第3章

CHAPTERV

FRANKGRESHAM\'SFIRSTSPEECH

Wehavesaid，thatoverandabovethoseassembledinthehouse，therecametotheGreshamsburydinneronFrank\'sbirthdaytheJacksonsoftheGrange，consistingofMrandMrsJackson；theBatesonsfromAnnesgrove，viz。，MrandMrsBateson，andMissBateson，theirdaughter——anunmarriedladyofaboutfifty；theBakersofMillHill，fatherandson；andMrCalebOriel，therector，withhisbeautifulsister，Patience。DrThorne，andhisnieceMary，wecountamongthosealreadyassembledatGreshamsbury。

TherewasnothingverymagnificentinthenumberofthegueststhusbroughttogethertodohonourtoyoungFrank；buthe，perhaps，wascalledontotakeamoreprominentpartintheproceedings，tobemademoreofaherothanwouldhavebeenthecasehadhalfthecountybeenthere。InthatcasetheimportanceoftheguestswouldhavebeensogreatthatFrankwouldhavegotoffwithahalf-mutteredspeechortwo；

butnowhehadtomakeaseparateorationtoeveryone，andverywearyworkhefoundit。

TheBatesons，Bakers，andJacksonswereverycivil；nodoubtthemoresofromanunconsciousfeelingontheirpart，thatasthesquirewasknowntoalittleoutatelbowsasregardsmoney，anydeficiencyontheirpartmightbeconsideredasowingtothepresentstateofaffairsatGreshamsbury。Fourteenthousandayearwillreceivehonour；inthatcasethereisnodoubt，andthemanalreadypossessingitisnotapttobesuspiciousastothetreatmenthemayreceive；buttheghostoffourteenthousandayearisnotalwayssoself-assured。MrBaker，withhismoderateincome，wasaverymuchrichermanthanthesquire；

and，therefore，hewaspeculiarlyforwardincongratulatingFrankonthebrilliancyofhisprospects。

PoorFrankhadhardlyanticipatedwhattherewouldbetodo，andbeforedinnerwasannouncedhewasverytiredofit。Hehadnowarmerfeelingforanyofthegrandcousinsthanaveryordinarycousinlylove；andhehadresolved，forgetfulofbirthandblood，andallthosegiganticconsiderationswhichnowthatmanhoodhadcomeuponhim，hewasboundalwaystobearinmind，——hehadresolvedtosneakouttodinnercomfortablywithMaryThorneifpossible；andifnotwithMary，thenwithhisotherlove，PatienceOriel。

Great，therefore，washisconsternationatfindingthat，afterbeingkeptcontinuallyintheforegroundforhalfanhourbeforedinner，hehadtowalkouttothedining-roomwithhisauntthecountess，andtakehisfather\'splaceforthedayatthebottomofthetable。

\'Itwillnowdependaltogetheruponyourself，Frank，whetheryoumaintainorlosethathighpositioninthecountywhichhasbeenheldbytheGreshamsforsomanyyears，\'saidthecountess，asshewalkedthroughthespacioushall，resolvingtolosenotimeinteachingtohernephewthatgreatlessonwhichitwassoimperativethatheshouldlearn。

Franktookthisasanordinarylecture，meanttoinculcategeneralgoodconduct，suchasoldboresofauntsareapttoinflictonyouthfulvictimsintheshapeofnephewsandnieces。

\'Yes，\'saidFrank；\'Isupposeso；andImeantogoalongallsquare，aunt，andnomistake。WhenIgetbacktoCambridge，I\'llreadlikebricks。\'

Hisauntdidnotcaretwostrawsabouthisreading。ItwasnotbyreadingthattheGreshamsofGreshamsburyhadheldtheirheadsupinthecounty，butbyhavinghighbloodandplentyofmoney。Thebloodhadcomenaturallytothisyoungman；butitbehovedhimtolookforthemoneyinagreatmeasurehimself。She，LadydeCourcy，coulddoubtlesshelphim；shemightprobablybeabletofithimwithawifewhowouldbringhermoneyontohisbirth。Hisreadingwasamatterinwhichshecouldinnowayassisthim；whetherhistastemightleadhimtopreferbooksorpictures，ordogsandhorses，orturnipsindrills，oroldItalianplatesanddishes，wasamatterwhichdidnotmuchsignify；

withwhichitwasnotatallnecessarythathisnobleauntshouldtroubleherself。

\'Oh！youaregoingtoCambridgeagain，areyou？Well，ifyourfatherwishesit；——thoughverylittleisevergainednowbyauniversityconnexion。\'

\'IamtotakemydegreeinOctober，aunt；andIamdetermined，atanyrate，thatIwon\'tbeplucked。\'

\'Plucked！\'

\'No；Iwon\'tbeplucked。Bakerwaspluckedlastyear，andallbecausehegotintothewrongsetatJohn\'s。He\'sanexcellentfellowifyouknewhim。Hegotamongasetofmenwhodidnothingbutsmokeanddrinkbeer。Malthusians，wecallthem。\'

\'Malthusians！\'

\'“Malt“，youknow，aunt，and“use“；meaningthattheydrinkbeer。SopoorHarryBakergotplucked。Idon\'tknowthatafellow\'sanytheworse；however，Iwon\'tgetplucked。\'

Bythistimethepartyhadtakentheirplaceroundthelongboard，MrGreshamsittingatthetop，intheplaceusuallyoccupiedbyLadyArabella。She，onthepresentoccasion，satnexttohersonontheoneside，asthecountessdidontheother。If，therefore，Franknowwentastray，itwouldnotbefromwantofproperleading。

\'Aunt，willyouhavesomebeef？\'saidhe，assoonasthesoupandfishhadbeendisposedof，anxioustoperformtheritesofhospitalitynowforthefirsttimecommittedtohischarge。

\'Donotbeinahurry，Frank，\'saidhismother；\'theservantswill——\'

\'Oh！ah！Iforgot；therearecutletsandthosesortofthings。Myhandisnotyetinforthiswork，aunt。Well，asIwassayingaboutCambridge——\'

\'IsFranktogobacktoCambridge，Arabella？\'saidthecountesstohersister-in-law，speakingacrosshernephew。

\'Sohisfatherseemstosay。\'

\'Isitnotawasteoftime？\'askedthecountess。

\'YouknowIneverinterfere，\'saidtheLadyArabella；\'IneverlikedtheideaofCambridgemyselfatall。AlltheDeCourcyswereChristchurchmen；buttheGreshams，itseems，werealwaysatCambridge。\'

\'Woulditnotbebettertosendhimabroadatonce？\'

\'Muchbetter，Iwouldthink，\'saidtheLadyArabella；\'butyouknow，I

neverinterfere：perhapsyouwouldspeaktoMrGresham。\'

Thecountesssmiledgrimly，andshookherheadwithadecidedlynegativeshake。Hadshesaidoutloudtotheyoungman，\'Yourfatherissuchanobstinate，pig-headed，ignorantfool，thatitisnousespeakingtohim；itwouldbewastingfragranceonthedesertair，\'shecouldnothavespokenmoreplainly。TheeffectonFrankwasthis：thathesaidtohimself，speakingquiteasplainlyasLadyDeCourcyhadspokenbyhershakeoftheface，\'Mymotherandauntarealwaysdownonthegovernor，always；butthemoretheyaredownonhimthemoreI\'llsticktohim。Icertainlywilltakemydegree：Iwillreadlikebricks；andI\'llbegintomorrow。\'

\'Nowwillyoutakesomebeef，aunt？\'Thiswassaidoutloud。

TheCountessdeCourcywasveryanxioustogoonwithherlessonwithoutlossoftime；butshecouldnot，whilesurroundedbyguestsandservants，enunciatethegreatsecret：\'Youmustmarrymoney，Frank；

thatisyouronegreatduty；thatisthemattertobebornesteadfastlyinyourmind。\'Shecouldnotnow，withsufficientweightandimpressofemphasis，pourthiswisdomintohisears；themoreespeciallyashewasstandinguptohisworkofcarving，andwasdeeptohiselbowsinhorse-radish，fatandgravy。Sothecountesssatsilentwhilethebanquetproceeded。

\'Beef，Harry？\'shoutedtheyoungheirtohisfriendBaker。\'Oh！butI

seeitisn\'tyourturnyet。Ibegyourpardon，MissBateson，\'andhesenttothatladyapoundandahalfofexcellentmeat，cutoutwithgreatenergyinoneslice，abouthalfaninchthick。

Andsothebanquetwenton。

BeforedinnerFrankhadfoundhimselfobligedtomakenumeroussmallspeechesinanswertothenumerousindividualcongratulationsofhisfriends；butthesewereasnothingtotheonegreataccumulatedonusofanorationwhichhehadlongknownthatheshouldhavetosustainaftertheclothwastakenaway。Someoneofcoursewouldproposehishealth，andthentherewouldbeaclatterofvoices，ladiesandgentlemen，menandgirls；andwhenthatwasdonehewouldfindhimselfstandingonhislegs，withtheroomabouthim，goingroundandroundandround。

