第11章

CHAPTERXXVI

WAR

WeneednotfollowSirRogertohisgrave，norpartakeofthebakedmeatswhichwerefurnishedforhisfuneralbanquet。SuchmenasSirRogerScatcherdarealwayswellburied，andwehavealreadyseenthathisgloriesweredulytoldtoposterityinthegraphicdictionofhissepulchralmonument。InafewdaysthedoctorhadreturnedtohisquitehomeandSirLouisfoundhimselfreigningatBoxallHillinhisfather\'sstead——with，however，amuchdiminishedsway，and，ashethoughtit，butapoorexchequer。Wemustsoonreturntohimandsaysomethingofhiscareerasabaronet；butforthepresent，wemaygobacktoourmorepleasantfriendsatGreshamsbury。

ButourfriendsatGreshamsburyhadnotbeenmakingthemselvespleasant——notsopleasanttoeachotherascircumstanceswouldhaveadmitted。Inthosedayswhichthedoctorhadfelthimselfboundtopass，ifnotaltogetheratBoxallHill，yetaltogetherawayfromhisownhome，soastoadmitofhisbeingasmuchaspossiblewithhispatient，MaryhadbeenthrownmorethaneverwithPatienceOriel，and，also，almostmorethaneverwithBeatriceGresham。AsregardedMary，shewoulddoubtlesshavepreferredthecompanionshipofPatience，thoughshelovedBeatricefarthebest；butshehadnochoice。WhenshewenttotheparsonageBeatricecametherealso，andwhenPatiencecametothedoctor\'shouseBeatriceeitheraccompaniedorfollowedher。Marycouldhardlyhaverejectedtheirsociety，evenhadshefeltitwisetodoso。Shewouldinsuchcasehavebeenallalone，andherseverancefromtheGreshamsburyhouseandhousehold，fromthebigfamilyinwhichshehadforsomanyyearsbeenalmostathome，wouldhavemadesuchsolitudealmostunendurable。

Andthenthesetwogirlsbothknew——nothersecret；shehadnosecret——butthelittlehistoryofherill-treatment。Theyknewthatthoughshehadbeenblamelessinthismatter，yetshehadbeentheonetobearthepunishment；and，asgirlsandbosomfriends，theycouldnotbutsympathizewithher，andendowherwithheroicattributes；makeher，infact，aswearedoing，theirlittleheroineforthenonce。Thiswas，perhaps，notserviceableforMary；butitwasfarfrombeingdisagreeable。

Thetendencytofindingmatterforhero-worshipinMary\'sendurancewasmuchstrongerwithBeatricethanwithMissOriel。MissOrielwastheelder，andnaturallylessafflictedwiththesentimentationofromance。ShehadthrownherselfintoMary\'sarmsbecauseshehadseenthatitwasessentiallynecessaryforMary\'scomfortthatsheshoulddoso。Shewasanxioustomakeherfriendsmile，andtosmilewithher。

Beatricewasquiteastrueinhersympathy；butsheratherwishedthatsheandMarymightweepinunison，shedmutualtears，andbreaktheirheartstogether。

PatiencehadspokenofFrank\'sloveasamisfortune，ofhisconductaserroneous，andtobeexcusedonlybyhisyouth，andhadneverappearedtosurmisethatMaryalsomightbeinloveaswellashe。ButtoBeatricetheaffairwasatragicdifficulty，admittingofnosolution；

aGordianknot，nottobecut；amiserynowandforever。ShewouldalwaystalkaboutFrankwhensheandMarywerealone；and，tospeakthetruth，Marydidnotstopherassheperhapsshouldhavedone。

Asforamarriagebetweenthem，thatwasimpossible；Beatricewaswellsureofthat：itwasFrank\'sunfortunatedestinythathemustmarrymoney——money，and，asBeatricesometimesthoughtlesslyadded，cuttingMarytothequick，——moneyandfamilyalso。Undersuchcircumstancesamarriagebetweenthemwasquiteimpossible；butnotthelessdidBeatricedeclare，thatshewouldhavelovedMaryashersister-in-lawhaditbeenpossible；andhowworthyFrankwasofagirl\'slove，hadsuchlovebeenpossible。

\'Itissocruel，\'Beatricewouldsay；\'sovery，very，cruel。

Youwouldhavesuitedhimineveryway。\'

\'Nonsense，Trichy；Ishouldhavesuitedhiminnopossiblewayatall；

norheme。\'

\'Oh，butyouwould——exactly。Papalovesyousowell。\'

\'Andmamma；thatwouldhavebeensonice。\'

\'Yes；andmamma，too——thatis，hadyouhadafortune，\'saidthedaughter，naively。\'Shealwayslikedyoupersonally，always。\'

\'Didshe？\'

\'Always。Andweallloveyouso。\'

\'EspeciallyLadyAlexandrina。\'

\'Thatwouldnothavesignified，forFrankcannotenduretheDeCourcyshimself。\'

\'Mydear，itdoesnotmatteronestrawwhomyourbrothercanendureornotendurejustatpresent。Hischaracteristobeformed，andhistastes，andhisheartalso。\'

\'Oh，Mary！——hisheart。\'

\'Yes，hisheart；notthefactofhishavingaheart。Ithinkhehasaheart；buthehimselfdoesnotyetunderstandit。\'

\'Oh，Mary！youdonotknowhim。\'

SuchconversationswerenotwithoutdangertopoorMary\'scomfort。ItcamesoontobethecasethatshelookedratherforthissortofsympathyfromBeatrice，thanforMissOriel\'spleasantbutlesspiquantgaiety。

Sothedaysofthedoctor\'sabsencewerepassed，andsoalsothefirstweekafterhisreturn。Duringthisweekitwasalmostdailynecessarythatthesquireshouldbewithhim。ThedoctorwasnowthelegalholderofSirRoger\'sproperty，and，assuch，theholderalsoofallthemortgagesonMrGresham\'sproperty；anditwasnaturalthattheyshouldbemuchtogether。Thedoctorwouldnot，however，gouptoGreshamsburyonanyotherthanmedicalbusiness；anditthereforebecamenecessarythatthesquireshouldbeagooddealatthedoctor\'shouse。

ThentheLadyArabellabecameunhappyinhermind。Frank，itwastrue，wasawayatCambridge，andhadbeensuccessfullykeptoutofMary\'swaysincethesuspicionofdangerhadfallenuponLadyArabella\'smind。

Frankwasaway，andMarywassystematicallybanished，withdueacknowledgementfromallthepowersinGreshamsbury。ButthiswasnotenoughforLadyArabellaaslongasherdaughterstillhabituallyconsortedwiththefemaleculprit，andaslongasherhusbandconsortedwiththemaleculprit。ItseemedtoLadyArabellaatthismomentasthough，inbanishingMaryfromthehouse，shehadineffectbanishedherselffromthemostintimateoftheGreshamsburysocialcircles。Shemagnifiedinherownmindtheimportanceoftheconferencesbetweenthegirls，andwasnotwithoutsomefearthatthedoctormightbetalkingthesquireoverintoverydangerouscompliance。

HerobjectwastobreakofallconfidentialintercoursebetweenBeatriceandMary，andtointerrupt，asfarasshecoulddoit，thatbetweenthedoctorandthesquire。This，itmaybesaid，couldbemoreeasilydonebyskilfulmanagementwithinherownhousehold。Shehad，however，triedthatandfailed。ShehadsaidmuchtoBeatriceastotheimprudenceofherfriendshipwithMary，andshehaddonethispurposelybeforethesquire；injudiciouslyhowever——forthesquirehadimmediatelytakenMary\'spart，andhaddeclaredthathehadnowishtoseeaquarrelbetweenhisfamilyandthatofthedoctor；thatMaryThornewasineverywayagoodgirl，andaneligiblefriendforhisownchild；andhadendedbydeclaring，thathewouldnothaveMarypersecutedforFrank\'sfault。Thishadnotbeentheend，nornearlytheendofwhathadbeensaidonthematteratGreshamsbury；buttheend，whenitcame，cameinthiswise，thatLadyArabelladeterminedtosayafewwordstothedoctorastotheexpediencyofforbiddingfamiliarintercoursebetweenMaryandanyoftheGreshamsburypeople。

WiththisviewLadyArabellaabsolutelybeardedthelioninhisden，thedoctorinhisshop。ShehadheardthatbothMaryandBeatriceweretopassacertainafternoonattheparsonage，andtookthatopportunityofcallingatthedoctor\'shouse。Aperiodofmanyyearshadpassedsinceshehadlastsohonouredthatabode。Mary，indeed，hadbeensomuchoneofherownfamilythattheceremonyofcallingonherhadneverbeenthoughtnecessary；andthus，unlessMaryhadbeenabsolutelyill，therewouldhavebeennothingtobringherladyshiptothehouse。

Allthissheknewwouldaddtotheimportanceoftheoccasion，andshejudgeditprudenttomaketheoccasionasimportantasitmightwellbe。

