下载辰思小说免费APP
CHAPTERXIII
THETWOUNCLES
\'Ha！ha！ha！Ha！ha！ha！\'laughedSirRoger，lustily，asDrThorneenteredtheroom。\'Well，ifthatain\'trich，Idon\'tknowwhatis。Ha！
ha！ha！Butwhydidn\'ttheyputhimunderthepump，doctor？\'
Thedoctor，however，hadtoomuchtact，andtoomanythingsofimportancetosay，toallowofhisgivingupmuchtimetothediscussionofDrFillgrave\'swrath。Hehadcomedeterminedtoopenthebaronet\'seyesastowhatwouldbetherealeffectofhiswill，andhehadalsotonegotiatealoanforMrGresham，ifthatmightbepossible。DrThornethereforebeganabouttheloan，thatbeingtheeasiersubject，andfoundthatSirRogerwasquiteclear-headedastohismanymoneyconcerns，inspiteofhisillness。SirRogerwaswillingenoughtolendMrGreshammoremoney——six，eight，ten，twentythousand；butthen，indoingso，heshouldinsistonpossessionofthetitle-deeds。
\'What！thetitle-deedsofGreshamsburyforafewthousandpounds？\'saidthedoctor。
\'Idon\'tknowwhetheryoucallninetythousandpoundsafewthousands；
butthedebtwillaboutamounttothat。\'
\'Ah！that\'stheolddebt。\'
\'Oldandnewtogether，ofcourse；everyshillingIlendmoreweakensmysecurityforwhatIhavelentbefore。\'
\'Butyouhavethefirstclaim，SirRoger。\'
\'Itoughttobefirstandlasttocoversuchadebtasthat。Ifhewantsfurtheraccommodation，hemustpartwithhisdeeds，doctor。\'
Thepointwasarguedbackwardsandforwardsforsometimewithoutavail，andthedoctorthenthoughtitwelltointroducetheothersubject。
\'SirRoger，you\'reahardman。\'
\'NoIain\'t，\'saidSirRoger；\'notabithard；thatis，notabittoohard。Moneyisalwayshard。IknowIfoundithardtocomeby；andthereisnoreasonwhySquireGreshamshouldexpecttofindmesoverysoft。\'
\'Verywell；thereisanendofthat。Ithoughtyouwouldhavedoneasmuchtoobligeme，thatisall。\'
\'What！takebadsecuritytooobligeyou？\'
\'Well，there\'sanendofthat。\'
\'I\'lltellyouwhat；I\'lldoasmuchtoobligeafriendasanyone。
I\'lllendyoufivethousandpounds，youyourself，withoutsecurityatall，ifyouwantit。\'
\'ButyouknowIdon\'twantit；or，atanyrate，shan\'ttakeit。\'
\'Buttoaskmetogoonlendingmoneytoathirdparty，andheoverheadandearsindebt，bywayofobligingyou，why，it\'salittletoomuch。\'
\'Well，there\'sandendofit。NowI\'vesomethingtosaytoyouaboutthatwillofyours。\'
\'Oh！that\'ssettled。\'
\'No，Scatcherd；itisn\'tsettled。Itmustbeagreatdealmoresettledbeforewehavedonewithit，asyou\'llfindwhenyouhearwhatIhavetotellyou。\'
\'Whatyouhavetotellme！\'saidSirRoger，sittingupinbed；\'andwhathaveyoutotellme？\'
\'Yourwillsaysyousister\'seldestchild。\'
\'Yes；butthat\'sonlyintheeventofLouisPhilippedyingbeforeheistwenty-five。\'
\'Exactly；andnowIknowsomethingaboutyoursister\'seldestchild，and，therefore，Ihavecometotellyou。\'
\'YouknowsomethingaboutMary\'seldestchild？\'
\'Ido，Scatcherd；itisastrangestory，andmaybeitwillmakeyouangry。Icannothelpitifitdoesso。IshouldnottellyouthisifIcouldavoidit；butasIdotellyou，foryoursake，asyouwillsee，andnotformyown，Imustimploreyounottotellmysecrettoothers。\'
SirRogernowlookedathimwithanalteredcountenance。Therewassomethinginhisvoiceoftheauthoritativetoneofotherdays，somethinginthedoctor\'slookwhichhadonthebaronetthesameeffectwhichinformerdaysithadsometimeshadonthestone-mason。
\'Canyougivemeapromise，Scatcherd，thatwhatIamabouttotellyoushallnotberepeated？\'
\'Apromise！Well，Idon\'tknowwhatit\'sabout，youknow。Idon\'tlikepromisesinthedark。\'
\'ThenImustleaveittoyourhonour；forwhatIhavetosaymustbesaid。Youremembermybrother，Scatcherd？\'
Rememberhisbrother！thoughttherichmantohimself。Thenameofthedoctor\'sbrotherhadnotbeenalludedtobetweenthemsincethedaysofthattrial；butstillitwasimpossiblebutthatScatcherdshouldwellrememberhim。
\'Yes，yes；certainly。Irememberyourbrother，\'saidhe。\'Irememberhimwell；there\'snodoubtaboutthat。\'
\'Well，Scatcherd，\'and，ashespoke，thedoctorlaidhishandwithkindnessontheother\'sarm。\'Mary\'seldestchildwasmybrother\'schildaswell。
\'Butthereisnosuchchildliving，\'saidSirRoger；and，inhisviolence，ashespokehethrewfromoffhimthebedclothes，andtriedtostanduponthefloor。Hefound，however，thathehadnostrengthforsuchaneffort，andwasobligedtoremainleaningonthebedandrestingonthedoctor\'sarm。
\'Therewasnosuchchildeverlived，\'saidhe。\'Whatdoyoumeanbythis？\'
DrThornewouldsaynothingfurthertillhehadgotthemanintobedagain。Thisheatlastaffected，andthenhewentonwiththestoryinhisownway。
\'Yes，Scatcherd，thatchildisalive；andforfearthatyoushouldunintentionallymakeheryourheir，Ihavethoughtitrighttotellyouthis。\'
\'Agirl，isit？\'
\'Yes，agirl。\'
\'Andwhyshouldyouwanttospiteher？IfsheisMary\'schild，sheisyourbrother\'schildalso。Ifsheismyniece，shemustbeyourniecealso。Whyshouldyouwanttospiteher？Whyshouldyoutrytodohersuchaterribleinjury？\'
\'Idonotwanttospiteher。\'
\'Whereisshe？Whoisshe？Whatisshecalled？Wheredoesshelive？\'
Thedoctordidnotatonceanswerallthesequestions。HehadmadeuphismindthathewouldtellSirRogerthatthischildwasliving，buthehadnotasyetresolvedtomakeknownallthecircumstancesofherhistory。Hewasnotevenyetquiteawarewhetheritwouldbenecessarytosaythatthisfoundlingorphanwasthecherisheddarlingofhisownhouse。
\'Suchachild，is，atanyrate，living，\'saidhe；\'ofthatIgiveyoumyassurance；andunderyourwill，asnowworded，itmightcometopassthatthatchildshouldbeyourheir。Idonotwanttospiteher，butI
shouldbewrongtoletyoumakeyourwillwithoutsuchknowledge，seeingthatIaminpossessionofitmyself。\'
\'Butwhereisthegirl？\'
\'Idonotknowthatthatsignifies。\'
\'Signifies！Yes；itdoessignify，agreatdeal。But，Thorne，Thorne，nowthatIrememberit，nowthatIcanthinkofthings，itwas——wasitnotyouyourselfwhotoldmethatthebabydidnotlive？\'
\'Verypossibly。\'
\'Andwasitaliethatyoutoldme？\'
\'Ifso，yes。ButitisnoliethatItellyounow。\'
\'Ibelievedyouthen，Thorne；then，whenIwasapoor，broken-downday-labourer，lyinginjail，rottingthere；butItellyoufairly，Idonotbelieveyounow。Youhavesomeschemeinthis。\'
\'WhateverschemeImayhave，youcanfrustratebymakinganotherwill。
WhatcanIgainbytellingyouthis？Ionlydosotoinduceyoutobemoreexplicitinnamingyourheir。\'
