第4章

Butwhenhetookhertohimself，hadhenotrescuedherfromtheverydepthsofthelowestmisery：fromthedegradationoftheworkhouse；

fromthescornofhonest-borncharity-children；fromthelowestoftheworld\'slowconditions？Wasshenotnowtheappleofhiseye，hisonegreatsovereigncomfort——hispride，hishappiness，hisglory？Washetomakeherover，tomakeanyportionofherovertoothers，if，bydoingso，shemightbeabletosharethewealth，aswellasthecoarsemannersanduncouthsocietyofheratpresentunknownconnexions？He，whohadneverworshippedwealthonhisownbehalf；he，whohadscornedtheidolofthegold，andhadeverbeenteachinghertoscornit；washenowtoshowthathisphilosophyhadallbeenfalseassoonasthetemptationtodosowasputinhisway？

Butyet，whatmanwouldmarrythisbastardchild，withoutasixpence，andbringnotonlypoverty，butillbloodalsoonhisownchildren？Itmightbeverywellforhim，DrThorne；forhimwhosecareerwasmade，whosename，atanyrate，washisown；forhimwhohadafixedstanding-groundintheworld；itmightbewellforhimtoindulgeinlargeviewsofaphilosophyantagonistictotheworld\'spractice；buthadhearighttodoitforhisniece？Whatmanwouldmarryagirlsoplaced？Forthoseamongwhomshemighthavelegitimatelyfoundalevel，educationhadnowutterlyunfittedher。Andthen，hewellknewthatshewouldneverputoutherhandintokenoflovetoanyonewithouttellingallsheknewandallshesurmisedastoherownbirth。

Andthatquestionofthisevening；haditnotbeeninstigatedbysomeappealonherpart？Wastherenotalreadywithinherbreastsomecausefordisquietudewhichhadmadehersopertinacious？Whyelsehadshetoldhimthen，forthefirsttime，thatshedidnotknowwheretorankherself？Ifsuchanappealhadbeenmadetoher，itmusthavecomefromyoungFrankGresham。What，insuchcase，woulditbehovehimtodo？Shouldhepackuphisall，hislancet-case，pestleandmortar，andseekanewfreshgroundinanewworld，leavingbehindahugetriumphtothoselearnedenemiesofhis，Fillgrave，Century，andRerechild？BetterthatthanremainatGreshamsburyatthecostofthechild\'sheartandpride。

Andsohewalkedslowlybackwardsandforwardsthroughhisgarden，meditatingthesethingspainfullyenough。

CHAPTERVIII

MATRIMONIALPROSPECTS

ItwillofcourseberememberedthatMary\'sinterviewwiththeothergirlsatGreshamsburytookplacesometwoorthreedayssubsequentlytoFrank\'sgenerousofferofhishandandheart。Maryhadquitemadeuphermindthatthewholethingwastoberegardedasafolly，andthatitwasnottobespokenoftoanyone；butyetherheartwassoreenough。Shewasfullofpride，andyetsheknewshemustbowhernecktotheprideofothers。Being，asshewasherself，nameless，shecouldnotbutfeelastern，unflinchingantagonism，theantagonismofademocrat，tothepretensionsofotherswhowereblessedwiththatofwhichshehadbeendeprived。Shehadthisfeeling；andyet，ofallthethingsthatshecoveted，shemostcovetedthat，forgloryinginwhich，shewasdeterminedtoheapscornonothers。Shesaidtoherself，proudly，thatGod\'shandiworkwastheinnerman，theinnerwoman，thenakedcreatureanimatedbyalivingsoul；thatallotheradjunctswerebutman\'sclothingforthecreature；allothers，whetherstitchedbytailorsorcontrivedbykings。Wasitnotwithinhercapacitytodoasnobly，toloveastruly，toworshipherGodinheavenwithasperfectafaith，andhergodonearthwithaslealatroth，asthoughbloodhaddescendedtoherpurelythroughscoresofpurelybornprogenitors？Sotoherselfshespoke；andyet，asshesaidit，sheknewthatweresheaman，suchamanastheheirofGreshamsburyshouldbe，nothingwouldtempthertosullyherchildren\'sbloodbymatingherselfwithanyonethatwasbaseborn。ShefeltthatweresheAugustaGresham，noMrMoffat，lethiswealthbewhatitmight，shouldwinherhandunlesshetoocouldtelloffamilyhonoursandalineofancestors。

Andso，withamindatwarwithitself，shecamefortharmedtodobattleagainsttheworld\'sprejudices，thoseprejudicessheherselflovedsowell。

Andwasshethustogiveupheroldaffections，herfeminineloves，becauseshefoundthatshewasacousintonobody？WasshenolongertopouroutherhearttoBeatriceGreshamwithallthegirlishvolubilityofanequal？WasshetobeseveredfromPatienceOriel，andbanished——orratherwasshetobanishherself——fromthefreeplaceshehadmaintainedinthevariousyouthfulfemaleconclaveswithinthatparishofGreshamsbury？

Hitherto，whatMaryThornewouldsay，whatMissThornesuggestedinsuchandsuchamatter，wasquiteasfrequentlyaskedasanyopinionfromAugustaGresham——quiteasfrequently，unlesswhenitchancedthatanyoftheDeCourcygirlswereatthehouse。Wasthistobegivenup？Thesefeelingshadgrownupamongthemsincetheywerechildren，andhadnothithertobeenquestionedamongthem。NowtheywerequestionedbyMaryThorne。Wassheinfacttofindthatherpositionhadbeenafalseone，andmustbechanged？

SuchhadbeenherfeelingswhensheprotestedthatshewouldnotbeAugustaGresham\'sbridesmaid，andofferedtoputherneckbeneathBeatrice\'sfoot；whenshedrovetheLadyMargarettaoutoftheroom，andgaveherownopinionastothepropergrammaticalconstructionofthewordhumble；suchalsohadbeenherfeelingswhenshekeptherhandsorigidlytoherselfwhileFrankheldthedining-roomdooropenforhertopassthrough。

\'PatienceOriel，\'saidshetoherself，\'cantalktohimofherfatherandmother：letPatiencetakehishand；lethertalktohim；\'andthen，notlongafterwards，shesawthatPatiencedidtalktohim；andseeingit，shewalkedalongsilent，amongsomeoftheoldpeople，andwithmucheffortdidpreventatearfromfallingdownhercheek。

Butwhywasthetearinhereye？HadshenotproudlytoldFrankthathislove-makingwasnothingbutaboy\'ssillyrhapsody？Hadshenotsaidsowhileshehadyetreasontohopethatherbloodwasasgoodashisown？Hadshenotseenataglancethathislovetiradewasworthyofridicule，andofnoothernotice？Andyettherewasatearnowinhereyebecausethisboy，whomshehadscoldedfromher，whosehand，offeredinpurefriendship，shehadjustrefused，becausehe，sorebuffedbyher，hadcarriedhisfunandgallantrytoonewhowouldbelesscrosstohim！

Shecouldhearasshewaswalking，thatwhileLadyMargarettawaswiththem，theirvoiceswereloudandmerry；andhersharpearcouldalsohear，whenLadyMargarettaleftthem，thatFrank\'svoicebecamelowandtender。Soshewalkedon，sayingnothing，lookingstraightbeforeher，andbydegreesseparatingherselffromalltheothers。

TheGreshamsburygroundswereononesidesomewhattoocloselyhemmedinbythevillage。Onthissidewasapathrunningthelengthofoneofthestreetsofthevillage；andfardownthepath，neartheextremityofthegardens，andnearalsotoawicket-gatewhichledoutintothevillage，andwhichcouldbeopenedfromtheinside，wasaseat，underabigyew-tree，fromwhich，throughabreachinthehouses，mightbeseentheparishchurch，standingintheparkontheotherside。HitherMarywalkedalone，andheresheseatedherself，determinedtogetridofhertearsandtheirtracesbeforesheagainshowedherselftotheworld。

\'Ishallneverbehappyhereagain，\'saidshetoherself；\'never。Iamnolongeroneofthem，andIcannotliveamongthemunlessIamso。\'

AndthenanideacameacrosshermindthatshehatedPatienceOriel；

andthen，instantlyanotherideafollowed——quickassuchthoughtsarequick——thatshedidnothatePatienceOrielatall；thatshelikedher，nay，lovedher；thatPatienceOrielwasasweetgirl；andthatshehopedthetimewouldcomewhenshemightseehertheladyofGreshamsbury。Andthenthetear，whichhadbeennowhitcontrolled，whichindeedhadnowmadeitselfmasterofher，cametoahead，and，burstingthroughthefloodgatesoftheeye，camerollingdown，andinitsfall，wettedherhandasitlayonherlap。\'Whatafool！whatanidiot！whatanempty-headedcowardlyfoolIam！\'saidshe，springingupfromthebenchonherfeet。