Shewassofarsuccessfulthatshesoonfoundherselftete-a-tetewiththedoctorinhisownstudy。Shewasnowhitdismayedbythepairofhumanthigh-boneswhichlayclosetohishand，andwhich，whenhewastalkinginthatdenofhisown，hewasintheconstanthabitofhandlingwithmuchenergy；norwasshefrightenedoutofherproprietyevenbythelittlechild\'sskullwhichgrinnedatherfromoffthechimney-piece。

\'Doctor，\'shesaid，assoonasthefirstcomplimentarygreetingswereover，speakinginherkindestandmostwould-be-confidentialtone。

\'Doctor，Iamstilluneasyaboutthatboyofmine，andIhavethoughtitbesttocomeandseeyouatonce，andtellyoufreelywhatIthink。\'

Thedoctorbowed，andsaidthathewasverysorrythatsheshouldhaveanycauseforuneasinessabouthisyoungfriendFrank。

\'Indeed，Iamveryuneasy，doctor；andhaving，asIdohave，suchrelianceonyourprudence，andsuchperfectconfidenceinyourfriendship，Ihavethoughtitbesttocomeandspeaktoyouopenly：\'

thereupontheLadyArabellapaused，andthedoctorbowedagain。

\'Nobodyknowssowellasyoudothedreadfulstateofthesquire\'saffairs。\'

\'Notsodreadful；notsoverydreadful，\'saidthedoctor，mildly：\'thatis，asfarasIknow。\'

\'Yestheyare，doctor；verydreadful；verydreadfulindeed。Youknowhowmuchheowestothisyoungman：Idonot，forthesquirenevertellsanythingtome；butIknowthatitisaverylargesumofmoney；

enoughtoswamptheestateandruinFrank。NowIcallthatverydreadful。\'

\'No，notruinhim，LadyArabella；notruinhim，Ihope。\'

\'However，Ididnotcometotalktoyouaboutthat。AsIsaidbefore，Iknownothingofthesquire\'saffairs，and，asamatterofcourse，I

donotaskyoutotellme。ButIamsureyouwillagreewithmeinthisthat，asamother，Icannotbutbeinterestedaboutmyonlyson，\'

andLadyArabellaputhercambrichandkerchieftohereyes。

\'Ofcourseyouare；ofcourseyouare，\'saidthedoctor；\'and，LadyArabella，myopinionofFrankissuch，thatIfeelsurethathewilldowell；\'and，inhisenergy，DrThornebrandishedoneofthethigh-bonesalmostinthelady\'sface。

\'Ihopehewill；IamsureIhopehewill。But，doctor，hehassuchdangerstocontendwith；heissowarmandimpulsivethatIfearhisheartwillbringhimintotrouble。Now，youknow，unlessFrankmarriesmoneyheislost。\'

Thedoctormadenoanswertothislastappeal，butashesatandlistenedaslightfrowncameacrosshisbrow。

\'Hemustmarrymoney，doctor。Nowwehave，yousee，withyourassistance，contrivedtoseparatehimfromdearMary——\'

\'Withmyassistance，LadyArabella！Ihavegivennoassistance，norhaveImeddledinthematter；norwillI。\'

\'Well，doctor，perhapsnotmeddled；butyouagreedwithme，youknow，thatthetwoyoungpeoplehadbeenimprudent。\'

\'Iagreedtonosuchthing，LadyArabella；never，never。InotonlyneveragreedthatMaryhadbeenimprudent，butIwillnotagreetoitnow，andwillnotallowanyonetoassertitinmypresencewithoutcontradictingit：\'andthenthedoctorworkedawayatthethigh-bonesinamannerthatdidratheralarmherladyship。

\'Atanyrate，youthoughtthattheyoungpeoplehadbetterbekeptapart。\'

\'No；neitherdidIthinkthat：myniece，Ifeltsure，wassafefromdanger。Iknewthatshewoulddonothingthatwouldbringeitherherormetoshame。\'

\'Nottoshame，\'saidtheladyapologetically，asitwere，usingthewordperhapsnotexactlyinthedoctor\'ssense。

\'Ifeltnoalarmforher，\'continuedthedoctor，\'anddesirednochange。Frankisyourson，anditisforyoutolooktohim。YouthoughtpropertodosobydesiringMarytoabsentherselffromGreshamsbury。\'

\'Oh，no，no，no！\'saidLadyArabella。

\'Butyoudid，LadyArabella；andasGreshamsburyisyourhome，neitherInormyniecehadanygroundofcomplaint。Weacquiesced，notwithoutmuchsuffering，butwedidacquiesce；andyou，Ithink，canhavenogroundofcomplaintagainstme。\'

LadyArabellahadhardlyexpectedthatthedoctorwouldreplytohermildandconciliatoryexordiumwithsomuchsternness。Hehadyieldedsoeasilytoherontheformeroccasion。ShedidnotcomprehendthatwhensheutteredhersentenceofexileagainstMary，shehadgivenanorderwhichshehadthepowerofenforcing；butthatobediencetothatorderhadnowplacedMaryaltogetherbeyondherjurisdiction。Shewas，therefore，alittlesurprised，andforafewmomentsoverawedbythedoctor\'smanner；butshesoonrecoveredherself，remembering，doubtless，thatfortunefavoursnonebutthebrave。

\'Imakenocomplaint，DrThorne，\'shesaid，afterassumingatonemorebefittingaDeCourcythanthathithertoused，\'ImakenocomplainteitherasregardsyouorMary。\'

\'Youareverykind，LadyArabella。\'

\'ButIthinkthatitismydutytoputastop，aperemptorystoptoanythinglikealoveaffairbetweenmysonandyourniece。\'

\'Ihavenottheleastobjectioninlife。Ifthereissuchaloveaffair，putastoptoit——thatis，ifyouhavethepower。\'

Herethedoctorwasdoubtlessimprudent。Buthehadbeguntothinkthathehadyieldedsufficientlytothelady；andhehadbeguntoresolve，also，thatthoughitwouldnotbecomehimtoencourageeventheideaofsuchamarriage，hewouldmakeLadyArabellaunderstandthathethoughthisniecequitegoodenoughforherson，andthatthematch，ifregardedasimprudent，wastoberegardedasequallyimprudentonbothsides。HewouldnotsufferthatMaryandherheartandfeelingsandinterestshouldbealtogetherpostponedtothoseoftheyoungheir；and，perhaps，hewasunconsciouslyencouragedinthisdeterminationbythereflectionthatMaryherselfmightperhapsbecomeayoungheiress。

\'Itismyduty，\'saidLadyArabella，repeatingherwordswithevenastrongerDeCourcyintonation；\'andyourdutyalso，DrThorne。\'

\'Myduty！\'saidhe，risingfromhischairandleaningonthetablewiththetwothigh-bones。\'LadyArabella，prayunderstandatonce，thatI

repudiateanysuchduty，andwillhavenothingwhatevertodowithit。\'

\'Butyoudonotmeantosaythatyouwillencouragethisunfortunateboytomarryyourniece？\'

\'Theunfortunateboy，LadyArabella——whom，bytheby，Iregardasaveryfortunateyoungman——isyourson，notmine。Ishalltakenostepsabouthismarriage，eitheronewayortheother。\'

\'Youthinkitright，then，thatyournieceshouldthrowherselfinhisway？\'

\'Throwherselfinhisway！WhatwouldyousayifIcameuptoGreshamsbury，andspokeofyourdaughtersinsuchlanguage？Whatwouldmydearfriend，MrGreshamsay，ifsomeneighbour\'swifeshouldcomeandsospeaktohim？Iwilltellyouwhathewouldsay：hewouldquietlybeghertogobacktoherownhomeandmeddleonlywithherownmatters。\'

ThiswasdreadfultoLadyArabella。EvenDrThornehadneverbeforedaredthustolowerhertothelevelofcommonhumanity，andlikenhertoanyotherwifeinthecountry-side。Moreover，shewasnotquitesurewhetherhe，theparishdoctor，wasnotdesiringher，theearl\'sdaughter，togohomeandmindherownbusiness。Onthisfirstpoint，however，thereseemedtobenoroomfordoubt，ofwhichshegaveherselfthebenefit。

\'Itwouldnotbecomemetoarguewithyou，DrThorne，\'shesaid。

\'Notatleastonthissubject，\'saidhe。

\'IcanonlyrepeatthatImeannothingoffensivetoourdearMary；forwhom，IthinkImaysay，Ihavealwaysshownalmostamother\'scare。\'

\'NeitheramI，norisMary，ungratefulforthekindnessshehasreceivedatGreshamsbury。\'

\'ButImustdomyduty：myownchildrenmustbemyfirstconsideration。\'

\'Ofcoursetheymust，LadyArabella；that\'sofcourse。\'

\'And，therefore，IhavecalledonyoutosaythatIthinkitisimprudentthatBeatriceandMaryshouldbesomuchtogether。\'

Thedoctorhadbeenstandingduringthelatterpartofthisconversation，butnowhebegantowalkabout，stillholdingthetwoboneslikeapairofdumb-bells。

\'Godblessmysoul！\'hesaid；\'Godblessmysoul！Why，LadyArabella，doyoususpectyourowndaughteraswellasyourownson？DoyouthinkthatBeatriceisassistingMaryinpreparingthiswickedclandestinemarriage？Itellyoufairly，LadyArabella，thepresenttoneofyourmindissuchthatIcannotunderstandit。\'