Theybothremainedsilentforawhile，duringwhichthebaronetpouredoutfromhishiddenresourceaglassofbrandyandswallowedit。
\'Whenamanistakenabacksuddenlybysuchtidingsasthese，hemusttakeadropofsomething，eh，doctor？\'
DrThornedidnotseenthenecessity；butthepresent，hefelt，wasnotimeforarguingthepoint。
\'Come，Thorne，whereisthegirl？Youmusttellmethat。Sheismyniece，andIhavearighttoknow。Sheshallcomehere，andIwilldosomethingforher。BytheLord！Iwouldassoonshehadthemoneyasanyoneelse，ifshe\'sanythingofagood\'un；——someofit，thatis。Issheagood\'un？\'
\'Good！\'saidthedoctor，turningawayhisface。\'Yes；sheisgoodenough。\'
\'Shemustbegrownupbynow。Noneofyourlightskirts，eh？\'
\'Sheisagoodgirl，\'saidthedoctorsomewhatloudlyandsternly。Hecouldhardlytrusthimselftosaymuchonthispoint。
\'Marywasagoodgirl，averygoodgirl，till\'——andSirRogerraisedhimselfupinhisbedwithhisfistclenched，asthoughhewereagainabouttostrikethatfatalblowatthefarm-yardgate。\'Butcome，it\'snogoodthinkingofthat；youbehavedwellandmanly，always。AndsopoorMary\'schildisalive；atleast，yousayso。\'
\'Isayso，andyoumaybelieveit。WhyshouldIdeceiveyou？\'
\'No，no；Idon\'tseewhy。Butthenwhydidyoudeceivemebefore？\'
Tothisthedoctorchosetomakenoanswer，andagaintherewassilenceforawhile。
\'Whatdoyoucallher，doctor？\'
\'HernameisMary。\'
\'Theprettiestwomen\'snamegoing；there\'snonamelikeit，\'saidthecontractor，withanunusualtendernessinhisvoice。\'Mary——yes；butMarywhat？Whatothernamedoesshegoby？\'
Herethedoctorhesitated。
\'MaryScatcherd——eh？\'
\'No。NotMaryScatcherd。\'
\'NotMaryScatcherd！Marywhat，then？you，withyourd——pride，wouldn\'tletherbecalledMaryThorne，Iknow。\'
Thiswastoomuchforthedoctor。Hefeltthatthereweretearsinhiseyes，sohewalkedawaytothewindowtodrythem，unseen。Hehadfiftynames，eachmoresacredthantheother，themostsacredofthemallwouldhardlyhavebeengoodenoughforher。
\'Marywhat，doctor？Come，ifthegirlistobelongtome，ifIamtoprovideforher，Imustknowwhattocallher，andwheretolookforher。\'
\'Whotalkedofyourprovidingforher？，\'saidthedoctor，turningroundattherivaluncle。\'Whosaidthatshewastobelongtoyou？Shewillbenoburdentoyou；youareonlytoldofthisthatyoumaynotleaveyourmoneytoherwithoutknowingit。Sheisprovidedfor——thatis，shewantsnothing；shewilldowellenough；youneednottroubleyourselfabouther。\'
\'Butisshe\'sMary\'schild，Mary\'schildinrealtruth，Iwilltroublemyselfabouther。Whoelseshoulddoso？Forthematterofthat，I\'dsoonsayherasanyofthoseothersinAmerica。WhatdoIcareaboutblood？Ishan\'tmindherbeingabastard。Thatistosay，ofcourse，ifshe\'sdecentlygood。Didsheevergetanykindofteaching；
book-learning，oranythingofthatsort？\'
DrThorneatthismomenthatedhisfriendthebaronetwithalmostadeadlyhatred；thathe，roughbruteashewas——forhewasaroughbrute——thatheshouldspeakinsuchlanguageoftheangelwhogavetothathomeinGreshamsburysomanyofthejoysofParadise——thatheshouldspeakofherasinsomedegreehisown，thatheshouldinquiredoubtinglyastoherattributesandhervirtues。AndthenthedoctorthoughtofherItalianandFrenchreadings，ofhermusic，ofhernicebooks，andsweetladyways，ofherhappycompanionshipwithPatienceOriel，andherdear，bosomfriendshipwithBeatriceGresham。Hethoughtofhergrace，andwinningmanners，andsoft，polishedfemininebeauty；and，ashedidso，hehatedSirRogerScatcherd，andregardedhimwithloathing，ashemighthaveregardedawallowing-hog。
AtlastalightseemedtobreakinuponSirRoger\'smind。DrThorne，heperceived，didnotanswerhislastquestion。Heperceived，also，thatthedoctorwasaffectedwithsomemorethanordinaryemotion。WhyshoulditbethatthissubjectofMaryScatcherd\'schildmovedhimsodeeply？SirRogerhadneverbeenatthedoctor\'shouseatGreshamsbury，hadneverseenMaryThorne，buthehadheardthattherelivedwiththedoctorsomeyoungfemalerelative；andthusaglimmeringlightseemedtocomeinuponSirRoger\'sbed。
Hehadtwittedthedoctorwithhispride；hadsaidthatitwasimpossiblethatthegirlshouldbecalledMaryThorne。Whatifsheweresocalled？Whatifshewerenowwarmingherselfatthedoctor\'shearth？
\'Well，come，Thorne，whatisityoucallher？Tellitout，man。And，lookyou，ifit\'syournameshebears，Ishallthinkmoreofyou，adealmorethaneverIdidyet。Come，Thorne，I\'mheruncletoo。I
havearighttoknow。SheisMaryThorne，isn\'tshe？\'
Thedoctorhadnotthehardihoodnortheresolutiontodenyit。\'Yes，\'
saidhe，\'thatishername；sheliveswithme。\'
\'Yes，andliveswithallthosegrandfolksatGreshamsburytoo。Ihaveheardofthat。\'
\'Sheliveswithme，andbelongstome，andisasmydaughter。\'
\'Sheshallcomeoverhere。LadyScatcherdshallhavehertostaywithher。Sheshallcometous。Andasformywill，I\'llmakeanother。
I\'ll——\'
\'Yes，makeanotherwill——orelsealterthatone。ButastoMissThornecominghere——\'
\'What！Mary——\'
\'Well，Mary。AstoMaryThornecominghere，thatIfearwillnotbepossible。Shecannothavetwohomes。Shehascastherlotwithoneofheruncles，andshemustremainwithhimnow。\'
\'Doyoumeantosaythatshemusthaveanyrelationbutone？\'
\'ButonesuchasIam。Shewouldnotbehappyoverhere。Shedoesnotlikenewfaces。Youhaveenoughdependingonyou；Ihavebuther。\'
\'Enough！why，IhaveonlyLouisPhilippe。Icouldprovideforadozengirls。\'
\'Well，well，well，wewillnottalkaboutthat。\'
\'Ah！but，Thorne，youhavetoldmeofthisgirlnow，andIcannotbuttalkofher。Ifyouwishedtokeepthematterdark，youshouldhavesaidnothingaboutit。Sheismynieceasmuchasyours。And，Thorne，IlovedmysisterMaryquiteaswellasyoulovedyourbrother；quiteaswell。\'
Anyonewhomighthaveheardandseenthecontractorwouldhavehardlythoughthimtobethesamemanwho，afewhoursbefore，wasurgingthattheBarchesterphysicianshouldbeputunderthepump。
\'Youhaveyourson，Scatcherd。Ihavenoonebutthatgirl。\'
\'Idon\'twanttotakeherfromyou。Idon\'twanttotakeher；butsurelytherecanbenoharminhercomingheretoseeus？Icanprovideforher，Thorne，rememberthat。IcanprovideforherwithoutreferencetoLouisPhilippe。Whataretenorfifteenthousandpoundstome？Rememberthat，Thorne。\'
