第9章

Thiswasratheradifficultquestiontoanswer；andFrankwasnotveryquickinattemptingit。\'Iknowyouwillnotforgiveme，\'hesaidatlast；\'and，indeed，Idonotseehowyoucan。Idon\'tknowhowitcameabout；butthisiscertain，MissDunstable；Ihaveneverforamomentthoughtaboutyourfortune；thatis，thoughtaboutitinthewayofcovetingit。\'

\'Youneverthoughtofmakingmeyourwife，then？\'

\'Never，\'saidFrank，lookingboldlyintoherface。

\'Youneverintendedreallytoproposetogowithmetothealtar，andthenmakeyourselfrichbyonegreatperjury？\'

\'Neverforamoment，\'saidhe。

\'Youhavenevergloatedovermeasthebirdofpreygloatsoverthepoorbeastthatissoontobecomecarrionbeneathitsclaws？Youhavenotcountedmeoutasequaltosomuchland，andcalculatedonmeasabalanceatyourbanker\'s？Ah，MrGresham，\'shecontinued，seeingthathestaredasthoughstruckalmostwithawebyherstronglanguage；\'youlittleguesswhatawomansituatedasIamhastosuffer。\'

\'Ihavebehavedbadlytoyou，MissDunstable，andIbegyourpardon；

butIhaveneverthoughtofyourmoney。\'

\'Thenwewillbefriendsagain，MrGresham，won\'twe？Itissonicetohaveafriendlikeyou。There，IthinkIunderstanditnow；youneednottellme。\'

\'Itwashalfbywayofmakingafoolofmyaunt，\'saidFrank，inanapologetictone。

\'Thereismeritinthat，atanyrate，\'saidMissDunstable。\'I

understanditallnow；youthoughttomakeafoolofmeinrealearnest。Well，Icanforgivethat；atanyrateitisnotmean。\'

Itmaybe，thatMissDunstabledidnotfeelmuchacuteangeratfindingthatthisyoungmanhadaddressedherwithwordsofloveinthecourseofanordinaryflirtation，althoughthatflirtationhadbeenunmeaningandsilly。Thiswasnottheoffenceagainstwhichherheartandbreasthadfoundpeculiarcausetoarmitself；thiswasnottheinjuryfromwhichshehadhithertoexperiencedsuffering。

Atanyrate，sheandFrankagainbecamefriends，and，beforetheeveningwasover，theyperfectlyunderstoodeachother。Twiceduringthislongtete-a-teteLadydeCourcycameintotheroomtoseehowthingsweregoingon，andtwiceshewentoutalmostunnoticed。Itwasquitecleartoherthatsomethinguncommonhadtakenplace，wastakingplace，orwouldtakeplace；andthatshouldthisbeforwealorforwoe，nogoodcouldnotcomefromherinterference。Oneachoccasion，therefore，shesmiledsweetlyonthepairofturtle-doves，andglidedoutoftheroomasquietlyasshehadglidedintoit。

Butatlastitbecamenecessarytoremovethem；fortheworldhadgonetobed。Frank，inthemeantime，hadtoldtoMissDunstableallhisloveforMaryThorne，andMissDunstablehadenjoinedhimtobetruetohisvows。Tohereyestherewassomethingofheavenlybeautyinyoung，truelove——ofbeautythatwasheavenlybecauseithadbeenunknowntoher。

\'Mindyouletmehear，MrGresham，\'saidshe。\'Mindyoudo；and，MrGresham，never，neverforgetherforonemoment；notforonemoment，MrGresham。\'

Frankwasabouttoswearthatheneverwould——again，whenthecountess，forthethirdtime，sailedintotheroom。

\'Youngpeople，\'saidshe，\'doyouknowwhato\'clockitis？\'

\'Dearme，LadydeCourcy，Ideclareitispasttwelve；Ireallyamashamedofmyself。Howgladyouwillbetogetridofmeto-morrow！\'

\'No，no，indeedweshan\'t；shallwe，Frank？\'andsoMissDunstablepassedout。

Thenonceagaintheaunttappedhernephewwithherfan。Itwasthelasttimeinherlifethatshedidso。Helookedupinherface，andhislookwasenoughtotellherthattheacresofGreshamsburywerenottobereclaimedbytheointmentofLebanon。

Nothingfurtheronthesubjectwassaid。OnthefollowingmorningMissDunstabletookherdeparture，notmuchheedingtherathercoldwordsoffarewellwhichherhostessgaveher；andonthefollowingdayFrankstartedforGreshamsbury。

CHAPTERXXI

MRMOFFATFALLSINTOTROUBLE

Wewillnow，withthereader\'skindpermission，skipoversomemonthsinournarrative。FrankreturnedfromCourcyCastletoGreshamsbury，andhavingcommunicatedtohismother——muchinthesamemannerashehadtothecountess——thefactthathismissionhadbeenunsuccessful，hewentupafteradayortwotoCambridge。DuringhisshortstayatGreshamsburyhedidnotevencatchaglimpseofMary。Heaskedforher，ofcourse，andwastoldthatitwasnotlikelythatshewouldbeatthehousejustatpresent。Hecalledatthedoctor\'s，butshewasdeniedtohimthere；\'shewasout，\'Janetsaid，——\'probablywithMissOriel。\'HewenttotheparsonageandfoundMissOrielathome；butMaryhadnotbeenseenthatmorning。Hethenreturnedtothehouse；

and，havingcometotheconclusionthatshehadnotthusvanishedintoair，otherwisethanbypreconcertedarrangement，heboldlytaxedBeatriceonthesubject。

Beatricelookedverydemure；declaredthatnooneinthehousehadquarrelledwithMary；confessedthatithadbeenthoughtprudentthatsheshouldforawhilestayawayfromGreshamsbury；and，ofcourse，endedbytellingherbrothereverything，includingallthescenesthathadpassedbetweenMaryandherself。

\'Itisoutofthequestionyourthinkingofmarryingher，Frank，\'saidshe。\'YoumustknowthatnobodyfeelsitmorestronglythanpoorMaryherself；\'andBeatricelookedtheverypersonificationofdomesticprudence。

\'Iknownothingofthekind，\'saidhe，withtheheadlongimperativeairthatwasusualwithhimindiscussingmatterswithhissisters。\'I

knownothingofthekind。OfcourseIcannotsaywhatMary\'sfeelingsmaybe：aprettylifeshemusthavehadofitamongyou。Butyoumaybesureofthis，Beatrice，andsomaymymother，thatnothingonearthshallmakemegiveherup——nothing。\'AndFrank，ashemadethisprotestation，strengthenedhisownresolutionbythinkingofallthecounselthatMissDunstablehadgivenhim。

Thebrotherandsistercouldhardlyagree，asBeatricewasdeadagainstthematch。NotthatshewouldnothavelikedMaryThorneforasister-in-law，butthatshesharedtoacertaindegreethefeelingwhichwasnowcommontoalltheGreshams——thatFrankmustmarrymoney。

Itseemed，atanyrate，tobeimperativethatheshouldeitherdothatornotmarryatall。PoorBeatricewasnotverymercenaryinherviews：shehadnowishtosacrificeherbrothertoanyMissDunstable；

butyetshefelt，astheyallfelt——MaryThorneincluded——thatsuchasamatchasthat，oftheyoungheirwiththedoctor\'sniece，wasnottobethoughtof；——nottobespokenofasathingthatwasinanywaypossible。Therefore，Beatrice，thoughshewasMary\'sgreatfriend，thoughshewasherbrother\'sfavouritesister，couldgiveFranknoencouragement。PoorFrank！circumstanceshadmadebutonebridepossibletohim：hemustmarrymoney。

Hismothersaidnothingtohimonthesubject：whenshelearntthattheaffairwithMissDunstablewasnottocomeoff，shemerelyremarkedthatitwouldperhapsbebestforhimtoreturntoCambridgeassoonaspossible。Hadshespokenhermindout，shewouldprobablyhavealsoadvisedhimtoremainthereaslongaspossible。ThecountesshadnotomittedtowritetoherwhenFrankhadleftCourcyCastle；andthecountess\'slettercertainlymadetheanxiousmotherthinkthatherson\'seducationhadhardlyyetbeencompleted。Withthissecondaryobject，butwiththatofkeepinghimoutofthewayofMaryThorneinthefirstplace，LadyArabellawasnowquitesatisfiedthathersonshouldenjoysuchadvantagesasaneducationcompletedattheuniversitymightgivehim。

WithhisfatherFrankhadalongconversation；but，alas！thegistofhisfather\'sconversationwasthis，thatitbehovedhim，Frank，tomarrymoney。Thefather，however，didnotputittohiminthecold，callouswayinwhichhislady-aunthaddone，andhislady-mother。Hedidnotbidhimgoandsellhimselftothefirstfemalehecouldfindpossessedofwealth。Itwaswithinwardself-reproaches，andtruegriefofspirit，thatthefathertoldthesonthatitwasnotpossibleforhimtodoasthosewhomaydowhoarebornreallyrich，orreallypoor。

\'Ifyoumarryagirlwithoutafortune，Frank，howareyoutolive？\'

thefatherasked，afterhavingconfessedhowdeephehimselfhadinjuredhisownheir。

\'Idon\'tcareaboutmoney，sir，\'saidFrank。\'IshallbejustashappyifBoxallHillhadneverbeensold。Idon\'tcareastrawaboutthatsortofthing。\'

\'Ah！myboy；butyouwillcare：youwillsoonfindthatyoudocare。\'

\'Letmegointosomeprofession。LetmegototheBar。IamsureI

couldearnmyownliving。Earnit！ofcourseIcould，whynotIaswellasothers？Ishouldlikeofallthingstobeabarrister。\'