Asshedidso，sheheardvoicesclosetoher，atthelittlegate。TheywerethoseofheruncleandFrankGresham。

\'Godblessyou，Frank！\'saidthedoctor，ashepassedoutofthegrounds。\'Youwillexcusealecture，won\'tyou，fromsooldafriend？——thoughyouareamannow，anddiscreetofcourse，byActofParliament。\'

\'IndeedIwill，doctor，\'saidFrank。\'Iwillexcusealongerlecturethanthatfromyou。\'

\'Atanyrateitwon\'tbetonight，\'saidthedoctor，ashedisappeared。

\'AndifyouseeMary，tellherthatIamobligedtogo；andthatIwillsendJanetdowntofetchher。\'

NowJanetwasthedoctor\'sancientmaid-servant。

Marycouldnotmoveon，withoutbeingperceived；shethereforestoodstilltillsheheardtheclickofthedoor，andthenbeganwalkingrapidlybacktothehousebythepathwhichhadbroughtherthither。

Themoment，however，thatshedidso，shefoundthatshewasfollowed；

andinaveryfewmomentsFrankwasalongsideofher。

\'Oh，Mary！\'saidhe，callingtoher，butnotloudly，beforehequiteovertookher，\'howoddthatIshouldcomeacrossyoujustwhenIhaveamessageforyou！andwhyareyouallalone？\'

Mary\'sfirstimpulsewastoreiteratehercommandtohimtocallhernomorebyherChristianname；buthersecondimpulsetoldherthatsuchaninjunctionatthepresentmomentwouldnotbeprudentonherpart。

Thetracesofhertearswerestillthere；andshewellknewthataverylittle，theslightestshowoftendernessonhispart，theslightesteffortonherowntoappearindifferent，wouldbringdownmorethanoneothersuchintruder。Itwould，moreover，bebetterforhertodropalloutwardsignthatsherememberedwhathadtakenplace。Solong，then，asheandshewereatGreshamsburytogether，heshouldcallherMaryifhepleased。Hewouldsoonbegone；andwhileheremained，shewouldkeepoutofhisway。

\'YourunclehasbeenobligedtogoawaytoseeanoldwomanatSilverbridge。\'

\'AtSilverbridge！why，hewon\'tbebackallnight。WhycouldnottheoldwomansendforDrCentury？\'

\'Isupposeshethoughttwooldwomencouldnotgetonwelltogether。\'

Marycouldnothelpsmiling。Shedidnotlikeherunclegoingoffsolateonsuchajourney；butitwasalwaysfeltatriumphwhenhewasinvitedintothestrongholdsoftheenemies。

\'AndJanetistocomeoverforyou。However，Itoldhimitwasquiteunnecessarytodisturbanotheroldwoman，forthatIshouldseeyouhome。\'

\'Oh，no，MrGresham；indeedyou\'llnotdothat。\'

\'Indeed，andindeed，Ishall。\'

\'What！onthisgreatday，wheneveryladyislookingforyou，andtalkingofyou。Isupposeyouwanttosetthecountessagainstmeforever。Think，too，howangryLadyArabellawillbeifyouareabsentonsuchanderrandasthis。\'

\'Tohearyoutalk，Mary，onewouldthinkthatyouweregoingtoSilverbridgeyourself。\'

\'PerhapsIam。\'

\'IfIdidnotgowithyou，someoftheotherfellowswould。John，orGeorge——\'

\'Goodgracious，Frank！FancyeitheroftheMrDeCourceyswalkinghomewithme！\'

Shehadforgottenherself，andthestrictproprietyonwhichshehadresolved，intheimpossibilityofforgoingherlittlejokeagainsttheDeCourcygrandeur；shehadforgottenherself，andhadcalledhimFrankinherold，former，eager，freetoneofvoice；andthen，rememberingshehaddoneso，shedrewherselfup，butherlips，anddeterminedtobedoublyonherguardinthefuture。

\'Well，itshallbeeitheroneofthem，orI，\'saidFrank：\'perhapsyouwouldprefermycousinGeorgetome？\'

\'IshouldpreferJanettoeither，seeingthatwithherIshouldnotsuffertheextremenuisanceofknowingthatIwasabore。\'

\'Abore！Mary，tome？\'

\'Yes，MrGresham，aboretoyou。Havingtowalkhomethroughthemudwithvillageyoungladiesisboring。Allgentlemenfeelitso。\'

\'Thereisnomud；iftherewereyouwouldnotbeallowedtowalkatall。\'

\'Oh！villageyoungladiesnevercareforsuchthings，thoughfashionablegentlemendo。\'

\'Iwouldcarryyouhome，Mary，ifitwoulddoyouaservice，\'saidFrank，withconsiderablepathosinhisvoice。

\'Oh，dearme！praydonot，MrGresham。Ishouldnotlikeitatall，\'

saidshe：\'awheelbarrowwouldbepreferabletothat。\'

\'Ofcourse。Anythingwouldbepreferabletomyarm，Iknow。\'

\'Certainly；anythinginthewayofaconveyance。IfIweretoactbaby；andyouweretoactnurse，itreallywouldnotbecomfortableforeitherofus。\'

FrankGreshamfeltdisconcerted，thoughhehardlyknewwhy。Hewasstrivingtosaysomethingtendertohislady-love；buteverywordthathespokesheturnedintojoke。Marydidnotanswerhimcoldlyorunkindly；but，nevertheless，hewasdispleased。Onedoesnotliketohaveone\'slittleofferingsofsentimentalserviceturnedintoburlesquewhenoneisinloveinearnest。Mary\'sjokeshadappearedsoeasytoo；theyseemedtocomefromaheartsolittletroubled。This，also，wascauseofvexationtoFrank。Ifhecouldbuthaveknownitall，hewould，perhaps，havebeenbetterpleased。

Hedeterminednottobeabsolutelylaughedoutofhistenderness。When，threedaysago，hehadbeenrepulsed，hehadgoneawayowningtohimselfthathehadbeenbeaten；owningsomuch，butowningitwithgreatsorrowandmuchshame。Sincethathehadcomeofage；sincethathehadmadespeeches，andspeecheshadbeenmadetohim；sincethathehadgainedcouragebyflirtingwithPatienceOriel。Nofainthearteverwonafairlady，ashewaswellaware；heresolved，therefore，thathisheartshouldnotbefaint，andthathewouldseewhetherthefairladymightnotbewonbybecomingaudacity。

\'Mary，\'saidhe，stoppinginthepath——fortheywerenownearthespotwhereitbrokeoutuponthelawn，andtheycouldalreadyhearthevoicesoftheguests——\'Mary，youareunkindtome。\'

\'Iamnotawareofit，MrGresham；butifIam，donotyouretaliate。I

amweakerthanyou，andinyourpower；donotyou，therefore，beunkindtome。\'

\'Yourefusedmyhandjustnow，\'continuedhe。\'OfallthepeoplehereatGreshamsbury，youaretheonlyonethathasnotwishedmejoy；theonlyone——\'

\'Idowishyoujoy；Iwillwishyoujoy：thereismyhand，\'andshefranklyputoutherunglovedhand。\'Youarequitemanenoughtounderstandme：thereismyhand；Itrustyouuseitonlyasitismeanttobeused。\'

Hetookitinhishandandpresseditcordially，ashemighthavedonethatofanyotherfriendinsuchacase；andthen——didnotdropitasheshouldhavedone。HewasnotaStAnthony，anditwasmostimprudentinMissThornetosubjecthimtosuchatemptation。

\'Mary，\'saidhe；\'dearMary！dearestMary！ifyoudidbutknowhowI

loveyou！\'

Ashesaidthis，holdingMissThorne\'shandhestoodonthepathwaywithhisbacktowardsthelawnandhouse，and，therefore，didnotatfirstseehissisterAugusta，whohadjustatthatmomentcomeuponthem。Maryblusheduptoherstrawhat，and，withaquickjerk，recoveredherhand。Augustasawthemotion，andMarysawthatAugustahadseenit。