\'Isuspectnobody，DrThorne；butyoungpeoplewillbeyoung。\'

\'Andoldpeoplemustbeold，Isuppose；themore\'sthepity。LadyArabella，Maryisthesametomeasmyowndaughter，andowesmetheobedienceofachild；butasIdonotdisapproveofyourdaughterBeatriceasanacquaintanceforher，butrather，ontheotherhand，regardwithpleasuretheirfriendship，youcannotexpectthatIshouldtakeanystepstoputanendtoit。\'

\'ButsupposeitshouldleadtorenewedintercoursebetweenFrankandMary？\'

\'Ihavenoobjection。Frankisaveryniceyoungfellow，gentlemanlikeinhismanners，andneighbourlyinhisdisposition。\'

\'DrThorne——\'

\'LadyArabella——\'

\'Icannotbelievethatyoureallyintendtoexpressawish——\'

\'Youarequiteright。Ihavenotintendedtoexpressanywish；nordoIintendtodoso。Maryisatliberty，withincertainbounds——whichI

amsureshewillnotpass——tochooseherownfriends。IthinkshehasnotchosenbadlyasregardsMissBeatriceGresham；andshouldsheevenaddFrankGreshamtothenumber——\'

\'Friends！whytheyweremorethanfriends；theyweredeclaredlovers。\'

\'Idoubtthat，LadyArabella，becauseIhavenotheardofitfromMary。Butevenifitwereso，IdonotseewhyIshouldobject。\'

\'Notobject！\'

\'AsIsaidbefore，Frankis，tomythinking，anexcellentyoungman。

WhyshouldIobject？\'

\'DrThorne！\'saidherladyship，nowalsorisingfromherchairinastateoftooevidentperturbation。

\'WhyshouldIobject？Itisforyou，LadyArabella，tolookafteryourlambs；formetoseethat，ifpossible，noharmshallcometomine。IfyouthinkthatMaryisanimproperacquaintanceforyourchildren，itisforyoutoguidethem；foryouandtheirfather。Saywhatyouthinkfittoyourowndaughter；butprayunderstand，onceforall，thatI

willallownoonetointerferewithmyniece。\'

\'Interfere！\'saidLadyArabella，nowabsolutelyconfusedbytheseverityofthedoctor\'smanner。

\'Iwillallownoonetointerferewithher；noone，LadyArabella。Shehassufferedverygreatlyfromimputationswhichyouhavemostunjustlythrownonher。Itwas，however，yourundoubtedrighttoturnheroutofyourhouseifyouthoughtfit；——though，asawomanwhohadknownherforsomanyyears，youmight，Ithink，havetreatedherwithmoreforbearance。That，however，wasyourright，andyouexercisedit。

Thereyourprivilegestops；yes，andmuststop，LadyArabella。Youshallnotpersecuteherhere，ontheonlyspotofgroundshecancallherown。\'

\'Persecuteher，DrThorne！YoudonotmeantosaythatIhavepersecutedher？\'

\'Ah！butIdomeantosayso。Youdopersecuteher，andwouldcontinuetodosodidInotdefendher。Itisnotsufficientthatsheisforbiddentoenteryourdomain——andsoforbiddenwiththeknowledgeofallthecountryround——butyoumustcomeherealsowiththehopeofinterruptingalltheinnocentpleasuresofherlife。Fearinglestsheshouldbeallowedeventospeaktoyourson，tohearofwordofhimthroughhisownsister，youwouldputherinprison，tieherup，keepherfromthelightofday——\'

\'DrThorne！howcanyou——\'

Butthedoctorwasnottobeinterrupted。

\'Itneveroccurstoyoutotiehimup，toputhiminprison。No；heistheheirofGreshamsbury；heisyourson，anearl\'sgrandson。Itisonlynatural，afterall，thatheshouldthrowafewfoolishwordsatthedoctor\'sniece。Butshe！itisanoffencenottobeforgivenonherpartthatsheshould，however，unwillingly，havebeenforcedtolistentothem！Nowunderstandme，LadyArabella；ifanyofyourfamilycometomyhouseIshallbedelightedtowelcomethem；ifMaryshouldmeetanyofthemelsewhereIshallbedelightedtohearofit。

Shouldshetellmeto-morrowthatshewasengagedtomarryFrank，I

shouldtalkthematteroverwithher，quitecoolly，solelywithaviewtoherinterest，aswouldbemyduty；feeling，atthesametime，thatFrankwouldbeluckyinhavingsuchawife。Nowyouknowmymind，LadyArabella。ItissoIshoulddomyduty；——youcandoyoursasyoumaythinkfit。\'

LadyArabellahadbythistimeperceivedthatshewasnotdestined，onthisoccasiontogainanygreatvictory。She，however，wasangryaswellasthedoctor。Itwasnottheman\'svehemencethatprovokedhersomuchashisevidentdeterminationtobreakdowntheprestigeofherrank，andplaceheronafootinginnorespectsuperiortohisown。Hehadneverbeforebeensoaudaciouslyarrogant；and，asshemovedtowardsthedoor，shedeterminedinherwraththatshewouldneveragainhaveconfidentialintercoursewithhiminanyrelationoflifewhatsoever。

\'DrThorne，\'saidshe。\'Ithinkyouhaveforgottenyourself。YoumustexcusemeifIsaythatafterwhathaspassedI——I——I——\'

\'Certainly，\'saidhe，fullyunderstandingwhatshemeant；andbowinglowasheopenedfirstthestudy-door，thenthefront-door，thenthegarden-gate。

AndthentheLadyArabellastalkedoff，notwithoutfullobservationfromMrsYatesUmblebyandherfriendMissGustring，wholivedcloseby。

CHAPTERXXVII

MISSTHORNEGOESONAVISIT

AndnowbegantheunpleasantthingsatGreshamsburyofwhichwehaveheretold。WhenLadyArabellawalkedawayfromthedoctor\'shousesheresolvedthat，letitcostwhatitmight，thereshouldbewartotheknifebetweenherandhim。Shehadbeeninsultedbyhim——soatleastshesaidtoherself，andsoshewaspreparedtosaytoothersalso——anditwasnottobebornethataDeCourcyshouldallowherparishdoctortoinsultherwithimpunity。Shewouldtellherhusbandwithallthedignitythatshecouldassume，thatithadnowbecomeabsolutelynecessarythatheshouldprotecthiswifebybreakingentirelywithhisunmanneredneighbour；and，asregardedtheyoungmembersofherfamily，shewouldusetheauthorityofamother，andabsolutelyforbidthemtoholdanyintercoursewithMaryThorne。Soresolving，shewalkedquicklybacktoherownhouse。

Thedoctor，whenleftalone，wasnotquitesatisfiedwiththeparthehadtakenintheinterview。Hehadspokenfromimpulseratherthanfromjudgement，and，asisgenerallythecasewithmenwhodosospeak，hehadafterwardstoacknowledgetohimselfthathehadbeenimprudent。Heaccusedhimselfprobablywithmoreviolencethanhehadreallyused，andwasthereforeunhappy；but，nevertheless，hisindignationwasnotatrest。Hewasangrywithhimself；butnotonthataccountthelessangrywithLadyArabella。Shewascruelofmanners，sohethought；butnotonthataccountwashejustifiedinforgettingtheforbearanceduefromagentlemantoalady。Mary，moreover，hadowedmuchtothekindnessofthiswoman，and，therefore，DrThornefeltthatheshouldhaveforgivenmuch。

Thusthedoctorwalkedabouthisroom，muchdisturbed；nowaccusinghimselfforhavingbeensoangrywithLadyArabella，andthenfeedinghisownangerbythinkingofhermisconduct。

Theonlyimmediateconclusionatwhichheresolvedwasthis，thatitwasunnecessarythatheshouldsayanythingtoMaryonthesubjectofherladyship\'svisit。Therewasnodoubt，sorrowenoughinstoreforhisdarling；whyshouldheaggravateit？LadyArabellawoulddoubtlessnotstopnowinhercourse；butwhyshouldheacceleratetheevilwhichshewoulddoubtlessbeabletoeffect？

LadyArabella，whenshereturnedtothehouse，allowednograsstogrowunderherfeet。AssheenteredthehouseshedesiredthatMissBeatriceshouldbesenttoherdirectlyshereturned；andshedesiredalso，thatassoonasthesquireshouldbeinhisroomamessagetothateffectmightbeimmediatelybroughttoher。

\'Beatrice，\'shesaid，assoonastheyoungladyappearedbeforeher，andinspeakingsheassumedherfirmesttoneofauthority，\'Beatrice，I

amsorry，mydear，tosayanythingthatisunpleasanttoyou，butI

mustmakeitapositiverequestthatyouwillforthefuturedropallintercoursewithDrThorne\'sfamily。\'

Beatrice，whohadreceivedLadyArabella\'smessageimmediatelyonenteringthehouse，andhadrunupstairsimaginingthatsomeinstanthastewasrequired，nowstoodbeforehermotherratheroutofbreath，holdingherbonnetbythestrings。

