第5章

Winterbones，notawhitoffended，againhidhiscupunderhiscoat-tailandvanished。

\'Sitdown，Thorne，sitdown，\'saidthecontractor，speakinginquiteadifferentmannerfromanythathehadyetassumed。\'Iknowyou\'reinahurry，butyoumustgivemehalfanhour。Imaybedeadbeforeyoucangivemeanother；whoknows？\'

Thedoctorofcoursedeclaredthathehopedtohavemanyahalf-hour\'schatwithhimformanyayeartocome。

\'Well，that\'sasmaybe。Youmuststopnow，atanyrate。Youcanmakethecobpayforit，youknow。\'

Thedoctortookachairandsatdown。Thusentreatedtostop，hehadhardlyanyalternativebuttodoso。

\'Itwasn\'tbecauseI\'millthatIsentforyou，orratherletherladyshipsendforyou。Lordblessyou，Thorne；doyouthinkIdon\'tknowwhatitisthatmakesmelikethis？WhenIseethatpoorwretchWinterbones，killinghimselfwithgin，doyouthinkIdon\'tknowwhat\'scomingtomyselfaswellashim？

\'Whydoyoutakeitthen？Whydoyoudoit？Yourlifeisnotlikehis。Oh，Scatcherd！Scatcherd！\'andthedoctorpreparedtopouroutthefloodofhiseloquenceinbeseechingthissingularmantoabstainfromhiswell-knownpoison。

\'Isthatallyouknowofhumannature，doctor？Abstain。Canyouabstainfrombreathing，andlivelikeafishdoesunderwater？\'

\'ButNaturehasnotorderedyoutodrink，Scatcherd。\'

\'Habitissecondnature，man；andastrongernaturethanthefirst。AndwhyshouldInotdrink？WhatelsehastheworldgivenmeforallthatIhavedoneforit？WhatotherresourcehaveI？Whatothergratification？\'

\'Oh，myGod！Haveyounotunboundedwealth？Canyounotdoanythingyouwish？beanythingyouchoose？\'

\'No，\'andthesickmanshriekedwithanenergythatmadehimaudibleallthroughthehouse。\'IcandonothingthatIwouldchoosetodo；benothingthatIwouldwishtobe！WhatcanIdo？WhatcanIbe？WhatgratificationcanIhaveexceptthebrandybottle？IfIgoamonggentlemen，canItalktothem？Iftheyhaveanythingtosayaboutarailway，theywillaskmeaquestion：iftheyspeaktomebeyondthat，Imustbedumb。IfIgoamongmyworkmen，cantheytalktome？No；I

amtheirmaster，andasternmaster。Theybobtheirheadsandshakeintheirshoeswhentheyseeme。Wherearemyfriends？Here！\'saidhe，andhedraggedabottlefromunderhisverypillow。\'Wherearemyamusements？Here！\'andhebrandishedthebottlealmostinthedoctor\'sface。\'Whereismyoneresource，myonegratification，myonlycomfortafterallmytoils。Here，doctor；here，here，here！\'and，sosaying，hereplacedhistreasurebeneathhispillow。

Therewassomethingsohorrifyinginthis，thatDrThorneshrankbackamazed，andwasforamomentunabletospeak。

\'But，Scatcherd，\'hesaidatlast；\'surelyyouwouldnotdieforsuchapassionasthat？\'\'Dieforit？Aye，wouldI。LiveforitwhileIcanlive；anddieforitwhenIcanlivenolonger。Dieforit！Whatisthatforamantodo？Whatisamantheworsefordying？WhatcanIbetheworsefordying？Amancandiebutonce，yousaidjustnow。I\'ddietentimesforthis。\'

\'Youarespeakingnoweitherinmadness，orelseinfolly，tostartleme。\'

\'Follyenough，perhaps，andmadnessenough，also。Suchalifeasminemakesamanafool，andmakeshimmadtoo。WhathaveaboutmethatI

shouldbeafraidtodie？I\'mworththreehundredthousandpounds；andI\'dgiveitalltobeabletogotoworkto-morrowwithahodandmortar，andhaveafellowclaphishanduponmyshoulder，andsay：

“Well，Roger，shallushavethat\'ereotherhalf-pintthismorning？”

I\'lltellyouwhat，Thorne，whenamanhasmadethreehundredthousandpounds，there\'snothingleftforhimbuttodie。It\'sallhe\'sgoodforthen。Whenmoney\'sbeenmade，thenextthingistospendit。Nowthemanwhomakesithasnotthehearttodothat。\'

Thedoctor，ofcourse，inhearingallthis，saidsomethingofatendencytocomfortandconsolethemindofhispatient。Notthatanythinghecouldsaywouldcomfortorconsoletheman；butthatitwasimpossibletositthereandhearsuchfearfultruths——forasregardedScatcherdtheyweretruths——withoutmakingsomeanswer。\'

\'Thisisasgoodasaplay，isn\'t，doctor？\'saidthebaronet。\'Youdidn\'tknowhowIcouldcomeoutlikeoneofthoseactorfellows。Well，now，come；atlastI\'lltellyouwhyIhavesentforyou。BeforethatlastburstofmineImademywill。\'

\'Youhadmadeawillbeforethat。\'

\'Yes，Ihad。Thatwillisdestroyed。Iburntitwithmyownhand，sothatthereshouldbenomistakeaboutit。InthatwillIhadnamedtwoexecutors，youandJackson。IwasthenpartnerwithJacksonintheYorkandYeovilGrandCentral。IthoughtadealofJacksonthen。He\'snotworthashillingnow。\'

\'Well，I\'mexactlyinthesamecategory。\'

\'No，you\'renot。Jacksonisnothingwithoutmoney；butmoney\'llnevermakeyou。\'

\'No，norIshan\'tmakemoney，\'saidthedoctor。

\'No，youneverwill。Nevertheless，there\'smyotherwill，there，underthatdeskthere；andI\'veputyouinassoleexecutor。\'

\'Youmustalterthat，Scatcherd；youmustindeed；withthreehundredthousandpoundstobedisposedof，thetrustisfartoomuchforanyoneman：besidesyoumustnameayoungerman；youandIareofthesameage，andImaydiefirst。\'

\'Now，doctor，nohumbug；let\'shavenohumbugfromyou。Rememberthis；

ifyou\'renottrue，you\'renothing。\'

\'Well，but，Scatcherd——\'

\'Well，butdoctor，there\'sthewill，it\'salreadymade。Idon\'twanttoconsultyouaboutthat。Youarenamedasexecutor，andifyouhavethehearttorefusetoactwhenI\'mdead，why，ofcourse，youcandoso。\'

Thedoctorwasnotlawyer，andhardlyknewwhetherhehadanymeansofextricatinghimselffromthispositioninwhichhisfriendwasdeterminedtoplacehim。

\'You\'llhavetoseethatwillcarriedout，Thorne。NowI\'lltellyouwhatIhavedone。\'

\'You\'renotgoingtotellmehowyouhavedisposedofyourproperty？\'

\'Notexactly；atleastnotallofit。OnehundredthousandI\'veinlegacies，including，youknow，whatLadyScatcherdwillhave。\'

\'HaveyounotleftthehousetoLadyScatcherd？\'

\'No；whatthedevilwouldshedowithahouselikethis？Shedoesn\'tknowhowtoliveinitnowshehasgotit。Ihaveprovidedforher；itmattersnothow。Thehouseandtheestate，andtheremainderofmymoneyIhavelefttoLouisPhilippe。\'

\'What！twohundredthousandpounds？\'saidthedoctor。

\'Andwhyshouldn\'tIleavetwohundredthousandpoundstomyson，eventomyeldestsonifIhavemorethanone？DoesnotMrGreshamleaveallhispropertytohisheir？WhyshouldnotImakeaneldestsonaswellasLorddeCourcyortheDukeofOmnium？IsupposearailwaycontractoroughtnottobeallowedaneldestsonbyActofParliament！

Won\'tmysonhaveatitletokeepup？Andthat\'smorethantheGreshamshaveamongthem。\'

Thedoctorexplainedawaywhathesaidaswellashecould。Hecouldnotexplainthatwhathehadreallymeantwasthis，thatSirRogerScatcherd\'ssonwasnotamanfittobetrustedwiththeentirecontrolofanenormousfortune。