Frommytediouswayoftellingit，thereaderwillbeledtoimaginethatthehand-squeezinghadbeenprotractedtoadurationquiteincompatiblewithanyobjectiontosuchanarrangementonthepartofthelady；butthefaultismine：innoparthers。WereIpossessedofaquickspasmodicstyleofnarrative，Ishouldhavebeenabletoincludeitall——Frank\'smisbehaviour，Mary\'simmediateanger，Augusta\'sarrival，andkeen，Argus-eyedinspection，andthenMary\'ssubsequentmisery——infivewordsandhalfadozendashesandinvertedcommas。Thethingwouldhavebeensotold；for，todoMaryjustice，shedidnotleaveherhandinFrank\'samomentlongerthanshecouldhelpherself。

Frank，feelingthehandwithdrawn，andhearing，whenitwastoolate，thesteponthegravel，turnedsharplyround。\'Oh，it\'syou，isit，Augusta？Well，whatdoyouwant？\'

Augustawasnotnaturallyveryill-natured，seeingthatinherveinsthehighDeCourcybloodwassomewhattemperedbyanadmixtureoftheGreshamattributes；norwasshepredisposedtomakeherbrotherherenemybypublishingtotheworldanyofhislittletenderpeccadilloes；

butshecouldnotbutbethinkherselfofwhatheraunthadbeensayingastothedangerofanysuchencountersasthatshejustnowhadbeheld；shecouldnotbutstartatseeingherbrotherthus，ontheverybrinkoftheprecipiceofwhichthecountesshadspeciallyforewarnedhermother。She，Augusta，was，asshewellknew，doingherdutybyherfamilybymarryingatailor\'ssonforwhomshedidnotcareachip，seeingthatthetailor\'ssonwaspossessedofuntoldwealth。Nowwhenonememberofahouseholdismakingastruggleforafamily，itispainfultoseethebenefitofthatstrugglenegativedbythefollyofanothermember。ThefutureMrsMoffatdidfeelaggrievedbythefatuityoftheyoungheir，and，consequently，tookuponherselftolookasmuchlikeherAuntDeCourcyasshecoulddo。

\'Well，whatisit？\'saidFrank，lookingratherdisgusted。\'Whatmakesyoustickyourchinupandlookinthatway？\'Frankhadhithertobeenratheradespotamonghissisters，andforgotthattheeldestofthemwasnowpassingaltogetherfromunderhisswaytothatofthetailor\'sson。

\'Frank，\'saidAugusta，inatoneofvoicewhichdidhonourtothegreatlessonsshehadlatelyreceived。\'AuntDeCourcywantstoseeyouimmediatelyinthesmalldrawing-room；\'and，asshesaidso，sheresolvedtosayafewwordsofadvicetoMissThorneassoonasherbrothershouldhaveleftthem。

\'Inthesmalldrawing-room，doesshe？Well，Mary，wemayaswellgotogether，forIsupposeitistea-timenow。\'

\'Youhadbettergoatonce，Frank，\'saidAugusta；\'thecountesswillbeangryifyoukeepherwaiting。Shehasbeenexpectingyouthesetwentyminutes。MaryThorneandIcanreturntogether。\'

Therewassomethinginthetoneinwhichtheword，\'MaryThorne\'，wereuttered，whichmadeMaryatoncedrawherselfup。\'Ihope，\'saidshe，\'thatMaryThornewillneverbeahindrancetoeitherofyou。\'

Frank\'searhadalsoperceivedthattherewassomethinginthetoneofhissister\'svoicenotbodingcomforttoMary；heperceivedthattheDeCourcybloodinAugusta\'sveinswasalreadyrebellingagainstthedoctor\'snieceonhispart，thoughithadcondescendedtosubmititselftothetailor\'ssononherownpart。

\'Well，Iamgoing，\'saidhe；\'butlookhereAugusta，ifyousayonewordofMary——\'

Oh，Frank！Frank！youboy，youveryboy！yougoose，yousillygoose！

Isthatthewayyoumakelove，desiringonegirlnottotellanother，asthoughyouwerethreechildren，tearingyourfrocksandtrousersingettingthroughthesamehedgetogether？Oh，Frank！Frank！you，thefull-blownheirofGreshamsbury？You，amanalreadyendowedwithaman\'sdiscretion？You，theforwardrider，thatdidbutnowthreatenyoungHarryBakerandtheHonourableJohntoeclipsethembyprowessinthefield？You，ofage？Why，thoucanstnotasyethaveleftthymother\'sapron-string。

\'IfyousayonewordofMary——\'

Sofarhadhegotinhisinjunctiontohissister，butfurtherthanthat，insuchacase，washeneverdestinedtoproceed。Mary\'sindignationflasheduponhim，strikinghimdumblongbeforethesoundofhervoicereachedhisears；andyetshespokeasquickasthewordswouldcometohercall，andsomewhatloudlytoo。

\'SayonewordofMary，MrGresham！AndwhyshouldshenotsayasmanywordsofMaryasshemayplease？Imusttellyouallnow，Augusta！andImustalsobegyounottobesilentformysake。AsfarasIamconcerned，tellittowhomyouplease。Thiswasthesecondtimeyourbrother——\'

\'Mary，Mary，\'saidFrank，deprecatingherloquacity。

\'Ibegyourpardon，MrGresham；youhavemadeitnecessarythatI

shouldtellyoursisterall。Hehasnowtwicethoughtitwelltoamusehimselfbysayingtomewordswhichitwasill-naturedinhimtospeak，and——\'

\'Ill-natured，Mary！\'

\'Ill-naturedinhimtospeak，\'continuedMary，\'andtowhichitwouldbeabsurdformetolisten。Heprobablydoesthesametoothers，\'sheadded，beingunableinhearttoforgetthatsharpestofherwounds，thatflirtationofhiswithPatienceOriel；\'buttomeitisalmostcruel。Anothergirlmightlaughathim，orlistentohim，ashewouldchoose；butIcandoneither。IshallnowkeepawayfromGreshamsbury，atanyratetillhehasleftit；and，Augusta，Icanonlybegyoutounderstand，that，asfarasIamconcerned，thereisnothingwhichmaynotbetoldtoalltheworld。\'

And，sosaying，shewalkedonalittleinadvanceofthem，asproudasaqueen。HadLadydeCourcyherselfmetheratthismoment，shewouldalmosthavefeltherselfforcedtoshrinkoutofthepathway。\'Notsayawordofme！\'sherepeatedtoherself，butstilloutloud。\'Nowordneedbeleftunsaidonmyaccount；none，none。\'

Augustafollowedher，dumfoundedatherindignation；andFrankalsofollowed，butnotinsilence。WhenhisfirstsurpriseatMary\'sgreatangerwasover，hefelthimselfcalledupontosaysomewordthatmightexoneratehislady-love；andsomewordalsoofprotestationastohisownpurpose。

\'Thereisnothingtobetold，atleastofMary，\'hesaid，speakingtohissister；\'butofme，youmaytellthis，ifyouchoosetodisobligeyourbrother——thatIloveMaryThornewithallmyheart；andthatIwillneverloveanyoneelse。\'

Bythistimetheyhadreachedthelawn，andMarywasabletoturnawayfromthepathwhichleduptothehouse。Assheleftthemshesaidinavoice，nowlowenough，\'Icannotpreventhimfromtalkingnonsense，Augusta；butyouwillbearmewitness，thatIdonotwillinglyhearit。\'And，sosaying，shestartedoffalmostinaruntowardsthedistantpartofthegardens，inwhichshesawBeatrice。

Frank，ashewalkeduptothehousewithhissister，endeavouredtoinducehertogivehimapromisethatshewouldtellnotalesastowhatshehadheardandseen。

\'Ofcourse，Frank，itmustbeallnonsense，\'shehadsaid；\'andyoushouldn\'tamuseyourselfinsuchaway。\'

\'Well，but，Guss，come，wehavealwaysbeenfriends；don\'tletusquarreljustwhenyouaregoingtobemarried。\'ButAugustawouldmakenopromise。

Frank，whenhereachedthehouse，foundthecountesswaitingforhim，sittinginthelittledrawing-roombyherself，——somewhatimpatiently。

Asheenteredhebecameawarethattherewassomepeculiargravityattachedtothecominginterview。Threepersons，hismother，oneofhisyoungersisters，andtheLadyAmelia，eachstoppedhimtolethimknowthatthecountesswaswaiting；andheperceivedthatasortofguardwaskeptuponthedoortosaveherladyshipfromanyundesirableintrusion。

Thecountessfrownedatthemomentofhisentrance，butsoonsmoothedherbrow，andinvitedhimtotakeachairreadypreparedforhimoppositetotheelbowofthesofaonwhichshewasleaning。Shehadasmalltablebeforeher，onwhichwasherteacup，sothatshewasabletopreachathimnearlyaswellasthoughshehadbeenensconcedinapulpit。