\'Oh，mamma！\'sheexclaimed，\'whatonearthhashappened？\'

\'Mydear，\'saidthemother，\'Icannotreallyexplaintoyouwhathashappened；butImustaskyoutogivemepositiveyourassurancethatyouwillcomplywithmyrequest。\'

\'Youdon\'tmeanthatIamnottoseeMaryanymore？\'

\'Yes，Ido，mydear；atanyrate，forthepresent。WhenItellyouthatyourbrother\'sinterestimperativelydemandsit，Iamsurethatyouwillnotrefuseme。\'

Beatricedidnotrefuse，butshedidnotappeartoowillingtocomply。

Shestoodsilent，leaningagainsttheendofasofaandtwistingherbonnet-stringsinherhand。

\'Well，Beatrice——\'

\'But，mamma，Idon\'tunderstand。\'

LadyArabellahadsaidthatshecouldnotexactlyexplain：butshefounditnecessarytoattempttodoso。

\'DrThornehasopenlydeclaredtomethatamarriagebetweenpoorFrankandMaryisallhecoulddesireforhisniece。Aftersuchunparalleledaudacityasthat，evenyourfatherwillseethenecessityofbreakingwithhim。\'

\'DrThorne！Oh，mamma，youmusthavemisunderstoodhim。\'

\'Mydear，Iamnotapttomisunderstandpeople；especiallywhenIamsomuchinearnestasIwasintalkingtoDrThorne。\'

\'But，mamma，IknowsowellwhatMaryherselfthinksaboutit。\'

\'AndIknowwhatDrThornethinksaboutit；he，atanyrate，hasbeencandidinwhathesaid；therecanbenodoubtonearththathehasspokenhistruethoughts；therecanbenoreasontodoubthim；ofcoursesuchamatchwouldbeallthathecouldwish。\'

\'Mamma，Ifeelsurethatthereissomemistake。\'

\'Verywell，mydear。Iknowthatyouareinfatuatedaboutthesepeople，andthatyouarealwaysinclinedtocontradictwhatIsaytoyou；but，remember，IexpectthatyouwillobeymewhenItellyounottogotoDrThorne\'shouseanymore。\'

\'But，mamma——\'

\'Iexpectyoutoobeyme，Beatrice。Thoughyouaresopronetocontradict，youhaveneverdisobeyedme；andIfullytrustthatyouwillnotdosonow。\'

LadyArabellahadbegunbyexacting，ortryingtoexactapromise，butasshefoundthatthiswasnotforthcoming，shethoughtitbettertogiveupthepointwithoutadispute。ItmightbethatBeatricewouldabsolutelyrefusetopaythisrespecttohermother\'sauthority，andthenwherewouldshehavebeen？

Atthismomentaservantcameuptosaythatthesquirewasinhisroom，andLadyArabellawasopportunelysavedthenecessityofdiscussingthematterfurtherwithherdaughter。\'Iamnow，\'shesaid，\'goingtoseeyourfatheronthesamesubject；youmaybequitesure，BeatricethatIshouldnotwillinglyspeaktohimonanymatterrelatingtoDrThornedidInotfinditabsolutelynecessarytodoso。\'

ThisBeatriceknewwastrue，andshedidthereforefeelconvincedthatsomethingterriblemusthavehappened。

WhileLadyArabellaopenedherbudgetthesquiresatquitesilent，listeningtoherwithappropriaterespect。Shefounditnecessarythatherdescriptiontohimshouldbemuchmoreelaboratethanthatwhichshehadvouchsafedtoherdaughter，and，intellinghergrievance，sheinsistedmostespeciallyonthepersonalinsultwhichhadbeenofferedtoherself。

\'Afterwhathasnowhappened，\'saidshe，notquiteabletorepressatoneoftriumphasshespoke，\'Idoexpect，MrGresham，thatyouwill——will——\'

\'Willwhat，mydear？\'

\'Willatleastprotectmefromtherepetitionofsuchtreatment。\'

\'YouarenotafraidthatDrThornewillcomehereandattackyou？AsfarasIcanunderstand，henevercomesneartheplace，unlessyousendforhim。\'

\'No；IdonotthinkthathewillcometoGreshamsburyanymore。I

believeIhaveputastoptothat。\'

\'Thenwhatisit，mydear，thatyouwantmetodo？\'

LadyArabellapausedaminutebeforeshereplied。Thegamewhichshenowhadtoplaywasnotveryeasy；sheknew，orthoughtsheknew，thatherhusband，inhisheartofhearts，muchpreferredhisfriendtothewifeofhisbosom，andthathewould，ifhecould，shuffleoutofnoticingthedoctor\'siniquities。Itbehovedher，therefore，toputthemforwardinsuchawaythattheymustbenoticed。

\'Isuppose，MrGresham，youdonotwishthatFrankshouldmarrythegirl？\'

\'Idonotthinkthereistheslightestchanceofsuchathing；andIamquitesurethatDrThornewouldnotencourageit。\'

\'ButItellyou，MrGresham，thathesayshewillencourageit。\'

\'Oh，youmisunderstandhim。\'

\'Ofcourse；Ialwaysmisunderstandeverything。Iknowthat。I

misunderstooditwhenItoldyouhowyouwoulddistressyourselfifyoutookthosenastyhounds。\'

\'Ihavehadothertroublesmoreexpensivethanthehounds，\'saidthepoorsquire，sighing。

\'Oh，yes；Iknowwhatyoumean；awifeandfamilyareexpensive，ofcourse。Itisalittletoolatetocomplainofthat。\'

\'Mydear，itisalwaystoolatetocomplainofanytroubleswhentheyarenolongertobeavoided。Weneednot，therefore，talkanymoreabouthoundsatpresent。\'

\'Idonotwishtospeakofthem，MrGresham。\'

\'NorI。\'

\'ButIhopeyouwillnotthinkmeunreasonableifIamanxioustoknowwhatyouintendtodoaboutDrThorne。\'

\'Todo？\'

\'Yes；Isupposeyouwilldosomething：youdonotwishtoseeyoursonmarrysuchagirlasMaryThorne。\'

\'Asfarasthegirlherselfisconcerned，\'saidthesquire，turningratherred，\'Iamnotsurethathecoulddomuchbetter。IknownothingwhateveragainstMary。Frank，however，cannotaffordtomakesuchamatch。Itwouldbehisruin。\'

\'Ofcourseitwould；utterruin；henevercouldholduphisheadagain。ThereforeitisIask，Whatdoyouintendtodo？\'

Thesquirewasbothered。Hehadnointentionwhateverofdoinganything，annobeliefinhiswife\'sassertionastoDrThorne\'siniquity。Buthedidnotknowhowtogetheroutoftheroom。Sheaskedhimthesamequestionoverandoveragain，andoneachoccasionurgedonhimtheheinousnessoftheinsulttowhichshepersonallyhadbeensubjected；sothatatlasthewasdriventoaskherwhatitwasshewishedhimtodo。

\'Well，then，MrGresham，ifyouaskme，Imustsay，thatIthinkyoushouldabstainfromanyintercoursewithDrThornewhatever。\'

\'Breakoffallintercoursewithhim？\'

\'Yes。\'

\'Whatdoyoumean？Hehasbeenturnedoutofthishouse，andI\'mnottogotoseehimathisown。\'

\'IcertainlythinkthatyououghttodiscontinueyourvisitstoDrThornealtogether。\'

\'Nonsense，mydear；absolutenonsense。\'

\'Nonsense！MrGresham；itisnononsense。Asyouspeakinthatway，I

mustletyouknowplainlywhatIfeel。Iamendeavouringtodomydutybymyson。Asyoujustlyobserve，suchamarriageasthiswouldbeutterruintohim。WhenIfoundthattheyoungpeoplewereactuallytalkingofbeinginlovewitheachother，makingvowsandallthatsortofthing，Ididthinkittimetointerfere。Ididnot，however，turnthemoutofGreshamsburyasyouaccusemeofdoing。Inthekindestpossiblemanner——\'

\'Well——well——well；Iknowallthat。There，theyaregone，andthat\'senough。Idon\'tcomplain；surelythatoughttobeenough。\'

\'Enough！MrGresham。No；itisnotenough。Ifindthat，inspiteofwhathasoccurred，theclosestintimacyexistsbetweenthetwofamilies；thatpoorBeatrice，whoissoveryyoung，andnotsoprudentassheshouldbe，ismadetoactasago-between；andwhenIspeaktothedoctor，hopingthathewillassistmeinpreventingthis，henotonlytellsmethathemeanstoencourageMaryinherplans，butpositivelyinsultsmetomyface，laughsatmeforbeinganearl\'sdaughter，andtellsme——yes，heabsolutelytoldme——togetoutofhishouse。\'

Letitbetoldwithsomeshameastothesquire\'sconduct，thathisfirstfeelingonhearingthiswasoneofenvy——ofenvyandregretthathecouldnotmakethesameuncivilrequest。Notthathewishedtoturnhiswifeabsolutelyoutofhishouse；buthewouldhavebeenverygladtohavehadthepowerofdismissinghersummarilyfromhisownroom。