SirRogerScatcherdhadbutonechild；thatchildwhichhadbeenborninthedaysofhisearlytroubles，andhadbeendismissedfromhismother\'sbreastinorderthatthemother\'smilkmightnourishtheyoungheirofGreshamsbury。Theboyhadgrownup，buthadbecomestrongneitherinmindnorbody。Hisfatherhaddeterminedtomakeagentlemanofhim，andhadsenttoEtonandCambridge。Buteventhisreceipt，generallyasitisrecognized，willnotmakeagentleman。Itishard，indeed，todefinewhatreceiptwilldoso，thoughpeopledohaveintheirownmindssomecertainundefined，butyettolerablycorrectideasonthesubject。Bethatasitmay，twoyearsatEton，andthreetermsatCambridge，didnotmakeagentlemanofLouisPhilippeScatcherd。

Yes；hewaschristenedLouisPhilippe，aftertheKingoftheFrench。Ifonewishestolookoutintheworldforroyalnomenclature，tofindchildrenwhohavebeenchristenedafterkingsandqueens，ortheunclesandauntsofkingsandqueens，thesearchshouldbemadeinthefamiliesofdemocrats。Nonehavesoservileadeferencefortheverynail-paringsofroyalty；nonefeelsowonderinganaweattheexaltationofacrownedhead；nonearesoanxioustosecurethemselvessomeshredorfragmentthathasbeenconsecratedbytheroyaltouch。Itisthedistancewhichtheyfeeltoexistbetweenthemselves，andthethronewhichmakesthemcovetthecrumbsofmajesty，theoddsandendsandchancesplintersofroyalty。

TherewasnothingroyalaboutLouisPhilippeScatcherdbuthisname。Hehadnowcometoman\'sestate，andhisfather，findingtheCambridgereceipttobeinefficacious，hadsenthimabroadtotravelwithatutor。Thedoctorhadfromtimetotimeheardtidingsofthisyouth；

heknewthathehadalreadyshownsymptomsofhisfather\'svices，butnosymptomsofhisfather\'stalents；heknewthathehadbegunlifebybeingdissipated，withoutbeinggenerous；andthatattheageoftwenty-onehehadalreadysufferedfromdeliriumtremens。

Itwasonthisaccountthathehadexpresseddisapprobation，ratherthansurprise，whenheheardthathisfatherintendedtobequeaththebulkofhislargefortunetotheuncontrolledwillofthisunfortunateboy。

\'Ihavetoiledformymoneyhard，andIhavearighttodoasIlikewithit。Whatothersatisfactioncanitgiveme？\'

Thedoctorassuredhimthathedidnotatallmeantodisputethis。

\'LouisPhilippewilldowellenough，you\'llfind，\'continuedthebaronet，understandingwhatwaspassingwithinhiscompanion\'sbreast。

\'Letayoungfellowsowhiswildoatswhileheisyoung，andhe\'llbesteadyenoughwhenhegrowsold。\'

\'Butwhatifheneverlivestogetthroughthesowing？\'thoughtthedoctortohimself。\'Whatifthewild-oatsoperationiscarriedoninsoviolentamannerastoleavenostrengthinthesoilfortheproductofamorevaluablecrop？\'Itwasofnousesayingthis，however，soheallowedScatcherdtocontinue。

\'IfI\'dhadafreeflingwhenIwasayoungster，Ishouldn\'thavebeensofondofthebrandybottlenow。Butanyway，mysonshallbemyheir。I\'vehadthegumptiontomakethemoney，butIhaven\'tthegumptiontospendit。Myson，however，shallbeabletoruffleitwiththebestofthem。I\'llgobailheshallholdhisheadhigherthaneveryoungGreshamwillbeabletoholdhis。Theyaremuchofthesameage，aswellIhavecausetoremember；——andsohasherladyshiphere。\'

Nowthefactwas，thatSirRogerScatcherdfeltinhisheartnospecialloveforyoungGresham；butwithherladyshipitmightalmostbeaquestionwhethershedidnotlovetheyouthwhomshehadnursedalmostaswellasthatotheronewhowasherownproperoffspring。

\'Andwillyounotputanycheckonthoughtlessexpenditure？Ifyoulivetenortwentyyears，aswehopeyoumay，itwillbecomeunnecessary；

butinmakingawill，amanshouldalwaysrememberhemaygooffsuddenly。\'

\'Especiallyifhegoestobedwithabrandybottleunderhishead；eh，doctor？But，mind，that\'samedicalsecret，youknow；notawordofthatoutofthebedroom。\'

DrThornecouldbutsigh。Whatcouldhesayonsuchasubjecttosuchamanasthis？

\'Yes，Ihaveputacheckonhisexpenditure。Iwillnotlethisdailybreaddependonanyman；Ihavethereforelethimfivehundredayearathisowndisposal，fromthedayofmydeath。Lethimmakewhatducksanddrakesofthathecan。\'

\'Fivehundredayeariscertainlynotmuch，\'saidthedoctor。

\'No；nordoIwanttokeephimtothat。Lethimhavewhateverhewantsifhesetsaboutspendingitproperly。Butthebulkoftheproperty——thisestateofBoxallHill，andtheGreshamsburymortgage，andthoseothermortgages——Ihavetiedupinthisway：theyshallbeallhisattwenty-five；anduptothatageitshallbeinyourpowertogivehimwhathewants。Ifheshalldiewithoutchildrenbeforeheshallbetwenty-fiveyearsofage，theyarealltogotoMary\'seldestchild。\'

NowMarywasSirRoger\'ssister，themother，therefore，ofMissThorne，and，consequently，thewifeoftherespectableironmongerwhowenttoAmerica，andthemotherofafamilythere。

\'Mary\'seldestchild！\'saidthedoctor，feelingthattheperspirationhadnearlybrokenoutonhisforehead，andthathecouldhardlycontrolhisfeelings。\'Mary\'seldestchild！Scatcherd，youshouldbemoreparticularinyourdescription，oryouwillleaveyourbestlegacytothelawyers。\'

\'Idon\'tknow，andneverheardthenameofoneofthem。\'

\'Butdoyoumeanaboyoragirl？\'

\'TheymaybeallgirlsforwhatIknow，orallboys；besides，Idon\'tcarewhichitis。Agirlwouldprobablydobestwithit。Onlyyou\'dhavetoseethatshemarriedsomedecentfellow；you\'dbeherguardian。\'

\'Pooh，nonsense，\'saidthedoctor。\'Louiswillbefive-and-twentyinayearortwo。\'

\'Inaboutfouryears。\'

\'Andforallthat\'scomeandgoneyet，Scatcherd，youarenotgoingtoleaveusyourselfquitesosoonasallthat。\'

\'NotifIcanhelpit；butthat\'sasmaybe。\'

\'Thechancesaretentoonethatsuchaclauseinyourwillwillnevercometobear。\'

\'Quiteso，quiteso。IfIdie，LouisPhilippewon\'t，butIthoughtitrighttoputinsomethingtopreventhissquanderingitallbeforehecomestohissenses。\'

\'Oh！quiteright，quiteright。IthinkIwouldhavenamedalateragethantwenty-five。\'

\'SowouldnotI。LouisPhilippewillbeallrightbythattime。That\'smylookout。Andnow，doctor，youknowmywill；andifIdieto-morrow，youwillknowwhatIwantyoutodoforme。\'

\'Youhavemerelysaidtheeldestchild，Scatcherd？\'

\'That\'sall；giveithere；andI\'llreadittoyou。\'

\'No；no；nevermind。Theeldestchild！Youshouldbemoreparticular，Scatcherd；youshould，indeed。Considerwhatanenormousinterestmayhavetodependonthosewords。\'

\'Why，whatthedevilcouldIsay？Idon\'tknowtheirnames；neverevenheardthem。Buttheeldestistheeldest，alltheworldover。PerhapsIoughttosaytheyoungest，seeingthatIamonlyarailwaycontractor。\'