\'MydearFrank，\'saidshe，inavoicethoroughlysuitabletotheimportanceofthecommunication，\'youhaveto-daycomeofage。\'

Frankremarkedthatheunderstoodthatsuchwasthecase，andaddedthat\'thatwasthereasonforallthefuss。\'

\'Yes；youhaveto-daycomeofage。PerhapsIshouldhavebeengladtoseesuchanoccasionnoticedatGreshamsburywithsomemoresuitablesignsofrejoicing。\'

\'Oh，aunt！Ithinkwediditallverywell。\'

\'Greshamsbury，Frank，is，oratanyrateoughttobe，theseatofthefirstcommonerinBarsetshire。

\'Well；soitis。Iamquitesurethereisn\'tabetterfellowthanfatheranywhereinthecounty。\'

Thecountesssighed。HeropinionofthepoorsquirewasverydifferentfromFrank\'s。\'Itisnousenow，\'saidshe，\'lookingbacktothatwhichcannotbecured。ThefirstcommonerinBarsetshireshouldholdaposition——Iwillnotofcoursesayequaltothatofapeer。\'

\'Ohdearno；ofcoursenot，\'saidFrank；andabystandermighthavethoughtthattherewasatouchofsatireinhistone。

\'No，notequaltothatofapeer；butstillofveryparamountimportance。OfcoursemyfirstambitionisboundupinPorlock。\'

\'Ofcourse，\'saidFrank，thinkinghowveryweakwasthestaffonwhichhisaunt\'sambitionrested；forLordPorlock\'syouthfulcareerhadnotbeensuchastogiveunmitigatedsatisfactiontohisparents。

\'IsboundupinPorlock：\'andthenthecountessplumedherself；butthemothersighed。\'AndnexttoPorlock，myanxietyisaboutyou。\'

\'Uponmyhonour，aunt，Iamverymuchobliged。Ishallbeallright，youknow。\'

\'Greshamsbury，mydearboy，isnotnowwhatitusedtobe。\'

\'Isn\'tit？\'askedFrank。

\'No，Frank；bynomeans。Idonotwishtosayawordagainstyourfather。Itmay，perhapshavebeenhismisfortune，ratherthanhisfault——\'

\'Sheisalwaysdownonthegovernor；always，\'saidFranktohimself；

resolvingtostickbravelytothesideofthehousetowhichhehadelectedtobelong。

\'Butthereisthefact，Frank，tooplaintousall；Greshamsburyisnotwhatitwas。Itisyourdutytorestoreittoitsformerimportance。\'

\'Myduty！\'saidFrank，ratherpuzzled。

\'Yes，Frank，yourduty。Italldependsonyounow。Ofcourseyouknowthatyourfatherowesagreatdealofmoney。\'

Frankmutteredsomething。Tidingshadinsomeshapereachedhisearthathisfatherwasnotcomfortablycircumstancesasregardsmoney。

\'Andthen，hehassoldBoxallHill。ItcannotbeexpectedthatBoxallHillshallbepurchased，assomehorridman，arailway-maker，I

believe——\'

\'Yes；that\'sScatcherd。\'

\'Well，hehasbuiltahousethere，I\'mtold；soIpresumethatitcannotbeboughtback：butitwillbeyourduty，Frank，topayallthedebtsthatthereareontheproperty，andtopurchasewhat，atanyrate，willbeequaltoBoxallHill。\'

Frankopenedhiseyeswideandstaredathisaunt，asthoughdoubtingmuchwhetherornoshewereinherrightmind。Hepayoffthefamilydebts！Hebuyuppropertyoffourthousandpoundsayear！Heremained，however，quitequiet，waitingtheelucidationofthemystery。

\'Frank，ofcourseyouunderstandme。\'

Frankwasobligedtodeclare，thatjustatthepresentmomenthedidnotfindhisauntsoclearasusual。

\'Youhavebutonelineofconductleftyou，Frank：yourposition，asheirtoGreshamsbury，isagoodone；butyourfatherhasunfortunatelysohamperedyouwithregardtomoney，thatunlessyousetthematterrightyourself，youcanneverenjoythatposition。Ofcourseyoumustmarrymoney。\'

\'Marrymoney！\'saidhe，consideringforthefirsttimethatinallprobabilityMaryThorne\'sfortunewouldnotbeextensive。\'Marrymoney！\'

\'Yes，Frank。Iknownomanwhosepositionsoimperativelydemandsit；

andluckilyforyou，nomancanhavemorefacilityfordoingso。Inthefirstplaceyouareveryhandsome。\'

Frankblushedlikeagirlofsixteen。

\'Andthen，asthematterismadeplaintoyouatsoearlyanage，youarenotofcoursehamperedbyanyindiscreettie；byanyabsurdengagement。\'

Frankblushedagain；andthensayingtohimself，\'Howmuchtheoldgirlknowsaboutit！\'feltalittleproudofhispassionforMaryThorne，andofthedeclarationhehadmadetoher。

\'AndyourconnexionwithCourcyCastle，\'continuedthecountess，nowcarryingupthelistofFrank\'sadvantagestoitsgreatestclimax，\'willmakethemattersoeasyforyou，thatreally，youwillhardlyhaveanydifficulty。\'

FrankcouldnotbutsayhowmuchobligedhefelttoCourcyCastleanditsinmates。

\'OfcourseIwouldnotwishtointerferewithyouinanyunderhandway，Frank；butIwilltellyouwhathasoccurredtome。Youhaveheard，probably，ofMissDunstable？\'

\'ThedaughteroftheointmentofLebanonman？\'

\'Andofcourseyouknowthatherfortuneisimmense，\'continuedthecountess，notdeigningtonoticehernephew\'sallusiontotheointment。\'Quiteimmensewhencomparedwiththewantsandanypositionofanycommoner。NowsheiscomingtoCourcyCastle，andIwishyoutocomeandmeether。\'

\'But，aunt，justatthismomentIhavetoreadformydegreelikeanything。Igoup，youknow，toOxford。\'

\'Degree！\'saidthecountess。\'Why，Frank，Iamtalkingtoyouofyourprospectsinlife，ofyourfutureposition，ofthatonwhicheverythinghangs，andyoutellmeofyourdegree！\'

Frank，however，obstinatelypersistedthathemusttakehisdegree，andthatheshouldcommencereadinghardatsixa。m。tomorrowmorning。

\'YoucanreadjustaswellatCourcyCastle。MissDunstablewillnotinterferewiththat，\'saidhisaunt，whoknewtheexpediencyofyieldingoccasionally；\'butImustbegyouwillcomeoverandmeether。Youwillfindheramostcharmingyoungwoman，remarkablywelleducatedIamtold，and——\'

\'Howoldisshe？\'askedFrank。

\'Ireallycannotsayexactly，\'saidthecountess；\'butitisnot，I

imagine，amatterofmuchmoment。\'

\'Isshethirty？\'askedFrank，wholookeduponanunmarriedwomanofthatageasquiteanoldmaid。

\'Idaresayshemaybeaboutthatage，\'saidthecountess，whoregardedthesubjectfromaverydifferentpointofview。

\'Thirty！\'saidFrankoutloud，butspeaking，neverthelessasthoughtohimself。

\'Itisamatterofnomoment，\'saidhisaunt，almostangrily。\'Whenasubjectitselfisofsuchvitalimportance，objectionsofnorealweightshouldnotbebroughtintoview。Ifyouwishtoholdupyourheadinthecountry；ifyouwishtorepresentyourcountyinParliament，ashasbeendonebyyourfather，yourgrandfather，andyourgreat-grandfathers；ifyouwishtokeepahouseoveryourhead，andtoleaveGreshamsburytoyoursonafteryou，youmustmarrymoney。WhatdoesitsignifywhetherMissDunstablebetwenty-eightorthirty？Shehasgotmoney；andifyoumarryher，youmaythenconsiderthatyourpositioninlifeismade。\'

Frankwasastonishedathisaunt\'seloquence；but，inspiteofthateloquence，hemadeuphismindthathewouldnotmarryMissDunstable。

Howcouldhe，indeed，seeingthathistrothwasalreadyplightedtoMaryThorneinthepresenceofhissister？Thiscircumstance，however，hedidnotchoosetopleadtohisaunt，soherecapitulatedanyotherobjectionsthatpresentedthemselvestohismind。