This，however，wasatpresentimpossible；sohewasobligedtomakesomemildreply。

\'Youmusthavemistakenhim，mydear。Hecouldnothaveintendedtosaythat。\'

\'Oh！ofcourse，MrGresham。Itisamistake，ofcourse。Itwillbeamistake，onlyamistakewhenyoufindyoursonmarriedtoMaryThorne。\'

\'Well，mydear，IcannotundertaketoquarrelwithDrThorne。\'Thiswastrue；forthesquirecouldhardlyhavequarrelledwithDrThorne，evenhadhewishedit。

\'ThenIthinkitrighttotellyouthatIshall。And，MrGresham，I

didnotexpectmuchco-operationfromyou；butIdidthinkthatyouwouldhaveshownsomelittleangerwhenyouheardthatIhadbeensoill-treated。Ishall，however，knowhowtotakecareofmyself；andI

shallcontinuetodothebestIcantoprotectFrankfromthesewickedintrigues。\'

Sosaying，herladyshiparoseandlefttheroom，havingsucceededindestroyingtocomfortofallourGreshamsburyfriends。ItwasverywellforthesquiretodeclarethathewouldnotquarrelwithDrThorne，andofcoursehedidnotdoso。Buthe，himself，hadnowishwhateverthathissonshouldmarryMaryThorne；andasafallingdropwillhollowastone，sodidthecontinualharpingofhiswifeonthesubjectgiverisetosomeamountofsuspicioninhisownmind。ThenastoBeatrice，thoughshehadmadenopromisethatshewouldnotagainvisitMary，shewasbynomeanspreparedtosethermother\'sauthorityaltogetheratdefiance；andshealsowassufficientlyuncomfortable。

DrThornesaidnothingofthemattertohisniece，andshe，therefore，wouldhavebeenabsolutelybewilderedbyBeatrice\'sabsence，hadshenotreceivedsometidingsofwhathadtakenplaceatGreshamsburythroughPatienceOriel。BeatriceandPatiencediscussedthematterfully，anditwasagreedbetweenthemthatitwouldbebetterthatMaryshouldknowwhatsternerordersrespectingherhadgoneforthfromthetyrantatGreshamsbury，andthatshemightunderstandthatBeatrice\'sabsencewascompulsory。Patiencewasthusplacedinthisposition，thatononedayshewalkedandtalkedwithBeatrice，andonthenextwithMary；andsomatterswentonforawhileatGreshamsbury——notverypleasantly。

VeryunpleasantlyandveryuncomfortablydidthemonthsofMayandJunepassaway。BeatriceandMaryoccasionallymet，drinkingteatogetherattheparsonage，orinsomeotheroftheordinarymeetingsofthecountrysociety；buttherewerenomoreconfidentiallydistressingconfidentialdiscourses，nomorewhisperingofFrank\'sname，nomoresweetallusionstotheinexpediencyofapassion，which，accordingtoBeatrice\'sviews，wouldhavebeensodelightfulhaditbeenexpedient。

Thesquireandthedoctoralsometconstantly；therewereunfortunatelymanysubjectsonwhichtheywereobligedtomeet。LouisPhilippe——orSirLouisaswemustcallhim——thoughhehadnopoweroverhisownproperty，waswideawaketoallthecomingprivilegesofownership，andhewouldconstantlypointouttohisguardianthemannerinwhich，accordingtohisideas，themostshouldbemadeofit。Theyoungbaronet\'sideasofgoodtastewerenotofthemostrefineddescription，andhedidnothesitatetotellDrThornethathis，thedoctor\'sfriendshipwithMrGreshammustbenobartohis，thebaronet\'sinterest。SirLouisalsohadhisownlawyer，whogaveDrThornetounderstand，that，accordingtohisideas，thesumdueonMrGresham\'spropertywastoolargetobeleftonitspresentfooting；thetitle-deeds，hesaid，shouldbesurrenderedorthemortgageforeclosed。AllthisaddedtothesadnesswhichnowseemedtoenvelopthevillageofGreshamsbury。

EarlyinJulyFrankwastocomehome。Themannerinwhichthecomingsandgoingsof\'poorFrank\'wereallowedtodisturbthearrangementsofalltheladies，andsomeofthegentlemen，ofGreshamsburywasmostabominable。Andyetitcanhardlybesaidtohavebeenhisfault。Hewouldhavebeenonlytoowellpleasedhadthingsbeenallowedtogoonaftertheiroldfashion。Thingswerenotallowedsotogoon。AtChristmasMissOrielhadsubmittedtobeexiled，inorderthatshemightcarryMaryawayfromthepresenceoftheyoungBashaw，anarrangementbywhichallthewinterfestivitiesofthepoordoctorhadbeenthoroughlysacrificed；andnowitbegantobesaidthatsomesimilarplanforthesummermustbearranged。

ItmustnotbesupposedthatanydirectiontothiseffectwasconveyedeithertoMaryortothedoctor。Thesuggestioncamefromthem，andwasmentionedonlytoPatience。ButPatience，asamatterofcourse，toldBeatrice，andBeatricetoldhermother，somewhattriumphantly，hopingtherebytoconvincetheshe-dragonofMary\'sinnocence。Alas！

she-dragonsarenoteasilyconvincedoftheinnocenceofanyone。LadyArabellaquitecoincidedtheproprietyofMary\'sbeingsentoff，——whithersheneverinquired，——inorderthatthecoastmightbeclearfor\'poorFrank\'；butshedidnotawhitthemoreabstainfromtalkingofthewickedintriguesofthoseThornes。Asitturnedout，Mary\'sabsencecausedhertotalkallthemore。

TheBoxallHillproperty，includingthehouseandfurniture，hadbeenlefttothecontractor\'sson；itbeingunderstoodthatthepropertywouldnotbeatpresentinhisownhands，butthathemightinhabitthehouseifhechosetodoso。ItwouldthusbenecessaryforLadyScatcherdtofindahomeforherself，unlessshecouldremainatBoxallHillbyherson\'spermission。Inthispositionofaffairsthedoctorhadbeenobligedtomakeabargainbetweenthem。SirLouisdidwishtohavethecomfort，orperhapsthehonour，ofacountryhouse；buthedidnotwishtohavetheexpenseofkeepingitup。Hewasalsowillingtolethismotherliveatthehouse；butnotwithoutaconsideration。

Afteraprolongeddegreeofhaggling，termswereagreedupon；andafewweeksafterherhusband\'sdeath，LadyScatcherdfoundherselfaloneatBoxallHill——aloneasregardssocietyintheordinarysense，butnotquitealoneasconcernedherladyship，forthefaithfulHannahwasstillwithher。

ThedoctorwasofcourseoftenatBoxallHill，andneverleftitwithoutanurgentrequestfromLadyScatcherdthathewouldbringhisnieceovertoseeher。NowLadyScatcherdwasnofitcompanionforMaryThorne，andthoughMaryhadoftenaskedtobetakentoBoxallHill，certainconsiderationshadhithertoinducedthedoctortorefusetherequest；buttherewasaboutLadyScatcherd，——akindofhomelyhonestyofpurpose，anabsenceofallconceitastoherownposition，andastrengthofwomanlyconfidenceinthedoctorasherfriend，whichbydegreeswonuponhisheart。When，therefore，bothheandMaryfeltthatitwouldbebetterforheragaintoabsentherselfforawhilefromGreshamsbury，itwas，aftermuchdeliberation，agreedthatsheshouldgoonavisittoBoxallHill。

ToBoxallHill，accordingly，shewent，andwasreceivedalmostasaprincess。Maryhadallherlifebeenaccustomedtowomenofrank，andhadneverhabituatedherselftofeelmuchtrepidationinthepresenceoftitledgrandees；butshehadpreparedherselftobemorethanordinarilysubmissivetoLadyScatcherd。Herhostesswasawidow，wasnotawomanofhighbirth，wasawomanofwhomherunclespokewell；

and，forallthesereasons，Marywasdeterminedtorespecther，andpaytohereveryconsideration。Butwhenshesettleddowninthehouseshefounditalmostimpossibletodoso。LadyScatcherdtreatedherasafarmer\'swifemighthavetreatedaconvalescentyoungladywhohadbeensenttoherchargeforafewweeks，inorderthatshemightbenefitbythecountryair。Herladyshipcouldhardlybringherselftositstillandeatherdinnertranquillyinherguest\'spresence。AndthennothingwasgoodenoughforMary。LadyScatcherdbesoughther，almostwithtears，tosaywhatshelikedbesttoeatanddrink；andwasindespairwhenMarydeclaredshedidn\'tcare，thatshelikedanything，andthatshewasinnowiseparticularinsuchmatters。

\'Aroastfowl，MissThorne？\'

\'Verynice，LadyScatcherd。\'

\'Andbreadsauce？\'

\'Breadsauce——yes；oh，yes——Ilikebreadsauce，\'——andpoorMarytriedhardtoshowalittleinterest。

\'Andjustafewsausages。Wemakethemallinthehouse，MissThorne；

weknowwhattheyare。Andmashedpotatoes——doyoulikethembestmashedorbaked？\'