DrThornedidrememberit。Inthatinterviewherememberedmanythings，andmuchpassedthroughhismindonwhichhefelthimselfcompelledtoresolvesomewhattoosuddenly。Wouldhebejustifiedinrejecting，onbehalfofMary，theofferofpecuniaryprovisionwhichthisrichrelativewouldbesowellinclinedtomake？Or，ifheacceptedti，wouldbeintruthbestudyingherinterests？Scatcherdwasaself-willed，obstinateman——nowindeedtouchedbyunwontedtenderness；buthewasoneofthosewhoselastingtendernessDrThornewouldbeveryunwillingtotrusthisdarling。Hedidresolve，thatonthewholeheshouldbestdischargehisduty，eventoher，bykeepinghertohimself，andrejecting，onherbehalf，anyparticipationinthebaronet\'swealth。AsMaryherselfhadsaid，\'somepeoplemustbeboundtogether；\'andtheirdestiny，thatofhimselfandhisniece，seemedtohavesoboundthem。ShehadfoundherplaceatGreshamsbury，herplaceintheworld；anditwouldbebetterforhernowtokeepit，thantogoforthandseekanotherthatwouldbericher，butatthesametimelesssuitedtoher。
\'No，Scatcherd，\'hesaidatlast，\'shecannotcomehere；shewouldnotbehappyhere，and，totellthetruthIdonotwishhertoknowthatshehasotherrelatives。\'
\'Ah！shewouldbeashamedofhermother，youmean，andofhermother\'sbrothertoo，eh？She\'stoofinealady，Isuppose，totakemebythehandandgivemeakiss，andcallmeheruncle？IandLadyScatcherdwouldnotbegrandenoughforher，eh？\'
\'Youmaysaywhatyouplease，Scatcherd：Iofcoursecannotstopyou。\'
\'ButIdon\'tknowhowyou\'llreconcilewhatyouaredoingwithyourconscience。Whatrightcanyouhavetothrowawaythegirl\'schance，nowthatshehasachance？Whatfortunecanyougiveher？\'
\'IhavedonewhatlittleIcould，\'saidThorne，proudly。
\'Well，well，well，well，Ineverheardsuchathinginmylife；never。
Mary\'schild，myownMary\'schild，andI\'mnottoseeher！But，Thorne，Itellyouwhat；Iwillseeher。I\'llgoovertoher，I\'llgotoGreshamsbury，andtellherwhoIam，andwhatIcandoforher。I
tellyoufairlyIwill。Youshallnotkeepherawayfromthosewhobelongtoher，andcandoheragoodturn。Mary\'sdaughter；anotherMaryScatcherd！IalmostwishshewerecalledMaryScatcherd。Isshelikeher，Thorne？Cometellmethat；isshelikehermother。\'
\'Idonotrememberhermother；atleastnotinhealth。\'
\'Notrememberher！ah，well。ShewasthehandsomestgirlinBarchester，anyhow。Thatwasgivenuptoher。Well，Ididn\'tthinktobetalkingofheragain。Thorne，youcannotbutexpectthatIshallgooverandseeMary\'schild？\'
\'Now，Scatcherd，lookhere，\'andthedoctor，comingawayfromthewindow，wherehehadbeenstanding，sathimselfdownbythebedside，\'youmustnotcomeovertoGreshamsbury。\'
\'Oh！butIshall。\'
\'Listentome，Scatcherd。Idonotwanttopraisemyselfinanyway；
butwhenthatgirlwasaninfant，sixmonthsold，shewasliketobeathoroughobstacletohermother\'sfortuneinlife。Tomlinsonwaswillingtomarryyoursister，buthewouldnotmarrythechildtoo。ThenItookthebaby，andIpromisedhermotherthatIwouldbetoherasafather。IhavekeptmywordasfairlyasIhavebeenable。Shehassatatmyhearth，anddrunkofmycup，andbeentomeasmyownchild。
Afterthat，Ihavetherighttojudgewhatisbestforher。Herlifeisnotlikeyourlife，andherwaysarenotasyourways——\'
\'Ah，thatisjustit；wearetoovulgarforher。\'
\'Youmaytakeitasyouwill，\'saidthedoctor，whowastoomuchinearnesttobeintheleastafraidofoffendinghiscompanion。\'Ihavenotsaidso；butIdosaythatyouandsheareunlikeinthewayofliving。\'
\'Shewouldn\'tlikeanunclewithabrandybottleunderhishead，eh？\'
\'Youcouldnotseeherwithoutlettingherknowwhatistheconnexionbetweenyou；ofthatIwishtokeepherinignorance。\'
\'Ineverknewanyoneyetwhoisashamedofarichconnexion。Howdoyoumeantogetahusbandforher，eh？\'
\'Ihavetoldyouofherexistence，\'continuedthedoctor，notappearingtonoticewhatthebaronethadlastsaid，\'becauseIfounditnecessarythatyoushouldknowthefactofyoursisterhavingleftachildbehindher；youwouldotherwisehavemadeawilldifferentfromthatintended，andtheremighthavebeenalawsuit，andmischief，andmiserywhenwearegone。YoumustperceivethatIhavedonethisinhonestytoyou；
andyouyourselfaretoohonesttorepaymebytakingadvantageofthisknowledgetomakemeunhappy。\'
\'Oh，verywell，doctor。Atanyrate，youareabrick，Iwillsaythat。ButI\'llthinkofthis，I\'llthinkofit；butitdoesstartlemetofindthatpoorMaryhasachildlivingsoneartome。\'
\'Andnow，Scatcherd，Iwillsaygood-bye。Wepartasfriends，don\'twe？\'
\'Oh，butdoctor，youain\'tgoingtoleavemeso。WhatamItodo？WhatdosesshallItake？HowmuchbrandymayIdrink？MayIhaveagrillfordinner？D——me，doctor，youhaveturnedFillgraveoutofthehouse。Youmustn\'tgoanddesertme。\'
DrThornelaughed，andthen，sittinghimselfdowntowritemedically，gavesuchprescriptionsandordinancesashefoundtobenecessary。
Theyannouncedbuttothis：thatthemanwastodrink，ifpossible，nobrandy；andifthatwerenotpossible，thenaslittleasmightbe。
Thishavingbeendone，thedoctoragainproceededtotakehisleave；
butwhenhegottothedoorhewascalledback。\'Thorne！Thorne！
AboutthatmoneyforMrGresham；dowhatyoulike，dojustwhatyoulike。Tenthousandisit？Well，heshallhaveit。I\'llmakeWinterboneswriteaboutitatonce。Fivepercent。，isn\'tit？No，fourandahalf。Well，heshallhavetenthousandmore。\'
\'Thankyou，Scatcherd，thankyou，Iamreallyverymuchobligedtoyou，Iamindeed。Iwouldn\'taskitifIwasnotsureyourmoneyissafe。
Good-bye，oldfellow，andgetridofthatbedfellowofyours，\'andagainhewasatthedoor。
\'Thorne，\'saidSirRogeroncemore。\'Thorne，justcomebackforaminute。Youwouldn\'tletmesendapresentwouldyou——fiftypoundsorso，——justtobuyafewflounces？\'
Thedoctorcontrivedtoescapewithoutgivingadefiniteanswertothisquestion；andthen，havingpaidhiscomplimentstoLadyScatcherd，remountedhiscobandrodebacktoGreshamsbury。
CHAPTERXIV
SENTENCEOFEXILE
DrThornedidnotatoncegohometohisownhouse。WhenhereachedtheGreshamsburygates，hesenthishorsetoitsownstablebyoneofthepeopleatthelodge，andthenwalkedontothemansion。Hehadtoseethesquireonthesubjectoftheforthcomingloan，andhehadalsotoseetheLadyArabella。
TheLadyArabella，thoughshewasnotpersonallyattachedtothedoctorwithquitesomuchwarmthassomeothersofherfamily，stillhadreasonsofherownfornotdispensingwithhisvisitstothehouse。Shewasoneofhispatients，andapatientfearfulofthediseasewithwhichshewasthreatened。Thoughshethoughtthedoctortobearrogant，deficientastoproperlysubmissivedemeanourtowardsherself，aninstigatortomaritalparsimonyinherlord，onealtogetheropposedtoherselfandherinterestinGreshamsburypolitics，neverthelessshedidfeeltrustinhimasamedicalman。ShehadnowishtoberescuedoutofhishandsbyanyDrFillgrave，asregardedthatcomplaintofhers，muchasshemayhavedesired，anddiddesire，toseverhimfromallGreshamsburycouncilsinallmattersnottouchingthehealingart。