Havinghadaprevioushintofthis，hehadsoughtadvicefromhiscousin，theHonourableGeorge，whomheregardedasadabatspeaking；

atleast，sohehadheardtheHonourableGeorgesayofhimself。

\'Whatthedeuceisafellowtosay，George，whenhestandsupaftertheclatterisdone？\'

\'Oh，it\'stheeasiestthinginlife，\'saidthecousin。\'Onlyrememberthis：youmustn\'tgetastray；thatiswhattheycallpresenceofmind，youknow。I\'lltellyouwhatIdo，andI\'moftencalledup，youknow；

atouragriculturalsIalwaysproposethefarmers\'daughters：well，whatIdoisthis——Ikeepmyeyesteadfastlyfixedononeofthebottles，andnevermoveit。\'

\'Ononeofthebottles！\'saidFrank；\'wouldn\'titbebetterifImadeamarkofsomeoldcovey\'shead？Idon\'tlikelookingatthetable。\'

\'Theoldcovey\'dmove，andthenyou\'dbedone；besidestheeisn\'ttheleastuseintheworldinlookingup。I\'veheardpeoplesay，whogotothosesortofdinnerseverydayoftheirlives，thatwheneveranythingwittyissaid；thefellowwhosaysitissuretobelookingatthemahogany。\'

\'Oh，youknowIshan\'tsayanythingwitty；I\'llbequitetheotherway。\'

\'Butthere\'snoreasonyoushouldn\'tlearnthemanner。That\'sthewayIsucceed。Fixyoureyeononeofthebottles；putyourthumbsinyourwaist-coatpockets；stickoutyourelbows，bendyourkneesalittle，andthengoahead。\'

\'Oh，ah！goahead；that\'sallverywell；butyoucan\'tgoaheadifyouhaven\'tgotanysteam。\'

\'Averylittledoesit。Therecanbenothingsoeasyasyourspeech。

Whenonehastosayanythingneweveryyearaboutthefarmers\'

daughters，whyonehastouseone\'sbrainsabit。Let\'ssee：howwillyoubegin？Ofcourse，you\'llsaythatyouarenotaccustomedtothissortofthing；thatthehonourconferreduponyouistoomuchforyourfeelings；thatthebrightarrayofbeautyandtalentaroundyouquiteoverpowersyourtongue，andallthatsortofthing。Thendeclareyou\'reaGreshamtothebackbone。\'

\'Oh，theyknowthat。\'

\'Well，tellthemagain。Thenofcourseyoumustsaysomethingaboutus；oryou\'llhavethecountessasblackasoldNick。\'

\'Abutmyaunt，George？WhatonearthcanIsayaboutherwhenshe\'sthereherselfbeforeme？\'

\'Beforeyou！ofcourse；that\'sjustthereason。Oh，sayanylieyoucanthinkof；youmustsaysomethingaboutus。Youknowwe\'vecomedownfromLondononpurpose。\'

Frank，inspiteofthebenefitofreceivingfromhiscousin\'serudition，couldnothelpwishinginhisheartthattheyhadalremainedinLondon；butthishekepttohimself。Hethankedhiscousinforhishints，andthoughhedidnotfeelthatthetroubleofhismindwascompletelycured，hebegantohopethathemightgothroughtheordealwithoutdisgracinghimself。

Nevertheless，hefeltrathersickatheartwhenMrBakergotuptoproposethetoastassoonastheservantsweregone。Theservants，thatis，weregoneofficially；buttheywerethereinabody，menandwomen，nurses，cooks，andladies\'maids，coachmen，grooms，andfootmen，standingintwodoorwaystohearwhatMasterFrankwouldsay。Theoldhousekeeperheadedthemaidsatonedoor，standingboldlyinsidetheroom；andthebutlercontrolledthemenattheother，marshallingthembackwithadrawncorkscrew。

MrBakerdidnotsaymuch；butwhathedidsay，hesaidwell。TheyhadallseenFrankGreshamgrowupfromachild；andwerenowrequiredtowelcomeasamanamongstthemonewhowaswellqualifiedtocarryonthehonourofthatlovedandrespectedfamily。Hisyoungfriend，Frank，waseveryinchaGresham。MrBakeromittedtomakementionoftheinfusionofDeCourcyblood，andthecountess，therefore，drewherselfuponherchairandlookedasthoughshewereextremelybored。

Hethenalludedtenderlytohisownlongfriendshipwiththepresentsquire，FrancisNewboldGreshamtheelder；andsatdown，beggingthemtodrinkhealth，prosperity，longlife，andexcellentwifetotheirdearfriendFrancisNewboldGreshamtheyounger。

Therewasagreatjinglingofglasses，ofcourse；madethemerrierandthelouderbythefactthattheladieswerestillthereaswellasthegentlemen。Ladiesdon\'tdrinktoastsfrequently；and，therefore，theoccasioncomingrarelywasthemoreenjoyed。\'Godblessyou，Frank！\'

\'Yourgoodhealth，Frank！\'\'Andespeciallyagoodwife，Frank！\'\'Twoorthreeofthem，Frank！\'\'Goodhealthandprosperitytoyou，MrGresham！\'\'Morepowertoyou，Frank，myboy！\'\'MayGodblessyouandpreserveyou，mydearboy！\'andthenamerry，sweet，eagervoicefromthefarendofthetable，\'Frank！Frank！Dolookatme，praydoFrank；Iamdrinkingyourhealthinrealwine；ain\'tI，papa？\'SuchweretheaddresseswhichgreetedMrFrancisNewboldGreshamtheyoungerasheessayedtoriseuponhisfeetforthefirsttimesincehehadcometoman\'sestate。

Whentheclatterwasatanend，andhewasfairlyonhislegs，hecastaglancebeforehimonthetable，tolookforadecanter。Hehadnotmuchlikedhiscousin\'stheoryofstickingtothebottle；nevertheless，inthedifficultyofthemoment，itwaswelltohaveanysystemtogoby。But，asmisfortunewouldhaveit，thoughthetablewascoveredwithbottles，hiseyecouldnotcatchone。Indeed，hiseyefirstcouldcatchnothing，forthethingsswambeforehim，andtheguestsallseemedtodanceintheirchairs。

Uphegot，however，andcommencedhisspeech。Ashecouldnotfollowhispreceptor\'sadvice，astouchingthebottle，headoptedhisowncrudeplanof\'makingamarkonsomeoldcovey\'shead，\'andthereforelookeddeadatthedoctor。

\'Uponmyword，Iamverymuchobligedtoyou，gentlemenandladies，ladiesandgentlemen，Ishouldsay，fordrinkingmyhealth，anddoingmesomuchhonour，andallthatsortofthing。UponmywordIam。

Especiallytoyou，MrBaker。Idon\'tmeanyou，Harry，you\'renotMrBaker。\'

\'Asmuchasyou\'reMrGresham，MasterFrank。\'

\'ButIamnotMrGresham；andIdon\'tmeantobeformanyalongyearifIcanhelpit；notatanyratetillwehavehadanothercomingofagehere。\'

\'Bravo，Frank；andwhosewillthatbe？\'

\'Thatwillbemyson，andaveryfineladhewillbe；andIhopehe\'llmakeabetterspeechthanhisfather。MrBakersaidIwaseveryinchaGresham。Well，IhopeIam。\'Herethecountessbegantolookcoldandangry。\'Ihopethedaywillnevercomewhenmyfatherwon\'townmeforone。\'

\'There\'snofear，nofear，\'saidthedoctor，whowasalmostputoutofcountenancebytheorator\'sintensegaze。Thecountesslookedcolderandmoreangry，andmutteredsomethingtoherselfaboutabear-garden。

\'GardezGresham；eh？Harry！mindthatwhenyou\'restickinginagapI\'mcomingafteryou。Well，IamsureIamveryobligedtoyouforthehonouryouhavealldoneme，especiallytheladieswhodon\'tdothissortofthingsonordinaryoccasions。Iwishtheydid；don\'tyou，doctor？Andtalkingoftheladies，myauntyandcousinshavecomeallthewayfromLondontohearmetakethisspeechwhichcertainlyisnotworththetrouble；but，allthesameIamverymuchobligedtothem。\'

Andhelookedroundandmadealittlebowatthecountess。\'AndsoI

amtoMrandMrsJackson，andMrandMrsandMissBateson，andMrBaker——I\'mnotatallobligedtoyou，Harry——andtoMrOrielandMissOriel，andtoMrUmbleby，andtoDrThorne，andtoMary——Ibegherpardon，ImeanMissThorne。\'Andthenhesatdown，amidtheloudplauditsofthecompany，andastringofblessingswhichcamefromtheservantsbehindhim。

Afterthistheladiesroseanddeparted。Asshewent，LadyArabella，kissedherson\'sforehead，andthenhissisterskissedhim，andoneortwoofhislady-cousins；andthenMissBatesonshookhimbythehand。

\'Oh，MissBateson，\'saidhe，\'Ithoughthekissingwastogoallround。\'

SoMissBatesonlaughedandwentherway；andPatienceOrielnoddedathim，butMaryThorne，asshequietlylefttheroom，almosthiddenamongtheextensivedraperiesofthegranderladies，hardlyallowedhereyestomeethis。