Therewasmuchmoreofthesamekind，inwhichFranksaidallthathecouldthinkoftolessenhisfather\'sregrets。IntheirconversationnotawordwasspokenaboutMaryThorne。Frankwasnotawarewhetherornohisfatherhadbeentoldofthegreatfamilydangerwhichwasdreadedinthatquarter。Thathehadbeentold，wemaysurmise，asLadyArabellawasnotwonttoconfinethefamilydangerstoherownbosom。Moreover，Mary\'spresencehad，ofcourse，beenmissed。Thetruthwas，thatthesquirehadbeentold，withgreatbitterness，ofwhathadcometopass，andalltheevilhadbeenlaidathisdoor。HeithadbeenwhohandencouragedMarytoberegardedalmostasadaughterofthehouseofGreshamsbury：heitwaswhotaughtthatodiousdoctor——odiousonallbuthisaptitudeforgooddoctoring——tothinkhimselfafitmatchforthearistocracyofthecounty。Ithadbeenhisfault，thisgreatnecessitythatFrankshouldmarrymoney；andnowitwashisfaultthatFrankwasabsolutelytalkingofmarryingapauper。

Bynomeansinquiescencedidthesquirehearthesechargesbroughtagainsthim。TheLadyArabella，ineachattack，gotquiteasmuchasshegave，and，atlast，wasdriventoretreatinastateofheadache，whichshedeclaredtobechronic；andwhich，sosheassuredherdaughterAugusta，mustpreventherfromhavinganymorelengthenedconversationswithherlord——atanyrateforthenextthreemonths。Butthoughthesquiremaybesaidtohavecomeoffonthewholeasthevictorinthesecombats，theydidnotperhapshave，onthataccount，thelesseffectuponhim。Heknewitwastruethathehaddonemuchtowardsruininghisson；andhealsocouldthinkofnootherremedythanmatrimony。ItwasFrank\'sdoom，pronouncedevenbythevoiceofhisfather，thathemustmarrymoney。

Andso，FrankwentoffagaintoCambridge，feelinghimself，ashewent，tobeamuchlessermaninGreshamsburyestimationthanhehadbeensometwomonthsearlier，whenhisbirthdayhadbeencelebrated。OnceduringhisshortstayatGreshamsburyhehadseenthedoctor；butthemeetinghadbeenanythingbutpleasant。HehadbeenafraidtoaskafterMary；andthedoctorhadbeentoodiffidentofhimselftospeakofher。Theyhadmetcasuallyontheroad，and，thougheachinhisheartlovedtheother，themeetinghadbeenanythingbutpleasant。

AndsoFrankwenttoCambridge；and，ashedidso，hestoutlyresolvedthatnothingshouldmakehimuntruetoMaryThorne。\'Beatrice，\'saidhe，onthemorninghewentaway，whenshecameintohisroomtosuperintendhispacking——\'Beatrice，ifsheevertalksaboutme——\'

\'Oh，Frank，mydarlingFrank，don\'tthinkofit——itismadness；sheknowsitismadness。\'

\'Nevermind；ifsheevertalksaboutme，tellherthatthelastwordI

saidwas，thatIwouldneverforgether。Shecandoasshelikes。\'

Beatricemadenopromise，neverhintedthatshewouldgivethemessage；

butitmaybetakenforgrantedthatshehadnotbeenlongincompanywithMaryThornebeforeshedidgiveit。

AndthentherewereothertroublesatGreshamsbury。IthadbeendecidedthatAugusta\'smarriagewastotakeplaceinSeptember；butMrMoffathad，unfortunately，beenobligedtopostponethehappyday。HehimselfhadtoldAugusta——not，ofcourse，withoutprotestationsastohisregret——andhadwrittentothiseffecttoMrGresham，\'Electioneeringmatters，andothertroubleshad，\'hesaid，\'madethispeculiarlypainfulpostponementabsolutelynecessary。\'

Augustaseemedtobearhermisfortunewithmoreequanimitythanis，webelieve，usualwithyoungladiesundersuchcircumstances。Shespokeofittohermotherinaverymatter-of-factway，andseemedalmostcontentedattheideaofremainingatGreshamsburytillFebruary；whichwasthetimenownamedforthemarriage。ButLadyArabellawasnotequallywellsatisfied，norwasthesquire。

\'Ihalfbelievethatfellowisnothonest，\'hehadoncesaidoutloudbeforeFrank，andthissetFranka-thinkingofwhatdishonestyinthematteritwasprobablethatMrMoffatmightbeguilty，andwhatwouldbethefittingpunishmentforsuchacrime。Nordidhethinkonthesubjectinvain；especiallyafteraconferenceonthematterwhichhehadwithhisfriendHarryBaker。ThisconferencetookplaceduringtheChristmasvacation。

Itshouldbementioned，thatthetimespentbyFrankatCourcyCastlehadnotdonemuchtoassisthiminhisviewsastoanearlydegree，andthatithadatlastbeensettledthatheshouldstayupatCambridgeanotheryear。WhenhecamehomeatChristmashefoundthatthehousewasnotpeculiarlylively。MarywasabsentonavisitwithMissOriel。BoththeseyoungladieswerestayingwithMissOriel\'saunt，intheneighbourhoodofLondon；andFranksoonlearntthattherewasnochancethateitherofthemwouldbehomebeforehisreturn。NomessagehadbeenleftforhimbyMary——noneatleasthadbeenleftwithBeatrice；andhebeganinhishearttoaccuseherofcoldnessandperfidy；——not，certainly，withmuchjustice，seeingthatshehadnevergivenhimtheslightestencouragement。

TheabsenceofPatienceOrieladdedtothedullnessoftheplace。ItwascertainlyharduponFrankthatalltheattractionofthevillageshouldberemovedtomakewayandprepareforhisreturn——harder，perhaps，onthem；for，totellthetruth，MissOriel\'svisithadbeenentirelyplannedtoenablehertogiveMaryacomfortablewayofleavingGreshamsburyduringthetimethatFrankshouldremainathome。

Frankthoughthimselfcruellyused。ButwhatdidMrOrielthinkwhendoomedtoeathisChristmaspuddingalone，becausetheyoungsquirewouldbeunreasonableinhislove？Whatdidthedoctorthink，ashesatsolitarybyhisdesertedhearth——thedoctor，whonolongerpermittedhimselftoenjoythecomfortsoftheGreshamsburydining-table？Frankhintedandgrumbled；talkedtoBeatriceofthedeterminedconstancyofhislove，andoccasionallyconsoledhimselfbyastraysmilefromsomeoftheneighbouringbelles。Theblackhorsewasmadeperfect；theoldgreyponywasbynomeansdiscarded；andmuchthatwassatisfactorywasdoneinthesportingline。Butstillthehousewasdull，andFrankfeltthathewasthecauseofitsbeingso。Ofthedoctorhesawbutlittle：henevercametoGreshamsbury，unlesstoseeLadyArabellaasdoctor，ortobeclosetedwiththesquire。Therewerenospecialeveningswithhim；noanimatedconfabulationsatthedoctor\'shouse；nodiscoursesbetweenthem，astherewaswonttobe，aboutthemeritsofthedifferentcovers，andthecapacitiesofthedifferenthounds。TheseweredulldaysonthewholeforFrank；andsadenough，wemaysay，forourfriendthedoctor。

InFebruaryFrankagainwentbacktocollege；havingsettledwithHarryBakercertainaffairswhichweighedonhismind。HewentbacktoCambridge，promisingtobehomeonthetwentiethofthemonth，soastobepresentathissister\'swedding。Acoldandchillingtimehadbeennamedforthesehymenealjoys，butonenotaltogetherunsuitedtothefeelingsofthehappypair。Februaryiscertainlynotawarmmonth；

butwiththerichitisgenerallyacosy，comfortabletime。Goodfires，wintercheer，groaningtables，andwarmblankets，makeafictitioussummer，which，tosometastes，ismoredelightfulthanthelongdaysandthehotsun。Andsomemarriagesareespeciallywintermatches。Theydependfortheircharmonthesamesubstantialattractions：insteadofheartbeatingtoheartinsympatheticunison，pursechinkstopurse。Therichnewfurnitureofthenewabodeislookedtoinsteadoftheraptureofapureembrace。Thenewcarriageisdependedonratherthanthenewheart\'scompanion；andthefirstbrightgloss，preparedbytheupholsterer\'shands，standsinlieuoftherosytintswhichyounglovelendstohistruevotaries。

MrMoffathadnotspenthisChristmasatGreshamsbury。Thateternalelectionpetition，thoseeternallawyers，theeternalcareofhiswell-managedwealth，forbadehimtheenjoymentofanysuchpleasures。

HecouldnotcometoGreshamsburyforChristmas，noryetforthefestivitiesofthenewyear；butnowandthenhewroteprettilywordednotes，sendingoccasionallyasilver-giltpencil-case，orasmallbrooch，andinformedLadyArabellathathelookedforwardtothetwentiethofFebruarywithgreatsatisfaction。But，inthemeanwhile，thesquirebecameanxious，andatlastwentuptoLondon；andFrank，whowasatCambridge，boughttheheaviest-cuttingwhiptobefoundinthattown，andwroteaconfidentiallettertoHarryBaker。

PoorMrMoffat！Itiswellknownthatnonebutthebravedeservethefair；butthou，withoutmuchexcuseforbravery，hadsecuredforthyselfonewho，atanyrate，wasfairenoughforthee。Woulditnothavebeenwellhadstthoulookedtothyselftoseewhatrealbraverymightbeinthee，beforethouhadstpreparedtodesertthisfaironethouhadstalreadywon？Thatlastachievement，onemaysay，didrequiresomespecialcourage。