NowthecomplaintofwhichtheLadyArabellawasafraid，wascancer：
andheronlypresentconfidantinthismatterwasDrThorne。
ThefirstoftheGreshamsburycirclewhomhesawwasBeatrice，andhemetherinthegarden。
\'Oh，doctor，\'saidshe，\'wherehasMarybeenthisage？ShehasnotbeenupheresinceFrank\'sbirthday。\'
\'Well，thatwasonlythreedaysago。Whydon\'tyougodownandferretheroutinthevillage？\'
\'SoIhavedone。Iwastherejustnow，andfoundherout。ShewasoutwithPatienceOriel。Patienceisallandallwithhernow。Patienceisallverywell，butiftheythrowmeover——\'
\'MydearMissGresham，Patienceisandalwayswasavirtue。\'
\'Apoor，beggarly，sneakingvirtueafterall，doctor。Theyshouldhavecomeup，seeinghowdesertedIamhere。There\'sabsolutelynobodyleft。\'
\'HasLadydeCourcygone？\'
\'Oh，yes！AlltheDeCourcyshavegone。Ithink，betweenourselves，Marystaysawaybecauseshedoesnotlovethemtoowell。Theyhaveallgone，andtakenAugustaandFrankwiththem。\'
\'HasFrankgonetoCourcyCastle？\'
\'Oh，yes；didyounothear？Therewasratherafightaboutit。MasterFrankwantedtogetoff，andwasashardtocatchasaneel，andthenthecountesswasoffended；andpapasaidhedidn\'tseewhyFrankwastogoifhedidn\'tlikeit。Papaisveryanxiousabouthisdegree，youknow。\'
Thedoctorunderstooditallaswellasthoughithadbeendescribedtohimatfulllength。Thecountesshadclaimedherprey，inorderthatshemightcarryhimofftoMissDunstable\'sgoldenembrace。Theprey，notyetoldenoughandwiseenoughtoconnecttheworshipofPlutuswiththatofVenus，hadmadesundryfutilefeintsanddodgesinthevainhopeofescape。ThentheanxiousmotherhadenforcedtheDeCourcybehestswithallamother\'sauthority。Butthefather，whoseideasonthesubjectofMissDunstable\'swealthhadprobablynotbeenconsulted，had，asamatterofcourse，takenexactlytheothersideofthequestion。Thedoctordidnotrequiretobetoldallthisinordertoknowhowthebattlehadraged。HehadnotyetheardofthegreatDunstablescheme；buthewassufficientlyacquaintedwithGreshamsburytacticstounderstandthatthewarhadbeencarriedonsomewhatafterthisfashion。
Asarule，whenthesquiretookapointwarmlytoheart，hewaswonttocarryhiswayagainsttheDeCourcyinterest。Hecouldbeobstinateenoughwhenitsopleasedhim，andhadbeforenowgonesofarastotellhiswife，thatherthrice-noblesister-in-lawmightremainathomeatCourcyCastle——or，atanyrate，notcometoGreshamsbury——ifshecouldnotdosowithoutstrivingtorulehimandeveryoneelsewhenshegothere。Thishadofcoursebeenrepeatedtothecountess，whohadmerelyrepliedtoitbyasisterlywhisper，inwhichshesorrowfullyintimatedthatsomemenwerebornbrutes，andalwayswouldremainso。
\'Ithinktheyallare，\'theLadyArabellahadreplied；wishing，perhaps，toremindhersister-in-lawthatthebreedofbruteswasasrampantinWestBarsetshireasintheeasterndivisionofthatcounty。
Thesquire，however，hadnotfoughtonthisoccasionwithallhisvigour。Therehad，ofcourse，beensomepassagesbetweenhimandhisson，andithadbeenagreedthatFrankshouldgoforafortnighttoCourcyCastle。
\'Wemustn\'tquarrelwiththem，youknow，ifwecanhelpit，\'saidthefather；\'and，therefore，youmustgosoonerorlater。\'
\'Well，Isupposeso；butyoudon\'tknowhowdullitis，governor。\'
\'Don\'tI！\'saidGresham。
\'There\'saMissDunstabletobethere；didyoueverhearofher，sir？\'
\'No，never。\'
\'She\'sagirlwhosefatherusedtomakeointment，orsomethingofthatsort。\'
\'Oh，yes，tobesure；theointmentofLebanon。HeusedtocoverallthewallsofLondon。Ihaven\'theardofhimthisyearpast。\'
\'No；thatisbecausehe\'sdead。Well，shecarriesontheointmentnow，Ibelieve；atanyrate，shehasgotallthemoney。Iwonderwhatshe\'slike？\'
\'You\'dbettergoandsee，\'saidthefather，whonowbegantohavesomeinklingofanideawhythetwoladiesweresoanxioustocarryhissonofftoCourcyCastleatthisexacttime。AndsoFrankhadpackeduphisbestclothes，givenalastfondlookatthenewblackhorse，repeatedhislastspecialinjunctionstoPeter，andhadthenmadeoneofthestatelycortegewhichproceededthroughthecountyfromGreshamsburytoCourcyCastle。
\'Iamverygladofthat，very，\'saidthesquire，whenheheardthatthemoneywastobeforthcoming。\'Ishallgetitoneasiertermsfromhimthanelsewhere；anditkillsmetohavecontinualbotheraboutsuchthings。\'AndMrGresham，feelingthatthatdifficultywastidedoverforatime，andthattheimmediatepressureoflittledebtswouldbeabated，stretchedhimselfonhiseasychairasthoughhewerequitecomfortable；——onemaysayalmostelated。
Howfrequentitisthatmenontheirroadtoruinfeelelationsuchasthis！Amansignsawaymoietyofhissubstance；nay，thatwerenothing；butamoietyofthesubstanceofhischildren；heputshispentothepaperthatruinshimandthem；butindoingsohefreeshimselffromasourceofimmediatelittlepestering，stingingtroubles：and，therefore，feelsasthoughfortunehasbeenalmostkindtohim。
Thedoctorfeltangrywithhimselfforwhathehaddonewhenhesawhoweasilythesquireadaptedhimselftothisnewloan。\'ItwillmakeScatcherd\'sclaimuponyouveryheavy，\'saidhe。
MrGreshamatoncereadallthatwaspassingthroughthedoctor\'smind。\'Well，whatelsecanIdo？\'saidhe。\'Youwouldn\'thavemeallowmydaughtertolosethismatchforthesakeofafewthousandpounds？Itwillbewellatanyratetohaveoneofthemsettled。LookatthatletterfromMoffat。\'
Thedoctortooktheletterandreadit。Itwasalong，wordy，ill-writtenrigmarole，inwhichthatamorousgentlemanspokewithmuchraptureofhisloveanddevotionforMissGresham；butatthesametimedeclared，andmostpositivelyswore，thattheadversecrueltyofhiscircumstanceswassuch，thatitwouldnotallowhimtostanduplikeamanatthehymenealaltaruntilsixthousandpoundshardcashhadbeenpaiddownathisbanker\'s。
\'Itmaybeallright，\'saidthesquire；\'butinmytimegentlemenwerenotusedtowritesuchlettersasthattoeachother。\'
Thedoctorshruggedhisshoulders。Hedidnotknowhowfarhewouldbejustifiedinsayingmuch，eventohisfriendthesquire，indispraiseofhisfutureson-in-law。
\'Itoldhimthatheshouldhavethemoney；andonewouldhavethoughtthatthatwouldhavebeenenoughforhim。Well：IsupposeAugustalikeshim。Isupposeshewishesthematch；otherwise，Iwouldgivehimsuchananswertothatletteraswouldstartlehimalittle。\'