Hegotuptoholdthedoorforthemasthepassed；andastheywent，hemanagedtotakePatiencebythehand；hetookherhandandpresseditforamoment，butdroppeditquickly，inorderthathemightgothroughthesameceremonywithMary，butMarywastooquickforhim。

\'Frank，\'saidMrGresham，assoonasthedoorwasclosed，\'bringyourglasshere，myboy；\'andthefathermaderoomforhissonclosebesidehimself。\'Theceremonyisnowover，soyoumayhaveyourplaceofdignity。\'Franksathimselfdownwherehewastold，andMrGreshamputhishandonhisson\'sshoulderandhalfcaressedhim，whilethetearsstoodinhiseyes。\'Ithinkthedoctorisright，Baker，Ithinkhe\'llnevermakeusashamedofhim。\'

\'Iamsureheneverwill，\'saidBaker。

\'Idon\'tthinkheeverwill，\'saidDrThorne。

Thetonesofthemen\'svoiceswereverydifferent。MrBakerdidnotcareastrawaboutit；whyshouldhe？Hehadanheirofhisownaswellasthesquire；onealsowhowastheappleofhiseye。Butthedoctor，——hedidcare；hehadaniece，tobesure，whomheloved，perhapsaswellasthesemenlovedtheirsons；buttherewasroominhisheartalsoforyoungFrankGresham。

Afterthissmallexposeoffeelingtheysatsilentforamomentortwo。ButsilencewasnotdeartotheheartoftheHonourableJohn，andsohetookuptherunning。

\'That\'saniceishnagyougaveFrankthismorning，\'hesaidtohisuncle。\'Iwaslookingathimbeforedinner。HeisaMonsoon，isn\'the？\'

\'WellIcan\'tsayIknowhowhewasbred，\'saidthesquire。\'Heshouldagooddealofbreeding。\'

\'He\'saMonsoon，I\'msure，\'saidtheHonourableJohn。\'They\'veallthoseears，andthatpeculiardipintheback。Isupposeyougaveagoodishfigureforhim？\'

\'Notsoverymuch，\'saidthesquire。

\'He\'satrainedhunter，Isuppose？\'

\'Ifnot，hesoonwillbe，\'saidthesquire。

\'LetFrankaloneforthat，\'saidHarryBaker。

\'Hejumpsbeautifully，sir，\'saidFrank。\'Ihaven\'ttriedhimmyself，butPetermadehimgooverthebartwoorthreetimesthismorning。\'

TheHonourableJohnwasdeterminedtogivehiscousinahelpinghand，asheconsideredit。HethoughtthatFrankwasveryillusedinbeingputoffwithsoincompletestud，andthinkingalsothatthesonhadnotspiritenoughtoattackhisfatherhimselfonthesubject，theHonourableJohndeterminedtodoitforhim。

\'He\'sthemakingofaverynicehorse，Idon\'tdoubt。Iwishyouhadastringlikehim，Frank。\'

Frankfeltthebloodrushtohisface。Hewouldnotforworldshavehisfatherthinkthathewasdiscontented，orotherwisethanpleasedwiththepresenthehadreceivedthatmorning。Hewasheartilyashamedofhimselfinthathehadlistenedwithacertaindegreeofcomplacencytohiscousin\'stempting；buthehadnoideathatthesubjectwouldberepeated——andthenrepeated，too，beforehisfather，inamannertovexhimonsuchadayasthis，beforesuchpeopleaswereassembledhere。

Hewasveryangrywithhiscousin，andforamomentforgotallhishereditaryrespectforaDeCourcy。

\'Itellyouwhat，John，\'saidhe，\'doyouchooseyourday，somedayearlyintheseason，andcomeoutonthebestthingyouhave，andI\'llbring，nottheblackhorse，butmyoldmare；andthendoyoutrytokeepnearme。IfIdon\'tleaveyouatthebackofGod-speedbeforelong，I\'llgiveyouthemareandthehorsetoo。\'

TheHonourableJohnwasnotknowninBarsetshireasoneofthemostforwardofitsriders。Hewasamanmuchaddictedtohunting，asfarastheget-upofthethingwasconcerned；hewasgreatinbootsandbreeches；wondrouslyconversantwithbitsandbridles；hehadquiteacollectionofsaddles；andpatronizedeverynewestinventionforcarryingspareshoes，sandwiches，andflasksofsherry。Hewasprominentatthecoverside；——somepeople，includingthemasterofhounds，thoughthimperhapsalittletooloudlyprominent；heaffectedafamiliaritywiththedogs，andwasonspeakingacquaintancewitheveryman\'shorse。Butwhentheworkwascutout，whenthepacebegantobesharp，whenitbehovedamaneithertorideorvisiblytodeclinetoride，then——soatleastsaidtheywhohadnottheDeCourcyinterestquitecloselyatheart——then，inthoseheart-stirringmoments，theHonourableJohnwastoooftenfounddeficient。

Therewas，therefore，aconsiderablelaughathisexpensewhenFrank，instigatedtothisinnocentboastbyadesiretosavehisfather，challengedhiscousintoatrialofprowess。TheHonourableJohnwasnot，perhaps，asmuchaccustomedtothereadyuseofhistongueaswashishonourablebrother，seeingthatitwasnothisannualbusinesstodepictthegloriesofthefarmers\'daughters；atanyrate，onthisoccasionheseemedtobeatsomelossforwords；heshutup，astheslangphrasegoes，andmadenofurtherallusiontothenecessityofsupplyingyoungGreshamwithaproperstreamofhunters。

Buttheoldsquirehadunderstooditall；hadunderstoodthemeaningofhisnephew\'sattack；hadthoroughlyunderstoodthemeaningofhisson\'sdefence，andthefeelingwhichactuatedit。Healsohadthoughtofthestablefulofhorseswhichhadbelongedtohimselfwhenhebecameofage；andofthemuchmorehumblepositionwhichhissonwouldhavetofillthanthatwhichhisfatherhadpreparedforhim。Hethoughtofthis，andwassadenough，thoughhehadsufficientspirittohidefromhisfriendsaroundhimthefact，thattheHonourableJohn\'sarrowhadnotbeendischargedinvain。

\'HeshallhaveChampion，\'saidthefathertohimself。\'Itistimeformetogiveup。\'

NowChampionwasoneofthetwofineoldhunterswhichthesquirekeptforhisownuse。Anditmighthavebeensaidofhimnow，attheperiodofwhichwearespeaking，thattheonlyreallyhappymomentsofhislifewerethosewhichhespentinthefield。Somuchastoitsbeingtimeforhimtogiveup。

CHAPTERVI

FRANKGRESHAM\'SEARLYLOVES

Itwas，wehavesaid，thefirstofJuly，andsuchbeingthetimeoftheyear，theladies，aftersittinginthedrawing-roomforhalfanhourorso，begantothinkthattheymightaswellgothroughthedrawing-roomwindowsontothelawn。Firstoneslippedoutalittleway，andthenanother；andthentheygotontothelawn；andthentheytalkedoftheirhats；till，bydegrees，theyoungeronesoftheparty，andthelastoftheelderalso，foundthemselvesdressedforwalking。

Thewindows，bothofthedrawing-room，andthedining-room，lookedoutontothelawn；anditwasonlynaturalthatthegirlsshouldwalkfromtheformertothelatter。Itwasonlynaturalthatthey，beingthere，shouldtempttheirswainstocometothembythesightoftheirbroad-brimmedhatsandeveningdresses；andnatural，also，thatthetemptationshouldnotberesisted。Thesquire，therefore，andtheeldermaleguestssoonfoundthemselvesaloneroundtheirwine。

\'Uponmyword，wewereenchantedbyyoureloquence，MrGresham，werewenot？\'saidMissOriel，turningtooneoftheDeCourcygirlswhowaswithher。

MissOrielwasaveryprettygirl；alittleolderthanFrankGresham，——perhapsayearorso。Shehaddarkhair，largerounddarkeyes，anosealittletoobroad，aprettymouth，abeautifulchin，and，aswehavesaidbefore，alargefortune；——thatis，moderatelylarge——letussaytwentythousandpounds，thereorthereabouts。SheandherbrotherhadbeenlivingatGreshamsburyforthelasttwoyears，thelivinghavingbeenpurchasedforhim——suchwereMrGresham\'snecessities——duringthelifetimeofthelastoldincumbent。MissOrielwasineveryrespectaniceneighbour；shewasgood-humoured，lady-like，lively，neithertooclevernortoostupid，belongingtoagoodfamily，sufficientlyfondofthisworld\'sgoodthings，asbecameaprettyyoungladysoendowed，andsufficientlyfond，also，oftheotherworld\'sgoodthings，asbecamethemistressofaclergyman\'shouse。

\'Indeed，yes；\'saidtheLadyMargaretta。\'Frankisveryeloquent。WhenhedescribedourrapidjourneyfromLondon，henearlymovedmetotears。Butwellashetalks，Ithinkhecarvesbetter。\'