PoorMrMoffat！Itiswonderfulthatashesatinthatgig，goingtoGatherumCastle，planninghowhewouldbeoffwithMissGreshamandafterwardsonwithMissDunstable，itiswonderfulthatheshouldnotthenhavecasthiseyebehindhim，andlookedatthatstalwartpairofshoulderswhichweresoclosetohisownback。Asheafterwardsponderedonhisschemewhilesippingtheduke\'sclaret，itisoddthatheshouldnothaveobservedthefieryprideofpurposeandpowerofwrathwhichwassoplainlywrittenonthatyoungman\'sbrow：or，whenhematured，andfinished，andcarriedouthispurpose，thathedidnotthinkofthatkeengraspwhichhadalreadysqueezedhisownhandwithsomewhattoowarmavigour，eveninthewayoffriendship。

PoorMrMoffat！itisprobablethatheforgottothinkofFrankatallasconnectedwithhispromisedbride；itisprobablethathelookedforwardonlytothesquire\'sviolenceandtheenmityofthehouseofCourcy；andthathefoundfromenquiryathisheart\'spulses，thathewasmanenoughtomeetthese。CouldhehaveguessedwhatawhipFrankGreshamwouldhaveboughtatCambridge——couldhehavedivinedwhataletterwouldhavebeenwrittentoHarryBaker——itisprobable，nay，wethinkwemaysaycertain，thatMissGreshamwouldhavebecomeMrsMoffat。

MissGresham，however，neverdidbecomeMrsMoffat。AbouttwodaysafterFrank\'sdepartureforCambridge——itisjustpossiblethatMrMoffatwassoprudentastomakehimselfawareofthefact——butjusttwodaysafterFrank\'sdeparture，averylong，elaborate，andclearlyexplanatoryletterwasreceivedatGreshamsbury。MrMoffatwasquitesurethatMissGreshamandherveryexcellentparentswoulddohimthejusticetobelievethathewasnotactuated，&c，&c，&c。Thelongandtheshortofthiswas，thatMrMoffatsignifiedhisintentionofbreakingoffthematchwithoutofferinganyintelligiblereason。

Augustaagainboreherdisappointmentwell：not，indeed，withoutsorrowandheartache，andinward，hiddentears；butstillwell。Sheneitherraved，norfainted，norwalkedaboutbymoonlightalone。Shewrotenopoetry，andneveroncethoughtofsuicide。When，indeed，sherememberedtherosy-tintedlining，theunfathomablesoftnessofthatLong-acrecarriage，herspiritdidforonemomentgiveway；but，onthewhole，sheboreitasastrong-mindedwomanandaDeCourcyshoulddo。

ButbothLadyArabellaandthesquireweregreatlyvexed。Theformerhadmadethematch，andthelatter，havingconsentedtoit，hadincurreddeeperresponsibilitiestoenablehimtobringitabout。ThemoneywhichwastohavebeengiventoMrMoffatwasstilltothefore；

butalas！howmuch，howmuchthathecouldillspare，hadbeenthrownawayinbridalpreparations！Itis，moreover，anunpleasantthingforagentlemantohavehisdaughterjilted；perhapspeculiarlysotohaveherjiltedbyatailor\'sson。

LadyArabella\'swoewasreallypiteous。ItseemedtoherasthoughcruelfatewereheapingmiseryaftermiseryuponthewretchedhouseofGreshamsbury。Afewweekssincethingsweregoingsowellwithher！

Frankthenwasstillallbuttheacceptedhusbandofalmostuntoldwealth——so，atleast，shewasinformedbyhersister-in-law——whereas，Augusta，wastheacceptedwifeofwealth，notindeeduntold，butofdimensionsquitesufficientlyrespectabletocausemuchjoyinthetelling。Wherenowwerehergoldenhopes？Wherenowthesplendidfutureofherpoordupedchildren？Augustawaslefttopinealone；andFrank，inastillworseplight，insistedonmaintaininghisloveforabastardandapauper。

ForFrank\'saffairsshehadreceivedsomepoorconsolationbylayingalltheblameonthesquire\'sshoulders。Whatshehadthensaidwasnowrepaidtoherwithinterest；fornotonlyhadshebeenthemakerofAugusta\'smatch，butshehadboastedofthedeedwithallamother\'spride。

ItwasfromBeatricethatFrankhadobtainedhistidings。ThislastresolveonthepartofMrMoffathadnotaltogetherbeenunsuspectedbysomeoftheGreshams，thoughaltogetherunsuspectedbytheLadyArabella。FrankhadspokenofitasapossibilitytoBeatrice，andwasnotquiteunpreparedwhentheinformationreachedhim。Heconsequentlyboughthiscutting-whip，andwrotehisconfidentiallettertoHarryBaker。

OnthefollowingdayFrankandHarrymighthavebeenseen，withtheirheadsnearlyclosetogether，leaningoveroneofthetablesinthelargebreakfast-roomattheTavistockHotelinCoventGarden。Theominouswhip，tothehandleofwhichFrankhadalreadymadehishandwellaccustomed，waslyingonthetablebetweenthem；andeverandanonHarryBakerwouldtakeitupandfeelitsweightapprovingly。Oh，MrMoffat！poorMrMoffat！gonotoutintothefashionableworldto-day；

aboveall，gonottothatclubofthineinPallMall；but，oh！

especiallygonotthere，asisthywonttodo，atthreeo\'clockintheafternoon！

Withmuchcaredidthosetwoyounggeneralslaytheirplansofattack。

Letitnotforamomentbethoughtthatitwaseverinthemindsofeitherofthemthattwomenshouldattackone。ButitwasthoughtthatMrMoffatmightberathercoyincomingoutfromhisseclusiontomeettheprofferedhandofhisonceintendedbrother-in-lawwhenheshouldseethathandarmedwithaheavywhip。Baker，therefore，wascontenttoactasadecoyduck，andremarkedthathemightnodoubtmakehimselfusefulinrestrainingthepublicmercy，and，probably，incontrollingtheinterferenceofpolicemen。

\'ItwillbedeucedhardifIcan\'tgetfiveorsixshiesathim，\'saidFrank，againclutchinghisweaponalmostspasmodically。Oh，MrMoffat！fiveorsixshieswithsuchawhip，andsuchanarm！Formyself，IwouldsoonerjointhesecondBalaclavagallopthanencounterit。

AttenminutesbeforefourthesetwoheroesmightbeseenwalkingupPallMall，towardsthe——Club。YoungBakerwalkedwithaneagerdisengagedair。MrMoffatdidnotknowhisappearance；hehad，therefore，noanxietytopassalongunnoticed。ButFrankhadinsomemysteriouswaydrawnhishatveryfaroverhisforehead，andhadbuttonedhisshooting-coatuproundhischin。Harryhadrecommendedtohimagreat-coat，inorderthathemightthebetterconcealhisface；

butFrankhadfoundthegreat-coatwasanencumbrancetohisarm。Heputiton，andwhenthusclothedhehadtriedthewhip，hefoundthathecuttheairwithmuchlesspotencythaninthelightergarment。Hecontentedhimself，therefore，withlookingdownonthepavementashewalkedalong，lettingthelongpointofthewhipstickupfromhispocket，andflatteringhimselfthatevenMrMoffatwouldnotrecognisehimatthefirstglance。PoorMrMoffat！Ifhehadbuthadthechance！

Andnow，havingarrivedatthefrontoftheclub，thetwofriendsforamomentseparate：Frankremainsstandingonthepavement，undertheshadeofthehighstonearea-railing，whileHarryjauntilyskipsupthreestepsatatime，andwithaverycivilwordofinquiryofthehallporter，sendshiscardtoMrMoffat——

\'MRHARRYBAKER\'

MrMoffat，neverhavingheardofsuchagentlemaninhislife，unwittinglycomesoutintothehall，andHarry，withthesweetestsmile，addresseshim。

Nowtheplanofthecampaignhadbeensettledinthiswise：BakerwastosendintotheclubforMrMoffat，andinvitethatgentlemandownintothestreet。Itwasprobablethattheinvitationmightbedeclined；andithadbeencalculatedinsuchcasethetwogentlemenwouldretireforparleyintothestrangers\'room，whichwasknowntobeimmediatelyoppositethehalldoor。Frankwastokeephiseyeontheportals，andifhefoundthatMrMoffatdidnotappearasreadilyasmightbedesired，healsowastoascendthestepsandhurryintothestrangers\'room。Then，whetherhemetMrMoffatthereorelsewhere，orwherever，hemightmeethim，hewastogreethimwithallthefriendlyvigourinhispower，whileHarrydisposedoftheclubporters。

Butfortune，whoeverfavoursthebrave，speciallyfavouredFrankGreshamonthisoccasion。JustasHarryBakerhadputhiscardintotheservant\'shand，MrMoffat，withhishaton，preparedforthestreet，appearedinthehall；MrBakeraddressedhimwithhissweetestsmile，andbeggedthepleasureofsayingawordortwoastheydescendedintothestreet。HadnotMrMoffatbeengoingthitheritwouldhavebeenveryimprobablethatheshouldhavedonesoatHarry\'sinstance。But，asitwas，hemerelylookedrathersolemnathisvisitor——itwashiswonttolooksolemn——andcontinuedthedescentofthesteps。

Frank，hisheartleapingthewhile，sawhisprey，andretreatedtwostepsbehindthearea-railing，thedreadweaponalreadywellpoisedinhishand。Oh！MrMoffat！MrMoffat！iftherebeanygoddesstointerfereinthyfavour，lethercomeforwardnowwithoutdelay；lethernowbeartheeoffonacloudiftherebeonetowhomthouartsufficientlydear！Butthereisnosuchgoddess。