ScatcherdbegantothinkthatthedoctormightnowaswellgoawayandleavehimtothesocietyofWinterbonesandthebrandy；but，muchasourfriendhadbeforeexpressedhimselfinahurry，henowseemedinclinedtomoveveryleisurely。Hesattherebythebedside，restinghishandsonhiskneesandgazingunconsciouslyatthecounterpane。Atlasthegaveadeepsigh，andthenhesaid，\'Scatcherd，youmustbemoreparticularinthis。IfIamtohaveanythingtodowithit，youmust，indeed，bemoreexplicit。\'

\'Why，howthedeucecanIbemoreexplicit？Isn\'thereldestlivingchildplainenough，whetherhebeJack，orshebeGill？\'

\'Whatdidyourlawyersaytothis，Scatcherd？\'

\'Lawyer！Youdon\'tsupposeIletmylawyerknowwhatIwasputting。

No；Igottheformandthepaper，andallthatfromhim，andIdiditinanother。It\'sallrightenough。ThoughWinterboneswroteit，hediditinsuchawayhedidnotknowwhathewaswriting。\'

Thedoctorsatawhilelonger，stilllookingatthecounter-pane，andthengotuptodepart。\'I\'llseeyouagainsoon，\'saidhe；\'to-morrow，probably。\'

\'To-morrow！\'saidSirRoger，notatallunderstandingwhyDrThorneshouldtalkofreturningsosoon。\'To-morrow！whyIain\'tsobadasthat，man，amI？Ifyoucomesooftenasthatyouwillruinme。\'

\'Oh，notasamedicalman；notasthat；butaboutthiswill，Scatcherd。Imustthinkifover；Imust，indeed。\'

\'YouneednotgiveyourselftheleasttroubleintheworldaboutmywilltillI\'mdead；nottheleast。Andwhoknows——maybe，Imaybesettlingyouraffairsyet；eh，doctor？lookingafteryourniecewhenyou\'redeadandgone，andgettingahusbandforher，eh？Ha！ha！ha！\'

Andthen，withoutfurtherspeech，thedoctorwenthisway。

CHAPTERXI

THEDOCTORDRINKSHISTEA

Thedoctorgotonhiscobandwenthisway，returningdulytoGreshamsbury。But，intruth，ashewenthehardlyknewwhitherhewasgoing，orwhathewasdoing。SirRogerhadhintedthatthecobwouldbecompelledtomakeupforlosttimebyextraexertionontheroad；

butthecobhadneverbeenpermittedtohavehisownwayastopacemoresatisfactorilythanonthepresentoccasion。Thedoctor，indeed，hardlyknewthathewasonhorseback，socompletelywasheenvelopedinthecloudofhisownthoughts。

Inthefirstplace，thatalternativewhichithadbecomehimtoputbeforethebaronetasoneunlikelytooccur——thatofthespeedydeathofbothfatherandson——wasonewhichhefeltinhisheartofheartsmightveryprobablycometopass。

\'Thechancesaretentoonethatsuchaclausewillneverbebroughttobear。\'Thishehadsaidpartlytohimself，soastoeasethethoughtswhichcamecrowdingonhisbrain；partly，also，inpityforthepatientandthefather。Butnowthathethoughtthematterover，hefeltthattherewerenosuchodds。Werenottheoddstheotherway？Wasitnotalmostprobablethatboththesemenmightbegatheredtotheirlongaccountwithinthenextfouryears？One，theelder，wasastrongman，indeed；onewhomightyetliveforyearstocomeifhecouldbutgivehimselffairplay。Butthen，hehimselfprotested，andprotestedwithatruthtoosurelygrounded，thatfairplaytohimselfwasbeyondhisownpowertogive。Theother，theyounger，hadeverythingagainsthim。Notonlywasheapoor，punycreature，withoutphysicalstrength，oneofwhoselifeafriendcouldneverfeelsureunderanycircumstances，buthealsowasalreadyaddictedtohisfather\'svices；

healsowasalreadykillinghimselfwithalcohol。

Andthen，ifthesetwomendiddiewithintheprescribedperiod，ifthisclauseofSirRoger\'swillwerebroughttobear，itshouldbecomehis，DrThorne\'s，dutytoseethatclausecarriedout，howwouldhebeboundtoact？Thatwoman\'seldestchildwashisownniece，hisadoptedbairn，hisdarling，theprideofhisheart，thecynosureofhiseye，hischildalso，hisownMary。Ofallhisdutiesonthisearth，nexttothatonegreatdutytohisGodandconscience，washisdutytoher。

What，underthesecircumstances，didhisdutytoherrequireofhim？

Butthen，thatonegreatduty，thatdutywhichshewouldbethefirsttoexpectfromhim；whatdidthatdemandofhim？HadScatcherdmadehiswillwithoutsayingwhatitsclauseswere，itseemedtoThornethatMarymusthavebeentheheiress，shouldthatclausebecomenecessarilyoperative。Whethersheweresoornotwouldatanyratebeforlawyerstodecide。Butnowthecasewasverydifferent。Thisrichmanhadconfidedinhim，andwoulditnotbeabreachofconfidence，anactofabsolutedishonesty——anactofdishonestybothtoScatcherdandtothatfar-distantAmericanfamily，tothatfather，who，informerdays，hadbehavedsonobly，andtothateldestchildofhis，woulditnotbegrossdishonestytothemallifheallowedthismantoleaveawillbywhichhispropertymightgotoapersonneverintendedtobehisheir？

LongbeforehehadarrivedatGreshamsburyhismindonthispointhadbeenmadeup。Indeed，ithadbeenmadeupwhilesittingtherebyScatcherd\'sbedside。Ithadnotbeendifficulttomakeuphismindtosomuch；butthen，hiswayoutofthisdishonestywasnotsoeasyforhimtofind。Howshouldhesetthismatterrighttoastoinflictnoinjuryonhisniece，andnosorrowtohimself——ifthatindeedcouldbeavoided？

Andthenotherthoughtscrowdedonhisbrain。Hehadalwaysprofessed——professedatanyratetohimselfandtoher——thatofallthevileobjectsofaman\'sambition，wealth，wealthmerelyforitsownsake，wasthevilest。They，intheirjointschoolofinherentphilosophy，hadprogressedtoideaswhichtheymightfinditnoteasytocarryout，shouldtheybecalledonbyeventstodoso。Andifthiswouldhavebeendifficulttoeitherwhenactingonbehalfofselfalone，howmuchmoredifficultwhenonemighthavetoactfortheother！Thisdifficultyhadnowcometotheuncle。Shouldhe，inthisemergency，takeuponhimselftoflingawaythegoldenchancewhichmightaccruetohisnieceifScatcherdshouldbeencouragedtomakeherpartlyhisheir？

\'He\'dwanthertogoandlivethere——tolivewithhimandhiswife。

AllthemoneyintheBankofEnglandwouldnotpayherforsuchmisery，\'

saidthedoctortohimself，asheslowlyrodeintoisownyard。

Ononepoint，andoneonly，hadhedefinitelymadeuphismind。OnthefollowingdayhewouldgooveragaintoBoxallHill，andwouldtellScatcherdthewholetruth。Comewhatmight，thetruthmustbebest。

Andso，withsomegleamofcomfort，hewentintothehouse，andfoundhisnieceinthedrawing-roomwithPatienceOriel。

\'MaryandIhavebeenquarrelling，\'saidPatience。\'Shesaysthedoctoristhegreatestmaninavillage；andIsaytheparsonisofcourse。\'

\'Ionlysaythatthedoctoristhemostlookedafter，\'saidMary。

\'There\'sanotherhorridmessageforyoutogotoSilverbridge，uncle。

Whycan\'tthatDrCenturymanagehisownpeople？\'

\'Shesays，\'continuedMissOriel，\'thatifaparsonwasawayforamonth，noonewouldmisshim；butthatadoctorissopreciousthathisveryminutesarecounted。\'

\'Iamsureuncle\'sare。Theybegrudgehimhismeals。MrOrielnevergetscalledawaytoSilverbridge。\'

\'No；weintheChurchmanageourparisharrangementsbetterthanyoudo。Wedon\'tletstrangepractitionersinamongourflocksbecausethesheepmaychancetofancythem。Oursheephavetoputupwithourspiritualdoseswhethertheylikethemornot。Inthatrespectwearemuchthebestoff。Iadviseyou，Mary，tomarryaclergyman，byallmeans。\'