\'Iwishyou\'dhadtodoit，Margaretta；boththecarvingandthetalking。\'

\'Thankyou，Frank；you\'reverycivil。\'

\'Butthere\'sonecomfort，MissOriel；it\'sovernow，anddone。Afellowcan\'tbemadetocomeofagetwice。\'

\'Butyou\'lltakeyourdegree，MrGresham；andthen，ofcourse，there\'llbeanotherspeech；andthenyou\'llgetmarried，andtherewillbetwoorthreemore。\'

\'I\'llspeakatyourwedding，MissOriel，beforeIdoatmyown。\'

\'Ishallnothavetheslightestobjection。Itwillbesokindofyoutopatronizemyhusband。\'

\'But，byJove，willhepatronizeme？Iknowyou\'llmarrysomeawfulbigwig，orsometerriblycleverfellow；won\'tshe，Margaretta？\'

\'MissOrielwassayingsomuchinpraiseofyoubeforeyoucameout，\'

saidMargaretta，\'thatIbegantothinkthathermindwasintentatremainingatGreshamsburyallherlife。\'

Frankblushed，andPatiencelaughed。Therewasbutayear\'sdifferenceintheirage；butFrank，however，wasstillaboy，thoughPatiencewasfullyawoman。

\'Iamambitious，LadyMargaretta，\'saidshe。\'Iownit；butIammoderateinmyambition。IdoloveGreshamsbury，andifMrGreshamhadayoungerbrother，perhaps，youknow——\'

\'Anotherjustlikemyself，Isuppose，\'saidFrank。

\'Oh，yes。Icouldnotpossiblywishforanychange。\'

\'Justaseloquentasyouare，Frank，\'saidtheLadyMargaretta。

\'Andasgoodacarver，\'saidPatience。

\'MissBatesonhaslostherhearttohimforever，becauseofhiscarving，\'saidtheLadyMargaretta。

\'Butperfectionneverrepeatsitself，\'saidPatience。

\'Well，yousee，Ihavenotgotanybrothers，\'saidFrank；\'soallIcandoistosacrificemyself。\'

\'Uponmyword，MrGresham，Iamundermorethanordinaryobligationstoyou；Iamindeed，\'saidMissOriel，stoodstillinthepath，andmadeaverygracefulcurtsy。\'Dearme！onlythink，LadyMargaretta，thatI

shouldbehonouredwithanofferfromtheheirtheverymomentheislegallyentitledtomakeone。\'

\'Anddonewithsomuchtruegallantry，too，\'saidtheother；

\'expressinghimselfquitewillingtopostponeanyviewsofhisownforyouradvantage。\'

\'Yes；\'saidPatience；\'that\'swhatIvaluesomuch：hadhelovedmenow，therewouldhavebeennomeritonhispart；butasacrificeyouknow——\'

\'Yes，ladiesaresofondofsuchsacrifices，Frank，uponmyword，Ihadnoideayouweresoveryexcellentatmakingspeeches。\'

\'Well，\'saidFrank，\'Ishouldn\'thavesaidsacrifice，thatwasaslip；

whatImeantwas——\'

\'Oh，dearme，\'saidPatience，\'waitaminute；nowwearegoingtohavearegulardeclaration。LadyMargaretta，youhaven\'tascent-bottle，haveyou？AndifIshouldfaint，where\'sthegarden-chair？\'

\'Oh，butI\'mnotgoingtomakeadeclarationatall，\'saidFrank。

\'Areyounot？Oh！Now，LadyMargaretta，Iappealtoyou；didyounotunderstandhimtosaysomethingveryparticular？\'

\'Certainly，Ithoughtnothingcouldbeplainer，\'saidtheLadyMargaretta。

\'Andso，MrGresham，Iamtobetold，thatafterallitmeansnothing，\'

saidPatience，puttingherhandkerchiefuptohereyes。

\'Itmeansthatyouareanexcellenthandatquizzingafellowlikeme。\'

\'Quizzing！No；butyouareanexcellenthandatdeceivingapoorgirllikeme。Well，remember，Ihavegotawitness；hereisLadyMargaretta，whohearditall。Whatapityitisthatmybrotherisaclergyman。Youcalculatedonthat，Iknow；oryouwouldneverhadservedmeso。\'

Shesaidsojustasherbrotherjoinedthem，orratherjustashehadjoinedLadyMargarettadeCourcy；forherladyshipandMrOrielwalkedoninadvancebythemselves。LadyMargarettahadfounditratherdullwork，makingathirdinMissOriel\'sflirtationwithhercousin；themoresoasshewasquiteaccustomedtotakeaprincipalpartherselfinallsuchtransactions。ShethereforenotunwillinglywalkedonwithMrOriel。MrOriel，itmustbeconceived，wasnotacommon，everydayparson，buthadpointsabouthimwhichmadehimquitefittoassociatewithanearl\'sdaughter。Andasitwasknownthathewasnotamarryingman，havingveryexaltedideasonthatpointconnectedwithhisprofession，theLadyMargaretta，ofcourse，hadthelessobjectiontotrustherselfalonewithhim。

Butdirectlyshewasgone，MissOriel\'stoneofbanterceased。Itwasverywellmakingafoolofaladoftwenty-onewhenotherswereby；buttheremightbedangerinitwhentheywerealonetogether。

\'Idon\'tknowanypositiononearthmoreenviablethanyours，MrGresham，\'saidshe，quitesoberlyandearnestly；\'howhappyyououghttobe。\'

\'What，inbeinglaughedatbyyou，MissOriel，forpretendingtobeaman，whenyouchoosetomakeoutthatIamonlyaboy？Icanbeartobelaughedatprettywellgenerally，butIcan\'tsaythatyourlaughingatmemakesmefeelsohappyasyousayIoughttobe。\'

FrankwasevidentlyofanopiniontotallydifferentfromthatofMissOriel。MissOriel，whenshefoundherselftete-a-tetewithhim，thoughtitwastimetogiveoverflirting；Frank，however，imaginedthatitwasjustthemomentforhimtobegin。Sohespokeandlookedverylanguishing，andputonhimquitetheairsofanOrlando。

\'Oh，MrGresham，suchgoodfriendsasyouandImaylaughateachother，maywenot？\'

\'Youmaydowhatyoulike，MissOriel：beautifulwomenIbelievealwaysmay；butyourememberwhatthespidersaidtothefly，“Thatwhichissporttoyou，maybedeathtome。“\'AnyonelookingatFrank\'sfaceashesaidthat，mightwellhaveimaginedthathewasbreakinghisveryheartforloveofMissOriel。Oh，MasterFrank！MasterFrank！ifyouactthusinthegreenleaf，whatwillyoudointhedry？

WhileFrankGreshamwasthusmisbehavinghimself，andgoingonasthoughtohimbelongedtheprivilegeoffallinginlovewithprettyfaces，asitdoestoploughboysandotherordinarypeople，hisgreatinterestswerenotforgottenbythoseguardiansaintswhoweresoanxioustoshowerdownonhisheadallmanneroftemporalblessings。

AnotherconversationhadtakenplaceintheGreshamsburygardens，inwhichnothinglighthadbeenallowedtopresentitself；nothingfrivoloushadbeenspoken。Thecountess，theLadyArabella，andMissGreshamhadbeentalkingoverGreshamsburyaffairs，andtheyhadlatterlybeenassistedbytheLadyAmelia，thanwhomnoDeCourcyeverbornwasmorewise，moresolemn，moreprudent，moreproud。Theponderosityofherqualificationsfornobilitywassometimestoomuchevenforhermother，andherdevotionforthepeeragewassuch，thatshewouldcertainlyhavedeclinedaseatinheavenifofferedtoherwithoutthepromisethatitshouldbeintheupperhouse。

ThesubjectfirstdiscussedhadbeenAugusta\'sprospects。MrMoffathadbeeninvitedtoCourcyCastle，andAugustahadbeentakenthithertomeethim，withtheexpressintentiononthepartofthecountess，thattheyshouldbemanandwife。Thecountesshadbeencarefultomakeitintelligibletohersister-in-lawandniece，thatthoughMrMoffatwoulddoexcellentlywellforadaughterofGreshamsbury，hecouldnotbeallowedtoraisehiseyestoafemalescionofCourcyCastle。

\'Notthatwepersonallydislikehim，\'saidtheLadyAmelia；\'butrankhasitsdrawbacks，Augusta。\'AstheLadyAmeliawasnowsomewhatnearerfortythanthirty，andwasstillallowedtowalk，\'Inmaidenmeditation，fancyfree，\'

itmaybepresumedthatinhercaserankhadbeenfoundtohaveseriousdrawbacks。

TothisAugustasaidnothinginobjection。WhetherdesirablebyaDeCourcyornot，thematchwastobehers，andtherewasnodoubtwhateverastothewealthofthemanwhosenameshewastotake；theofferhadbeenmade，nottoher，buttoheraunt；theacceptancehadbeenexpressed，notbyher，butbyheraunt。HadshethoughtofrecapitulatinginhermemoryallthathadeverpassedbetweenMrMoffatandherself，shewouldhavefoundthatitdidnotamounttomorethanthemostordinaryconversationbetweenchancepartnersinaball-room。