Inthefirstplace，hewassoanxiousabouthisdegreethathecouldnotthinkofmarryingatpresent；thenhesuggestedthatitmightbebettertopostponethequestiontilltheseason\'shuntingshouldbeover；hedeclaredthathecouldnotvisitCourcyCastletillhegotanewsuitofclotheshomefromthetailor；andultimatelyrememberedthathehadaparticularengagementtogofly-fishingwithMrOrielonthatdayweek。

None，however，ofthesevalidreasonsweresufficientlypotenttoturnthecountessfromherpoint。

\'Nonsense，Frank，\'saidshe，\'Iwonderthatyoucantalkoffly-fishingwhenthepropertyofGreshamsburyisatstake。YouwillgowithAugustaandmyselftoCourcyCastleto-morrow。\'

\'To-morrow，aunt！\'hesaid，inthetonewhichacondemnedcriminalmightmakehisejaculationonhearingthataveryneardayhadbeennamedforhisexecution。\'To-morrow！\'

\'Yes，wereturnto-morrow，andshallbehappytohaveyourcompany。Myfriends，includingMissDunstable，comeonThursday。IamquitesureyouwilllikeMissDunstable。Ihavesettledallthatwithyourmother，soweneedsaynothingfurtheraboutit。Andnow，good-night，Frank。\'

Frank，findingthattherewasnothingmoretobesaid，tookhisdeparture，andwentouttolookforMary。ButMaryhadgonehomewithJanethalfanhoursince，sohebetookhimselftohissisterBeatrice。

\'Beatrice，\'saidhe，\'IamtogotoCourcyCastleto-morrow。\'

\'SoIheardmammasay。\'

\'Well；Ionlycameofageto-day，andIwillnotbeginbyrunningcountertothem。ButItellyouwhat，Iwon\'tstayaboveaweekatCourcyCastleforalltheDeCourcysinBarsetshire。Tellme，Beatrice，didyoueverhearofaMissDunstable？\'

CHAPTERIX

SIRROGERSCATCHERD

EnoughhasbeensaidinthisnarrativetoexplaintothereaderthatRogerScatcherd，whowaswhilomadrunkenstone-masoninBarchester，andwhohadbeensoprompttoavengetheinjurydonetohissister，hadbecomeagreatmanintheworld。Hehadbecomeacontractor，firstforlittlethings，suchashalfamileorsoofarailwayembankment，orthreeorfourcanalbridges，andthenacontractorforgreatthings，suchasGovernmenthospitals，locks，docks，andquays，andhadlatterlyhadinhishandsthemakingofwholelinesofrailway。

Hehadbeenoccasionallyinpartnershipwithonemanforonething，andthenwithanotherforanother；buthad，onthewhole，kepthisintereststohimself，andnowatthetimeofourstory，hewasaveryrichman。

Andhehadacquiredmorethanwealth。TherehadbeenatimewhentheGovernmentwantedtheimmediateperformanceofsomeextraordinarypieceofwork，andRogerScatcherdhadbeenthemantodoit。Therehadbeensomeextremelynecessarybitofarailwaytobemadeinhalfthetimethatsuchworkwouldproperlydemand，somespeculationtobeincurredrequiringgreatmeansandcourageaswell，andRogerScatcherdhadbeenfoundtobethemanforthetime。Hewasthenelevatedforthemomenttothedizzypinnacleofanewspaperhero，andbecameoneofthose\'whomthekingdelightethtohonour\'。HewentuponedaytokissHerMajesty\'shand，andcomedowntohisnewgrandhouseatBoxallHill，SirRogerScatcherd，Bart。

\'Andnow，mylady，\'saidhe，whenheexplainedtohiswifethehighstatetowhichshehadbeencalledbyhisexertionsandtheQueen\'sprerogative，\'let\'shaveabitofdinner，andadropofsom\'athot。\'

Nowthedropofsom\'athotsignifiedadoseofalcoholsufficienttosendthreeordinarymenverydrunktobed。

WhileconqueringtheworldRogerScatcherdhadnotconqueredhisoldbadhabits。Indeed，hewasthesamemanatallpointsthathehadbeenwhenformerlyseenaboutthestreetsofBarchesterwithhisstone-mason\'saprontuckeduproundhiswaist。Theapronhehadabandoned，butnottheheavyprominentthoughtfulbrow，withthewildlyflashingeyebeneathit。Hewasstillthesamegoodcompanion，andstillalsothesamehard-workinghero。Inthisonlyhadhechanged，thatnowhewouldwork，andsomesaidequallywell，whetherheweredrunkorsober。Thosewhoweremostlyinclinedtomakeamiracleofhim——andtherewasaschoolofworshippersreadytoadorehimastheirideaofadivine，superhuman，miracle-moving，inspiredprophet——declaredthathiswondrousworkwasbestdone，hiscalculationsmostquicklyandmosttrulymade，thathesawwithmostaccurateeyeintothefar-distantbalanceofprofitandloss，whenhewasundertheinfluenceoftherosygod。Totheseworshippershisbreakings-out，ashisperiodsofintemperancewerecalledinhisownset，werehismomentsofpeculiarinspiration——hisdivinefrenzies，inwhichhecommunicatedmostcloselywiththosedeitieswhopresideovertradetransactions；hisEleusinianmysteries，toapproachhiminwhichwaspermittedonlyafewofthemostfavoured。

\'Scatcherdhasbeendrunkthisweekpast，\'theywouldsayonetoanother，whenthemomentcameatwhichitwastobedecidedwhoseoffershouldbeacceptedforconstructingaharbourtoholdallthecommerceofLancashire，ortomakearailwayfromBombaytoCanton。\'Scatcherdhasbeendrunkthisweekpast；Iamtoldthathehastakenoverthreegallonsofbrandy。\'AndthentheyfeltsurethatnonebutScatcherdwouldbecalledupontoconstructthedockormaketherailway。

Butbethisasitmay，beittrueorfalsethatSirRogerwasmostefficaciouswheninhiscups，therecanbenodoubtthathecouldnotwallowforaweekinbrandy，sixorseventimeseveryyear，withoutinagreatmeasureinjuring，andpermanentlyinjuring，theoutwardman。

Whateverimmediateeffectsuchsymposiumsmighthaveontheinnermind-

symposiumsindeedtheywerenot；posiumsIwillcallthem，ifImaybeallowed；forinlatterlife，whenhedrankheavily，hedrankalone——howeverlittleforevil，orhowevermuchforgoodtheworkingofhisbrainmightbeaffected，hisbodysufferedgreatly。Itwasnotthathebecamefeebleoremaciated，old-lookingorinactive，thathishandshook，orthathiseyewaswatery；butthatinthemomentsofhisintemperancehislifewasoftenworthaday\'spurchase。TheframewhichGodhadgiventohimwaspowerfulbeyondthepowerofordinarymen；powerfultoactinspiteoftheseviolentperturbations；powerfultorepressandconquerthequalmsandheadachesandinwardsicknessestowhichthevotariesofBacchusareordinarilysubject；butthispowerwasnotwithoutitslimit。Ifencroachedontoofar，itwouldbreakandfallandcomeasunder，andthenthestrongmanwouldatoncebecomeacorpse。

Scatcherdhadbutonefriendintheworld。And，indeed，thisfriendwasnotfriendintheordinaryacceptanceoftheword。Heneitheratewithhimnordrankwithhim，norevenfrequentlytalkedwithhim。Theirpursuitsinlifewerewideasunder。Theirtasteswerealldifferent。

Thesocietyinwhichtheymovedveryseldomcametogether。Scatcherdhadnothinginunisonwiththissolitaryfriend；buthetrustedhim，andhetrustednootherlivingcreatureinGod\'searth。

Hetrustedthisman；butevenhimhedidnottrustthoroughly；notatleastasonefriendshouldtrustanother。Hebelievedthatthismanwouldnotrobhim；wouldprobablynotlietohim；wouldnotendeavourtomakemoneyofhim；wouldnotcounthimuporspeculateonhim，andmakeoutabalanceofprofitandloss；and，therefore，hedeterminedtousehim。Butheputnotrustwhateverinhisfriend\'scounsel，inhismodesofthought；noneinhistheory，andnoneinhispractice。Hedislikedhisfriend\'scounsel，and，infact，dislikedhissociety，forhisfriendwassomewhatapttospeaktohiminamannerapproachingtoseverity。NowRogerScatcherdhaddonemanythingsintheworld，andmademuchmoney；whereashisfriendhaddonebutfewthings，andmadenomoney。Itwasnottobeenduredthatthepractical，efficientmanshouldbetakentotaskbythemanwhoprovedhimselftobeneitherpracticalnorefficient；nottobeendured，certainly，byRogerScatcherd，wholookedonmenofhisownclassasthemenoftheday，andonhimselfasbynomeanstheleastamongthem。