Harrysmiledblandlytilltheywerewellonthepavement，sayingsomenothing，andkeepingthevictim\'sfaceavertedfromtheavengingangel；

andthen，whentheraisedhandwassufficientlynigh，hewithdrewtwostepstowardsthenearestlamp-post。Notforhimwasthehonouroftheinterview；——unless，indeed，succouringpolicemenmightgiveoccasionforsomegleamofglory。

Butsuccouringpolicemenwerenomoretobecomebythangoddesses。

Wherewereye，men，whenthatsavagewhipfellabouttheearsofthepoorex-legislator？InScotlandYard，sittingdozingonyourbenches，ortalkingsoftnothingstothehousemaidsroundthecorner；foryewerenotwalkingonyourbeats，norstandingatcoignofvantage，towatchthetumultsoftheday。HadSirRichardhimselfbeenonthespotFrankGreshamwouldstill，wemaysay，havehadhisfiveshiesatthatunfortunateone。

WhenHarryBakerquicklysecededfromtheway，MrMoffatatoncesawthefatebeforehim。Hishairdoubtlessstoodonend，andhisvoicerefusedtogivetheloudscreechwithwhichhesoughttoinvoketheclub。Anashypalenesssuffusedhischeeks，andhistotteringstepswereunabletobearhimawayinflight。Once，andtwice，thecuttingwhipcamewelldownacrosshisback。Hadhebeenwiseenoughtostandstillandtakehisthrashinginthatattitude，itwouldhavebeenwellforhim。Butmensocircumstancedhaveneversuchprudence。Aftertwoblowshemadeadashatthesteps，thinkingtogetbackintotheclub；

butHarry，whohadbynomeansreclinedinidlenessagainstthelamp-post，herestoppedhim：\'Youhadbettergobackintothestreet，\'

saidHarry；\'indeedyouhad，\'givinghimashovefromoffthesecondstep。

ThenofcourseFrankcoulddonootherthanhithimanywhere。Whenagentlemanisdancingaboutwithmuchenergyitishardlypossibletostrikehimfairlyonhisback。Theblows，therefore，camenowonhislegsandnowonhishead；andFrankunfortunatelygotmorethanhisfiveorsixshiesbeforehewasinterrupted。

Theinterruptionhowevercame，alltoosoonforFrank\'sideaofjustice。ThoughtherebenopolicemantotakepartinaLondonrow，therearealwaysothersreadyenoughtodoso；amateurpolicemen，whogenerallysympathizewiththewrongside，and，inninecasesoutoften，expendtheirgenerousenergyinprotectingthievesandpickpockets。Whenitwasseenwithwhattremendousardourthatdreadweaponfellabouttheearsofthepoorundefendedgentleman，interferencewasatlast，inspiteofHarryBaker\'sbestendeavours，andloudestprotestations。

\'Donotinterruptthem，sir，\'saidhe；\'praydonot。Itisafamilyaffair，andtheywillneitherofthemlikeit。\'

Intheteeth，however，oftheseassurances，rudepeopledidinterfere，andaftersomenineortenshiesFrankfoundhimselfencompassedbythearms，andencumberedbytheweightofaverystoutgentleman，whohungaffectionatelyabouthisneckandshoulders；whereas，MrMoffatwasalreadysittinginastateofsyncopeonthegood-naturedkneesofafishmonger\'sapprentice。

Frankwasthoroughlyoutofbreath：nothingcamefromhislipsbuthalf-mutteredexpletivesandunintelligibledenunciationsoftheiniquityofhisfoe。Butstillhestruggledtobeathimagain。Weallknowhowdangerousisthetasteofblood；nowcruellyitwillbecomeacustomevenwiththemosttender-hearted。Frankfeltthathehadhardlyfleshedhisvirginlash：hethought，almostwithdespair，thathehadnotyetatallsucceededasbecameamanandabrother；hismemorytoldhimofbutoneortwooftheslightesttouchesthathadgonewellhometotheoffender。Hemadeadesperateefforttothrowoffthatincubusroundhisneckandrushagaintothecombat。

\'Harry——Harry；don\'tlethimgo——don\'tlethimgo，\'hebarelyarticulated。

\'Doyouwanttomurdertheman，sir；tomurderhim？\'saidthestoutgentlemanoverhisshoulder，speakingsolemnlyintohisveryear。

\'Idon\'tcare，\'saidFrank，strugglingmanfullybutuselessly。\'Letmeout，Isay；Idon\'tcare——don\'tlethimgo，Harry，whateveryoudo。\'

\'Hehasgotitprettilytidily，\'saidHarry；\'Ithinkthatwillperhapsdoforthepresent。\'

Bythistimetherewasaconsiderableconcourse。Theclubstepswerecrowdedwithmembers；amongwhomthereweremayofMrMoffat\'sacquaintance。Policemennowflockedup，andthequestionaroseastowhatshouldbedonewiththeoriginatorsoftheaffray。FrankandHarryfoundthattheyweretoconsiderthemselvesunderagentlearrest，andMrMoffat，inafaintingstate，wascarriedintotheinterioroftheclub。

Frank，inhisinnocence，hadintendedtohavecelebratedthislittleaffairwhenitwasoverbyalightrepastandabottleofclaretwithhisfriend，andthentohavegonebacktoCambridgebythemailtrain。

Hefound，however，thathisschemesinthisrespectwerefrustrated。HehadtogetbailtoattendatMarlboroughStreetpolice-officeshouldhebewantedwithinthenexttwoorthreedays；andwasgiventounderstandthathewouldbeundertheeyeofthepolice，atanyrateuntilMrMoffatshouldbeoutofdanger。

\'Outofdanger！\'saidFranktohisfriendwithastartledlook。\'WhyI

hardlygotathim。\'Nevertheless，theydidhavetheirslightrepast，andalsotheirbottleofclaret。

Onthesecondmorningafterthisoccurrence，FrankwasagainsittinginthatpublicroomattheTavistock，andHarrywasagainsittingoppositetohim。Thewhipwasnotnowsoconspicuouslyproducedbetweenthem，havingbeencarefullypackedupandputawayamongFrank\'sothertravellingproperties。Theyweresositting，ratherglum，whenthedoorswungopen，andaheavyquickstepwasheardadvancingtowardsthem。Itwasthesquire；whosearrivaltherehadbeenmomentarilyexpected。

\'Frank，\'saidhe——\'Frank，whatonearthisallthis？\'andashespokehestretchedoutbothhands，therighttohissonandthelefttohisfriend。

\'Hehasgivenablackguardalicking，thatisall，\'saidHarry。

Frankfeltthathishandwasheldwithapeculiarlywarmgrasp；andhecouldnotbutthinkthathisfather\'sface，raisedthoughhiseyebrowswere——thoughtherewasonitanintendedexpressionofamazementand，perhaps，regret——neverthelesshecouldnotbutthinkthathisfather\'sfacelookedkindlyathim。

\'Godblessmysoul，mydearboy！whathaveyoudonetotheman？\'

\'He\'snotaha\'porththeworse，sir，\'saidFrank，stillholdinghisfather\'shand。

\'Oh，isn\'the！\'saidHarry，shrugginghisshoulders。\'Hemustbemadeofsomeverystrongarticlethen。\'

\'Butmydearboys，Ihopethere\'snodanger。Ihopethere\'snodanger。\'

\'Danger！\'saidFrank，whocouldnotyetinducehimselftobelievethathehadbeenallowedafairchancewithMrMoffat。

\'Oh，Frank！Frank！howcouldyoubesorash？InthemiddleofPallMall，too。Well！well！well！AllthewomendownatGreshamsburywillhaveitthatyouhavekilledhim。\'

\'IalmostwishIhad，\'saidFrank。

\'Oh，Frank！Frank！Butnowtellme——\'

Andthenthefathersatwellpleasedwhileheheard，chieflyfromHarryBaker，thefullstoryofhisson\'sprowess。Andthentheydidnotseparatewithoutanotherslightrepastandanotherbottleofclaret。

MrMoffatretiredtothecountryforawhile，andthenwentabroad；

havingdoubtlesslearntthatthepetitionwasnotlikelytogivehimaseatforthecityofBarchester。AndthiswastheendofthewooingwithMissGresham。

CHAPTERXXII

SIRROGERISUNSEATED

Afterthis，littleoccurredatGreshamsbury，oramongGreshamsburypeople，whichitwillbenecessaryforustorecord。Somenoticewas，ofcourse，takingofFrank\'sprolongedabsencefromhiscollege；andtidings，perhapsexaggeratedtidings，ofwhathadhappenedatPallMallwerenotslowtoreachtheHighStreetofCambridge。Butthataffairwasgraduallyhushedup；andFrankwentonwithhisstudies。

Hewentbacktohisstudies：itthenbeinganunderstoodarrangementbetweenhimandhisfatherthatheshouldnotreturntoGreshamsburytillthesummervacation。Onthisoccasion，thesquireandLadyArabellahad，strangetosay，beenofthesamemind。TheybothwishedtokeeptheirsonawayfromMissThorne；andbothcalculated，thatathisageandwithhisdisposition，itwasnotprobablethatanypassionwouldlastoutasixmonthabsence。\'Andwhenthatsummercomesitwillbeanexcellentopportunityforustogoabroad，\'saidLadyArabella。\'PoorAugustawillrequiresomechangetorenovateherspirits。\'

Tothislastpropositionthesquiredidnotassent。Itwas，however，allowedtopassover；andthismuchwasfixed，thatFrankwasnottoreturntillmidsummer。