\'Whatsettlementishetomake？\'saidThorne。
\'Oh，that\'ssatisfactoryenough；couldn\'tbemoreso；athousandayearandthehouseatWimbledonforher；that\'sallverywell。Butsuchalie，youknow，Thorne。He\'srollinginmoney，andyethetalksofthisbeggarlysumasthoughhecouldn\'tpossiblystirwithoutit。\'
\'IfImightventuretospeakmymind，\'saidThorne。
\'Well？\'saidthesquire，lookingathimearnestly。
\'IshouldbeinclinedtosaythatMrMoffatwantstocryoff，himself。\'
\'Oh，impossible；quiteimpossible。Inthefirstplace，hewassoveryanxiousforthematch。Inthenextplace，itissuchagreatthingforhim。Andthen，hewouldneverdare；yousee，heisdependentontheDeCourcysforhisseat。\'
\'Butsupposeheloseshisseat？\'
\'Butthereisnotmuchfearofthat，Ithink。Scatcherdmaybeaveryfinefellow，butIthinkthey\'llhardlyreturnhimatBarchester。\'
\'Idon\'tunderstandmuchaboutit，\'saidThorne；\'butsuchthingsdohappen。\'
\'Andyoubelievethatthismanabsolutelywantstogetoffthematch；
absolutelythinksofplayingsuchatrickasthatonmydaughter；——onme？\'
\'Idon\'tsayheintendstodoit；butitlookstomeasthoughheweremakingadoorforhimself，ortryingtomakeadoor：ifso，yourhavingthemoneywillstophimthere。\'
\'But，Thorne，don\'tyouthinkhelovesthegirl？IfIthoughtnot——\'
Thedoctorwassilentforamoment，andthenhesaid，\'Iamnotalove-makingmanmyself，butIthinkthatifIweremuchinlovewithayounglady，Ishouldnotwritesuchaletterasthattoherfather。\'
\'Byheavens！IfIthoughtso，\'saidthesquire——\'but，Thorne，wecan\'tjudgeofthosefellowsasonedoesofgentlemen；theyaresousedtomakingmoney，andseeingmoneymade，thattheyhaveaneyetobusinessineverything。\'
\'Perhapsso，perhapsso，\'mutteredthedoctor，showingevidentlythathestilldoubtedthewarmthofMrMoffat\'saffection。
\'Thematchwasnoneofmymaking，andIcannotinterferenowtobreakitoff：itwillgiveheragoodpositionintheworld；for，afterall，moneygoesagreatway，anditissomethingtobeinParliament。Icanonlyhopeshelikeshim。Idotrulyhopeshelikeshim；\'andthesquirealsoshowedbythetoneofhisvoicethat，thoughhemighthopethathisdaughterwasinlovewithherintendedhusband，hehardlyconceivedittobepossiblethatsheshouldbeso。
Andwhatwasthetruthofthematter？MissGreshamwasnomoreinlovewithMrMoffatthanyouare——oh，sweet，young，bloomingbeauty！Notawhitmore；not，atleast，inyoursenseoftheword，norinmine。Shehadbynomeansresolvedwithinherheartthatofallthemenwhomshehadeverseen，orevercouldsee，hewasfarawaythenicestandthebest。Thatiswhatyouwilldowhenyouareinlove，ifyoubegoodforanything。Shehadnolongingtositneartohim——thenearerthebetter；shehadnothoughtofhistasteandhischoicewhensheboughtherribbonsandbonnets；shehadnotindescribabledesirethatallherfemalefriendsshouldbeevertalkingtoherabouthim。Whenshewrotetohim，shedidnotcopyherlettersagainandagain，sothatshemightbe，asitwere，everspeakingtohim；shetooknospecialprideinherselfbecausehehadchosenhertobehislife\'spartner。Inpointoffact，shedidnotcareonestrawabouthim。
Andyetshethoughtshelovedhim；was，indeed，quiteconfidentthatshedidso；toldhermotherthatshewassureGustavuswouldwishthis，sheknewGustavuswouldlikethat，andsoon；butasforGustavushimself，shedidnotcareonechipabouthim。
Shewasinlovewithhermatchjustasfarmersareinlovewithwheatandeightyshillingsaquarter；orshareholders——innocentgudgeons——withsevenandhalfpercentinterestontheirpaidupcapital。Eightyshillingsaquarter，andsevenandhalfpercentinterest，suchwerethereturnswhichshehadbeentaughttolookforinexchangeforheryoungheart；and，havingobtainedthem，orbeingthusabouttoobtainthem，whyshouldnotheryoungheartbesatisfied？HadshenotsatherselfdownobedientlyatthefeetofherladyGamaliel，andshouldshenotberewarded？Yes，indeed，sheshallberewarded。
Andthenthedoctorwenttothelady。Ontheirmedicalsecretswewillnotintrude；buttherewereothermattersbearingonthecourseofournarrative，astowhichLadyArabellafounditnecessarytosayawordofsotothedoctor；anditisessentialthatweshouldknowwhatwasthetenorofthosefewwordssospoken。
Howtheaspirations，andinstincts，andfeelingsofahouseholdbecomechangedastheyoungbirdsbegintoflutterthosefeatheredwings，andhavehalf-formedthoughtsofleavingtheparentalnest！Afewmonthsback，FrankhadreignedalmostautocraticoverthelessersubjectsofthekingdomofGreshamsbury。Theservants，forinstance，alwaysobeyedhim，andhissistersneverdreamedoftellinganythingwhichhedirectedshouldnotbetold。Allhismischief，allhistroubles，andallhisloveswereconfidedtothem，withthesureconvictionthattheywouldneverbemadetostandinevidenceagainsthim。
Trustingtothiswell-ascertainedstateofthings，hehadnothesitatedtodeclarehisloveforMissThornebeforehissisterAugusta。ButhissisterAugustahadnow，asitwere，beenreceivedintotheupperhouse；
havingdulyprofitedbythelessonsofhergreatinstructress，shewasnowadmittedtositinconclavewiththehigherpowers：hersympathies，ofcourse，becamechanged，andherconfidencewasremovedfromtheyoungandgiddyandgiventotheancientanddiscreet。Shewasasaschoolboy，who，havingfinishedhisschooling，andbeingfairlyforcedbynecessityintothesternbread-earningworld，undertakesthenewdutiesoftutoring。Yesterdayhewastaught，andfought，ofcourse，againsttheschoolmaster；to-dayheteaches，andfightsaskeenlyforhim。SoitwaswithAugustaGresham，when，withcarefulbrow，shewhisperedtohermotherthattherewassomethingwrongbetweenFrankandMaryThorne。
\'Stopitatonce，Arabella：stopitatonce，\'thecountesshadsaid；
\'that，indeed，willbetheruin。Ifhedoesnotmarrymoney，heislost。Goodheavens！thedoctor\'sniece！Agirlthatnobodyknowswhereshecomesfrom！\'
\'He\'sgoingwithyouto-morrow，youknow，\'saidtheanxiousmother。
\'Yes；andthatissofarwell：ifhewillbeledbyme，theevilmayberemediedbeforehereturns；butitisvery，veryhardtoleadyoungmen。Arabella，youmustforbidthatgirltocometoGreshamsburyagainonanypretextwhatever。Theevilmustbestoppedatonce。\'
\'Butsheisheresomuchasamatterofcourse。\'
\'Thenshemustbehereasamatterofcoursenomore：therehasbeenfolly，verygreatfolly，inhavingherhere。Ofcourseshewouldturnouttobeadesigningcreaturewithsuchtemptationbeforeher；withsuchaprizewithinherreach，howcouldshehelpit？\'