\'Iwillwhenyoumarryadoctor，\'saidshe。

\'Iamsurenothingonearthwouldgivemegreaterpleasure，\'saidMissOriel，gettingupandcurtseyingverylowtoDrThorne；\'butIamnotquitepreparedfortheagitationofanofferthismorning，soI\'llrunaway。\'

Andsoshewent；andthedoctor，gettingtohisotherhorse，startedagainforSilverbridge，wearilyenough。\'She\'shappynowwheresheis，\'saidhetohimself，asherodealong。\'TheyalltreatherthereasanequalatGreshamsbury。WhatthoughshebenocousintotheThornesofUllathorne。Shehasfoundherplacethereamongthemall，andkeepsitonequaltermswiththebestofthem。ThereisMissOriel；herfamilyishigh；sheisrich，fashionable，abeauty，courtedbyeveryone；butyetshedoesnotlookdownonMary。Theyareequalfriendstogether。ButhowwoulditbeifsheweretakentoBoxallHill，evenasarecognizednieceoftherichmanthere？WouldPatienceOrielandBeatriceGreshamgothereafterher？Couldshebehappythereassheisinmyhousehere，poorthoughitbe？ItwouldkillhertopassamonthwithLadyScatcherdandputupwiththatman\'shumours，toseehismodeoflife，tobedependentonhim，tobelongtohim。\'Andthenthedoctor，hurryingontoSilverbridge，againmetDrCenturyattheoldlady\'sbedside，andhavingmadehisendeavourstostaveofftheinexorablecomingofthegrimvisitor，againreturnedtohisownnieceandhisowndrawing-room。

\'Youmustbedead，uncle，\'saidMary，asshepouredouthisteaforhim，andpreparedthecomfortsofthatmostcomfortablemeal-tea，dinner，andsupper，allinone。\'IwishSilverbridgewasfiftymilesoff。\'

\'Thatwouldonlymakethejourneyworse；butIamnotdeadyet，and，whatismoretothepurpose，neitherismypatient。\'Andashespokehecontrivedtoswallowajorumofscaldingtea，containinginmeasuresomewhatnearapint。Mary，notawhitamazedatthisfeat，merelyrefilledthejorumwithoutanyobservation；andthedoctorwentonstirringthemixturewithhisspoon，evidentlyobliviousthatanyceremonyhadbeenperformedbyeitherofthemsincethefirstsupplyhadbeenadministeredtohim。

Whentheclatterofknivesandforkswasover，thedoctorturnedhimselftothehearthrug，andputtingonelegovertheother，hebegantonurseitashelookedwithcomplacencyathisthirdcupoftea，whichstooduntastedbesidehim。Thefragmentsofthesolidbanquethadbeenremoved，butnosacrilegioushandhadbeenlaidontheteapotandthecream-jug。

\'Mary，\'saidhe，\'supposeyouweretofindoutto-morrowmorningthat，bysomeaccident，youhadbecomeagreatheiress，wouldyoubeabletosuppressyourexultation？\'

\'ThefirstthingI\'ddo，wouldbetopronounceapositiveedictthatyoushouldnevergotoSilverbridgeagain；atleastwithoutaday\'snotice。\'

\'Well，andwhatnext？whatwouldyoudonext？\'

\'Thenextthing——thenextthingwouldbetosendtoParisforaFrenchbonnetexactlyliketheonePatienceOrielhadon。Didyouseeit？\'

\'WellIcan\'tsayIdid；bonnetsareinvisiblenow；besidesIneverremarkanybody\'sclothes，exceptyours。\'

\'Oh！dolookatMissOriel\'sbonnetthenexttimeyouseeher。Icannotunderstandwhyitshouldbeso，butIamsureofthis——noEnglishfingersputtogethersuchabonnetasthat；andIamnearlysurethatnoFrenchfingerscoulddoitinEngland。\'

\'Butyoudon\'tcaresomuchaboutbonnets，Mary！\'Thisthedoctorsaidasanassertion；buttherewas，nevertheless，somewhatofaquestioninvolvedinit。

\'Don\'tIthough？\'saidshe。\'Idocareverymuchaboutbonnets；

especiallysinceIsawPatiencethismorning。Iaskedhowmuchitcost——guess。\'

\'Oh！Idon\'tknow——apound？\'

\'Apound，uncle！\'

\'What！agreatdealmore？Tenpounds？\'

\'Oh，uncle。\'

\'What！morethantenpounds？ThenIdon\'tthinkevenPatienceOrieloughttogiveit。\'

\'No，ofcourseshewouldnot；but，uncle，itreallycostahundredfrancs！\'

\'Oh！ahundredfrancs；that\'sfourpounds，isn\'tit？Well，andhowmuchdidyourlastnewbonnetcost？\'

\'Mine！oh，nothing——fiveandninepence，perhaps；Itrimmeditmyself。

IfIwereleftagreatfortune，I\'dsendtoParisto-morrow；no，I\'dgomyselftoParistobuyabonnet，andI\'dtakeyouwithmetochooseit。\'

Thedoctorsatsilentforawhilemeditatingaboutthis，duringwhichheunconsciouslyabsorbedtheteabesidehim；andMaryagainreplenishedhiscup。

\'Come，Mary，\'hesaidatlast，\'I\'minagenerousmood；andasIamrathermorerichthanusual，we\'llsendtoParisforaFrenchbonnet。ThegoingforitmustwaitawhilelongerIamafraid。\'

\'You\'rejoking。\'

\'No，indeed。Ifyouknowthewaytosend——thatImustconfesswouldpuzzleme；butifyou\'llmanagethesending，I\'llmanagethepaying；

andyoushallhaveaFrenchbonnet。\'

\'Uncle！\'saidshe，lookingupathim。

\'Oh，I\'mnotjoking；Ioweyouapresent，andI\'llgiveyouthat。\'

\'Andifyoudo，I\'lltellyouwhatI\'lldowithit。I\'llcutitintofragments，andburnthembeforeyourface。Why，uncle，whatdoyoutakemefor？You\'renotabitniceto-nighttomakesuchanofferasthattome；notabit，notabit。\'Andthenshecameoverfromherseatatthetea-trayandsatdownonafoot-stoolcloseathisknee。

\'BecauseI\'dhaveaFrenchbonnetifIhadalargefortune，isthatareasonwhyIshouldlikeonenow？ifyouweretopayfourpoundsforabonnetforme，itwouldscorchmyheadeverytimeIputiton。\'

\'Idon\'tseethat：fourpoundswouldnotruinme。However，Idon\'tthinkyou\'dlookabitbetterifyouhadit；and，certainly，Ishouldnotliketoscorchtheselocks，\'andputtinghishanduponhershoulders，heplayedwithherhair。

\'Patiencehasapony-phaeton，andI\'dhaveoneifIwererich；andI\'dhaveallmybooksboundasshedoes；and，perhaps，I\'dgivefiftyguineasforadressing-case。\'

\'Fiftyguineas！\'

\'Patiencedidnottellme；butsoBeatricesays。Patienceshowedittomeonce，anditisadarling。IthinkI\'dhavethedressing-casebeforethebonnet。But，uncle——\'

\'Well？\'

\'Youdon\'tsupposeIwantsuchthings？\'

\'Notimproperly。Iamsureyoudonot。\'

\'Notproperly，orimproperly；notmuch，orlittle。Icovetmanythings；butnothingofthatsort。Youknow，orshouldknow，thatIdonot。WhydoyoutalkofbuyingaFrenchbonnetforme？\'

DrThornedidnotanswerthisquestion，butwentonnursinghisleg。

\'Afterall，\'saidhe，\'moneyisafinething。\'

\'Veryfine，whenitiswellcomeby，\'sheanswered；\'thatis，withoutdetrimenttotheheartandsoul。\'

\'IshouldbeahappiermanifyouwereprovidedforasMissOriel。

Suppose，now，Icouldgiveyouuptoarichmanwhowouldbeabletoinsureyouagainstallwants？\'