Nevertheless，shewastobeMrsMoffat。AllthatMrGreshamknewofhimwas，thatwhenhemettheyoungmanforthefirstandonlytimeinhislife，hefoundhimextremelyhardtodealwithinthematterofmoney。Hehadinsistedonhavingtenthousandpoundswithhiswife，andatlastrefusedtogoonwiththematchunlesshegotsixthousandpounds。Thislattersumthepoorsquirehadundertakentopayhim。

MrMoffathadbeenforayearortwoMPforBarchester；havingbeenassistedinhisviewsonthatancientcitybyalltheDeCourcyinterest。HewasaWhig，ofcourse。NotonlyhadBarchester，departingfromthelightofotherdays，returnedaWhigmemberofParliament，butitwasdeclared，thatatthenextelection，nownearathand，aRadicalwouldbesentup，anmanpledgedtotheballot，toeconomiesofallsorts，onewhowouldcarryoutBarchesterpoliticsinalltheirabrupt，obnoxious，pestilentvirulence。ThiswasoneScatcherd，agreatrailwaycontractor，amanwhowasanativeofBarchester，whohadboughtpropertyintheneighbourhood，andwhohadachievedasortofpopularitythereandelsewherebytheviolenceofhisdemocraticoppositiontothearistocracy。Accordingtothisman\'spoliticaltenets，theConservativesshouldbelaughedatasfools，buttheWhigsshouldbehatedasknaves。

MrMoffatwasnowcomingdowntoCourcyCastletolookafterhiselectioneeringinterests，andMissGreshamwastoreturnwithheraunttomeethim。ThecountesswasveryanxiousthatFrankshouldalsoaccompanythem。Hergreatdoctrine，thathemustmarrymoney，hadbeenlaiddownwithauthority，andreceivedwithoutdoubt。Shenowpusheditfurther，andsaidthatnotimeshouldbelost；thatheshouldnotonlymarrymoney，butdosoveryearlyinlife；therewasalwaysadangerindelay。TheGreshams——ofcourseshealludedonlytothemalesofthefamily——werefoolishlysoft-hearted；noonecouldsaywhatmighthappen。TherewasthatMissThornealwaysatGreshamsbury。

ThiswasmorethanLadyArabellacouldstand。SheprotestedthattherewasatleastnogroundforsupposingthatFrankwouldabsolutelydisgracehisfamily。

Stillthecountesscontinued：\'Perhapsnot，\'shesaid；\'butwhenyoungpeopleofperfectlydifferentrankswereallowedtoassociatetogether，therewasnosayingwhatdangermightarise。TheyallknowthatoldMrBateson——thepresentMrBateson\'sfather——hadgoneoffwiththegoverness；andyoungMrEverbeery，nearTaunton，hadonlytheotherdaymarriedacook-maid。\'

\'ButMrEverbeerywasalwaysdrunk，aunt，\'saidAugusta，feelingcalledupontosaysomethingforherbrother。

\'Nevermind，mydear；thesethingsdohappen，andtheyareverydreadful。\'

\'Horrible！\'saidtheLadyAmelia；\'dilutingthebestbloodofthecountry，andpavingthewayforrevolution。\'Thiswasverygrand；but，nevertheless，Augustacouldnotbutfeelthatsheperhapsmightbeabouttodilutethebloodofhercomingchildreninmarryingthetailor\'sson。Sheconsoledherselfbytrustingthat，atanyrate，shepavedthewayfornorevolution。

\'Whenathingissonecessary，\'saidthecountess，\'itcannotbedonetoosoon。Now，Arabella，Idon\'tsaythatanythingwillcomeofit；

butitmay；MissDunstableiscomingdowntousnextweek。Now，weallknowthatwhenoldDunstablediedlastyear，heleftovertwohundredthousandtohisdaughter。\'

\'Itisagreatdealofmoney，certainly，\'saidLadyArabella。

\'Itwoldpayoffeverything，andagreatdealmore，\'saidthecountess。

\'Itwasointment，wasitnot，aunt？\'saidAugusta。

\'Ibelieveso，mydear；somethingcalledtheointmentofLebanon，orsomethingofthatsort：butthere\'snodoubtaboutthemoney。\'

\'Buthowoldisshe，Robina？\'askedtheanxiousmother。

\'Aboutthirty，Isuppose；butIdon\'tthinkthatmuchsignifies。\'

\'Thirty，\'saidLadyArabella，ratherdolefully。\'Andwhatisshelike？IthinkthatFrankalreadybeginstolikegirlsthatareyoungandpretty。\'

\'Butsurely，aunt，\'saidtheLadyAmelia，\'nowthathehascometoman\'sdiscretion，hewillnotrefusetoconsiderallthatheowestohisfamily。AMrGreshamofGreshamsburyhasapositiontosupport。\'

TheDeCourcyscionspoketheselastwordsinthesortoftonethataparishclergymanwoulduse，inwarningsomeyoungfarmer\'ssonthatheshouldnotputhimselfonanequalfootingwiththeploughboys。

ItwasatlastdecidedthatthecountessshouldherselfconveytoFrankaspecialinvitationtoCourcyCastle，andthatwhenshegothimthere，sheshoulddoallthatlayinherpowertopreventhisreturntoCambridge，andtofurthertheDunstablemarriage。

\'WedidthinkofMissDunstableforPorlock，once，\'shesaid，naively；

\'butwhenwefoundthatitwasn\'tmuchovertwohundredthousand，whythatideafelltotheground。\'ThetermsonwhichtheDeCourcybloodmightbeallowedtodiluteitselfwere，itmustbepresumed，veryhighindeed。

Augustawassentofftofindherbrother，andtosendhimtothecountessinthesmalldrawing-room。Herethecountesswastohavehertea，apartfromtheoutercommonworld，andher，withoutinterruption，shewastoteachhergreatlessontohernephew。

Augustadidfindherbrother，andfoundhimintheworstofbadsociety——soatleastthesternDeCourcyswouldhavethought。OldMrBatesonandthegoverness，MrEverbeeryandhiscook\'sdilutedblood，andwayspavedforrevolutions，allpresentedthemselvestoAugusta\'smindwhenshefoundherbrotherwalkingwithnoothercompanythanMaryThorne，andwalkingwithher，too，inmuchtoocloseproximity。

Howhehadcontrivedtobeoffwiththeoldloveandsosoononwiththenew，orrather，tobeoffwiththenewloveandagainonwiththeold，wewillnotstoptoinquire。HadLadyArabella，intruth，knownallherson\'sdoingsinthisway，couldshehaveguessedhowverynighhehadapproachedtheiniquityofoldMrBateson，andtothefollyofyoungMrEverbeery，shewouldintruthhavebeeninahurrytosendhimofftoCourcyCastleandMissDunstable。Somedaysbeforethecommencementofourstory，youngFrankhadsworninsoberearnest——inwhatheintendedforhismostsoberearnest，hismostearnestsobriety——thathelovedMaryThornewithaloveforwhichwordscouldfindnosufficientexpression——withalovethatcouldneverdie，nevergrowdim，neverbecomeless，whichnooppositiononthepartofotherscouldextinguish，whichnooppositiononherpartcouldrepel；thathemight，could，would，andshouldhaveherforhiswife，andthatifshetoldhimshedidn\'tlovehim，hewould——

\'Oh，oh！Mary；doyouloveme？Don\'tyouloveme？Won\'tyouloveme？Sayyouwill。Oh，Mary，dearestMary，willyou？won\'tyou？doyou？don\'tyou？Comenow，youhavearighttogiveafellowananswer。\'

WithsucheloquencehadtheheirofGreshamsbury，whennotyettwenty-oneyearsofage，attemptedtopossesshimselfoftheaffectionsofthedoctor\'sniece。AndyetthreedaysafterwardshewasquitereadytoflirtwithMissOriel。

Ifsuchthingsaredoneinthegreenwood，whatwillbedoneinthedry？

AndwhathadMarysaidwhenthoseferventprotestationsofanundyinglovehadbeenthrownatherfeet？Mary，itmustberemembered，wasverynearlyofthesameageasFrank；but，asIanothershavesooftensaidbefore，\'Womengrowonthesunnysideofthewall。\'ThoughFrankwasonlyaboy，itbehovedMarytobesomethingmorethanagirl。Frankmightbeallowed，withoutlayinghimselfopentomuchreproach，tothrowallofwhathebelievedtobehisheartintoaprotestationofwhathebelievedtobelove；butMarywasindutyboundtobemorethoughtful，morereticent，moreawareofthefactsoftheirposition，morecarefulofherownfeelings，andmorecarefulalsoofhis。