ItwillberememberedthatSirRogerScatcherdhadbeenelectedassittingmemberforthecityofBarchester；butitwillalsoberememberedthatapetitionagainsthisreturnwasthreatened。HadthepetitiondependedsolelyonMrMoffat，SirRoger\'sseatnodoubtwouldhavebeensavedbyFrankGresham\'scuttingwhip。Butsuchwasnotthecase。MrMoffathadbeenputforwardbytheDeCourcyinterest；andthatnoblefamilywithitsdependantswasnottogotothewallbecauseMrMoffathadhadathrashing。No；thepetitionwastogoon；andMrNearthewindedeclared，thatnopetitioninhishandshadhalfsogoodachanceofsuccess。\'Chance，no，butcertainty，\'saidMrNearthewinde；

forMrNearthewindehadlearntsomethingwithreferencetothathonestpublicanandthepaymentofhislittlebill。

Thepetitionwaspresentedanddulybacked；therecognisancesweresigned，andalltheproperformalitiesformallyexecuted；andSirRogerfoundthathisseatwasinjeopardy。Hisreturnhadbeenagreattriumphtohim；and，unfortunately，hehadcelebratedthattriumphashehadbeeninthehabitofcelebratingmostoftheverytriumphantoccasionsofhislife。Thoughhewasthanhardlyyetrecoveredfromtheeffectsofhislastattack，heindulgedinanotherviolentdrinkingbout；and，strangetosay，didsowithoutanyimmediatevisiblebadeffects。

InFebruaryhetookhisseatamidstthewarmcongratulationsofallmenofhisownclass，andearlyinthemonthofAprilhiscasecameonfortrial。Everykindofelectioneeringsinknowntotheelectioneeringworldwasbroughttohischarge；hewasaccusedoffalseness，dishonesty，andbriberyofeverysort：hehad，itwassaidinthepaperofindictment，boughtvotes，obtainedthembytreating，carriedthemoffbyviolence，conqueredthembystrongdrink，polledthemtwiceover，countedthoseofdeadmen，stolenthem，forgedthem，andcreatedthembyeverypossible，fictitiouscontrivance：therewasnodescriptionofwickednessappertainingtothetaskofprocuringvotesofwhichSirRogerhadnotbeenguilty，eitherbyhimselforbyhisagents。Hewasquitehorror-struckatthelistofhisownenormities。

ButhewassomewhatcomfortedwhenMrCloserstiltoldhimthatthemeaningofitallwasthatMrRomer，thebarrister，hadpaidaformerbillduetoMrReddypalm，thepublican。

\'Ifearhewasindiscreet，SirRoger；Ireallyfearhewas。Thoseyoungmeanalwaysare。Beingenergetic，theyworklikehorses；butwhat\'stheuseofenergywithoutdiscretion，SirRoger？\'

\'But，MrCloserstil，Iknewnothingofitfromfirsttolast。\'

\'Theagencycanbeproved，SirRoger，\'saidMrCloserstil，shakinghishead。Andthentherewasnothingfurthertobesaidonthematter。

Inthesedaysofsnow-whitepurityallpoliticaldelinquencyisabominableintheeyesofBritishpoliticians；butnodelinquencyissoabominablethanthevenalityatelections。Thesinofbriberyisdamnable。Itistheonesinforwhich，intheHouseofCommons，therecanbenoforgiveness。Whendiscovered，itshouldrendertheculpritliabletopoliticaldeath，withouthopeofpardon。ItistreasonagainstahigherthronethanthatonwhichtheQueensits。Itisaheresywhichrequiresanauto-da-fe。ItisapollutiontothewholeHouse，whichcanonlybecleansedbyagreatsacrifice。Anathemamaranatha！outwithitfromamongstus，eventhoughhalfofourheart\'sbloodbepouredfromtheconflict！Outwithit，andforever！

Suchisthelanguageofpatrioticmemberswithregardtobribery；anddoubtless，ifsincere，theyareintheright。Itisabadthing，certainly，thatarichmanshouldbuyvotes；badalsothatapoormanshouldsellthem。Byallmeansletusrepudiatesuchasystemwithheartfeltdisgust。

Withheartfeltdisgust，ifwecandoso，byallmeans；butnotwithdisgustpretendedonlyandnotfeltintheheartatall。Thelawsagainstbriberyatelectionsarenowsostringentthatanunfortunatecandidatemayeasilybecomeguilty，eventhoughactuatedbythepurestintentions。Butnotthelessonthataccountdoesanygentleman，ambitiousofthehonourofservinghiscountryinParliament，thinkitnecessaryasapreliminarymeasuretoprovidearoundsumofmoneyathisbanker\'s。Acandidatemustpayfornotreating，norefreshments，nobandofmusic；hemustgiveneitherribbonstothegirlsnoraletothemen。Ifahuzzabeutteredinhisfavour，itisathisperil；itmaybenecessaryforhimtoprovebeforeacommitteethatitwasthespontaneousresultofBritishfeelinginhisfavour，andnotthepurchasedresultofBritishbeer。Hecannotsafelyaskanyonetosharehishoteldinner。Briberyhidesitselfnowinthemostimpalpableshapes，andmaybeeffectedbytheofferofaglassofsherry。Butnotthelessonthisaccountdoesapoormanfindthatheisquiteunabletoovercomethedifficultiesofacontestedelection。

Westrainatourgnatswithavengeance，butweswallowourcamelswithease。Forwhatpurposeisitthatweemploythosepeculiarlysafemenofbusiness——MessrsNearthewindeandCloserstil——whenwewishtowinourpaththroughallobstaclesintothatsacredrecess？Alas！themoneyisstillnecessary，isstillprepared，oratanyrate，expended。Thepoorcandidateofcourseknowsnothingofthemattertilltheattorney\'sbillislaidbeforehim，whenalldangerofpetitionshaspassedaway。

Helittledreamedtillthen，nothe，thattherehadbeenbanquetingsandjunketings，secretdoingsanddeepdrinkingsathisexpense。Poorcandidate！Poormember！Whowassoignorantashe！\'Tistruehehaspaidbillsbefore；but\'tisequallytruethathespeciallybeggedhismanagingfriendMrNearthewinde，tobeverycarefulthatallwasdoneaccordingtolaw！Hepaysthebill，however，andonthenextelectionwillagainemployMrNearthewinde。

Nowandagain，atrareintervals，someglimpseintotheinnersanctuarydoesreachtheeyesofordinarymortalmenwithout；someslightaccidentalpeepintothosemysteriesfromwhenallcorruptionhasbeensothoroughlyexpelled；andthen，howdelightfullyrefreshingisthesight，when，perhaps，someex-member，hurledfromhisparadiselikeafallenperi，revealsthesecretofthatpureheaven，and，intheagonyofhisdespair，tellsusallthatitcosthimtositfor——throughthosefewhalcyonyears！

ButMrNearthewindeisasafeman，andeasytobeemployedwithbutlittledanger。AllthesestringentbriberylawsonlyenhancethevalueofsuchverysafemenasMrNearthewinde。Tohim，stringentlawsagainstbriberyarethestrongestassuranceofvaluableemployment。

Weretheselawsofanaturetobeevadedwithease，anyindifferentattorneymightmanageacandidate\'saffairsandenablehimtotakehisseatwithsecurity。

ItwouldhavebeenwellforSirRogerifhehadtrustedsolelytoMrCloserstil；wellalsoforMrRomerhadheneverfishedinthosetroubledwaters。Indueprocessoftimethehearingofthepetitioncameon，andthenwhosohappy，sittingathiseaseintheLondoninn，blowinghiscloudfromalongpipe，withmeasurelesscontent，asMrReddypalm？MrReddypalmwastheonegreatmanofthecontest。AlldependedonMrReddypalm；andwellhedidhisduty。

Theresultofthepetitionwasdeclaredbythecommitteetobereadasfollows：——thatSirRoger\'selectionwasnullandvoid——thatSirRogerhad，byhisagent，beenguiltyofbriberyinobtainingavote，bythepaymentofabillallegedtohavebeenpreviouslyrefusedpayment——thisisalwaysamatterofcourse；——butthatSirRoger\'sagent，MrRomer，hadbeenwillinglyguiltyofbriberywithreferencetothetransactionabovedeclared。PoorSirRoger！PoorMrRomer。

PoorMrRomerindeed！Hisfatewasperhapsassadaswellmightbe，andasfoulablottothepurismoftheseverypuretimesinwhichwelive。Notlongafterthosedays，itsohappeningthatsomeconsiderableamountofyouthfulenergyandquidnuncabilitywererequiredtosetlitigationafloatatHongKong，MrRomerwassentthitherasthefittestmanforsuchwork，withrichassuranceoffutureguerdon。WhoaresohappythenasMrRomer！Butevenamongthepurethereisroomforenvyanddetraction。MrRomerhadnotyetceasedtowonderatnewworlds，asheskimmedamongtheislandsofthatsouthernocean，beforetheedicthadgoneforthforhisreturn。ThereweremensittinginthathugecourtofParliamentonwhosebreastsitlayasanintolerableburden，thatEnglandshouldberepresentedamongtheantipodesbyonewhohadtamperedwiththepurityofthefranchise。Forthemtherewasnoresttillthisgreatdisgraceshouldbewipedoutandatonedfor。Mentheywereofthatcalibre，thattheslightestreflectiononthemofsuchastigmaseemedtothemselvestoblackentheirowncharacter。TheycouldnotbreakbreadwithsatisfactiontillMrRomerwasrecalled。Hewasrecalled，andofcourseruined——andthemindsofthosejustmenwerethenatpeace。