\'Insuremeagainstallwants！Oh，thatwouldbeaman。Thatwouldbesellingme，wouldn\'tit，uncle？Yes，sellingme；andthepriceyouwouldreceivewouldbefreedomfromfutureapprehensionsasregardsme。Itwouldbeacowardlysaleforyoutomake；andthen，astome——methevictim。No，uncle；youmustbearthemiseryofhavingtoprovideforme——bonnetsandall。Weareinthesameboat，andyoushan\'tturnmeoverboard。\'

\'ButifIweretodie，whatwouldyoudothen？\'

\'AndifIweretodie，whatwouldyoudo？Peoplemustbeboundtogether。Theymustdependoneachother。Ofcourse，misfortunesmaycome；butitiscowardlytobeafraidofthembeforehand。YouandI

areboundtogether，uncle；andthoughyousaythesethingstoteaseme，Iknowyoudonotwishtogetridofme。\'

\'Well，well；weshallwinthrough，doubtless；ifnotinoneway，theninanother。\'

\'Winthrough！Ofcourseweshall；whodoubtsourwinning？but，uncle——\'

\'But，Mary。\'

\'Well？\'

\'Youhaven\'tgotanothercupoftea，haveyou？\'

\'Oh，uncle！youhavehadfive。\'

\'No，mydear！notfive；onlyfour——onlyfour。Iassureyou；Ihavebeenveryparticulartocount。IhadonewhileIwas——\'

\'Fiveuncle；indeedandindeed。\'

\'Well，then，asIhatetheprejudicewhichattacheslucktoanoddnumber，I\'llhavethesixthtoshowthatIamnotsuperstitious。\'

WhileMarywaspreparingthesixthjorum，therecameaknockatthedoor。ThoselatesummonseswerehatefultoMary\'sear，fortheywereusuallyforerunnersofamidnightridethroughthedarklanestosomefarmer\'shouse。Thedoctorhadbeeninthesaddleallday，and，asJanetbroughtthenoteintotheroom，Marystoodupasthoughtodefendherunclefromanyfurtherinvasiononhisrest。

\'Anotefromthehouse，miss，\'saidJanet：now\'thehouse\'，inGreshamsburyparlance，alwaysmeantthesquire\'smansion。

\'Nooneillatthehouse，Ihope，\'saidthedoctor，takingthenotefromMary\'shand。\'Oh——ah——yes；it\'sfromthesquire——there\'snobodyill：waitaminute，Janet，andI\'llwritealine。Mary，lendmeyourdesk。\'

Thesquire，anxiousasusualformoney，hadwrittentoaskwhatsuccessthedoctorhadhadinnegotiatingthenewloanwithSirRoger。Thatfact，however，was，thatinhisvisittoBoxallHill，thedoctorhadbeenaltogetherunabletobringonthecarpetthematterofthisloan。

Subjectshadcrowdedthemselvesintooquicklyduringthatinterview——thosetwointerviewsatSirRoger\'sbedside；andhehadbeenobligedtoleavewithoutevenalludingtothequestion。

\'Imustatanyrategobacknow，\'hesaidtohimself。Sohewrotetothesquire，sayingthathewastobeatBoxallHillagainonthefollowingday，andthathewouldcallatthehouseonhisreturn。

\'That\'sallsettled，atanyrate，\'saidhe。

\'What\'ssettled？\'saidMary。

\'Why，ImustgotoBoxallHillagainto-morrow。Imustgoearly，too，sowe\'dbetterbothbeofftobed。TellJanetImustbreakfastathalf-pastseven。\'

\'Youcouldn\'ttakeme，couldyou？IshouldsoliketoseethatSirRoger。\'

\'ToseeSirRoger！Why，he\'sillinbed。\'

\'That\'sanobjection，certainly；butsomeday，whenhe\'swell，couldyounottakemeover？Ihavethegreatestdesiretoseeamanlikethat；amanwhobeganwithnothingandnowhasmorethanenoughtobuythewholeparishofGreshamsbury。\'

\'Idon\'tthinkyou\'dlikehimatall。\'

\'Whynot？IamsureIshould；IamsureIshouldlikehim，andLadyScatcherdtoo。I\'veheardyousaythatsheisanexcellentwoman。\'

\'Yes，inherway；andhe，too，isgoodinhisway；buttheyareneitheroftheminyourway：theyareextremelyvulgar——\'

\'Oh！Idon\'tmindthat；thatwouldmakethemmoreamusing；onedoesn\'tgotothosesortofpeopleforpolishedmanners。\'

\'Idon\'tthinkyou\'dfindtheScatcherdspleasantacquaintancesatall，\'saidthedoctor，takinghisbed-candle，andkissinghisniece\'sforeheadashelefttheroom。

CHAPTERXII

WHENGREEKMEETSGREEK，THENCOMESTHETUGOFWAR

Thedoctor，thatisourdoctor，hadthoughtnothingmoreofthemessagewhichhadbeensenttothatotherdoctor，DrFillgrave；norintruthdidthebaronet。LadyScatcherdhadthoughtofit，butherhusbandduringtherestofthedaywasnotinahumourwhichallowedhertoremindhimthathewouldsoonhaveanewphysicianonhishands；sosheleftthedifficultytoarrangeitself，waitinginsomelittletrepidationtillDrFillgraveshouldshowhimself。

ItwaswellthatSirRogerwasnotdyingforwantofhisassistance，forwhenthemessagereachedBarchester，DrFillgravewassomefiveorsixmilesoutoftown，atPlumstead；andashedidnotgetbacktilllateintheevening，hefelthimselfnecessitatedtoputoffhisvisittoBoxallHilltillnextmorning。Hadhechancedtohavebeenmadeacquaintedwiththatlittleconversationaboutthepump，hewouldprobablyhavepostponeditevenyetawhilelonger。

Hewas，however，bynomeanssorrytobesummonedtothebedsideofSirRogerScatcherd。ItwaswellknownatBarchester，andverywellknowntoDrFillgrave，thatSirRogerandDrThornewereoldfriends。Itwasverywellknowntohimalso，thatSirRoger，inallhisbodilyailments，hadhithertobeencontentedtoentrusthissafetytotheskillofhisoldfriend。SirRogerwasinhiswayagreatman，andmuchtalkedofinBarchester，andrumourhadalreadyreachedtheearsoftheBarchesterGalen，thatthegreatrailwaycontractorwasill。

When，therefore，hereceivedaperemptorysummonstogoovertoBoxallHill，hecouldnotbutthinkthatsomepurelighthadbrokeninuponSirRoger\'sdarkness，andtaughthimatlastwheretolookfortruemedicalaccomplishment。

Andthen，also，SirRogerwastherichestmaninthecounty，andtocountypractitionersanewpatientwithlargemeansisagodsend；howmuchgreateragodsendwhennotonlyacquired，buttakenalsofromsomerivalpractitioner，needhardlybeexplained。

DrFillgrave，therefore，wassomewhatelatedwhen，afteranearlybreakfast，hesteppedintothepost-chaisewhichwastocarryhimtoBoxallHill。DrFillgrave\'sprofessionaladvancementhadbeensufficienttojustifytheestablishmentofabrougham，inwhichhepaidhisordinaryvisitsroundBarchester；butthiswasaspecialoccasion，requiringspecialspeed，andabouttoproducenodoubtaspecialguerdon，andthereforeapairofpost-horseswereputintorequest。

Itwashardlyyetninewhenthepost-boysomewhatloudlyrangthebellatSirRoger\'sdoor；andthenDrFillgrave，forthefirsttime，foundhimselfinthenewgrandhallofBoxallHillhouse。

\'I\'lltellmylady，\'saidtheservant，showinghimintothegranddining-room；andthereforsomefifteenminutesortwentyminutesDrFillgravewalkedupanddownthelengthoftheTurkeycarpetallalone。