Maryfindingherselfobligedtovote，votedformashedpotatoes。

\'Verywell。But，MissThorne，ifyoulikeboiledfowlbetter，withalittlebitofham，youknow，Idohopeyou\'llsayso。Andthere\'slambinthehouse，quitebeautiful；nowdo\'eesaysomething；do\'ee，MissThorne。\'

Soinvoked，Maryfeltherselfobligedtosaysomething，anddeclaredfortheroastfowlandsausages；butshefounditverydifficulttopaymuchoutwardrespecttoapersonwhowouldpaysomuchoutwardrespecttoher。Adayortwoafterherarrivalitwasdecidedthatsheshouldrideabouttheplaceonadonkey；shewasaccustomedtoriding，thedoctorhavinggenerallytakencarethatoneofhisownhorsesshould，whenrequired，consenttocarryalady；buttherewasnosteedatBoxallHillthatshecouldmount；andwhenLadyScatcherdhadofferedtogetaponyforher，shehadwillinglycompromisedmattersbyexpressingthedelightshewouldhaveinmakingacampaignonadonkey。Uponthis，LadyScatcherdhadherselfsetoffinquestofthedesiredanimal，muchtoMary\'shorror；anddidnotreturntillthenecessarypurchasehadbeeneffected。Thenshecamebackwiththedonkeycloseatherheels，almostholdingitscollar，andstoodthereatthehall-doortillMarycametoapprove。

\'Ihopeshe\'lldo。Idon\'tthinkshe\'llkick，\'saidLadyScatcherd，pattingtheheadofherpurchasequitetriumphantly。

\'Oh，youaresokind，LadyScatcherd。I\'msureshe\'lldoquitenicely；

sheseemsveryquiet，\'saidMary。

\'Please，mylady，it\'sahe，\'saidtheboywhoheldthehalter。

\'Oh！ahe，isit？\'saidherladyship；\'butthehe-donkeysarequiteasquietastheshesain\'tthey？\'

\'Oh，yes，mylady；adealquieter，alltheworldover，andtwiceasuseful。\'

\'I\'msogladofthat，MissThorne，\'saidLadyScatcherd，hereyesbrightwithjoy。

AndsoMarywasestablishedwithherdonkey，whodidallthatcouldbeexpectedfromananimalinhisposition。

\'But，dearLadyScatcherd，\'saidMary，astheysattogetherattheopendrawing-roomwindowthesameevening，\'youmustnotgooncallingmeMissThorne；mynameisMary，youknow。Won\'tyoucallmeMary？\'andshecameandkneltatLadyScatcherd\'sfeet，andtookholdofher，lookingupintoherface。

LadyScatcherd\'scheeksbecameratherred，asthoughshewassomewhatashamedofherposition。

\'Youareverykindtome，\'continuedMary，\'anditseemssocoldtohearyoucallmeMissThorne。\'

\'Well，MissThorne，I\'msureI\'dcallyouanythingtopleaseyou。OnlyIdidn\'tknowwhetheryou\'dlikeitfromme。ElseIdothinkMaryistheprettiestnameinallthelanguage。\'

\'Ishouldlikeitverymuch。\'

\'MydearRogeralwayslovedthatnamebetterthananyother；tentimesbetter。IusedtowishsometimesthatI\'dbeencalledMary。\'

\'Didhe！Why？\'

\'HeoncehadasistercalledMary；suchabeautifulcreature！Ideclarethatsometimesthinkyouarelikeher。\'

\'Oh，dear！thenshemusthavebeenverybeautifulindeed！\'saidMary，laughing。

\'Shewasverybeautiful。Ijustrememberher——oh，sobeautiful！shewasquiteapoorgirl，youknow；andsowasIthen。Isn\'titoddthatI

shouldhavetobecalled“mylady“now。DoyouknowMissThorne——\'

\'Mary！Mary！\'saidherguest。

\'Ah，yes；butsomehow，Ihardlyliketomakesofree；but，asIwassaying，Idosodislikebeingcalled“mylady“：Ialwaysthinkthepeoplearelaughingatme；andsotheyare。\'

\'Oh，nonsense。\'

\'Yestheyarethough：poordearRoger，heusedtocallme“mylady“

justtomakefunofme；Ididn\'tminditsomuchfromhim。But，MissThorne——\'

\'Mary，Mary，Mary。\'

\'Ah，well！Ishalldoitintime。But，Miss——Mary，ha！ha！ha！nevermind，letmealone。ButwhatIwanttosayisthis：doyouthinkI

coulddropit？Hannahsays，thatifIgotherightwayaboutitsheissureIcan。\'

\'Oh！but，LadyScatcherd，youshouldn\'tthinkofsuchathing。\'

\'Shouldn\'tInow？\'

\'Oh，no；foryourhusband\'ssakeyoushouldbeproudofit。Hegainedgreathonour，youknow。\'

\'Ah，well，\'saidshe，sighingafterashortpause；\'ifyouthinkitwilldohimanygood，ofcourseI\'llputupwithit。AndthenIknowLouiswouldbemadifItalkedofsuchathing。But，MissThorne，dear，awomanlikemedon\'tliketohavetobemadeafoolofallthedaysofherlifeifshecanhelpit。\'

\'But，LadyScatcherd，\'saidMary，whenthisquestionofthetitlehadbeendulysettled，andherladyshipmadetounderstandthatshemustbeartheburdenfortherestofherlife，\'but，LadyScatcherd，youwerespeakingofSirRoger\'ssister；whatbecameofher？\'

\'Oh，shedidverywellatlast，asSirRogerdidhimself；butinearlylifeshewasveryunfortunate——justatHistoriaAugustatimeofmymarriagetodearRoger——，\'andthen，justasshewasabouttocommencesomuchassheknewofthehistoryofMaryScatcherd，sherememberedthattheauthorofhersister-in-law\'smiseryhadbeenaThorne，abrotherofthedoctor；and，therefore，asshepresumed，arelativeofherguest；andsuddenlyshebecamemute。

\'Well，\'saidMary；\'justasyouweremarried，LadyScatcherd？\'

PoorLadyScatcherdhadverylittleworldlyknowledge，anddidnotintheleastknowhowtoturntheconversationorescapefromthetroubleintowhichshehadfallen。Allmannerofreflectionsbegantocrowduponher。InherearlydaysshehadknownverylittleoftheThornes，norhadshethoughtmuchofthemsince，exceptasregardedherfriendthedoctor；butatthismomentshebegantothinkthatshehadneverheardmorethantwobrothersinthefamily。WhothencouldhaveMary\'sfather？ShefeltatoncethatitwouldbeimproperfortosayanythingastoHenryThorne\'sterriblefaultsandsuddenfate；——improperalso，tosaymoreaboutMaryScatcherd；butshewasquiteunabletodropthematterotherwisethanabruptly，andwithastart。

\'Shewasveryunfortunate，yousay，LadyScatcherd？\'

\'Yes，MissThorne；Mary，Imean——nevermindme——Ishalldoitintime。

Yes，shewas；butnowIthinkofit，Ihadbettersaynothingmoreaboutit。Therearereasons，andIoughtnottohavespokenofit。Youwon\'tbeprovokedwithme，willyou？\'

Maryassuredherthatshewouldnotbeprovoked，andofcourseaskednomorequestionsaboutMaryScatcherd；nordidshethinkmuchmoreaboutit。Itwasnotsohoweverwithherladyship，whocouldnotkeepherselffromreflectingthattheoldclergymanattheCloseatBarchestercertainlyhadbuttwosons，oneofwhomwasnowthedoctoratGreshamsbury，andtheotherofwhomhadperishedsowretchedlyatthegateofthatfarmyard。WhothenwasthefatherofMaryThorne？

ThedayspassedveryquietlyatBoxallHill。EverymorningMarywentoutonherdonkey，whojustifiedbyhisdemeanourallthathadbeensaidinhispraise；thenshewouldreadordraw，thenwalkwithLadyScatcherd，thendine，thenwalkagain；andsothedayspassedquietlyaway。Onceortwiceaweekthedoctorwouldcomeoveranddrinkhisteathere，ridinghomeinthecooloftheevening。MaryalsoreceivedonevisitfromherfriendPatience。

SothedayspassedquietlyawaytillthetranquillityofthehousewassuddenlybrokenbytidingsfromLondon。LadyScatcherdreceivedaletterfromherson，containedinthreelines，inwhichheintimatedthatonthefollowingdayhemeanttohonourthemwithavisit。Hehadintended，hesaid，tohavegonetoBrightonwithsomefriends；butashefelthimselfalittleoutofsorts，hewouldpostponehismarinetripanddohismotherthegraceofspendingafewdayswithher。

ThisnewswasnotverypleasanttoMary，bywhomithadbeenunderstood，asithadbeenalsobyheruncle，thatLadyScatcherdwouldhavehadthehousetoherself；butastherewasnomeansofpreventingtheevil，Marycouldonlyinformthedoctor，andprepareherselftomeetSirLouisScatcherd。