Toanyhonourablegentlemanwhoreallyfelthisbrowsuffusedwithapatrioticblush，ashethoughtofhiscountrydishonouredbyMrRomer\'spresenceatHongKong——toanysuchgentleman，ifanysuchtherewere，letallhonourbegiven，eventhoughtheintensityofhispuritymaycreateamazementtoourlessfinelyorganizedsouls。Butifnosuchblushsuffusedthebrowofanyhonourablegentleman；ifMrRomerwasrecalledfromquiteotherfeelings——whattheninlieuofhonourshallweallottothosehonourablegentlemenwhoweremostconcerned？

SirRoger，however，losthisseat，and，afterthreemonthsofthejoysoflegislation，foundhimselfreducedbyaterribleblowtothelowlevelofprivatelife。

Andtheblowtohimwasveryheavy。Menbutseldomtellthetruthofwhatisinthem，eventotheirdearestfriends；theyareashamedofhavingfeelings，orratherofshowingthattheyaretroubledbyanyintensityoffeeling。Itisthepracticeofthetimetotreatallpursuitsasthoughtheywereonlyhalfimportanttous，asthoughinwhatwedesirewewereonlyhalfinearnest。Tobevisiblyeagerseemschildish，andisalwaysbadpolicy；andmen，therefore，nowadays，thoughtheystriveashardaseverintheserviceofambition——harderthaneverinthatofmammon——usuallydosowithapleasantsmileon，asthoughafteralltheywerebutamusingthemselveswiththelittlematterinhand。

PerhapsithadbeensowithSirRogerinthoseelectioneeringdayswhenhewaslookingforvotes。Atanyrate，hehadspokenofhisseatinParliamentasbutadoubtfulgood。\'Hewaswilling，indeed，tostand，havingbeenasked；butthethingwouldinterferewonderfullywithhisbusiness；andthen，whatdidheknowaboutParliament？Nothingonearth：itwasthemaddestscheme，butnevertheless，hewasnotgoingtohangbackwhencalledupon——hehadalwaysbeenroughandreadywhenwanted——andtherehewasnowreadyasever，androughenoughtoo，Godknows。\'

\'Twasthusthathehadspokenofhiscomingparliamentaryhonours；andmenhadgenerallytakenhimathisword。Hehadbeenreturned，andthissuccesshadbeenhailedasagreatthingforthecauseandclasstowhichhebelonged。Butmendidnotknowthathisinnerheartwillswellingwithtriumph，andthathisbosomcouldhardlycontainhisprideashereflectedthatthepoorBarchesterstone-masonwasnowtherepresentativeofhisnativecity。Andso，whenhisseatwasattacked，hestilllaughedandjoked。\'Theywerewelcometoitforhim，\'hesaid；\'hecouldkeepitorwantit；andofthetwo，perhaps，thewantofitwouldcomemostconvenienttohim。Hedidnotexactlythinkthathehadbribedanyone；butifthebigwigschosetosayso，itwasallonetohim。Hewasroughandready，nowasever，\'&c&c。

Butwhenthestrugglecame，itwastohimafearfulone；notthelessfearfulbecausetherewasnoone，no，notonefriendinalltheworld，towhomhecouldopenhismindandspeakouthonestlywhatwasinhisheart。ToDrThornehemightperhapshavedonesohadhisintercoursewiththedoctorbeensufficientlyfrequent；butitwasonlynowandthenwhenhewasill，orwhenthesquirewantedtoborrowmoney，thathesawDrThorne。Hehadplentyoffriends，heapsoffriendsintheparliamentarysense；friendswhotalkedabouthim，andlaudedhimatpublicmeetings；whoshookhandswithhimonplatformsanddrankhishealthatdinners；buthehadnofriendswhocouldsitwithhimoverhisownhearth，intruefriendship，andlistento，andsympathizewith，andmoderatethesighingsoftheinnerman。Forhimtherewasnosympathy；notendernessoflove；noretreat，saveintohimself，fromtheloudbrassbandoftheouterworld。

Theblowhithimterriblyhard。Itdidnotcomealtogetherunexpectedly，andyet，whenitdidcome，itwasallbutunendurable。Hehadmadesomuchofthepowerofwalkingintothataugustchamber，andsittingshouldertoshoulderinlegislativeequalitywiththesonsofdukesandthecurleddarlingsofthenation。Moneyhadgivenhimnothing，nothingbutthemerefeelingofbrutepower：withhisthreehundredthousandpoundshehadfelthimselftobenomorepalpablyneartothegoalofhisambitionthanwhenhehadchippedstonesforthreeshillingsandsixpenceaday。Butwhenhewasledupandintroducedatthattable，whenheshooktheoldpremier\'shandontheflooroftheHouseofCommons，whenheheardthehonourablememberforBarchesteralludedtoingravedebateasthegreatestlivingauthorityonrailwaymatters，then，indeed，hefeltthathehadachievedsomething。

Andnowthiscupwasravishedfromhislips，almostbeforeitwastasted。Whenhewasfirsttoldasacertaintythatthedecisionofthecommitteewasagainsthim，heboreupagainstthemisfortunelikeaman。Helaughedheartily，anddeclaredhimselfwellridofaveryprofitlessprofession；cutsomelittlejokeaboutMrMoffatandhisthrashing，andleftonthosearoundhimanimpressionthathewasamansoconstituted，sostronginhisownresolves，sosteadilypursuantofhisownwork，thatnolittlecontentionsofthiskindcouldaffecthim。Menadmiredhiseasylaughter，as，shufflinghishalf-crownswithbothhishandsinhistrouser-pockets，hedeclaredthatMessrsRomerandReddypalmwerethebestfriendshehadknownformanyaday。

Butnotthelessdidhewalkoutfromtheroominwhichhewasstandingabroken-heartedman。Hopecouldnotbuoyhimupasshemaydootherex-membersinsimilarlydisagreeablecircumstances。Hecouldnotaffordtolookforwardtowhatfurtherfavoursparliamentaryfuturehaveinstoreforhimafteralapseoffiveorsixyears。Fiveorsixyears！Why，hislifewasnotworthfouryears\'purchase；ofthathewasperfectlyaware：hecouldnotnowlivewithoutthestimulusofbrandy；andyet，whilehetookit，heknewhewaskillinghimself。

Deathhedidnotfear；buthewouldfainhavewished，afterhislifeoflabour，tohavelived，whileyethecouldlive，intheblazeofthathighworldtowhichforamomenthehadattained。

Helaughedloudandcheerilyashelefthisparliamentaryfriends，and，puttinghimselfintothetrain，wentdowntoBoxallHill。Helaughedloudandcheerily；butheneverlaughedagain。IthadnotbeenhishabittolaughmuchatBoxallHill。Itwastherehekepthiswife，andMrWinterbones，andthebrandybottlebehindhispillow。Hehadnotoftentherefounditnecessarytoassumethatloudandcheerylaugh。

Onthisoccasionhewasapparentlywellinhealthwhenhegothome；butbothLadyScatcherdandMrWinterbonesfoundhimmorethanordinarilycross。Hemadeanaffectationatsittingveryhardtobusiness，andeventalkedofgoingabroadtolookatsomeofhisforeigncontracts。

ButevenWinterbonesfoundthathispatrondidnotworkashehadbeenwonttodo；andatlast，withsomemisgivings，hetoldLadyScatcherdthathefearedthateverythingwasnotright。

\'He\'salwaysatit，mylady，always，\'saidMrWinterbones。

\'Ishe？\'saidLadyScatcherd，wellunderstandingwhatMrWinterbones\'sallusionmeant。

\'Always，mylady。Ineversawnothinglikeit。Now，there\'sme——Icanalwaysgomyhalf-hourwhenI\'vehadmydrop；buthe，why，hedon\'tgotenminutes，notnow。\'

ThiswasnotcheerfultoLadyScatcherd；butwhatwasthepoorwomantodo？Whenshespoketohimonanysubjectheonlysnarledather；andnowthattheheavyfitwasonhim，shedidnotdareeventomentionthesubjectofhisdrinking。Shehadneverknownhimsosavageinhishumourashewasnow，sobearishinhishabits，solittleinclinedtohumanity，sodeterminedtorushheadlongdown，withhisheadbetweenhislegs，intothebottomlessabyss。

ShethoughtofsendingforDrThorne；butshedidnotknowunderwhatguisetosendforhim，——whetherasdoctororasfriend：underneitherwouldhenowbewelcome；andshewellknewthatSirRogerwasnotthemantoacceptingoodparteitheradoctororafriendwhomightbeunwelcome。Sheknewthatthishusbandofhers，thisman，who，withallhisfaults，wasthebestofherfriendswhomshelovedbest——sheknewthathewaskillinghimself，andyetshecoulddonothing。SirRogerwashisownmaster，andifkillhimselfhewould，killhimselfhemust。

Andkillhimselfhedid。Notindeedbyonesuddenblow。Hedidnottakeonehugedoseofhisconsumingpoison，andthenfalldeaduponthefloor。Itwouldperhapshavebeenbetterforhimself，andbetterforthosearoundhim，hadhedoneso。No；thedoctorshadtimetocongregateroundhisbed；LadyScatcherdwasallowedaperiodofnurse-tending；thesickmanwasabletosayhislastfewwordsandbidhisadieutohisportionofthelowerworldwithdyingdecency。Astheselastwordswillhavesomelastingeffectuponthesurvivingpersonagesofourstory，thereadermustbecontenttostandforashortwhilebythesideofSirRoger\'ssick-bed，andhelpusbidhimGod-speedonthejourneywhichliesbeforehim。

CHAPTERXXIII

RETROSPECTIVE

ItwasdeclaredintheearlypagesofthisworkthatDrThornewastobeourhero；butitwouldappearverymuchasthoughhehadlatterlybeenforgotten。SincethateveningwhenheretiredtorestwithoutlettingMarysharethegrievousweightwhichwasonhismind，wehaveneitherseennorheardaughtofhim。