ThefriendwasourfriendDrThorne。

Thedoctor\'sfirstacquaintancewithScatcherdhasbeenalreadyexplained。Hewasnecessarilythrownintocommunicationwiththemanatthetimeofthetrial，andScatcherdthenhadnotonlysufficientsense，butsufficientfeelingalsotoknowthatthedoctorbehavedverywell。Thiscommunicationhadindifferentwaysbeenkeptupbetweenthem。SoonafterthetrialScatcherdhadbeguntorise，andhisfirstsavingshadbeenentrustedtothedoctor\'scare。Thishadbeenthebeginningofapecuniaryconnexionwhichhadneverwhollyceased，andwhichhadledtothepurchaseofBoxallHill，andtotheloanoflargesumsofmoneytothesquire。

Inanotherwayalsotherehadbeenaclosealliancebetweenthem，andonenotalwaysofaverypleasantdescription。Thedoctorwas，andlonghadbeen，SirRoger\'smedicalattendant，and，inhisunceasingattemptstorescuethedrunkardfromthefatewhichwassomuchtobedreaded，henotunfrequentlywasdriventoquarrelwithhispatient。

OnethingfurthermustbetoldofSirRoger。InpoliticshewasasviolentaRadicalasever，andwasveryanxioustoobtainapositioninwhichhecouldbringhisviolencetobear。WiththisviewhewasabouttocontesthisnativeboroughofBarchester，inthehopeofbeingreturnedinoppositiontotheDeCourcycandidate；andwiththisobjecthehadnowcomedowntoBoxallHill。

NorwerehisclaimstositforBarchestersuchascouldbedespised。Ifmoneyweretobeofnoavail，hehadplentyofit，andwaspreparedtospendit；whereas，rumoursaidthatMrMoffatwasequallydeterminedtodonothingsofoolish。Thenagain，SirRogerhadasortofrougheloquence，andwasboldtoaddressthemenofBarchesterinlanguagethatwouldcomehometotheirhearts，inwordsthatwouldendearhimtoonepartywhiletheymadehimoffensivelyodioustotheother；butMrMoffatcouldmakeneitherfriendsnorenemiesbyhiseloquence。TheBarchesterroughscalledhimadumbdogthatcouldnotbark，andsometimessarcasticallyaddedthatneithercouldhebite。TheDeCourcyinterest，however，wasathisback，andhehadalsotheadvantageofpossession。SirRoger，therefore，knewthatthebattlewasnottobewonwithoutastruggle。

DrThornegotsafelybackfromSilverbridgethatevening，andfoundMarywaitingtogivehimhistea。HehadbeencalledtheretoaconsultationwithDrCentury，thatamiableoldgentlemanhavingsofarfallenawayfromthehighFillgravetenetsastoconsenttotheoccasionalenduranceofsuchdegradation。

Thenextmorninghebreakfastedearly，and，havingmountedhisstrongiron-greycob，startedforBoxallHill。Notonlyhadhetheretonegotiatethesquire\'sfurtherloan，butalsotoexercisehismedicalskill。SirRogerhavingbeendeclaredcontractorforcuttingacanalfromseatosea，throughtheisthmusofPanama，hadbeenmakingaweekofit；andtheresultwasthatLadyScatcherdhadwrittenratherperemptorilytoherhusband\'smedicalfriend。

ThedoctorconsequentlytrottedofftoBoxallHillonhisiron-greycob。Amonghisothermeritswasthatofbeingagoodhorseman，andhedidmuchofhisworkonhorseback。ThefactthatheoccasionallytookadaywiththeEastBarsetshires，andthatwhenhedidsohethoroughlyenjoyedit，hadprobablynotfailedtoaddsomethingtothestrengthofthesquire\'sfriendship。

\'Well，mylady，howishe？Notmuchthematter，Ihope？\'saidthedoctor，asheshookhandswiththetitledmistressofBoxallHillinasmallbreakfast-parlourintherearofthehouse。TheshowroomsofBoxallHillwerefurnishedmostmagnificently，buttheyweresetapartforcompany；andasthecompanynevercame——seeingthattheywereneverinvited——thegrandroomsandthegrandfurniturewerenotofmuchmaterialusetoLadyScatcherd。

\'Indeedthen，doctor，he\'sjustbadenough，\'saidherladyship，notinaveryhappytoneofvoice；\'justbadenough。There\'sbeensome\'atthebackofhishead，rapping，andrapping，andrapping；andifyoudon\'tdosomething，I\'mthinkingitwillraphimtoohardyet。\'

\'Isheinbed？\'

\'Why，yes，heisinbed；forwhenhewasfirsttookhecouldn\'tverywellhelphisself，soweputhimtobed。Andthen，hedon\'tseemtobequiterightyetaboutthelegs，sohehasn\'tgotup；buthe\'sgotthatWinterboneswithhimtowriteforhim，andwhenWinterbonesisthere，Scatcherdmightaswellbeupforanygoodthatbed\'lldohim。\'

MrWinterboneswasconfidentialclerktoSirRoger。Thatistosay，hewasawriting-machineofwhichSirRogermadeusetodocertainworkwhichcouldnotwellbeadjustedwithoutsomecontrivance。Hewasalittle，withered，dissipated，broken-downman，whomginandpovertyhadnearlyburnttoacinder，anddriedtoanash。Mindhehadnoneleft，norcareforearthlythings，exceptthesmallestmodicumofsubstantialfood，andthelargestallowanceofliquidsustenance。Allthathehadeverknownhehadforgotten，excepthowtocountupfiguresandtowrite：theresultsofhiscountingandhiswritingneverstayedwithhimfromonehourtoanother；nay，notfromonefoliotoanother。Lethim，however，beadequatelyscrewedupwithgin，andadequatelyscreweddownbythepresenceofhismaster，andthennoamountofcountingandwritingwouldbetoomuchforhim。ThiswasMrWinterbones，confidentialclerktothegreatSirRogerScatcherd。

\'WemustsendWinterbonesaway，Itakeit，\'saidthedoctor。

\'Indeed，doctor，Iwishyouwould。Iwishyou\'dsendhimtoBath，oranywhereelseoutoftheway。ThereisScatcherd，hetakesbrandy；andthereisWinterbones，hetakesgin；andit\'dpuzzleawomantosaywhichisworst，masterorman。\'

Itwillseemfromthis，thatLadyScatcherdandthedoctorwereonveryfamiliartermsasregardedherlittledomesticinconveniences。

\'TellSirRogerIamhere，willyou？\'saidthedoctor。

\'You\'lltakeadropofsherrybeforeyougoup？\'saidthelady。

\'Notadrop，thankyou，\'saidthedoctor。

\'Or，perhapsalittlecordial？\'

\'Notofdropofanything，thankyou；Ineverdo，youknow。\'

\'Justathimblefulofthis？\'saidthelady，producingfromsomerecessunderasideboardabottleofbrandy；\'justathimbleful？It\'swhathetakeshimself。\'

WhenLadyScatcherdfoundthateventhisargumentfailed，sheledthewaytothegreatman\'sbedroom。

\'Welldoctor！welldoctor！，well，doctor！\'wasthegreetingwithwhichoursonofGalenwassalutedsometimebeforeheenteredthesick-room。Hisapproachingstepwasheard，andthustheci-devantBarchesterstone-masonsalutedhiscomingfriend。Thevoicewasloudandpowerful，butnotclearandsonorous。Whatvoicethatisnurturedonbrandycaneverbeclear？Ithadaboutitapeculiarhuskiness，adissipatedgutturaltone，whichThorneimmediatelyrecognized，andrecognizedasbeingmoremarked，moreguttural，andmorehuskythanheretofore。

\'Soyou\'vesmeltmeout，haveyou，andcomeforyourfee？Ha！ha！ha！

Well，Ihavehadasharpishboutofit，asherladyshiptherenodoubthastoldyou。Letheralonetomaketheworstofit。But，yousee，you\'retoolate，man。I\'vebilkedtheoldgentlemanagainwithouttroublingyou。\'

\'Anyway，I\'mgladyou\'resomethingbetter，Scatcherd。\'

\'Something！Idon\'tknowwhatyoucallsomething。Ineverwasbetterinmylife。AskWinterboneshere。\'

\'Indeed，now，Scatcherd，youain\'t；you\'rebadenoughifyouonlyknewit。AndasforWinterbones，hehasnobusinesshereupinyourbedroom，whichstinksofginso，itdoes。Don\'tyoubelievehim，doctor；heain\'twell，noryetnighwell。\'

