\'Oh，Mary！\'

\'And，oh，Trichy！youdon\'tmeantosayImayn\'tspeakoutbeforeyou。

There，perhapsyou\'dliketoputyourfootonmyneck。\'AndthensheputherheaddowntothefootstoolandkissedBeatrice\'sfeet。

\'I\'dlike，ifIdared，toputmyhandonyourcheekandgiveyouagoodslapforbeingsuchagoose。\'

\'Do；do，Trichy：youshalltreadonme，orslapme，orkissme；

whicheveryoulike。\'

\'Ican\'ttellyouhowvexedIam，\'saidBeatrice；\'Iwantedtoarrangesomething。\'

\'Arrangesomething！What？arrangewhat？Ilovearranging。Ifancymyselfqualifiedtobeanarranger-generalinfemalematters。Imeanpotsandpans，andsuchlike。OfcourseIdon\'talludetoextraordinarypeopleandextraordinarycircumstancesthatrequiretact，anddelicacy，anddrawbacks，andthatsortofthing。\'

\'Verywell，Mary。\'

\'Butit\'snotverywell；it\'sverybadifyoulooklikethat。Well，mypet，thereIwon\'t。Iwon\'talludetothenoblebloodofyournoblerelativeseitherinjokeorinearnest。Whatisityouwanttoarrange，Trichy？\'

\'IwantyoutobeoneofAugusta\'sbridesmaids。\'

\'Goodheavens，Beatrice！Areyoumad？What！Putme，evenforamorning，intothesamecategoryoffineryasthenoblebloodfromCourcyCastle！\'

\'Patienceistobeone。\'

\'ButthatisnoreasonwhyImpatienceshouldbeanother，andIshouldbeveryimpatientundersuchhonours。No，Trichy；jokingapart，donotthinkofit。EvenifAugustawisheditIwouldrefuse。Ishouldbeobligedtorefuse。I，too，sufferfrompride；apridequiteasunpardonableasthatofothers：Icouldnotstandwithyourfourlady-cousinsbehindyoursisteratthealtar。InsuchagalaxytheywouldbethestarsandI——\'

\'Why，Mary，alltheworldknowsthatyouareprettierthananyofthem！\'

\'Iamalltheworld\'sveryhumbleservant。But，Trichy，IshouldnotobjectifIwereasuglyastheveiledprophetandtheyallasbeautifulasZuleika。Thegloryofthatgalaxywillbeheldtodependnotonitsbeauty；butonitsbirth。Youknowhowtheywouldlookatme；nowtheywouldscornme；andthere，inchurch，atthealtar，withallthatissolemnroundus，IcouldnotreturntheirscornasImightdoelsewhere。InaroomI\'mnotabitafraidofthematall。\'AndMarywasagainallowingherselftobeabsorbedbythatfeelingofindomitablepride，ofantagonismtotheprideofothers，whichsheherselfinhercoolermomentswasthefirsttoblame。

\'Youoftensay，Mary，thatthatsortofarroganceshouldbedespisedandpassedoverwithoutnotice。\'

\'Soitshould，Trichy。Itellyouthatasaclergymantellsyoutohateriches。Butthoughtheclergymantellsyouso，heisnotthelessanxioustoberichhimself。\'

\'IparticularlywishyoutobeoneofAugusta\'sbridesmaids。\'

\'AndIparticularlywishtodeclinethehonour；whichhonourhasnotbeen，andwillnotbe，offeredtome。No，Trichy。IwillnotbeAugusta\'sbridesmaid，but——but——but——\'

\'Butwhat，dearest？\'

\'But，Trichy，whensomeoneelseismarried，whenthenewwinghasbeenbuilttoahousethatyouknowof——\'

\'Now，Mary，holdyourtongue，oryouknowyou\'llmakemeangry。\'

\'Idosoliketoseeyouangry。Andwhenthattimecomes，whenthatweddingdoestakeplace，thenIwillbeabridesmaid，Trichy。Yes！eventhoughIamnotinvited。Yes！thoughalltheDeCourcysinBarsetshireshouldtreaduponmeandobliterateme。ThoughIshouldbedustamongthestars，thoughIshouldcreepupincalicoamongtheirsatinsandlace，Iwillneverthelessbethere；close，closetothebride；toholdsomethingforher，totouchherdress，tofeelthatIamneartoher，to——to——to——\'andshethrewherarmsroundhercompanion，andkissedheroverandoveragain。\'No，Trichy；Iwon\'tbeAugusta\'sbridesmaid；I\'llbidemytimeforbridesmaiding。\'

WhatprotestationsBeatricemadeagainsttheprobabilityofsuchaneventasforeshadowedinherfriend\'spromisewewillnotrepeat。Theafternoonwasadvancing，andtheladiesalsohadtodressfordinner，todohonourtotheyoungheir。