DrFillgravewasnotatallman，andwasperhapsrathermoreinclinedtocorpulencethanbecamehisheight。Inhisstocking-feet，accordingtotheusuallyreceivedstyleofmeasurement，hewasfivefeetfive；

andhehadalittleroundabdominalprotuberance，whichaninchandahalfaddedtotheheelsofhisbootshardlyenabledhimtocarryoffaswellashehimselfwouldhavewished。Ofthishewasapparentlyconscious，anditgavetohimanairofnotbeingentirelyathisease。Therewas，however，apersonaldignityinhisdemeanour，aproprietyinhisgait，andanairofauthorityinhisgestureswhichshouldprohibitonefromstigmatizingthoseeffortsataltitudeasafailure。Nodoubthedidachievemuch；but，nevertheless，theeffortwouldoccasionallybetrayitself，andthestoryofthefrogandtheoxwouldirresistiblyforceitselfintoone\'smindatthosemomentswhenitmostbehovedDrFillgravetobemagnificent。

Butifthebulgyroundnessofhispersonandtheshortnessofhislegsinanywaydetractedfromhispersonalimportance，thesetriflingdefectswere，hewaswellaware，morethanatonedforbythepeculiardignityofhiscountenance。Ifhislegswereshort，hisfacewasnot；

iftherewasanyunduepreponderancebelowthewaistcoat，allwasinduesymmetryabovethenecktie。Hishairwasgrey，notgrizzled，norwhite，butproperlygrey；andstoodupstraightfromhistemplesoneachside，withanunbendingdeterminationofpurpose。Hiswhiskers，whichwereofanadmirableshape，comingdownandturninggracefullyattheangleofhisjaw，weregreyalso，butsomewhatdarkerthanhishair。HisenemiesinBarchesterdeclaredthattheirperfectshadewasproducedbyaleadencomb。Hiseyeswerenotbrilliant，butwereveryeffective，andwellundercommand。Hewasrathershort-sighted，andapairofeye-glasseswasalwaysonhisnose，orinhishand。Hisnosewaslong，andwellpronounced，andhischin，also，wassufficientlyprominent；butthegreatfeatureofhisfacewashismouth。Theamountofsecretmedicalknowledgeofwhichhecouldgiveassurancebythepressureofthoselipswastrulywonderful。Byhislips，also，hecouldbemostexquisitelycourteous，ormoststernlyforbidding。Andnotonlycouldhebeeithertheoneortheother；buthecouldathiswillassumeanyshadeofdifferencebetweenthetwo，andproduceanymixtureofsentiment。

WhenDrFillgravewasfirstshownintoSirRoger\'sdining-room，hewalkedupanddowntheroomforawhilewitheasy，jauntystep，withhishandsjoinedtogetherbehindhisback，calculatingthepriceofthefurniture，andcountingtheheadswhichmightbeadequatelyentertainedinaroomofsuchnobleproportions；butinsevenoreightminutesanairofimpatiencemighthavebeenseentosuffusehisface。Whycouldhenotbeshownintothesickman\'sroom？Whatnecessitycouldtherebeforkeepinghimthere，asthoughheweresomeapothecarywithaboxofleechesinhispocket？Hethenrangthebell，perhapsalittleviolently。\'DoesSirRogerknowthatIamhere？\'hesaidtotheservant。\'I\'lltellmylady，\'saidtheman，againvanishing。

Forfiveminutesmorehewalkedupanddown，calculatingnolongerthevalueofthefurniture，butratherthatofhisownimportance。Hewasnotwonttobekeptwaitinginthisway；andthoughSirRogerScatcherdwasatpresentagreatandrichman，DrFillgravehadrememberedhimaverysmallandaverypoorman。HenowbegantothinkofSirRogerasthestone-mason，andtochafesomewhatmoreviolentlyatbeingsokeptbysuchaman。

Whenoneisimpatient，fiveminutesisasthedurationofalltime，andaquarterofanhouriseternity。AttheendoftwentyminutesthestepofDrFillgraveupanddowntheroomhadbecomeveryquick，andhehadjustmadeuphismindthathewouldnotstaytherealldaytotheseriousdetriment，perhapsfatalinjury，ofhisotherexpectantpatients。Hishandwasagainonthebell，andwasabouttobeusedwithvigour，whenthedooropenedandLadyScatcherdentered。

\'Oh，laws！\'Suchhadbeenherfirstexclamationonhearingthatthedoctorwasinthedining-room。Shewasstandingatthetimewithherhousekeeperinasmallroominwhichshekeptherlinenandjam，andinwhich，incompanywiththesamehousekeeper，shespentthehappiestmomentsofherlife。

\'Ohlaws！now，Hannah，whatshallwedo？\'

\'Send\'unupatoncetomaster，mylady！letJohntake\'unup。\'

\'There\'llbesucharowinthehouse，Hannah；Iknowtherewill。\'

\'Butsurelydidn\'thesendfor\'un？Letthemasterhavetherowhimself，then；that\'swhatI\'ddo，mylady，\'addedHannah，seeingthatherladyshipstillstoodtremblingindoubt，bitingherthumb-nail。

\'Youcouldn\'tgouptothemasteryourself，couldnow，Hannah？\'saidLadyScatcherdinhermostpersuasivetone。

\'Whyno，\'saidHannah，afteralittledeliberation；\'no，I\'mafeardI

couldn\'t。\'

\'ThenImustjustfaceitmyself。\'Andupwentthewifetotellherlordthatthephysicianforwhomhehadsenthadcometoattendhisbidding。

Intheinterviewwhichthentookplacethebaronethadnotindeedbeenviolent，buthehadbeenverydetermined。Nothingonearth，hesaid，shouldinducehimtoseeDrFillgraveandoffendhisdearoldfriendDrThorne。

\'ButRoger，\'saidherladyship，halfcrying，orratherpretendingtocryinvexation，\'whatshallIdowiththeman？HowshallIgethimoutofthehouse？\'

\'Puthimunderthepump，\'saidthebaronet；andhelaughedhispeculiarlowgutturallaugh，whichtoldsoplainlyofthehavocwhichbrandyhadmadeinhisthroat。

\'That\'snonsense，Roger；youknowIcan\'tputhimunderthepump。Nowyouareill，andyou\'dbetterseehimjustforfiveminutes。I\'llmakeitrightwithDrThorne。\'

\'I\'llbed——ifIdo，mylady。\'AllthepeopleaboutBoxallHillcalledpoorLadyScatcherd\'mylady\'asiftherewassomeexcellentjokeinit；and，so，indeed，therewas。

\'Youknowyouneedn\'tmindnothinghesays，noryettakenothinghesends：andI\'lltellhimnottocomenomore。Nowdo\'eeseehim，Roger。\'

ButtherewasnotcoaxingRogerovernow，indeedever：hewasawilful，headstrong，masterfulman；atyrantalwaysthoughneveracruelone；

andaccustomedtorulehiswifeandhouseholdasdespoticallyashedidhisgangsofworkmen。Suchmenitisnoteasytocoaxover。

\'YougodownandtellhimIdon\'twanthim，andwon\'tseehim，andthat\'sanendofit。Ifhechosetoearnhismoney，whydidn\'thecomeyesterdaywhenhewassentfor？I\'mwellnow，anddon\'twanthim；andwhat\'smore，Iwon\'thavehim。Winterbones，lockthedoor。\'

SoWinterbones，whoduringthisinterviewhadbeenatworkathislittletable，gotuptolockthedoor，andLadyScatcherdhadnoalternativebuttopassthroughitbeforethelastedictwasobeyed。

LadyScatcherd，withslowstep，wentdownstairsandagainsoughtcounselwithHannah，andthetwo，puttingtheirheadstogether，agreedthattheonlycureforthepresentevilwastofoundinagoodfee。SoLadyScatcherd，withafive-poundnoteinherhand，andtremblingineverylimb，wentforthtoencountertheaugustpresenceofDrFillgrave。

Asthedooropened，DrFillgravedroppedthebell-ropewhichwasinhishand，andbowedlowtothelady。Thosewhoknewthedoctorwell，wouldhaveknownfromhisbowthathewasnotwellpleased；itwasasmuchasthoughhesaid，\'LadyScatcherd，Iamyourmostobedientservant；atanyrateitappearsthatitisyourpleasuretotreatmeassuch。\'

LadyScatcherddidnotunderstandallthis；butsheperceivedatoncethathewasangry。

\'IhopeSirRogerdoesnotfindhimselfworse，\'saidthedoctor。\'Themorningisgettingon；shallIstepupandseehim？\'

\'Hem！ha！oh！Why，yousee，DrFillgrave，SirRogerfindshisselfvastlybetterthismorning，vastlyso。\'