Winterbones，whentheaboveill-naturedallusionwasmadetothearomacomingfromhislibations，mightbeseentodepositsurreptitiouslybeneaththelittletableatwhichhesat，thecupwithwhichhehadperformedthem。

Thedoctor，inthemeantime，hadtakenSirRoger\'shandonthepretextoffeelinghispulse，butwasdrawingquiteasmuchinformationfromthetouchofthesickman\'sskin，andthelookofthesickman\'seye。

\'IthinkMrWinterboneshadbettergobacktotheLondonoffice，\'saidhe。\'LadyScatcherdwillbeyourbestclerkforsometime，SirRoger。\'

\'ThenI\'llbed——ifMrWinterbonesdoesanythingofthekind，\'saidhe；\'sothere\'sanendofthat。\'

\'Verywell，\'saidthedoctor。\'Amancandiebutonce。Itismydutytosuggestmeasuresforputtingofftheceremonyaslongaspossible。

Perhaps，however，youmaywishtohastenit。\'

\'Well，Iamnotanxiousaboutit，onewayortheother，\'saidScatcherd。Andashespoketherecameafiercegleamfromhiseye，whichseemedtosay——\'Ifthat\'sthebugbearwithwhichyouwishtofrightenme，youwillbemistaken。\'

\'Now，doctor，don\'tlethimtalkthatway，don\'t，\'saidLadyScatcherd，withherhandkerchieftohereyes。

\'Now，mylady，doyoucutit；cutatonce，\'saidSirRoger，turninghastilyroundtohisbetter-half；andhisbetter-half，knowingthattheprovinceofawomanistoobey，didcutit。Butasshewentshegavethedoctorapullbythecoat\'ssleeve，sothattherebyhishealingfacultiesmightbesharpenedtotheveryutmost。

\'Thebestwomanintheworld，doctor；theverybest，\'saidhe，asthedoorclosedbehindthewifeofhisbosom。

\'I\'msureofit，\'saidthedoctor。

\'Yes，tillyoufindabetterone，\'saidScatcherd。\'Ha！ha！ha！butforgoodorbad，therearesomethingswhichawomancan\'tunderstand，andsomethingswhichsheoughtnottobelettounderstand。\'

\'It\'snaturalsheshouldbeanxiousaboutyourhealth，youknow。\'

\'Idon\'tknowthat，\'saidthecontractor。\'She\'llbeverywelloff。

Allthatwhiningwon\'tkeepamanalive，atanyrate。\'

Therewasapause，duringwhichthedoctorcontinuedhismedicalexamination。Tothisthepatientsubmittedwithabadgrace；butstillhedidsubmit。

\'Wemustturnoveranewleaf，SirRoger；indeedwemust。\'

\'Bother，\'saidSirRoger。

\'Well，Scatcherd；Imustdomydutytoyou，whetheryoulikeitornot。\'

\'Thatistosay，Iamtopayyoufortryingtofrightenme。\'

\'Nohumannaturecanstandsuchshocksasthosemuchlonger。\'

\'Winterbones，\'saidthecontractor，turningtohisclerk，\'godown，godown，Isay；butdon\'tbeoutoftheway。Ifyougotothepublic-house，byG——youmaystaythereforme。WhenItakeadrop，——thatisifIeverdo，itdoesnotstandinthewayofwork。\'SoMrWinterbones，pickinguphiscupagain，andconcealingitinsomewaybeneathhiscoatflap，retreatedoutoftheroom，andthetwofriendswerealone。

\'Scatcherd，\'saidthedoctor，\'youhavebeenasnearyourGod，asanymaneverwaswhoafterwardsateanddrankinthisworld。\'

\'HaveI，now？\'saidtherailwayhere，apparentlysomewhatstartled。

\'Indeedyouhave；indeedyouhave。\'

\'AndnowI\'mallrightagain？\'

\'Allright！Howcanyoubeallright，whenyouknowthatyourlimbsrefusetocarryyou？Allright！whythebloodisstillbeatingroundyoubrainwithaviolencethatwoulddestroyanyotherbrainbutyours。\'

\'Ha！ha！ha！，\'laughedScatcherd。Hewasveryproudofthinkinghimselftobedifferentlyorganizedfromothermen。\'Ha！ha！ha！WellandwhatamItodonow？\'

Thewholeofthedoctor\'sprescriptionwewillnotgiveatlength。TosomeofhisordinancesSirRogerpromisedobedience；toothersheobjectedviolently，andtooneortwoheflatlyrefusedtolisten。Thegreatstumbling-blockwasthis，thattotalabstinencefrombusinessfortwoweekswasenjoined；andthatitwasimpossible，soSirRogersaid，thatheshouldabstainfortwodays。

\'Ifyouwork，\'saidthedoctor，\'inyourpresentstate，youwillcertainlyhaverecoursetothestimulusofdrink；andifyoudrink，mostassuredlywilldie。\'

\'Stimulus！WhydoyouthinkIcan\'tworkwithoutDutchcourage？\'

\'Scatcherd，Iknowthatthereisbrandyinthisroomatthemoment，andthatyouhavebeentakingitwithinthesetwohours。\'

\'Yousmellthatfellow\'sgin，\'saidScatcherd。

\'Ifeelthealcoholworkingwithinyourveins，\'saidthedoctor，whostillhadhishandonhispatient\'sarm。

SirRogerturnedhimselfroughlyinthebedsoastogetawayfromhisMentor，andthenhebegantothreateninhisturn。

\'I\'lltellyouwhatitis，doctor；I\'vemadeupmymind，andI\'lldoit。I\'llsendforFillgrave。\'

\'Verywell，\'saidheofGreshamsbury，\'sendforFillgrave。Yourcaseisoneinwhichevenhecanhardlygowrong。\'

\'Youthinkyoucanhectorme，anddoasyoulikebecauseyouhadmeunderyourthumbinotherdays。You\'reaverygoodfellow，Thorne，butIain\'tsurethatyouarethebestdoctorinallEngland。\'

\'YoumaybesureIamnot；youmaytakemefortheworstifyouwill。

ButwhileIamhereasyourmedicaladviser，Icanonlytellyouthetruthtothebestofmythinking。Nowthetruthis，thatanotherboutofdrinkingwillinallprobabilitykillyou；andanyrecoursetostimulusinyourpresentconditionmaydoso。\'

\'I\'llsendforFillgrave——\'

\'Well，sendforFillgrave，onlydoitatonce。Believemeatanyrateinthis，thatwhateveryoudo，youshoulddoatonce。Obligemeinthis；letLadyScatcherdtakeawaythatbrandybottletillDrFillgravecomes。\'

\'I\'md——ifIdo。DoyouthinkIcan\'thaveabottleofbrandyinmyroomwithoutswigging？\'

\'Ithinkyou\'llbelesslikelytoswigifyoucan\'tgetatit。\'

SirRogermadeanotherangryturninhisbedaswellashishalf-paralysedlimbswouldlethim；andthen，afterafewmoments\'

peace，renewedhisthreatswithincreasedviolence。

\'Yes；I\'llhaveFillgraveoverhere。Ifamanbeill，reallyill，heshouldhavethebestadvicehecanget。I\'llhaveFillgrave，andI\'llhavethatotherfellowfromSilverbridgetomeethim。What\'shisname？——Century。\'

Thedoctorturnedhisheadaway；forthoughtheoccasionwasserious，hecouldnothelpsmilingatthemaliciousvengeancewithwhichhisfriendproposedtogratifyhimself。

\'Iwill；andRerechildtoo。What\'stheexpense？Isupposefiveorsixpoundsapiecewilldoit；eh，Thorne？\'

\'Oh，yes；thatwillbeliberalIshouldsay。But，SirRoger，willyouallowmetosuggestwhatyououghttodo？Idon\'tknowhowfaryoumaybejoking——\'

\'Joking！\'shoutedthebaronet；\'youtellamanhe\'sdyingandjokinginthesamebreath。You\'llfindI\'mnotjoking。\'

\'WellIdaresaynot。Butifyouhavenotfullconfidenceinme——\'

\'Ihavenoconfidenceinyouatall。\'

\'ThenwhynotsendtoLondon？Expenseisnoobjecttoyou。\'

\'Itisanobject；agreatobject。\'

\'Nonsense！SendtoLondonforSirOmicronPie：sendforsomemanwhomyouwillreallytrustwhenyouseehim。