Andyetshecouldnotputhimdownasanotheryoungladymightputdownanotheryounggentleman。Itisveryseldomthatayoungman，unlesshebetipsy，assumesanunwelcomefamiliarityinhisearlyacquaintancewithanygirl；butwhenacquaintancehasbeenlongandintimate，familiaritiesmustfollowasamatterofcourse。FrankandMaryhadbeensomuchtogetherinhisholidays，hadsoconstantlyconsortedtogetherasboysandgirls，that，asregardedher，hehadnotthatinnatefearofawomanwhichrepressesayoungman\'stongue；andshewassousedtohisgood-humour，hisfun，andhighjovialspirits，andwas，withal，sofondofthemandhim，thatitwasverydifficultforhertomarkwithaccuratefeeling，andstopwithreservedbrow，theshadeofchangefromaboy\'slikingtoaman\'slove。

AndBeatrice，too，haddoneharminthismatter。Withaspiritpainfullyunequaltothatofhergrandrelatives，shehadquizzedMaryandFrankabouttheirearlyflirtations。Thisshehaddone；buthadinstinctivelyavoideddoingsobeforehermotherandsister，andhadthusmadeasecretofit，asitwere，betweenherself，Mary，andherbrother；——hadgivencurrency，asitwere，totheideathattheremightbesomethingseriousbetweenthetwo。NotthatBeatricehadeverwishedtopromoteamarriagebetweenthem，orhadeventhoughtofsuchathing。Shewasgirlish，thoughtless，imprudent，inartistic，andveryunlikeaDeCourcy。VeryunlikeaDeCourcyshewasinallthat；but，nevertheless，shehadtheDeCourcyvenerationforblood，and，morethanthat，shehadtheGreshamfeelingjoinedtothatoftheDeCourcys。TheLadyAmeliawouldnotforworldshavehadtheDeCourcyblooddefiled；butgoldshethoughtcouldnotdefile。NowBeatricewasashamedofhersister\'smarriage，andhadoftendeclared，withinherownheart，thatnothingcouldhavemadehermarryaMrMoffat。

ShehadsaidsoalsotoMary，andMaryhadtoldherthatshewasright。Marywasalsoproudofblood，wasproudofheruncle\'sblood，andthetwogirlstalkedtogetherinallthewarmthofgirlishconfidence，ofthegreatgloriesoffamilytraditionsandfamilyhonours。Beatricehadtalkedinutterignoranceastoherfriend\'sbirth；andMary，poorMary，shehadtalked，beingasignorant；butnotwithoutastrongsuspicionthat，atsomefuturetime，adayofsorrowwouldtellhersomefearfultruth。

OnonepointMary\'smindwasstronglymadeup。Nowealth，nomereworldlyadvantagecouldmakeanyonehersuperior。Ifshewerebornagentlewoman，thenwasshefittomatchwithanygentleman。LetthemostwealthymaninEuropepourallhiswealthatherfeet，shecould，ifsoinclined，givehimbackatanyratemorethanthat。Thatofferedatherfeetsheknewshewouldnevertempthertoyieldupthefortressofherheart，theguardianshipofhersoul，thepossessionofhermind；

notthatalone，northat，even，asanypossibleslightestfractionofamake-weight。

Ifshewerebornagentlewoman！Andthencametohermindthosecuriousquestions；whatmakesagentleman？whatmakesagentlewoman？

Whatistheinnerreality，thespiritualisedquintessenceofthatprivilegeintheworldwhichmencallrank，whichforcesthethousandsandhundredsofthousandstobowdownbeforethefewelect？Whatgives，orcangiveit，orshouldgiveit？\'

Andsheansweredthequestion。Absolute，intrinsic，acknowledged，individualmeritmustgiveittoitspossessor，lethimbewhom，andwhat，andwhencehemight。Sofarthespiritofdemocracywasstrongwithher。Beyondthisitcouldbehadbutbyinheritance，receivedasitweresecond-hand，ortwenty-secondhand。Andsofarthespiritofaristocracywasstrongwithinher。Allthisshehad，asmaybeimagined，learntinearlyyearsfromheruncle；andallthisshewasatgreatpainstoteachBeatriceGresham，thechosenofherheart。

WhenFrankdeclaredthatMaryhadarighttogivehimananswer，hemeantthathehadarighttoexpectone。Maryacknowledgedthisright，andgaveittohim。

\'MrGresham，\'shesaid。

\'Oh，Mary；MrGresham！\'

\'Yes，MrGresham。ItmustbeMrGresham，afterthat。And，moreover，itmustbeMissThorneaswell。\'

\'I\'llbeshotifitshall，Mary。\'

\'Well；Ican\'tsaythatIshallbeshotifitbenotso；butifitbenotso，ifyoudonotagreethatitshallbeso，IshallbeturnedoutofGreshamsbury。\'

\'What！youmeanmymother？\'saidFrank。

\'Indeed！Imeannosuchthing，\'saidMary，withaflashfromhereyethatmadeFrankalmoststart。\'Imeannosuchthing。Imeanyou，notyourmother。IamnotintheleastafraidofLadyArabella；butIamafraidofyou。\'

\'Afraidofme，Mary！\'

\'MissThorne；pray，pray，remember。ItmustbeMissThorne。DonotturnmeoutofGreshamsbury。DonotseparatemefromBeatrice。Itisyouthatwilldrivemeout；nooneelse。Icouldstandmygroundagainstyourmother——IfeelIcould；butIcannotstandagainstyouifyoutreatmeotherwisethan——than——\'

\'Otherwisethanwhat？IwanttotreatyouasthegirlIhavechosenfromalltheworldasmywife。\'

\'Iamsorryyoushouldsosoonhavefounditnecessarytomakeachoice。But，MrGresham，wemustnotjokeaboutthisatpresent。Iamsureyouwouldnotwillinglyinjureme；butifyouspeaktome，orofme，againinthatway，youwillinjureme，injuremesomuchthatI

shallbeforcedtoleaveGreshamsbury，inmyowndefence。Iknowyouaretoogeneroustodrivemetothat。\'

Andsotheinterviewhadended。Frank，ofcourse，wentupstairstoseeifhisnewpocket-pistolswereallready，properlycleaned，loaded，andcapped，shouldhefind，afterafewdays\'experience，thatprolongedexistencewasunendurable。

However，hemanagedtolivethroughthesubsequentperiod；doubtlesswithaviewofpreventinganyappointmenttohisfather\'sguests。

CHAPTERVII

THEDOCTOR\'SGARDEN

Maryhadcontrivedtoquietherloverwithconsiderableproprietyofdemeanour。Thencameonherthesomewhathardertaskofquietingherself。Youngladies，onthewhole，areperhapsquiteassusceptibleoftheafterfeelingsasyounggentlemenare。NowFrankGresham，washandsome，amiable，bynomeansafoolinintellect，excellentinheart；

andhewas，moreover，agentleman，beingthesonofMrGreshamofGreshamsbury。Maryhadbeen，asitwere，broughtuptolovehim。Hadaughtbutgoodhappenedtohim，shewouldhavecriedasforabrother。

ItmustnotthereforebesupposedthatwhenFrankGreshamtoldherthathelovedher，shehadhearditaltogetherunconcerned。

Hehadnot，perhaps，madehisdeclarationwiththatproprietyoflanguageinwhichsuchscenesaregenerallydescribedasbeingcarriedon。LadiesmayperhapsthinkthatMaryshouldhavebeendeterred，bytheveryboyishnessofhismanner，fromthinkingatallseriouslyonthesubject。His\'willyou，won\'tyou——doyou，don\'tyou？\'doesnotsoundlikethepoeticrapturesofahighlyinspiredlover。But，nevertheless，therehadbeenwarmth，andarealityinitnotinitselfrepulsive；andMary\'sanger——anger？no，notanger——herobjectionstothedeclarationswereprobablynotbasedontheabsurdityofherlover\'slanguage。

Weareinclinedtothinkthatthesemattersarenotalwaysdiscussedbymortalloversinthepoeticallypassionatephraseologywhichisgenerallythoughttobeappropriatefortheirdescription。Amancannotwelldescribethatwhichhehasneverseenorheard；buttheabsolutewordsandactsofonesuchscenedidoncecometotheauthor\'sknowledge。Thecouplewerebynomeansplebeian，orbelowtheproperstandardofhighbearingandhighbreeding；theywereahandsomepair，livingamongeducatedpeople，sufficientlygiventomentalpursuits，andineverywaywhatapairofpoliteloversoughttobe。Theall-importantconversationpassedinthiswise。Thesiteofthepassionatescenewasthesea-shore，onwhichtheywerewalking，inautumn。

Gentleman。\'Well，Miss——，thelongandshortofitisthis：hereIam；

youcantakemeorleaveme。\'

Lady-scratchingagutteronthesandwithherparasol，soastoallowalittlesaltwatertorunoutofoneholeintoanother。\'Ofcourse，I

knowthat\'sallnonsense。\'

Gentleman。\'Nonsense！ByJove，itisn\'tnonsenseatall：come，Jane；

hereIam：come，atanyrateyoucansaysomething。\'

Lady。\'Yes，IsupposeIcansaysomething。\'

Gentleman。\'Well，whichisittobe；takemeorleaveme？\'

Lady——veryslowly，andwithavoiceperhapshardlyarticulate，carryingon，atthesametime，herengineeringworksonawiderscale。\'Well，I

don\'texactlywanttoleaveyou。\'