\'Imustsay，aunt，sheansweredhimveryproperly，\'saidAugusta。
\'Nonsense，\'saidthecountess；\'beforeyouofcourseshedid。Arabella，themattermustnotbelefttothegirl\'spropriety。Ineverknewtheproprietyofagirlofthatsorttobefittobedependedonyet。Ifyouwishtosavethewholefamilyfromruin，youmusttakestepstokeepherawayfromGreshamsburynowatonce。Nowisthetime；nowthatFrankisgoingaway。Wheresomuch，soverymuchdependsonayoungman\'smarryingmoney，notonedayoughttobelost。\'
Instigatedinthismanner，LadyArabellaresolvedtoopenhermindtothedoctor，andtomakeitintelligibletohim，thatunderpresentcircumstances，Mary\'svisitsatGreshamsburyhadbetterbediscontinued。Shewouldhavegivenmuch，however，tohaveescapedthisbusiness。Shehadinhertimetriedoneortwofallswiththedoctor，andshewasconsciousthatshehadneveryetgotthebetterofhim：andthenshewasinaslightdegreeafraidofMaryherself。ShehadapresentimentthatitwouldnotbesoeasytobanishMaryfromGreshamsbury：shewasnotsurethatthatyoungladywouldnotboldlyassertherrighttoherplaceintheschool-room；appealloudlytothesquire，andperhaps，declareherdeterminationofmarryingtheheir，outbeforethemall。Thesquirewouldbesuretoupholdherinthat，orinanythingelse。
Andthen，too，therewouldbethegreatestdifficultyinwordingherrequesttothedoctor；andLadyArabellawassufficientlyconsciousofherownweaknesstoknowthatshewasnotalwaysverygoodatwords。
Butthedoctor，whenhardpressed，wasneveratfault：hecouldsaythebitterestthingsinthequietesttone，andLadyArabellahadagreatdreadofthesebitterthings。What，also，ifheshoulddesertherhimself；withdrawfromherhisskillandknowledgeofherbodilywantsandailmentsnowthathewassonecessarytoher？ShehadoncebeforetakenthatmeasureofsendingtoBarchesterforDrFillgrave，butithadansweredwithherhardlybetterthanwithSirRogerandLadyScatcherd。
When，therefore，LadyArabellafoundherselfalonewiththedoctor，andcalledupontosayoutinwhatbestlanguageshecouldselectfortheoccasion，shedidnotfeeltoverymuchatherease。Therewasthataboutthemanbeforeherwhichcowedher，inspiteofherbeingthewifeofthesquire，thesisterofanearl，apersonquiteacknowledgedtobeofthegreatworld，andthemotherofaveryimportantyoungmanwhoseaffectionswerenowabouttobecalledinquestion。
Nevertheless，therewasthetasktobedone，andwithamother\'scouragesheessayedit。
\'DrThorne，\'saidshe，assoonastheirmedicalconferencewasatanend，\'Iamverygladyoucameoverto-day，forIhavesomethingspecialwhichIwantedtosaytoyou：\'sofarshegot，andthenstopped；but，asthedoctordidnotseeminclinedtogiveheranyassistance，shewasforcedtoflounderonasbestshecould。
\'Somethingveryparticularindeed。Youknowwhatarespectandesteem，andImaysayaffection，weallhaveforyou，\'——herethedoctormadealowbow——\'andImaysayforMaryalso；\'herethedoctorbowedhimselfagain。\'Wehavedonewhatlittlewecouldtobepleasantneighbours，andIthinkyou\'llbelievemewhenIsaythatIamatruefriendtoyouanddearMary——\'
Thedoctorknewthatsomethingveryunpleasantwascoming，buthecouldnotatallguesswhatmightbeitsnature。Hefelt，however，thathemustsaysomething；soheexpressedahopethathewasdulysensibleofalltheactsofkindnesshehadeverreceivedfromthesquireandthefamilyatlarge。
\'Ihope，therefore，mydeardoctor，youwon\'ttakeamisswhatIamgoingtosay。\'
\'Well，LadyArabella，I\'llendeavournottodoso。\'
\'IamsureIwouldnotgiveanypainifIcouldhelpit，muchlesstoyou。Butthereareoccasions，doctor，inwhichdutymustbeparamount；
paramounttoallotherconsiderations，youknow，and，certainly，thisoccasionisoneofthem。\'
\'Butwhatistheoccasion，LadyArabella？\'
\'I\'lltellyou，doctor。YouknowwhatFrank\'spositionis？\'
\'Frank\'sposition？\'
\'Whyhispositioninlife；anonlyson，youknow。\'
\'Oh，yes；Iknowhispositioninthatrespect；anonlyson，andhisfather\'sheir；andaveryfinefellow，heis。Youhavebutoneson，LadyArabella，andyoumaywellbeproudofhim。\'
LadyArabellasighed。ShedidnotwishatthepresentmomenttoexpressherselfasbeinginanywayproudofFrank。Shewasdesirousrather，ontheotherhand，ofshowingthatshewasagooddealashamedofhim；onlynotquitesomuchashamedofhimasitbehovedthedoctortobeofhisniece。\'
\'Well，perhapsso；yes，\'saidLadyArabella，\'heis，Ibelieve，averygoodyoungman，withanexcellentdisposition；but，doctor，hispositionisveryprecarious；andheisjustatthattimeoflifewhencautionisnecessary。\'
Tothedoctor\'sears，LadyArabellawasnowtalkingofhersonasamothermightofherinfantwhenwhooping-coughwasabroadourcroupimminent。\'Thereisnothingonearththematterwithhim，Ishouldsay，\'saidthedoctor。\'Hehaseverypossiblesignofperfecthealth。\'
\'Ohyes；hishealth！Yes，thankGod，hishealthisgood；thatisagreatblessing。\'AndLadyArabellathoughtofherfourfloweretsthathadalreadyfaded。\'IamsureIammostthankfultoseehimgrowingupsostrong。ButitisnotthatImean，doctor。\'
\'Thenwhatisit，LadyArabella？\'
\'Why，doctor，thesquire\'spositionwithregardtomoneymatters。\'
Nowthedoctorundoubtedlydidknowthesquire\'spositionwithregardtomoneymatters，——knewitmuchbetterthanLadyArabella；buthewasbynomeansinclinedtotalkonthatsubjecttoherladyship。Heremainedquitesilent，therefore，althoughLadyArabella\'slastspeechhadtakentheformofaquestion。LadyArabellawasalittleoffendedatthiswantoffreedomonhispart，andbecomesomewhatsternerinhertone——athoughtlesscondescendinginhermanner。
\'Thesquirehasunfortunatelyembarrassedtheproperty，andFrankmustlookforwardtoinherititwithveryheavyencumbrances；Ifearveryheavyindeed，thoughofwhatexactnatureIamkeptinignorance。\'
Lookingatthedoctor\'sface，sheperceivedthattherewasnoprobabilitywhateverthatherignorancewouldbeenlightenedbyhim。
\'And，therefore，itishighlynecessarythatFrankshouldbeverycareful。\'
\'Astohisprivateexpenditure，youmean？\'saidthedoctor。
\'No；notexactlythat：thoughofcoursehemustbecarefulastothat，too；that\'sofcourse。ButthatisnotwhatImean，doctor；hisonlyhopeofretrievinghiscircumstancesisbymarryingmoney。\'