\'There\'snotoneofthelotI\'dtrustassoonasFillgrave。I\'veknownFillgraveallmylifeandItrusthim。I\'llsendforFillgraveandputmycaseinhishands。Ifanyonecandoanythingforme，Fillgraveistheman。\'

\'TheninGod\'snamesendforFillgrave，\'saidthedoctor。\'Andnow，good-bye，Scatcherd；andasyoudosendforhim，givehimafairchance。Donotdestroyyourselfbymorebrandybeforehecomes。\'

\'That\'smyaffair，andhis；notyours，\'saidthepatient。

\'Sobeit；givemeyourhand，atanyrate，beforeIgo。Iwishyouwellthroughit，andwhenyouarewell，I\'llcomeandseeyou。\'

\'Good-bye——good-bye；andlookhere，Thorne，you\'llbetalkingtoLadyScatcherddownstairsIknow；now，nononsense。Youunderstandme，eh？

nononsense。\'

CHAPTERX

SIRROGER\'SWILL

DrThornelefttheroomandwentdownstairs，beingfullyawarethathecouldnotleavethehousewithouthavingsomecommunicationwithLadyScatcherd。Hewasnotsoonerwithinthepassagethanheheardthesickman\'sbellringviolently；andthentheservant，passinghimonthestaircase，receivedorderstosendamountedmessengerimmediatelytoBarchester。DrFillgravewastobesummonedtocomeasquicklyaspossibletothesickman\'sroom，andMrWinterboneswastobesentuptowritethenote。

SirRogerwasquiterightinsupposingthattherewouldbesomewordsbetweenthedoctorandherladyship。How，indeed，wasthedoctortogetoutofthehousewithoutsuch，lethimwishiteversomuch？Therewerewords；andthesewereprotracted，whilethedoctor\'scobwasbeingorderedround，tillverymanywereutteredwhichthecontractorwouldprobablyhaveregardedasnonsense。

LadyScatcherdwasnofitassociateforthewivesofEnglishbaronets；——wasnodoubtbyeducationandmannersmuchbetterfittedtositintheirservants\'halls；butnotonthataccountwassheabadwifeorabadwoman。Shewaspainfully，fearfully，anxiousforthathusbandofhers，whomshehonouredandworshipped，asitbehovedhertodo，aboveallothermen。Shewasfearfullyanxiousastohislife，andfaithfullybelieved，thatifanymancouldprolongit，itwasthatoldandfaithfulfriendwhomshehadknowntobetruetoherlordsincetheirearlymarriedtroubles。

When，therefore，shefoundthatshehadbeendismissed，andthatastrangerwastobesentforinhisplace，herheartsankbelowwithinher。

\'But，doctor，\'shesaid，withherapronuptohereyes，\'youain\'tgoingtoleavehim，areyou？\'

DrThornedidnotfinditeasytoexplaintoherladyshipthatmedicaletiquettewouldnotpermithimtoremaininattendanceonherhusbandafterhehadbeendismissedandanotherphysiciancalledinhisplace。

\'Etiquette！\'saidshe，crying。\'What\'setiquettetodowithitwhenamanisa-killinghisselfwithbrandy？\'

\'FillgravewillforbidthatquiteasstronglyasIcando。\'

\'Fillgrave！\'saidshe。\'Fiddlesticks！Fillgrave，indeed！\'

DrThornecouldalmosthaveembracedherforthestrongfeelingofthoroughconfidenceontheoneside，andthoroughdistrustontheother，whichshecontrivedtothrowintothosefewwords。

\'I\'lltellyouwhat，doctor；Iwon\'tletthatmessengergo。I\'llbearthebruntofit。Hecan\'tdomuchnowheain\'tup，youknow。I\'llstoptheboy；wewon\'thavenoFillgravehere。\'

This，however，wasasteptowhichDrThornewouldnotassent。Heendeavouredtoexplaintotheanxiouswife，thatafterwhathadpassedhecouldnottenderhismedicalservicestilltheywereagainaskedfor。

\'Butyoucanslipinasafriend，youknow；andthenbydegreesyoucancomeroundhim，eh？can\'tyounow，doctor？Andastopayment——\'

AllthatDrThornesaidonthesubjectmayeasilybeimagined。Andinthisway，andinpartakingofthelunchwhichwasforceduponhim，anhourhadnearlypassedbetweenhisleavingSirRoger\'sbedroomandputtinghisfootinthestirrup。Butnosoonerhadthecobbeguntomoveonthegravel-sweepbeforethehousethanoneoftheupperwindowsopened，andthedoctorwassummonedtoanotherconferencewiththesickman。

\'Hesaysyouaretocomeback，whetherorno，\'saidMrWinterbones，screechingoutofthewindow，andputtingallhisemphasisonthelastwords。

\'Thorne！Thorne！Thorne！\'shoutedthesickmanfromhissick-bed，soloudlythatthedoctorheardhim，seatedashewasonhorsebackoutbeforethehouse。

\'You\'retocomeback，whetherorno，\'repeatedWinterbones，withmoreemphasis，evidentlyconceivingthattherewasastrengthofinjunctioninthat\'whetherorno\'whichwouldbefoundquiteinvincible。

Whetheractuatedbythesemagicwords，orbysomeinternalprocessofthought，wewillnotsay；butthedoctordidslowly，andasthoughunwillingly，dismountagainfromhissteed，andslowlyretracehisstepsintothehouse。

\'Itisnouse，\'hesaidtohimself，\'forthatmessengerhasalreadygonetoBarchester。\'

\'IhavesentforDrFillgrave，\'werethefirstwordswhichthecontractorsaidtohimwhenheagainfoundhimselfbythebedside。

\'Didyoucallmebacktotellmethat？\'saidThorne，whonowfeltreallyangryattheimpertinentpetulanceofthemanbeforehim：\'youshouldconsider，Scatcherd，thatmytimemaybeofvaluetoothers，ifnottoyou。\'

\'Nowdon\'tbeangry，oldfellow，\'saidScatcherd，turningtohim，andlookingathimwithacountenancequitedifferentfromanythathehadshownthatday；acountenanceinwhichtherewasashowofmanhood，——someshowalsoofaffection。\'Youain\'tangrynowbecauseI\'vesentforFillgrave？\'

\'Notintheleast，\'saidthedoctorverycomplacently。\'Notintheleast。FillgravewilldoasmuchgoodasIcando。\'

\'Andthat\'snoneatall，Isuppose；eh，Thorne？\'

\'Thatdependsonyourself。Hewilldoyougoodifyouwilltellhimthetruth，andwillthenbeguidedbyhim。Yourwife，yourservant，anyonecanbeasgoodadoctortoyouaseitherheorI；asgood，thatis，inthemainpoint。ButyouhavesentforFillgravenow；andofcourseyoumustseehim。Ihavemuchtodo，andyoumustletmego。\'

Scatcherd，however，wouldnotlethimgo，butheldhishandfast。

\'Thorne，\'saidhe，\'ifyoulikeit，I\'llmakethemputFillgraveunderthepumpdirectlyhecomeshere。Iwillindeed，andpayallthedamagemyself。\'

Thiswasanotherpropositiontowhichthedoctorcouldnotconsent；buthewasutterlyunabletorefrainfromlaughing。TherewasanearnestlookofentreatyaboutSirRoger\'sfaceashemadethesuggestion；and，joinedtothis，therewasagleamofcomicsatisfactioninhiseyewhichseemedtopromise，thatifhereceivedtheleastencouragementhewouldputhisthreatintoexecution。Nowourdoctorwasnotinclinedtotakinganystepstowardssubjectinghislearnedbrothertopumpdiscipline；buthecouldnotbutadmittohimselfthattheideawasnotabadone。

\'I\'llhaveitdone，Iwill，byheavens！ifyou\'llonlysaytheword，\'

protestedSirRoger。

Butthedoctordidnotsaytheword，andsotheideawaspassedoff。

\'Youshouldn\'tbesotestywithamanwhenheisill，\'saidScatcherd，stillholdingthedoctor\'shand，ofwhichhehadagaingotpossession；

\'speciallynotanoldfriend；andspeciallyagainwhenyou\'rebeena-blowinghimup。\'

Itwasnotworththedoctor\'swhiletoaverthatthetestinesshadallbeenontheotherside，andthathehadneverlosthisgood-humour；sohemerelysmiled，andaskedSirRogerifhecoulddoanythingfurtherforhim。

\'Indeedyoucan，doctor；andthat\'swhyIsentforyou，——whyIsentforyouyesterday。Getoutoftheroom，Winterbones，\'hethensaidgruffly，asthoughheweredismissingfromhischamberadirtydog。