Andsothematterwassettled：settledwithmuchproprietyandsatisfaction；andboththeladyandgentlemanwouldhavethought，hadtheyeverthoughtaboutthematteratall，thatthis，thesweetestmomentoftheirlives，hadbeengracedbyallthepoetrybywhichsuchmomentsoughttobehallowed。

WhenMaryhad，asshethought，properlysubduedyoungFrank，theofferofwhoseloveshe，atanyrate，knewwas，atsuchaperiodofhislife，anutterabsurdity，thenshefounditnecessarytosubdueherself。Whathappinessonearthcouldbegreaterthanthepossessionofsuchalove，hadthetruepossessionbeenjustlyandhonestlywithinherreach？Whatmancouldbemorelovablethansuchamanaswouldgrowfromsuchaboy？Andthen，didshenotlovehim——lovehimalready，withoutwaitingforanychange？Didshenotfeelthattherewasthatabouthim，abouthimandaboutherself，too，whichmightsowellfitthemforeachother？ItwouldbesosweettobethesisterofBeatrice，thedaughterofthesquire，tobelongtoGreshamsburyasapartandparcelofitself。

Butthoughshecouldnotrestrainthesethoughts，itneverforamomentoccurredtohertotakeFrank\'sofferinearnest。Thoughshewasagrownwoman，hewasstillaboy。Hewouldhavetoseetheworldbeforehesettledinit，andwouldchangehismindaboutwomanhalfascoreoftimesbeforehemarried。Then，too，thoughshedidnotliketheLadyArabella，shefeltthatsheowedsomething，ifnottoherkindness，atleasttoherforbearance；andsheknew，feltinwardlycertain，thatshewouldbedoingwrong，thattheworldwouldsaythatshewasdoingwrong，thatherunclewouldthinkherwrong，ifsheendeavouredtotakeadvantageofwhathadpassed。

Shehadnotforaninstantdoubted；notforamomenthadshecontemplateditaspossiblethatsheshouldeverbecomeMrsGreshambecauseFrankhadofferedtomakeherso；but，nevertheless，shecouldnothelpthinkingofwhathadoccurred——ofthinkingofit，mostprobablymuchmorethanFrankdidhimself。

Adayortwoafterwards，ontheeveningbeforeFrank\'sbirthday，shewasalonewithheruncle，walkinginthegardenbehindtheirhouse，andshethenessayedtoquestionhim，withtheobjectoflearningifshewerefittedbyherbirthtobethewifeofsuchaoneasFrankGresham。Theywereinthehabitofwalkingtheretogetherwhenhehappenedtobeathomeofasummer\'sevening。Thiswasnotoftenthecase，forhishoursoflabourextendedmuchbeyondthoseusualtotheupperworkingworld，thehours，namely，betweenbreakfastanddinner；

butthoseminutesthattheydidthuspasstogether，thedoctorregardedasperhapsthepleasantestofhislife。

\'Uncle，\'saidshe，afterawhile，\'whatdoyouthinkofthismarriageofMissGresham\'s？\'

\'Well，Minnie\'——suchwashisnameofendearmentforher——\'Ican\'tsayI

havethoughtmuchaboutit，andIdon\'tsupposeanybodyelsehaseither。\'

\'Shemustthinkaboutit，ofcourse；andsomusthe，Isuppose。\'

\'I\'mnotsosureofthat。Somefolkswouldnevergetmarriediftheyhadtotroublethemselveswiththinkingaboutit。\'

\'Isupposethat\'swhyyounevergotmarried，uncle？\'

\'Eitherthat，orthinkingofittoomuch。Oneisasbadastheother。\'

\'Well，Ihavebeenthinkingaboutit，atanyrate，uncle。\'

\'That\'sverygoodofyou；thatwillsavemethetrouble；andperhapssaveMissGreshamtoo。Ifyouhavethoughtitoverthoroughly，thatwilldoforall。\'

\'IbelieveMrMoffatisamanofnofamily。\'

\'He\'llmendinthatpoint，nodoubt，whenhehasgotawife。\'

\'Uncle，you\'reagoose；andwhatisworse，averyprovokinggoose。\'

\'Niece，you\'reagander；andwhatisworse，averysillygander。WhatisMrMoffat\'sfamilytoyou，andme？MrMoffathasthatwhichranksabovefamilyhonours。Heisaveryrichman。\'

\'Yes，\'saidMary，\'Iknowheisrich；andarichmanIsupposecanbuyanything——exceptawomanthatisworthhaving。\'

\'Arichmancanbuyanything，\'saidthedoctor；\'notthatImeanttosaythatMrMoffathasboughtMissGresham。Ihavenodoubtthattheywillsuiteachotherverywell，\'headdedwithanairofdecisiveauthority，asthoughhehadfinishedthesubject。

Buthisniecewasdeterminednottolethimpassso。\'Now，uncle，\'saidshe，\'youknowyouarepretendingtoagreatdealofworldlywisdom，which，afterall，isnotwisdomatallinyoureyes。\'

\'AmI？\'

\'Youknowyouare：andasfortheimproprietyofdiscussingMissGresham\'smarriage——\'

\'Ididnotsayitwasimproper。\'

\'Oh，yes，youdid；ofcoursesuchthingsmustbediscussed。Howisonetohaveanopinionifonedoesnotgetitbylookingatthethingsthathappenaroundus？\'

\'NowIamgoingtobeblownup，\'saidDrThorne。

\'Dearuncle，dobeseriouswithme。\'

\'Well，then，seriously，IhopeMissGreshamwillbeveryhappyasMrsMoffat。\'

\'Ofcourseyoudo：sodoI。IhopeitasmuchasIcanhopewhatI

don\'tatallseegroundforexpecting。\'

\'Peopleconstantlyhopewithoutanysuchground。\'

\'Well，then，I\'llhopeinthiscase。But，uncle——\'

\'Well，mydear？\'

\'Iwantyouropinion，trulyandreally。Ifyouwereagirl——\'

\'Iamperfectlyunabletogiveanyopinionfoundedonsostrangeanhypothesis。\'

\'Well；butifyouwereamarryingman。\'

\'Thehypothesisisquiteasmuchoutofmyway。\'

\'But，uncle，Iamagirl，andperhapsImaymarry；——oratanyratethinkofmarryingsomeday。\'

\'Thelatteralternativeiscertainlypossibleenough。\'

\'Therefore，inseeingafriendtakingsuchastep，IcannotbutspeculateonthematterasthoughIweremyselfinherplace。IfIwereMissGresham，shouldIberight？\'

\'But，Minnie，youarenotMissGresham。\'

\'No，IamMaryThorne；itisaverydifferentthing，Iknow。IsupposeImightmarryanyonewithoutdegradingmyself。\'

Itwasalmostill-naturedofhertosaythis；butshehadnotmeanttosayitinthesensewhichthesoundsseemedtobear。Shehadfailedinbeingabletobringheruncletothepointshewishedbytheroadshehadplanned，andinseekinganotherroad，shehadabruptlyfallenintounpleasantplaces。

\'Ishouldbeverysorrythatmynieceshouldthinkso，\'saidhe；\'andamsorry，too，thatsheshouldsayso。But，Mary，totellthetruth，I

hardlyknowatwhatyouaredriving。Youare，Ithink，notsoclearminded——certainly，notsoclearworded——asisusualwithyou。\'

\'Iwilltellyou，uncle；\'and，insteadoflookingupintohisface，sheturnedhereyesdownontothegreenlawnbeneathherfeet。

\'Well，Minnie，whatisit？\'andhetookbothherhandsinhis。

\'IthinkthatMissGreshamshouldnotmarryMrMoffat。Ithinksobecauseherfamilyishighandnoble，andbecauseheislowandignoble。Whenonehasanopiniononsuchmatters，onecannotbutapplyittothingsandpeoplearoundone；andhavingappliedmyopiniontoher，thenextstepnaturallyistoapplyittomyself。WereIMissGresham，IwouldnotmarryMrMoffatthoughherolledingold。IknowwheretorankMissGresham。WhatIwanttoknowis，whereIoughttorankmyself？\'

Theyhadbeenstandingwhenshecommencedhelastspeech；butasshefinishedit，thedoctormovedonagain，andshemovedwithhim。Hewalkedonveryslowlywithoutansweringher；andshe，outofherfullmind，pursuedaloudthetenorofherthoughts。

\'Thatdoesnotfollow，\'saidthedoctorquickly。\'Amanraisesawomantohisownstandard，butawomanmusttakethatofherhusband。\'

Againtheyweresilent，andagaintheywalkedon，Maryholdingheruncle\'sarmwithbothherhands。Shewasdetermined，however，tocometothepoint，andafterconsideringforawhilehowbestshemightdoit，sheceasedtobeatanylongeraboutthebush，andaskedhimaplainquestion。

\'TheThornesareasgoodafamilyastheGreshamsaretheynot？\'