\'I\'mverygladtohearit；butasthemorningisgettingon，shallI

stepuptoseeSirRoger？\'

\'Why，DrFillgrave，sir，yousee，hefindshisselfsomuchhisselfthismorning，thathea\'mostthinksitwouldbeashametotroubleyou。\'

\'Ashametotroubleme！\'ThiswasthesortofshamewhichDrFillgravedidnotatallcomprehend。\'Ashametotroubleme！WhyLadyScatcherd——\'

LadyScatcherdsawthatshehadnothingforitbuttomakethewholematterintelligible。Moreover，seeingthatsheappreciatedmorethoroughlythesmallnessofDrFillgrave\'spersonmorethoroughlythanshedidthepeculiargreatnessofhisdemeanour，shebegantobeashadelessafraidofhimthanshehadthoughtsheshouldhavebeen。

\'Yes，DrFillgrave；yousee，whenamanlikehegetswell，hecan\'tabidetheideaofdoctors：now，yesterday，hewasallforsendingforyou；butto-dayhecomestohisself，anddon\'tseemtowantnodoctoratall。\'

ThendidDrFillgraveseemtogrowoutofhisboots，sosuddenlydidhetakeuponhimselfsundrymodesofexpansiveattitude；——togrowoutofhisbootsandtoswellupwards，tillhisangryeyesalmostlookeddownonLadyScatcherd，andeacherecthairbristleduptowardstheheavens。

\'Thisisverysingular，verysingular，LadyScatcherd；verysingularindeed；verysingular；quiteunusual。IhavecomeherefromBarchester，atsomeconsiderableinconvenience，atsomeveryconsiderableinconvenience，Imaysay，tomyregularpatients；and——and——and——Idon\'tknowthatanythingsoverysingulareveroccurredtomebefore。\'AndthenDrFillgrave，withacompressionofhislipswhichalmostmadethepoorwomansinkintotheground，movedtowardsthedoor。

ThenLadyScatcherdbethoughtofhergreatpanacea。\'Itisn\'taboutthemoney，youknow，doctor，\'saidshe；\'ofcourseSirRogerdon\'texpectyoutocomeherewithpost-horsesfornothing。\'Inthis，bytheby，LadyScatcherddidnotstickquiteclosetoveracity，forSirRoger，hadheknownit，wouldbynomeanshaveassentedtoanypayment；

andthenotewhichherladyshipheldinherhandwastakenfromherownprivatepurse。\'Itain\'taboutthemoney，doctor；\'andthenshetenderedthebank-note，whichshethoughtwouldimmediatelymakeallthingssmooth。

NowDrFillgravedearlylovedafive-poundfee。Whatphysicianissounnaturalasnottoloveit？Hedearlylovedafive-poundfee；buthelovedhisdignitybetter。Hewasangryalso；andlikeallangrymen，helovedhisgrievance。Hefeltthathehadbeenbadlytreated；butifhetookthemoneyhewouldthrowawayhisrighttoindulgeinanysuchfeeling。Atthatmomenthisoutrageddignityandcherishedangerwereworthmorethanafive-poundnote。Helookedatitwithwishfulbutstillavertedeyes，andthensternlyrefusedthetender。

\'No，madam，\'saidhe；\'no，no；\'andwithhisrighthandraisedwithhiseye-glassesinit，hemotionedawaythetemptingpaper。\'No；IshouldhavebeenhappytohavegivenSirRogerthebenefitofanymedicalskillImayhave，seeingthatIwasspeciallycalledin——\'

\'But，doctor；iftheman\'swell，youknow——\'

\'Oh，ofcourse；ifhe\'swell，anddoesnotchoosetoseeme，there\'sanendofit。Shouldhehaveanyrelapse，asmytimeisvaluable，hewillperhapsobligemebysendingelsewhere。Madam，goodmorning。Iwill，ifyouwillallowme，ringformycarriage——thatis，post-chaise。\'

\'But，doctor，you\'lltakethemoney；youmusttakethemoney；indeedyou\'lltakethemoney，\'saidLadyScatcherd，whohadnowbecomereallyunhappyattheideaofherhusband\'sunpardonablewhimhadbroughtthismanwithpost-horsesallthewayfromBarchester，andthathewastobepaidnothingforhistimeorcosts。

\'No，madam，no。Icouldnotthinkofit。SirRoger，Ihavenodoubt，willknowbetteranothertime。Itisnotaquestionofmoney；notatall。\'

\'Butitisaquestionofmoney，doctor；andyoureallyshall，youmust。\'AndpoorLadyScatcherd，inheranxietytoacquitherselfatanyrateofanypecuniarydebttothedoctor，cametopersonalclosequarterswithhim，withaviewofforcingthenoteintohishands。

\'Quiteimpossible，quiteimpossible，\'saidthedoctor，stillcherishinghisgrievance，andvaliantlyrejectingtherootofallevil。\'Ishallnotdoanythingofthekind，LadyScatcherd。\'

\'Nowdoctor，do\'ee；toobligeme。\'

\'Quiteoutofthequestion。\'Andso，withhishandsandhatbehindhisback，intokenofhisutterrefusaltoacceptanypecuniaryaccommodationofhisinjury，hemadehiswaybackwardstothedoor，herladyshipperseveringlypressinghiminfront。Soeagerhadbeentheattackonhim，thathehadnotwaitedtogivehisorderaboutthepost-chaise，butmadehiswayatoncetowardsthehall。

\'Now，do\'eetakeit，do\'ee，\'pressedLadyScatcherd。

\'Utterlyoutofthequestion，\'saidDrFillgrave，withgreatdeliberation，ashebackedhiswayintothehall。Ashedidso，ofcourseheturnedround，——andhefoundhimselfalmostinthearmsofDrThorne。

AsBurleymighthaveglaredatBothwellwhentheyrushedtogetherinthedreadencounteronthemountainside；asAchillesmayhaveglaredatHectorwhenatlasttheymet，eachresolvedtotestinfatalconflicttheprowessoftheother，sodidDrFillgraveglareathisfoefromGreshamsbury，when，onturningroundonhisexaltedheel，hefoundhisnoseonalevelwiththetopbuttonofDrThorne\'swaistcoat。

Andhere，ifitbenottootedious，letuspauseawhiletorecapitulateandadduptheundoubtedgrievancesoftheBarchesterpractitioner。Hehadmadenoefforttoingratiatehimselfintothesheepfoldofthatothershepherd-dog；itwasnotbyhisseekingthathewasnotatBoxallHill；muchashehatedDrThorne，fullsureashefeltofthatman\'sutterignorance，ofhisincapacitytoadministerproperlyevenablackdose，ofhismurderingpropensitiesandhislow，mean，unprofessionalstyleofpractice；nevertheless，hehaddonenothingtounderminehimwiththeseScatcherds。DrThornemighthavesenteverymother\'ssonatBoxallHilltohislongaccount，andDrFillgravewouldnothaveinterfered；——wouldnothaveinterferedunlessspeciallyanddulycalledupontodoso。

Buthehadbeenanddulycalledon。BeforesuchastepwastakensomewordsmustundoubtedlyhavepassedonthesubjectbetweenThorneandScatcherds。Thornemusthaveknownwhatwastobedone。Havingbeensocalled，DrFillgravehadcome——hadcomeallthewayinapost-chaise——hadbeenrefusedadmittancetothesickman\'sroom，onthepleathatthesickmanwasnolongersick；andjustashewasabouttoretirefee-less——forthewantofthefeewasnotthelessagrievancefromthefactofitshavingbeentenderedandrefused——feeless，dishonoured，andindudgeon，heencounteredthisotherdoctor——thisveryrivalwhomhehadbeesenttosupplant；heencounteredhimintheveryactofgoingtothesickman\'sroom。

WhatmadfanaticBurley，whatgod-succouredinsolentAchilles，everhadsuchcausetoswellwithwrathasatthatmomenthadDrFillgrave？HadIthepenofMoliere，Icouldfitlytellofsuchmedicalanger，butwithnootherpencanitbefitlytold。Hedidswell，andwhenthehugebulkofhiswrathwasaddedtohisnaturalproportions，heloomedgiganticbeforetheeyesofthesurroundingfollowersofSirRoger。