Itwasthenfullmidsummer，anditnowearlyspring：andduringtheinterveningmonthsthedoctorhadnothadahappytimeofit。Onthatnight，aswehavebeforetold，hetookhisniecetohisheart；buthecouldnotthenbringhimselftotellherthatwhichitwassoimperativethatsheshouldknow。Likeacoward，hewouldputofftheevilhour，tillthenextmorning，andthusrobbedhimselfofhisnight\'ssleep。

Butwhenthemorningcamethedutycouldnotbepostponed。LadyArabellahadgivenhimtounderstandthathisniecewouldnolongerbeaguestatGreshamsbury；anditwasquiteoutofthequestionthatMary，afterthis，shouldbeallowedtoputherfootwithinthegateofthedomainwithouthavinglearntwhatLadyArabellahadsaid。Sohetolditbeforebreakfast，walkingroundtheirlittlegarden，shewithherhandinhis。

Hewasperfectlythunderstruckbythecollected——nay，coolwayinwhichshereceivedhistidings。Sheturnedpale，indeed；hefeltalsothatherhandsomewhattrembledinhisown，andheperceivedthatforamomenthervoiceshook；butnoangrywordescapedherlip，nordidsheevendeigntorepudiatethecharge，whichwas，asitwere，conveyedinLadyArabella\'srequest。Thedoctorknew，orthoughtheknew——nay，hedidknow——thatMarywaswhollyblamelessinthematter：thatshehadatleastgivennoencouragementtoanyloveonthepartoftheyoungheir；

but，nevertheless，hehadexpectedthatshewouldavouchherowninnocence。This，however，shebynomeansdid。

\'LadyArabellaisquiteright，\'shesaid，\'quiteright；ifshehasanyfearofthatkind，shecannotbetoocareful。\'

\'Sheisaselfish，proudwoman，\'saidthedoctor；\'quiteindifferenttothefeelingsofothers；quitecarelesshowdeeplyshemayhurtherneighbours，if，indoingso，shemaypossiblybenefitherself。\'

\'Shewillnothurtme，uncle，noryetyou。IcanlivewithoutgoingtoGreshamsbury。\'

\'Butitisnottobeenduredthatsheshoulddaretocastanimputationonmydarling。\'

\'Onme，uncle？Shecastsnoimputationonme。Frankhasbeenfoolish：

Ihavesaidnothingofit，foritwasnotworthwhiletotroubleyou。

ButasLadyArabellachoosestointerfere，Ihavenorighttoblameher。Hehassaidwhatheshouldnothavesaid；hehasbeenfoolish。

Uncle，youknowIcouldnotpreventit。\'

\'Lethersendhimawaythen，notyou；letherbanishhim。\'

\'Uncle，heisherson。Amothercanhardlysendhersonawaysoeasily：couldyousendmeaway，uncle？\'

Hemerelyansweredherbytwininghisarmroundherwaistandpressinghertohisside。Hewaswellsurethatshewasbadlytreated；andyetnowthatshesounaccountablytookLadyArabella\'spart，hehardlyknewhowtomakethisoutplainlytobethecase。

\'Besides，uncle，Greshamsburyisinamannerhisown；howcanhebebanishedfromhisfather\'shouse？No，uncle；thereisanendofmyvisitsthere。TheyshallfindthatIwillnotthrustmyselfintheirway。\'

AndthenMary，withacalmbrowandsteadygait，wentinandmadethetea。

AndwhatmightbethefeelingsofherheartwhenshesosententiouslytoldherunclethatFrankhadbeenfoolish？Shewasofthesameagewithhim；asimpressionable，thoughmorepowerfulinhidingsuchimpressions，——asallwomenshouldbe；herheartwasaswarm，herbloodasfulloflife，herinnatedesireforthecompanionshipofsomemuch-lovedobjectasstrongashis。Frankhadbeenfoolishinavowinghispassion。Nosuchfollyasthatcouldbelaidatherdoor。Buthadshebeenproofagainsttheotherfolly？Hadshebeenabletowalkheart-wholebyhisside，whilehechattedhiscommonplacesaboutlove？

Yes，theyarecommonplaceswhenwereadtheminnovels；commonenough，too，tosomeofuswhenwewritethem；buttheyarebynomeanscommonplacewhenfirstheardbyayounggirlintherich，balmyfragranceofJulyeveningstroll。

Noraretheycommonplaceswhensoutteredforthefirstorsecondtimeatleast，orperhapsthethird。\'Tisapitythatsoheavenlyapleasureshouldpalluponthesenses。

IfitwassothatFrank\'sfollyhadbeenlistenedtowithacertainamountofpleasure，Marydidnotevenadmitsomuchtoherself。Butwhyshouldithavebeenotherwise？Whyshouldshehavebeenlesspronetolovethanhewas？Hadhenoteverythingwhichgirlsdolove？whichgirlsshouldlove？whichGodcreatednoble，beautiful，allbutgodlike，inorderthatwomen，allbutgoddesslike，mightlove？Tolovethoroughly，truly，heartily，withherwholebody，soul，heart，andstrength；shouldnotthatbecountedforameritinawoman？Andyetwearewonttomakeadisgraceofit。Wedosomostunnaturally，mostunreasonably；forweexpectourdaughterstogetthemselvesmarriedoffourhands。Whentheperiodofthatstepcomes，thenloveisproperenough；butuptothat——beforethat——asregardsallthosepreliminarypassageswhichmust，wesuppose，benecessary——inallthoseitbecomesayoungladytobeicy-heartedasariver-godinwinter。

\'OwhistleandI\'llcometoyoumylad！

OwhistleandI\'llcometoyoumylad！

Tho\'fatherandmitheranda\'shouldgomadOwhistleandI\'llcometoyoumylad！\'

Thisisthekindoflovewhichagirlshouldfeelbeforesheputsherhandproudlyinthatofherlover，andconsentsthattheytwoshallbemadeoneflesh。

Maryfeltnosuchloveasthis。She，too，hadsomeinnerperceptionofthatdreaddestinybywhichitbehovedFrankGreshamtobeforewarned。

She，too——thoughshehadneverheardsomuchsaidinwords——hadanalmostinstinctiveknowledgethathisfaterequiredhimtomarrymoney。

Thinkingoverthisinherownway，shewasnotslowtoconvinceherselfthatitwasoutofthequestionthatsheshouldallowherselftoloveFrankGresham。Howeverwellherheartmightbeinclinedtosuchafeeling，itwasherdutytorepressit。Sheresolved，therefore，todoso；andshesometimesflatteredherselfthatshehadkeptherresolution。

Thesewerebadtimesforthedoctor，andbadtimesforMarytoo。ShehaddeclaredthatshecouldlivewithoutgoingtoGreshamsbury；butshedidnotfinditsoeasy。ShehadbeengoingtoGreshamburyallherlife，anditwascustomarywithhertobethereasathome。Sucholdcustomsarenotbrokenwithoutpain。Hadshelefttheplaceitwouldhavebeenfardifferent；but，asitwas，shedailypassedthegates，dailysawandspoketosomeoftheservants，whoknewheraswellastheydidtheyoungladiesofthefamily——wasinhourlycontact，asitwere，withGreshamsbury。Itwasnotonlythatshedidnotgothere，butthateveryoneknewthatshehadsuddenlydiscontinueddoingso。Yes，shecouldlivewithoutgoingtoGreshamsbury；butforsometimeshehadbutapoorlifeofit。Shefelt，nay，almostheard，thateverymanandwoman，boyandgirlinthevillagewastellinghisandherneighbourthatMaryThornenolongerwenttothehousebecauseofLadyArabellaandtheyoungsquire。

ButBeatrice，ofcourse，cametoher。WhatwasshetosaytoBeatrice？Thetruth！Nay，butitisnotalwayssoeasytosaythetruth，eventoone\'sdearestfriends。

\'Butyou\'llcomeupnowhehasgone？\'saidBeatrice。

\'No，indeed，\'saidMary；\'thatwouldhardlybepleasanttoLadyArabella，nortomeeither。No，Trichy，dearest；myvisitstodearoldGreshamsburyaredone，done，done：perhapsinsometwentyyears\'timeI

maybewalkingdownthelawnwithyourbrother，anddiscussingthechildishdays——thatis，always，ifthethenMrsGreshamshallhaveinvitedme。\'

\'HowcanFrankhavebeensowrong，sounkind，socruel？\'saidBeatrice。

This，however，wasalightinwhichMissThornedidnottakeanypleasure，indiscussingthematter。HerideasofFrank\'sfault，andunkindnessandcruelty，weredoubtlessdifferentfromthoseofhersister。SuchcrueltywasnotunnaturallyexcusedinhereyesbymanycircumstanceswhichBeatricedidnotfullyunderstand。MarywasquitereadytogohandinhandwithLadyArabellaandtherestofGreshamsburyfoldinputtinganend，ifpossible，toFrank\'spassion：

shewouldgivenotonearighttoaccuseherofassistingtoruintheyoungheir；butshecouldhardlybringherselftoadmitthathewassoverywrong——no，noryetevensoverycruel。

Andthenthesquirecametoseeher，andthiswasayethardertrialthanthevisitofBeatrice。Itwassodifficultforhertospeaktohimthatshecouldnotbutwishhimaway；andyet，hadhenotcome，hadhealtogetherneglectedher，shewouldhavefeltittobeunkind。Shehadeverbeenhispet，hadalwaysreceivedkindnessfromhim。

\'Iamsorryforallthis，Mary；verysorry，\'saidhe，standingup，andholdingbothherhandsinhis。