\'Witheveryotherconjugalblessingthatamancanhave，Ihopehemayhavethatalso。\'Sothedoctorrepliedwithimperturbableface；butnotthelessdidhebegintohaveashadeofsuspicionofwhatmightbethecomingsubjectoftheconference。Itwouldbeuntruetosaythathehadeverthoughtitprobablethattheyoungheirshouldfallinlovewithhisniece；thathehadeverlookedforwardtosuchachance，eitherwithcomplacencyorwithfear；nevertheless，theideahadoflatepassedthroughhismind。SomewordhadfallenfromMary，somecloselywatchedexpressionofhereye，orsomequiverinherlipwhenFrank\'snamewasmentioned，hadoflatemadehiminvoluntarilythinkthatsuchathingmightnotbeimpossible；andthen，whenthechanceofMarybecomingtheheiresstosolargeafortunehadbeenforceduponhisconsideration，hehadbeenunabletopreventhimselffrombuildinghappycastlesintheair，asherodeslowlyhomefromBoxallHill。Butnotawhitthemoreonthataccountwashepreparedtobeuntruetothesquire\'sinterestortoencourageafeelingwhichmustbedistastefultoallthesquire\'sfriends。
\'Yes，doctor；hemustmarrymoney。\'
\'Andworth，LadyArabella；andapurefeminineheart；andyouthandbeauty。Ihopehewillmarrythemall。\'
Coulditbepossible，thatinspeakingofapurefeminineheart，andyouthandbeauty，andsuchlikegewgaws，thedoctorwasthinkingofhisniece？Coulditbethathehadabsolutelymadeuphismindtofosterandencouragethisodiousmatch？
ThebareideamadeLadyArabellawrathful，andherwrathgavehercourage。\'Hemustmarrymoney，orhewillbearuinedman。Now，doctor，Iaminformedthatthings——wordsthatis——havepassedbetweenhimandMarywhichneveroughttohavebeenallowed。\'
Andnowthedoctorwaswrathful。\'Whatthings？whatwords？\'saidhe，appearingtoLadyArabellaasthoughheroseinhisangernearlyafootinaltitudebeforehereyes。\'Whathaspassedbetweenthem？andwhosaysso？\'
\'Doctor，therehavebeenlove-makings，youmaytakemywordforit；
love-makingsofavery，veryadvanceddescription。\'
This，thedoctorcouldnotstand。No，notforGreshamsburyanditsheir；notforthesquireandallhismisfortunes；notforLadyArabellaandthebloodoftheDeCourcyscouldhestandquietandhearMaryaccused。Hesprangupanotherfootinheight，andexpandedequallyinwidthasheflungbacktheinsinuation。
\'Whosaysso？Whoeversaysso，whoeverspeaksofMissThorneinsuchlanguage，sayswhatisnottrue。Iwillpledgemyword——\'
\'Mydeardoctor，mydeardoctor，whattookplacewasquiteclearlyheard；therewasnomistakeaboutit，indeed。\'
\'Whattookplace？Whatwasheard？\'
\'Well，then，Idon\'twant，youknow，tomakemoreofitthancanbehelped。Thethingmustbestopped，thatisall。\'
\'Whatthing？Speakout，LadyArabella。IwillnothaveMary\'sconductimpugnedbyinnuendoes。Whatisthateavesdroppershaveheard？\'
DrThorne，therehavebeennoeavesdroppers。\'
\'Andnottalebearerseither？Willyouladyshipobligemebylettingmeknowwhatisthisaccusationwhichyoubringagainstmyniece？\'
\'Therehasbeenmostpositivelyanoffermade，DrThorne。\'
\'Andwhomadeit？\'
\'Oh，ofcourseIamnotgoingtosaybutwhatFrankmusthavebeenveryimprudent。Ofcoursehehasbeentoblame。Therehasbeenfaultonbothsides，nodoubt。\'
\'Iutterlydenyit。Ipositivelydenyit。Iknownothingofthecircumstances；haveheardnothingaboutit——\'
\'Thenofcourseyoucan\'tsay，\'saidLadyArabella。
\'Iknownothingofthecircumstance；haveheardnothingaboutit，\'
continuedDrThorne；\'butIdoknowmyniece，andamreadytoassertthattherehasnotbeenfaultonbothsides。Whethertherehasbeenanyfaultonanyside，thatIdonotknow。\'
\'Icanassureyou，DrThorne，thatanofferwasmadebyFrank；suchanoffercannotbewithoutitsallurementstoayoungladycircumstancedlikeyourniece。\'
\'Allurements！\'almostshoutedthedoctor，and，ashedidso，LadyArabellasteppedbackapaceortwo，retreatingfromthefirewhichshotoutofhiseyes。\'Butthetruthis，LadyArabella，youdonotknowmyniece。IfyouwillhavethegoodnesstoletmeunderstandwhatitisthatyoudesireIwilltellyouwhetherIcancomplywithyourwishes。\'
\'Ofcourseitwillbeveryinexpedientthattheyoungpeopleshouldbethrowntogetheragain；——forthepresent，Imean。\'
\'Well！\'
\'FrankhasnowgonetoCourcyCastle；andhetalksofgoingfromthencetoCambridge。Buthewilldoubtlessbehere，backwardsandforwards；
andperhapsitwillbebetterforallparties——safer，thatis，doctor——ifMissThorneweretodiscontinuehervisitstoGreshamsburyforawhile。\'
\'Verywell！\'thunderedoutthedoctor。\'HervisitstoGreshamsburyshallbediscontinued。\'
\'Ofcourse，doctor，thiswon\'tchangeintercoursebetweenus；betweenyouandtheandthefamily。\'
\'Notchangeit！\'saidhe。\'DoyouthinkthatIwillbreakbreadinahousefromwhenceshehasbeenignominiouslybanished？DoyouthinkthatIcansitinfriendshipwiththosewhohavespokenofherasyouhavenowspoken？Youhavemanydaughters；whatwouldyousayifI
accusedthemoneofthemasyouhaveaccusedher？\'
\'Accused，doctor！No，Idon\'taccuseher。Butprudence，youknow，doessometimesrequireus——\'
\'Verywell；prudencerequiresyoutolookafterthosewhobelongtoyou。Andprudencerequiresmetolookaftermyonelamb。Goodmorning，LadyArabella。\'
\'But，doctor，youarenotgoingtoquarrelwithus？Youwillcomewhenwewantyou；eh！won\'tyou？\'
Quarrel！quarrelwithGreshamsbury！Angryashewas，thedoctorfeltthathecouldillbeartoquarrelwithGreshamsbury。Amanpastfiftycannoteasilythrowoverthetiesthathavetakentwentyyearstoform，andwrenchhimselfawayfromthevariouscloseligatureswithwhich，insuchaperiod，hehasbecomebound。Hecouldnotquarrelwiththesquire；hecouldillbeartoquarrelwithFrank；thoughhenowbegantoconceivethatFrankhadusedhimbadly，hecouldnotdoso；hecouldnotquarrelwiththechildren，whohadalmostbeenbornintohisarms；
norevenwiththeverywalls，andtrees，andgrassyknollswithwhichhewassodearlyintimate。HecouldnotproclaimhimselfanenemytoGreshamsbury；andyethefeltthatfealtytoMaryrequiredofhimthat，forthepresent，heshouldputonanenemy\'sguise。
\'Ifyouwantme，LadyArabella，andsendforme，Iwillcometoyou；
otherwise，ifyouplease，sharethesentencewhichhasbeenpassedonMary。Iwillnowwishyougoodmorning。\'Andthenbowinglowtoher，helefttheroomandthehouse，andsaunteredslowlyawaytohisownhome。
WhatwashetosaytoMary？Hewalkedveryslowly，downtheGreshamsburyavenuewithhishandsclaspedbehindhisback，thinkingoverthewholematter；thinkingofit，orrathertryingtothinkofit。Whenaman\'sheartiswarmlyconcernedinanymatter，itisalmostuselessforhimtoendeavourtothinkofit。Insteadofthinking，hegivesplaytohisfeelings，andfeedshispassionbyindulgingit。