CHAPTERXXVIII

THEDOCTORHEARSSOMETHINGTOHISADVANTAGE

SirLouisScatcherdhadtoldhismotherthathewasratheroutofsorts，andwhenhereachedBoxallHillitcertainlydidnotappearthathehadgivenanyexaggeratedstatementofhisownmaladies。Hecertainlywasagooddealoutofsorts。Hehadhadmorethanoneattackofdeliriumtremensafterhisfather\'sdeath，andhadalmostbeenatdeath\'sdoor。

NothinghadbeensaidaboutthisbyDrThorneatBoxallHill；buthewasbynomeansignorantofhisward\'sstate。TwicehehadgoneuptoLondontovisithim；twicehehadbeggedhimtogodownintothecountryandplacehimselfunderhismother\'scare。Onthelastoccasion，thedoctorhadthreatenedhimwithallmannerofpainsandpenalties：withpains，astohisspeedydeparturefromthisworldandallitsjoys；andwithpenalties，intheshapeofpovertyifthatdepartureshouldbyanychanceberetarded。Butthesethreatshadatthemomentbeeninvain，andthedoctorhadcompromisedmattersbyinducingSirLouistopromisethathewouldgotoBrighton。Thebaronet，however，whowasatlengthfrightenedbysomerenewedattack，gaveuphisBrightonscheme，and，withoutnoticetothedoctor，hurrieddowntoBoxallHill。

Marydidnotseehimonthefirstdayofhiscoming，butthedoctordid。Hereceivedsuchintimationofthevisitasenabledhimtobeatthehousesoonaftertheyoungman\'sarrival；and，knowingthathisassistancemightbenecessary，herodeovertoBoxallHill。Itwasadreadfultasktohim，thisofmakingthesamefruitlessendeavourforthesonthathehadmadeforthefather，andinthesamehouse。Buthewasboundbyeveryconsiderationtoperformthetask。Hehadpromisedthefatherthathewoulddoforthesonallthatwasinhispower；andhehad，moreover，theconsciousness，thatshouldSirLouissucceedindestroyinghimself，thenextheirtoallthepropertywashisownniece，MaryThorne。

HefoundSirLouisinalow，wretched，miserablestate。Thoughhewasadrunkardashisfatherwas，hewasnotatallsuchadrunkardashisfather。Thephysicalcapacitiesofthemenwereverydifferent。Thedailyamountofalcoholwhichthefatherhadconsumedwouldhaveburntupthesoninaweek；whereas，thoughthesonwascontinuallytipsy，whatheswallowedwouldhardlyhavehadaninjuriouseffectuponthefather。

\'Youareallwrong，quitewrong，\'saidSirLouispetulantly；\'itisn\'tthatatall。Ihavetakennothingthisweekpast——literallynothing。I

thinkit\'stheliver。\'

DrThornewantednoonetotellhimwhatwasthematterwithhisward。

Itwashisliver；hisliver，andhishead，andhisstomach，andhisheart。Everyorganinhisbodyhadbeendestroyed，orwasinthecourseofdestruction。Hisfatherhadkilledhimselfwithbrandy；thesonmoreelevatedinhistastes，wasdoingthesamethingwithcuracoa，maraschino，andcherry-bounce。

\'SirLouis，\'saidthedoctor——hewasobligedtobemuchmorepunctiliouswithhimthanhehadbeenwiththecontractor——\'thematterisinyourhandsentirely：ifyoucannotkeepyourlipsfromthataccursedpoison，youhavenothinginthisworldtolookforwardto；nothing，nothing！\'

MaryproposedtoreturnwithheruncletoGreshamsbury，andhewasatfirstinclinedthatsheshoulddoso。Butthisideawasoverruled，partlyincompliancewithLadyScatcherd\'sentreaties，andpartlybecauseitwouldhaveseemedasthoughtheyhadboththoughtthepresenceoftheownerhadmadethehouseanunfithabitationfordecentpeople。Thedoctor，therefore，returned，leavingMarythere；andLadyScatcherdbusiedherselfbetweenhertwoguests。

OnthenextdaySirLouiswasabletocomedowntoalatedinner，andMarywasintroducedtohim。Hehaddressedhimselfinhisbestarray；

andashehad——atanyrateforthepresentmoment——beenfrightenedoutofhislibations，hewaspreparedtomakehimselfasagreeableaspossible。Hismotherwaitedonhimalmostasaslavemighthavedone；

butsheseemedtodosowiththefearofaslaveratherthantheloveofamother。Shewasfidgetyinherattentions，andworriedhimbyendeavouringtomakehereveningsitting-roomagreeable。

ButSirLouis，thoughhewasnotverysweetlybehavedunderthesemanipulationsfromhismother\'shands，wasquitecomplaisanttoMissThorne；nay，aftertheexpirationofaweekhewasalmostmorethancomplaisant。Hepiquedhimselfonhisgallantry，andnowfoundthat，intheotherwisedullseclusionofBoxallHill，hehadagoodopportunityofexercisingit。Todohimjusticeitmustbeadmittedthathewouldnothavebeenincapableofadecentcareerhadhestumbledonsomegirlwhocouldhavelovedhimbeforehestumbleduponhismaraschinobottle。Suchmighthavebeenthecasewithmanyalostrake。Thethingsthatarebadareacceptedbecausethethingsthataregooddonotcomeeasilyinhisway。Howmanyamiserablefatherrevileswithbitternessofspiritthelowtastesofhisson，whohasdonenothingtoprovidehischildwithhigherpleasures！

SirLouis——partlyinthehopesofMary\'ssmiles，andpartlyfrightenedbythedoctor\'sthreats——did，forawhile，keephimselfwithindecentbounds。HedidnotusuallyappearbeforeMary\'seyestillthreeorfourintheafternoon；butwhenhedidcomeforth，hecameforthsoberandresolutetoplease。Hismotherwasdelighted，andwasnotslowtosinghispraises；andeventhedoctor，whonowvisitedBoxallHillmorefrequentlythanever，begantohavesomehopes。

Oneconstantsubject，Imustnotsayofconversation，onthepartofLadyScatcherd，butratherofdeclamation，hadhithertobeenthebeautyandmanlyattributesofFrankGresham。ShehadhardlyceasedtotalktoMaryoftheinfinitegoodqualitiesoftheyoungsquire，andespeciallyofhisprowessinthematterofMrMoffat。Maryhadlistenedtoallthiseloquence，notperhapswithinattention，butwithoutmuchreply。ShehadnotbeenexactlysorrytohearFranktalkedabout；indeed，hadshebeensominded，shecouldherselfhavesaidsomethingonthesamesubject；butshedidnotwishtotakeLadyScatcherdaltogetherintoherconfidence，andshehadbeenunabletosaymuchaboutFrankGreshamwithoutdoingso。LadyScatcherdhad，therefore，graduallyconceivedthatherdarlingwasnotafavouritewithherguest。

Now，therefore，shechangedthesubject；and，asherownsonwasbehavingwithsuchunexampledpropriety，shedroppedFrankandconfinedhereulogiestoLouis。Hehadbeenalittlewild，sheadmitted；youngmensooftenwereso；butshehopedthatitwasnowover。

\'HedoesstilltakealittledropofthoseFrenchdrinksinthemorning，\'saidLadyScatcherd，inherconfidence；forshewastoohonesttobefalse，eveninherowncause。\'Hedoesthat，Iknow：butthat\'snothing，mydear，toswillingallday；andeverythingcan\'tbedoneatonce，canit，MissThorne？\'

OnthissubjectMaryfoundhertongueloosened。ShecouldnottalkaboutFrankGresham，butshecouldspeakwithhopetothemotherofheronlyson。ShecouldsaythatSirLouiswasstillveryyoung；thattherewasreasontotrustthathemightnowreform；thathispresentconductwasapparentlygood；andthatheappearedcapableofbetterthings。Somuchshedidsay；andthemothertookhersympathyformorethanitwasworth。

Onthismatter，andonthismatterperhapsalone，SirLouisandLadyScatcherdwereinaccord。TherewasmuchtorecommendMarytothebaronet；notonlydidheseehertobebeautiful，andperceivehertobeattractiveandladylike；butshewasalsothenieceofthemanwho，forthepresent，heldthepurse-stringsofhiswealth。Mary，itistrue，hadnofortune。ButSirLouisknewthatshewasacknowledgedtobealady；andhewasambitiousthathis\'lady\'shouldbealady。TherewasalsomuchtorecommendMarytothemother，toanymother；andthusitcametopass，thatMissThornehadnoobstaclebetweenherandthedignityofbeingLadyScatcherdthesecond；——noobstaclewhatever，ifonlyshecouldbringherselftowishit。

Itwassometime——twoorthreeweeks，perhaps——beforeMary\'smindwasfirstopenedtothisnewbrilliancyinherprospects。SirLouisatfirstwasratherafraidofher，anddidnotdeclarehisadmirationinanyverydeterminedterms。Hecertainlypaidhermanycomplimentswhich，fromanyoneelseshewouldhaveregardedasabominable。Butshedidnotexpectgreatthingsfromthebaronet\'staste：sheconcludedthathewasonlydoingwhathethoughtagentlemanshoulddo；andshewaswillingtoforgivemuchforLadyScatcherd\'ssake。