\'Inabsolutegenealogytheyare，mydear。Thatis，whenIchoosetobeanoldfoolandtalkofsuchmattersinasensedifferentfromthatinwhichtheyarespokenofbytheworldatlarge，ImaysaythattheThornesareasgood，orperhapsbetter，thantheGreshams，butIshouldbesorrytosaysoseriouslytoanyone。TheGreshamsnowstandmuchhigherinthecountythantheThornesdo。\'

\'Buttheyareofthesameclass。\'

\'Yes，yes；WilfredThorneofUllathorne，andourfriendthesquirehere，areofthesameclass。\'

\'But，uncle，IandAugustaGresham——areweofthesameclass？\'

\'Well，Minnie，youwouldhardlyhavemeboastthatIamthesameclasswiththesquire——I，apoorcountrydoctor？\'

\'Youarenotansweringmefairly，dearuncle；dearestuncle，doyounotknowthatyouarenotansweringmefairly？YouknowwhatImean。HaveIarighttocalltheThornesofUllathornemycousins？\'

\'Mary，Mary，Mary！\'saidheafteraminute\'spause，stillallowinghisarmtohangloose，thatshemightholditwithbothherhands。\'Mary，Mary，Mary！Iwouldthatyouhadsparedmethis！\'

\'Icouldnothavesparedittoyouforever，uncle。\'

\'Iwouldthatyoucouldhavedoneso；Iwouldthatyoucould！\'

\'Itisovernow，uncle：itistoldnow。Iwillgrieveyounomore。

Dear，dear，dearest！Ishouldloveyoumorethanevernow；Iwould，I

would，Iwouldifthatwerepossible。WhatshouldIbebutforyou？

WhatmustIhavebeenbutforyou？\'Andshethrewherselfonhisbreast，andclingingwithherarmsroundhisneck，kissedhisforehead，cheeks，andlips。

Therewasnothingmoresaidthenonthesubjectbetweenthem。Maryaskednofurtherquestion，nordidthedoctorvolunteerfurtherinformation。Shewouldhavebeenmostanxioustoaskabouthermother\'shistoryhadshedaredtodoso；butshedidnotdaretoask；

shecouldnotbeartobetoldthathermotherhadbeen，perhapswas，aworthlesswoman。Thatshewastrulyadaughterofabrotherofthedoctor，thatshedidknow。Littleasshehadheardofherrelativesinherearlyyouth，fewashadbeenthewordswhichhadfallenfromheruncleinherhearingastoherparentage，shedidknowthis，thatshewasthedaughterofHenryThorne，abrotherofthedoctor，andasonoftheoldprebendary。Triflinglittlethingsthathadoccurred，accidentswhichcouldnotbeprevented，hadtoldherthis；butnotawordhadeverpassedanyone\'slipsastohermother。Thedoctor，whenspeakingofhisyouth，hadspokenofherfather；butnoonehadspokenofhermother。ShehadlongknownthatshewasthechildofaThorne；

nowsheknewalsothatshewasnocousinoftheThornesofUllathorne；

nocousin，atleast，intheworld\'sordinarylanguage，nonieceindeedofheruncle，unlessbyhisspecialpermissionthatsheshouldbeso。

Whentheinterviewwasover，shewentupalonetothedrawing-room，andthereshesatthinking。Shehadnotbeentherelongbeforeherunclecameuptoher。Hedidnotsitdown，oreventakeoffthehatwhichhestillwore；butcomingclosetoher，andstillstanding，hespokethus：-

\'Mary，afterwhathaspassedIshouldbeveryunjustandverycrueltoyounottotellyouonethingmorethanyouhavenowlearned。Yourmotherwasunfortunateinmuch，notineverything；buttheworld，whichisveryoftensterninsuchmatters，neverjudgedhertohavedisgracedherself。Itellyouthis，mychild，inorderthatyoumayrespecthermemory；\'andsosaying，heagainleftherwithoutgivinghertimetospeakaword。

Whathethentoldherhehadtoldinmercy。Hefeltwhatmustbeherfeelingswhenshereflectedthatshehadtoblushforhermother；thatnotonlycouldshenotspeakofhermother，butthatshemighthardlythinkofherwithinnocence；andtomitigatesuchsorrowasthis，andalsotodojusticetothewomanwhomhisbrotherhadsowronged，hehadforcedhimselftorevealsomuchasisstatedabove。

Andthenhewalkedslowlybyhimself，backwardsandforwardsthroughthegarden，thinkingofwhathehaddonewithreferencetothisgirl，anddoubtingwhetherhehaddonewiselyandwell。Hehadresolved，whenfirstthelittleinfantwasgivenovertohischarge，thatnothingshouldbeknownofherorbyherastohermother。Hewaswillingtodevotehimselftothisorphanchildofhisbrother，thislastseedlingofhisfather\'shouse；buthewasnotwillingsotodothisastobringhimselfinanymannerintofamiliarcontactwiththeScatcherds。Hehadboastedtohimselfthathe，atanyrate，wasagentleman；andthatshe，ifsheweretoliveinhishouse，sitathistable，andsharehishearth，mustbealady。Hewouldtellnolieabouther；hewouldnottoanyonemakeherouttobeaughtotheroraughtbetterthanshewas；

peoplewouldtalkaboutherofcourse，onlyletthemnottalktohim；

heconceivedofhimself——andtheconceptionwasnotwithoutdueground——thatshouldanydoso，hehadthatwithinhimwhichwouldsilencethem。Hewouldneverclaimforthislittlecreature——thusbroughtintotheworldwithoutalegitimatepositioninwhichtostand——hewouldneverclaimforheranystationthatwouldnotproperlybeherown。Hewouldmakeforherastationasbesthecould。Ashemightsinkorswim，soshouldshe。

Sohehadresolved；butthingshadarrangedthemselves，astheyoftendo，ratherthanbeenarrangedbyhim。DuringtenortwelveyearsnoonehadheardofMaryThorne；thememoryofHenryThorneandhistragicdeathhadpassedaway；theknowledgethataninfanthadbeenbornwhosebirthwasconnectedwiththattragedy，aknowledgeneverwidelyspread，hadfadeddownintoutterignorance。Attheendofthesetwelveyears，DrThornehadannounced，thatayoungniece，achildofabrotherlongsincedead，wascomingtolivewithhim。Ashehadcontemplated，noonespoketohim；butsomepeopledidnodoubttalkamongthemselves。

Whetherornottheexacttruthwassurmisedbyany，itmattersnottosay；withabsoluteexactness，probablynot；withgreatapproachtoit，probablyyes。Byoneperson，atanyrate，noguesswhateverwasmade；

nothoughtrelativetoDrThorne\'snieceevertroubledhim；noideathatMaryScatcherdhadleftachildinEnglandeveroccurredtohim；

andthatpersonwasRogerScatcherd，Mary\'sbrother。

Toonefriend，andonlyone，didthedoctortellthewholetruth，andthatwastotheoldsquire。\'Ihavetoldyou，\'saidthedoctor，\'partlythatyoumayknowthatthechildhasnorighttomixwithyourchildrenifyouthinkmuchofsuchthings。Doyou，however，seetothis。Iwouldratherthatnooneelseshouldbetold。\'

Nooneelsehadbeentold；andthesquirehad\'seentoit，\'byaccustominghimselftolookatMaryThornerunningaboutthehousewithhisownchildrenasthoughshewereofthesamebrood。Indeed，thesquirehadalwaysbeenfondofMary，hadpersonallynoticedher，and，intheaffairofMam\'selleLarron，haddeclaredthathewouldhaveherplacedatonceonthebenchofmagistrates；——muchtothedisgustoftheLadyArabella。

Andsothingshadgoneonandon，andhadnotbeenthoughtofwithmuchdownrightthinking；tillnow，whenshewasone-and-twentyyearsofage，hisniececametohim，askingastoherposition，andinquiringinwhatrankoflifeshewastofindahusband。

Andsothedoctorwalked，backwardsandforwardsthroughthegarden，slowly，thinkingnowwithsomeearnestnesswhatif，afterall，hehadbeenwrongabouthisniece？Whatifbyendeavouringtoplaceherinthepositionofalady，hehadfalselysoplacedher，androbbedherofherlegitimateposition？Whatiftherewasnorankoflifeinwhichshecouldnowproperlyattachherself？

Andthen，howhaditanswered，thatplanofhisofkeepingheralltohimself？He，DrThorne，wasstillapoorman；thegiftofsavingmoneyhadnotbeenhis；hehadeveracomfortablehouseforhertolivein，and，inspiteofDoctorsFillgrave，Century，Rerechild，andothers，hadmadefromhisprofessionanincomesufficientfortheirjointwants；

buthehadnotdoneasothersdo：hehadnothreeorfourthousandpoundsintheThreeperCents。，onwhichMarymightliveinsomecomfortwhenheshoulddie。Lateinlifehehadinsuredhislifeforeighthundredpounds；andtothat，andthatonly，hadhetotrustforMary\'sfuturemaintenance。Howhaditanswered，then，thisplanoflettingherbeunknownto，andundreamedof，by，thosewhowereasneartoheronhermother\'ssideashewasonthefather\'s？Onthatside，thoughtherehadbeenutterpoverty，therewasnowabsolutewealth。