\'Itcan\'tbehelped，sir，\'saidshe，smiling。

\'Idon\'tknow，\'saidhe；\'Idon\'tknow——itoughttobehelpedsomehow——I

amquitesureyouhavenotbeentoblame。\'

\'No，\'saidshe，veryquietly，asthoughthepositionwasonequiteamatterofcourse。\'Idon\'tthinkIhavebeenverymuchtoblame。Therewillbemisfortunessometimeswhennobodyistoblame。\'

\'Idonotquiteunderstanditall，\'saidthesquire；\'butifFrank——\'

\'Oh！wewillnottalkabouthim，\'saidshe，stilllaughinggently。

\'Youcanunderstand，Mary，howdearhemustbetome；butif——\'

\'MrGresham，Iwouldnotforworldsbethecauseofanyunpleasantnessbetweenyouandhim。\'

\'ButIcannotbeartothinkthatwehavebanishedyou，Mary。\'

\'Itcannotbehelped。Thingswillallcomerightintime。\'

\'Butyouwillbelonelyhere。\'

\'Oh！Ishallgotoverallthat。Here，youknow，MrGresham，“IammonarchofallIsurvey“；andthereisagreatdealinthat。\'

Thesquiredidnotcatchhermeaning，butaglimmeringofitdidreachhim。ItwascompetenttoLadyArabellatobanishherfromGreshamsbury；itwaswithinthesphereofthesquire\'sdutiestoprohibithissonfromanimprudentmatch；itwasfortheGreshamstoguardtheirGreshamsburytreasureasbesttheycouldwithintheirownterritories：butletthembewarethattheydidnotattackheronhers。

Inobediencetothefirstexpressionoftheirwishes，shehadsubmittedherselftothispublicmarkoftheirdisapprovalbecauseshehadseenatonce，withherclearintellect，thattheywereonlydoingthatwhichherconsciencemustapprove。Withoutamurmur，therefore，sheconsentedtobepointedatastheyoungladywhohadbeenturnedoutofGreshamsburybecauseoftheyoungsquire。Shehadnohelpforit。Butletthemtakecarethattheydidnotgobeyondthat。OutsidethoseGreshamsburygatessheandFrankGresham，sheandLadyArabellametonequalterms；letthemeachfighttheirownbattle。

Thesquirekissedherforeheadaffectionatelyandtookhisleave，feelingsomehow，thathehadbeenexcusedandpitied，andmademuchof；

whereashehadcalledonhisyoungneighbourwiththeintentionofexcusing，andpitying，andmakingmuchofher。Hewasnotquitecomfortableasheleftthehouse；but，nevertheless，hewassufficientlyhonest-heartedtoowntohimselfthatMaryThornewasafinegirl。OnlythatitwassoabsolutelynecessarythatFrankshouldmarrymoney——andonly，also，thatpoorMarywassuchabirthlessfoundlingintheworld\'sesteem——only，butforthesethings，whatawifeshewouldhavemadeforthatsonofhis！

Toonepersononlydidshetalkfreelyonthesubject，andthatonewasPatienceOriel；andevenwithherthefreedomwasratherofthemindthanoftheheart。SheneversaidawordofherfeelingwithreferencetoFrank，butshesaidmuchofherpositioninthevillage，andofthenecessityshewasundertokeepoutoftheway。

\'Itisveryhard，\'saidPatience，\'thattheoffenceshouldbeallwithhim，andthepunishmentallwithyou。\'

\'Oh！asforthat，\'saidMary，laughing，\'Iwillnotconfesstoanyoffence，notyettoanypunishment；certainlynottoanypunishment。\'

\'Itcomestothesamethingintheend。\'

\'No，notso，Patience；thereisalwayssomelittlestingofdisgraceinpunishment：nowIamnotgoingtoholdmyselfintheleastdisgraced。\'

\'But，Mary，youmustmeettheGreshamssometimes。\'

\'Meetthem！Ihavenottheslightestobjectiononearthtomeetall，oranyofthem。Theyarenotawhitdangeroustome，mydear。\'TisthatIamthewildbeast，and\'tisthattheymustavoidme，\'andthensheadded，afterapause——slightlyblushing——\'Ihavenottheslightestobjectioneventomeethimifchancebringshiminmyway。Letthemlooktothat。Myundertakinggoesnofurtherthanthis，thatIwillnotbeseenwithintheirgates。\'

ButthegirlssofarunderstoodeachotherthatPatienceundertook，ratherthanpromised，togiveMarywhatassistanceshecould；and，despiteMary\'sbravado，shewasinsuchapositionthatshemuchwantedtheassistanceofsuchafriendasPatienceOriel。

Afteranabsenceofsomesixweeks，Frank，aswehaveseen，returnedhome。Nothingwassaidtohim，exceptbyBeatrice，astothosenewGreshamsburyarrangements；andhe，whenhefoundMarywasnotattheplace，wentboldlytothedoctor\'shousetoseekher。Butithasbeenseen，also，thatshediscreetlykeptoutofhisway。Thisshehadthoughtfittodowhenthetimecame，althoughshehadbeensoreadywithherboastthatshehadnoobjectiononearthtomeethim。

AfterthattherehadbeentheChristmasvacation，andMaryhadagainfounddiscretionthebetterpartofvalour。Thiswasdoubtlessdisagreeableenough。ShehadnoparticularwishtospendherChristmaswithMissOriel\'sauntinsteadofatheruncle\'sfireside。Indeed，herChristmasfestivitieshadhithertobeenkeptatGreshamsbury，thedoctorandherselfhavingapartofthefamilycirclethereassembled。

Thiswasoutofthequestionnow；andperhapstheabsolutechangetooldMissOriel\'shousewasbetterforherthanthelesserchangetoheruncle\'sdrawing-room。Besides，howcouldshehavedemeanedherselfwhenshemetFrankintheirparishchurch？AllthishadbeenfullyunderstoodbyPatience，and，therefore，hadthisChristmasvisitbeenplanned。

AndthenthisaffairofFrankandMaryThorneceasedforawhiletobetalkedofatGreshamsbury，forthatotheraffairofMrMoffatandAugustamonopolizedtheruralattention。Augusta，aswehavesaid，boreitwell，andsustainedthepublicgazewithoutmuchflinching。Herperiodofmartyrdom，however，didnotlastlong，forsoonthenewsarrivedofFrank\'sexploitinPallMall；andthentheGreshamburyitesforgottothinkmuchmoreofAugusta，beingfullyoccupiedinthinkingofwhatFrankhaddone。

Thetale，asitwasfirsttold，declaredtheFrankhadfollowedMrMoffatupintohisclub；haddraggedhimthenceintothemiddleofPallMall，andhadthenslaughteredhimonthespot。Thiswasbydegreesmodifiedtillasoberedfictionbecamegenerallyprevalent，thatMrMoffatwaslyingsomewhere，stillalive，butwithallhisbonesinastateofcompoundfracture。ThisadventureagainbroughtFrankintotheascendant，andrestoredtoMaryherformerpositionastheGreshamsburyheroine。

\'Onecannotwonderathisbeingveryangry，\'saidBeatrice，discussingthematterwithMary——veryimprudently。

\'Wonder——no；thewonderwouldhavebeenifhehadnotbeenangry。Onemighthavebeenquitesurethathewouldhavebeenangryenough。\'

\'IsupposeitwasnotabsolutelyrightforhimtobeatMrMoffat，\'saidBeatrice，apologetically。

\'Notright，Trichy？Ithinkhewasveryright。\'

\'Nottobeathimsomuch，Mary！\'

\'Oh，Isupposeamancan\'texactlystandmeasuringhowmuchhedoesthesethings。Ilikeyourbrotherforwhathehasdone，andImaysaysofrankly——thoughIsupposeIoughttoeatmytongueoutbeforeI

shouldsaysuchathing，ehTrichy？\'

\'Idon\'tknowthatthere\'sanyharminthat，\'saidBeatrice，demurely。

\'Ifyoubothlikedeachothertherewouldbenoharminthat——ifthatwereall。\'

\'Wouldn\'tthere？\'saidMary，inalowtoneofbanteringsatire；\'thatissokind，Trichy，comingfromyou——fromoneofthefamily，youknow。\'

\'Youarewellaware，Mary，thatifIcouldhavemywishes——\'

\'Yes：Iamwellawarewhataparagonofgoodnessyouare。IfyoucouldhaveyourwayIshouldbeadmittedintoheavenagain；shouldn\'tI？Onlywiththisproviso，thatifastrayangelshouldeverwhispertomewithbatedbreath，mistakingme，perchance，foroneofhisownclass，I

shouldbeboundtoclosemyearstohiswhispering，andremindhimhumblythatIwasonlyapoormortal。Youwouldtrustmesofar，wouldn\'tyou，Trichy？\'

\'Iwouldtrustyouinanyway，Mary。ButIthinkyouareunkindinsayingsuchthingstome。\'

\'IntowhateverheavenIamadmitted，Iwillgoonlyonthisunderstanding：thatIamtobeasgoodanangelasanyofthosearoundme。\'

\'But，Marydear，whydoyousaythistome？\'

\'Because——because——because——ahme！Why，indeed，butbecauseIhavenooneelsetosayitto。Certainlynotbecauseyouhavedeservedit。\'

\'Itseemsasifyouwerefindingfaultwithme。\'

\'AndsoIam；howcanIdootherthanfindfault？HowcanIhelpbeingsore？Trichy，youhardlyrealizemyposition；youhardlyseehowIamtreated；howIamforcedtoallowmyselftobetreatedwithoutasignofcomplaint。Youdon\'tseeitall。Ifyoudid，youwouldnotwonderthatIshouldbesore。\'