Hisfirstattemptswere，perhaps，moreludicrousthanpassionate。Hewasstilltoomuchaninvalidtotakewalks，andMarywasthereforesavedfromhiscompanyinherrambles；buthehadahorseofhisownatBoxallHill，andhadbeenadvisedtoridebythedoctor。Maryalsorode——onadonkeyonly，itistrue——butSirLouisfoundhimselfboundingallantrytoaccompanyher。Mary\'ssteedhadansweredeveryexpectations，andprovedhimselfveryquiet；soquiet，thatwithouttheadmonitionofacudgelbehindhim，hecouldhardlybepersuadedintothedemuresttrot。Now，asSirLouis\'shorsewasofaverydifferentmettle，hefounditratherdifficultnottostepfasterthanhisinamorata；and，letithimstruggleashewould，wasgenerallysofaraheadastobedebarredthedelightsofconversation。

Whenthesecondtimeheproposedtoaccompanyher，Marydidwhatshecouldtohinderit。Shesawthathehadbeenratherashamedofthemannerinwhichhiscompanionwasmounted，andsheherselfwouldhaveenjoyedtheridemuchmorewithouthim。Hewasaninvalid，however；itwasnecessarytomakemuchofhim，andMarydidnotabsolutelyrefusetheoffer。

\'LadyScatcherd，\'saidhe，astheywerestandingatthedoorprevioustomounting——healwayscalledhismotherLadyScatcherd——\'whydon\'tyoutakeahorseforMissThorne？Thisdonkeyis——is——reallyis，sovery——very——can\'tgoatall，youknow？\'

LadyScatcherdbegantodeclarethatshewouldwillinghavegotaponyifMarywouldhaveletherdoit。

\'Oh，no，LadyScatcherd；notonanyaccount。Idolikethedonkeysomuch——Idoindeed。\'

\'Buthewon\'tgo，\'saidSirLouis。\'Andforapersonwhorideslikeyou，MissThorne——suchahorsewomanyouknow——why，youknow，LadyScatcherd，it\'spositivelyridiculous；d——absurd，youknow。\'

Andthen，withanangrylookathismother，hemountedhishorse，andwassoonleadingthewaydowntheavenue。

\'MissThorne，\'saidhe，pullinghimselfupatthegate，\'ifIhadknownthatIwastobesoextremelyhappyastohavefoundyouhere，Iwouldhavebroughtyoudownthemostbeautifulcreature，andArab。ShebelongstomyfriendJenkins；butIwouldn\'thavestoodatanypriceingettingherforyou。ByJove！ifyouwereonthatmare，I\'dbackyou，forstyleandappearance，againstanythinginHydePark。\'

Theofferofthissportingwager，whichnaturallywouldhavebeenverygratifyingtoMary，waslostuponher，forSirLouishadagainunwittinglygotoninadvance，buthestoppedhimselfintimetohearMaryagaindeclareherpassionwasadonkey。

\'IfyoucouldonlyseeJenkins\'slittlemare，MissThorne！Onlysayoneword，andsheshallbedownherebeforetheweek\'send。Priceshallbenoobstacle——nonewhatever。ByJove，whatapairyouwouldbe！\'

Thisgenerousofferwasrepeatedfourorfivetimes；butoneachoccasionMaryonlyhalfheardwhatwassaid，andoneachoccasionthebaronetwasfartoomuchinadvancetohearMary\'sreply。Atlastherecollectedthathewantedtocallononeofhistenants，andbeggedhiscompaniontoallowhimtorideon。

\'Ifyouatalldislikebeingalone，youknow——\'

\'Ohdearno，notatall，SirLouis。Iamquiteusedtoit。\'

\'BecauseIdon\'tcareaboutit，youknow；onlyIcan\'tmakethishorseofwalkthesamepaceasthatbrute。\'

\'Youmustn\'tabusemypet，SirLouis。\'

\'It\'sad——shameonmymother\'spart；\'saidSirLouis，who，evenwheninhisbestbehaviour，couldnotquitegiveuphisordinarymodeofconversation。\'Whenshewasfortunateenoughtogetsuchagirlasyoutocomeandstaywithher，sheoughttohavehadsomethingproperforhertorideupon；butI\'lllooktoitassoonasIamalittlestronger，youseeifIdon\'t；\'and，sosaying，SirLouistrottedoff，leavingMaryinpeacewithherdonkey。

SirLouishadnowbeenlivingcleanlyandforswearingsackforwhatwastohimaverylongperiod，andhishealthfeltthegoodeffectsofit。

Noonerejoicedatthismorecordiallythandidthedoctor。Torejoiceatitwaswithhimapointofconscience。Hecouldnothelptellinghimselfnowandagainthat，circumstancedashewas，hewasmostspeciallyboundtotakejoyinanysignofreformationthatthebaronetmightshow。NottodosowouldbealmosttantamounttowishingthathemightdieinorderthatMarymightinherithiswealth；and，therefore，thedoctordidwithallhisenergydevotehimselftothedifficulttaskofhopingandstrivingthatSirLouismightyetlivetoenjoywhatwashisown。Butthetaskwasaltogetheradifficultone，forasSirLouisbecamestrongerinhealth，soalsodidhebecomemoreexorbitantinhisdemandsonthedoctor\'spatience，andmorerepugnanttothedoctor\'stastes。

Inhisworstfitsofdisreputablelivinghewasashamedtoapplytohisguardianformoney；andinhisworstfitsofillnesshewasthroughfear，somewhatpatientunderhisdoctor\'shands；butjustatpresenthehadnothingofwhichtobeashamed，andwasnotatallpatient。

\'Doctor，\'——saidhe，oneday，atBoxallHill——\'howaboutthoseGreshamsburytitle-deeds？\'

\'Oh，thatwillallbeproperlysettledbetweenmylawyerandyourown。\'

\'Oh——ah——yes；nodoubtthelawyerswillsettleit；settleitwithafinebillofcosts。But，asFinniesays，\'——FinniewasSirLouis\'slegaladviser——\'Ihavegotatremendouslylargeinterestatstakeinthismatter；eightythousandpoundsisnojoke。Itain\'teverybodythatcanshellouteightythousandpoundswhenthey\'rewanted；andIshouldliketoknowhowthething\'sgoingon。I\'vearighttoask，youknow；eh，doctor？\'

\'Thetitle-deedsofalargeportionofGreshamsburyestatewillbeplacedwiththemortgage-deedsbeforetheendofnextmonth。\'

\'Oh，that\'sallright。Ichoosetoknowaboutthesethings；forthoughmyfatherdidmakesuchacon-foun-dedwill，that\'snoreasonI

shouldn\'tknowhowthingsaregoing。\'

\'YoushallknoweverythingthatIknow，SirLouis。\'

\'Andnow，doctor，whatarewetodoaboutmoney？\'

\'Aboutmoney？\'

\'Yes；money，rhino，ready！“putmoneyinyourpurseandcutadash“；

eh，doctor？NotthatIwanttocutadash。No，I\'mgoingonthequietlinealtogethernow：I\'vedonewiththatsortofthing。\'

\'I\'mheartilygladofit；heartily，\'saidthedoctor。

\'Yes，I\'mnotgoingtomakewayformyfar-awaycousinyet；notifI

knowit，atleast。Ishallsoonbeallrightnow，doctor；shan\'tI？\'

\'“Allright“isalongword，SirLouis。ButIdohopeyouwillbeallrightintime，ifyouwilllivewithdecentprudence。Youshouldn\'ttakethatfilthinthemorningthough。\'

\'Filthinthemorning！That\'smymother，Isuppose！That\'sherladyship！She\'sbeentalking，hasshe？Don\'tyoubelieveher，doctor。There\'snotayoungmaninBarsetshireisgoingmoreregular，allrightwithintheposts，thanIam。\'

Thedoctorwasobligedtoacknowledgethattheredidseemtobesomeimprovement。

\'Andnow，doctor，howaboutmoney，eh？\'

DoctorThorne，likeotherguardianssimilarlycircumstanced，begantoexplainthatSirLouishadalreadyhadagooddealofmoney，andhadbegunalsotopromisethatmoreshouldbeforthcomingintheeventofgoodbehaviour，whenhewassomewhatsuddenlyinterruptedbySirLouis。

\'Well，now；I\'lltellyouwhat，doctor；I\'vegotabitofnewsforyou；

somethingthatIthinkwillastonishyou。\'

Thedoctoropenedhiseyes，andtriedtolookasthoughreadytobesurprised。

\'Somethingthatwillreallymakeyoulookabout；andsomething，too，thatwillbeverymuchtothehearer\'sadvantage，——asthenewspaperadvertisementssay。\'

\'Somethingtomyadvantage？\'saidthedoctor。

\'Well，Ihopeyou\'llthinkso。Doctor，whatwouldyouthinknowofmygettingmarried？\'

\'Ishouldbedelightedtohearofit——moredelightedthanIcanexpress；

thatis，ofcourse，ifyouweretomarrywell。Itwasyourfather\'smosteagerwishthatyoushouldmarryearly。\'

\'That\'spartlymyreason，\'saidtheyounghypocrite。\'ButthenifI

marryImusthaveanincomefittoliveon；eh，doctor？\'