\'Allurements！\'hesaidtohimself，repeatingLadyArabella\'swords。\'A
girlcircumstancedlikemyniece！Howutterlyincapableissuchawomanasthattounderstandthemind，andtheheart，andsoulofsuchaoneasMaryThorne！\'AndthenhisthoughtsrecurredtoFrank。\'Ithasbeenilldoneofhim；illdoneofhim：youngasheis，heshouldhavehadfeelingenoughtosparedmethis。Athoughtlesswordhasbeenspokenwhichwillnowmakehermiserable！\'Andthen，ashewalkedon，hecouldnotdivesthismindoftheremembranceofwhathadpassedbetweenhimandSirRoger。What，ifafterall，Maryshouldbecometheheiresstoallthatmoney？What，ifsheshouldbecome，infact，theownerofGreshamsbury？for，indeeditseemedtoopossiblethatSirRoger\'sheirwouldbetheownerofGreshamsbury。
Theideawasonewhichhedislikedtoentertain，butitwouldrecurtohimagainandagain。Itmightbe，thatamarriagebetweenhisnieceandthenominalheirtotheestatemightbeofallthematchesthebestforyoungGreshamtomake。Howsweetwouldbetherevenge，howglorioustheretaliationonLadyArabella，if，afterwhathadnowbeensaid，itshouldcometopassthatallthedifficultiesofGreshamsburyshouldbemadesmoothbyMary\'slove，andMary\'shand！Itwasadangeroussubjectonwhichtoponder。And，ashesauntereddowntheroad，thedoctordidhisbesttobanishitfromhismind——notaltogethersuccessfully。
ButashewentheagainencounteredBeatrice。\'TellMaryIwentuptoherto-day，\'saidshe，\'andthatIexpectheruphereto-morrow。Ifshedoesnotcomehere，Ishallbesavage。\'
\'Donotbesavage，\'saidhe，puttingouthishand，\'eventhoughsheshouldnotcome。\'
Beatriceimmediatelysawthathismannerwithherwasnotplayful，andthathisfacewasserious。\'Iwasonlyinjoke，\'saidshe；\'ofcourseIwasonlyjoking。Butisanythingthematter？IsMaryill？\'
\'Oh，no；notillatall；butshewillnotbehereto-morrow，norprobablyforsometime。But，MissGresham，youmustnotbesavagewithher。\'
Beatricetriedtointerrogatehim，buthewouldnotwaittoanswerherquestions。Whileshewasspeakinghebowedtoherinhisusualold-fashionedcourteousway，andpassedonoutofhearing。\'Shewillnotcomeupforsometime，\'saidBeatricetoherself。\'Thenmammamusthavequarrelledwithher。\'Andatonceinherheartsheacquittedherfriendofallblameinthematter，whateveritmightbe，andcondemnedhermotherunheard。
Thedoctor，whenhearrivedinhisownhouse，hadinnowisemadeuphismindastothemannerinwhichhewouldbreakthemattertoMary；butbythetimethathehadreachedthedrawing-room，hehadmadeuphismindtothis，thathewouldputofftheevilhourtillthemorrow。Hewouldsleeponthematter——lieawakeonit，moreprobably——andthenatbreakfast，asbesthecould，tellherwhathadbeensaidofher。
Marythateveningwasmorethanusuallyinclinedtobeplayful。Shehadnotbeenquitecertaintillthemorning，whetherFrankhadabsolutelyleftGreshamsbury，andhad，therefore，preferredthecompanyofMissOrieltogoinguptothehouse。TherewasapeculiarcheerfulnessaboutherfriendPatience，afeelingofsatisfactionwiththeworldandthoseinit，whichMaryalwayssharedwithher；andnowshehadbroughthometothedoctor\'sfireside，inspiteofheryoungtroubles，asmilingface，ifnotaheartaltogetherhappy。
\'Uncle，\'shesaidatlast，\'whatmakesyousosombre？ShallIreadtoyou？\'
\'No；notto-night，dearest。\'
\'Why，uncle；whatisthematter？\'
\'Nothing，nothing。\'
\'Ah，butitissomething，andyoushalltellme；\'gettingup，shecameovertohisarm-chair，andleantoverhisshoulder。
Helookedupatherforaminuteinsilence，andthen，gettingupfromhischair，passedhisarmroundherwaist，andpressedhercloselytohisheart。
\'Mydarling！\'hesaid，almostconvulsively。\'Mybestown，truestdarling！\'andMarylookedupintohisface，sawthatbigtearswererunningdownhischeeks。
Butstillhetoldhernothingthatnight。
CHAPTERXV
COURCY
WhenFrankGreshamexpressedtohisfatheranopinionthatCourcyCastlewasdull，thesquire，asmayberemembered，didnotpretendtodifferfromhim。Tomensuchasthesquire，andsuchasthesquire\'sson，CourcyCastlewasdull。Towhatclassofmenitwouldnotbedulltheauthorisnotpreparedtosay；butitmaybepresumedthattheDeCourcysfoundittotheirliking，ortheywouldhavemadeitotherthanitwas。
Thecastleitselfwasahugebrickpile，builtinthedaysofWilliamIII，which，thoughtheyweregrandfordaysoftheconstructionoftheConstitution，werenotverygrandforarchitectureofamorematerialdescription。Ithad，nodoubt，aperfectrighttobecalledacastle，asitwasenteredbyacastle-gatewhichledintoacourttheporter\'slodgeforwhichwasbuiltasitwereintothewall；therewereattachedtoitalsotworound，stumpyadjuncts，whichwere，perhapsproperly，calledtowers，thoughtheydidnotdomuchinthewayoftowering；and，moreover，alongonesideofthehouse，overwhatwouldotherwisehavebeenthecornice，thereranacastellatedparapet，throughtheassistanceofwhich，theimaginationnodoubtwasintendedtosupplythemuzzlesofdefiantartillery。Butanyartillerywhichwouldhavesopresenteditsmuzzlemusthavebeenverysmall，anditmaybedoubtedwhetherevenabowmancouldhaveobtainedshelterthere。
Thegroundsaboutthecastlewerenotveryinviting，nor，asgrounds，veryextensive；though，nodoubt，theentiredomainwassuchassuitedtheimportanceofsopuissantanoblemanasEarldeCourcy。What，indeed，shouldhavebeentheparkwasdividedoutintovariouslargepaddocks。Thesurfacewasflatandunbroken；andthoughthereweremagnificentelm-treesstandinginstraightlines，likehedgerows，thetimberhadnotthatbeautiful，wild，scatteredlookwhichgenerallygivesthegreatcharmtoEnglishscenery。
ThetownofCourcy——fortheplaceclaimedtorankasatown——wasinmanyparticularslikethecastle。Itwasbuiltofdingy-redbrick——almostmorebrownthanred——andwassolid，dull-looking，uglyandcomfortable。
Itconsistedoffourstreets，whichwereformedbytworoadscrossingeachother，makingatthepointofjunctionacentreforthetown。HerestoodtheRedLion；haditbeencalledthebrownlion，thenomenclaturewouldhavebeenmorestrictlycorrect；andhere，intheolddaysofcoaching，somelifehadbeenwonttostiritselfatthosehouseinthedayandnightwhentheFreetraders，Tallyhoes，andRoyalMailschangedtheirhorses。Butnowtherewasarailwaystationamileandahalfdistant，andthemovinglifeofthetownofCourcywasconfinedtotheRedLionomnibus，whichseemedtopassitsentiretimeingoingupanddownbetweenthetownandthestation，quiteunembarrassedbyanygreatweightofpassengers。