DrThornesteppedbackthreestepsandtookhishatfromhishead，having，inthepassagefromthehall-doortothedining-room，hithertoomittedtodoso。ItmustbeborneinmindthathehadtoconceptionwhateverthatSirRogerhaddeclinedtoseethephysicianforwhomhehadsent；nonewhateverthatthephysicianwasnotabouttoreturn，feeless，toBarchester。

DrThorneandDrFillgraveweredoubtlesswell-knownenemies。AlltheworldofBarchester，andallthatportionoftheworldofLondonwhichisconcernedwiththelancetandthescalping-knife，werewellawareofthis：theywerecontinuallywritingagainsteachother；continuallyspeakingagainsteachother；butyettheyhadneverhithertocometothatpositivepersonalcollisionwhichisheldtojustifyacutdirect。Theyveryrarelysaweachother；andwhentheydidmeet，itwasinsomecasualwayinthestreetsofBarchesterorelsewhere，andonsuchoccasionstheirhabithadbeentobowwithverycoldpropriety。

Onthepresentoccasion，DrThorneofcoursefeltthatDrFillgravehadthewhip-handofhim；and，withasortofmanlyfeelingonsuchapoint，heconceivedittobemostcompatiblewithhisowndignitytoshow，undersuchcircumstances，morethanhisusualcourtesy——something，perhaps，amountingalmosttocordiality。Hehadbeensupplanted，quoaddoctor，inthehouseofthisrich，eccentric，railwaybaronet，andhewouldshowthatheborenomaliceonthataccount。

Sohesmiledblandlyashetookoffhishat，andinacivilspeechheexpressedahopethatDrFillgravehadnotfoundhispatienttobeinanyveryunfavourablestate。

Herewasanaggravationtothealreadylaceratedfeelingsoftheinjuredman。Hehadbeenbroughtthithertobescoffedatandscornedat，thathemightbealaughing-stocktohisenemies，andfoodformirthtothevile-minded。Heswelledwithnobleangertillhewouldhaveburst，haditnotbeenfortheopportunepaddingofhisfrock-coat。

\'Sir，\'saidhe；\'sir：\'andhecouldhardlygethislipsopentogiveventtothetumultofhisheart。Perhapshewasnotwrong；foritmaybethathislipsweremoreeloquentthanwouldhavebeenhiswords。

\'What\'sthematter？\'saidDrThorne，openinghiseyeswide，andaddressingLadyScatcherdoverhisheadandacrossthehairsoftheirritatedmanbelowhim。\'Whatonearthisthematter？IsanythingwrongwithSirRoger？\'

\'Oh，laws，doctor！\'saidherladyship。\'Oh，laws；I\'msureitain\'tmyfault。Here\'sDrFillgrave，inataking，andI\'mquitereadytopayhim——quite。Ifamangetspaid，whatmorecanhewant？\'Andsheagainheldoutthefive-poundnoteoverDrFillgrave\'shead。

Whatmore，indeed，LadyScatcherd，cananyofuswant，ifonlywecouldkeepourtempersandfeelingsalittleinabeyance？DrFillgrave，however，couldnotsokeephis；and，therefore，hedidwantsomethingmore，thoughatthepresentmomenthecouldhardlyhavesaidwhat。

LadyScatcherd\'scouragewassomewhatresuscitatedbythepresenceofherancienttrustyally；and，moreover，shebegantoconceivethatthelittlemanbeforeherwasunreasonablebeyondallconsciencewithhisanger，seeingthatthatforwhichhewasreadytoworkhadbeenofferedhimwithoutanyworkatall。

\'Madam，\'saidhe，againturningroundatLadyScatcherd，\'IwasneverbeforetreatedinsuchawayinanyhouseinBarchester——never——never。\'

\'Goodheavens，DrFillgrave！\'saidheofGreshamsbury，\'whatisthematter？\'

\'I\'llletyouknowwhatisthematter，sir，\'saidhe，turningroundagainasquicklyasbefore。\'I\'llletyouknowwhatisthematter。

I\'llpublishthis，sir，tothemedicalworld；\'andasheshriekedoutthewordsofthethreat，hestoodontiptoesandbrandishedhiseye-glassesupalmostintohisenemy\'sface。

\'Don\'tbeangrywithDrThorne，\'saidLadyScatcherd。\'Anyways，youneedn\'tbeangrywithhim。Ifyoumustbeangrywithanybody——\'

\'Ishallbeangrywithhim，madam，\'ejaculatedDrFillgrave，makinganothersuddendemi-pirouette。\'Iamangrywithhim——or，rather，I

despisehim；\'andcompletingthecircle，DrFillgraveagainbroughthimselfroundinfullfrontofhisfoe。

DrThorneraisedhiseyebrowsandlookedinquiringlyatLadyScatcherd；

buttherewasaquietsarcasticmotionroundhismouthwhichbynomeanshadtheeffectofthrowingoilonthetroubledwaters。

\'I\'llpublishthewholeofthistransactiontothemedicalworld，DrThorne——thewholeofit；andifthathasnottheeffectofrescuingthepeopleofGreshamsburyoutofyourhands，then——then——then，Idon\'tknowwhatwill。Ismycarriage——thatis，thepost-chaisethere？\'andDrFillgrave，speakingveryloudly，turnedmajesticallytooneoftheservants。

\'WhathaveIdonetoyou，DrFillgrave，\'saidDrThorne，nowabsolutelylaughing，\'thatyoushoulddeterminedtotakethebreadoutofmymouth？Iamnotinterferingwithyourpatient。IhavecomeheresimplywithreferencetomoneymattersappertainingtoSirRoger。\'

\'Moneymatters！Verywell——verywell；moneymatters。Thatisyourideaofmedicalpractice。Verywell——verywell。Ismypost-chaiseatthedoor？I\'llpublishitalltothemedicalworld——everyword——everywordofit，everywordofit。\'

\'Publishwhat，youunreasonableman？\'

\'Man！sir；whomdoyoucallaman？I\'llletyouknowwhetherI\'maman——post-chaisethere！\'

\'Don\'t\'eecallhimnamesnow，doctor；don\'t\'eepraydon\'t\'ee，\'saidLadyScatcherd。

Bythistimetheyhadallgotsomewherenearerthehall-door；buttheScatcherdretainersweretoofondoftherowtoabsentthemselveswillinglyatDrFillgrave\'sbidding，anditdidnotappearthatanyonewentinsearchofthepost-chaise。

\'Man！sir；I\'llletyouknowwhatitistospeaktomeinthatstyle。I

think，sir，youhardlyknowwhoIam。\'

\'AllthatIknowofyouatpresentis，thatyouaremyfriendSirRoger\'sphysician，andIcannotconceivewhathasoccurredtomakeyousoangry。\'Andashespoke，DrThornelookedcarefullyathimtoseewhetherthatpump-disciplinehadintruthbeenapplied。TherewerenosignswhateverthatcoldwaterhadbeenthrownuponDrFillgrave。

\'Mypost-chaise——ismaypost-chaisethere？Themedicalworldshallknowall；youmaybesure，sir，themedicalworldshallknowitall；\'andthus，orderinghispost-chaiseandthreateningDrThornewiththemedicalworld，DrFillgravemadehiswaytothedoor。

Butthemomentheputonhishathereturned。\'No，madam，\'saidhe。

\'No；quiteoutofthequestion：suchanaffairisnottobearrangedbysuchmeans。I\'llpublishitalltothemedicalworld——post-chaisethere！\'andthen，usingallhisforce，heflungasfarashecouldintothehallalightbitofpaper。ItfellatDrThorne\'sfeet，who，raisingit，foundthatitwasafive-poundnote。

\'Iputitintohishatjustwhilehewasinhistantrum，\'saidLadyScatcherd。\'AndIthoughtthatperhapshewouldnotfindittillhegottoBarchester。WellIwishhe\'dbeenpaid，certainly，althoughSirRogerwouldn\'tseehim；\'andinthismannerDrThornegotsomeglimpseofunderstandingintothecauseofthegreatoffence。

\'IwonderwhetherSirRogerwillseeme，\'saidhe，laughing。