第12章

Thedoctorhadsomefearthathisinterestingprotegewasdesirousofawifeforthesakeoftheincome，insteadofdesiringtheincomeforthesakeofthewife。Butletthecausebewhatitwould，marriagewouldprobablybegoodforhim；andhehadnohesitation，therefore，intellinghim，thatifhemarriedwell，heshouldbeputinpossessionofsufficientincometomaintainthenewLadyScatcherdinamannerbecomingherdignity。

\'Astomarryingwell，\'saidSirLouis，\'you，Itakeit，willthebethelastman，doctor，toquarrelwithmychoice。\'

\'WillI？\'saidthedoctor，smiling。

\'Well，youwon\'tdisapprove，Iguess，astheYankeesays。WhatwouldyouthinkofMissMaryThorne？\'

ItmustbesaidinSirLouis\'sfavourthathehadprobablynoideawhateveroftheestimationinwhichsuchyoungladiesasMaryThorneareheldbythosewhoarenearestanddearesttothem。Hehadnosortofconceptionthatshewasregardedbyheruncleandinestimabletreasure，almosttooprecioustoberendereduptothearmsofanyman；

andinfinitelybeyondanypriceinsilverandgold，baronet\'sincomesofeightortenthousandayear，andsuchcoinsusuallycurrentintheworld\'smarkets。Hewasarichmanandabaronet，andMarywasanunmarriedgirlwithoutaportion。InLouis\'sestimationhewasofferingeverything，andaskingfornothing。Hecertainlyhadsomeideathatgirlswereapttobecoy，andrequiredalittlewooingintheshapeofpresents，civilspeeches——perhapskissesalso。Thecivilspeecheshehad，hethought，done，andimaginedthattheyhadbeenwellreceived。Theotherthingsweretofollow；anArabpony，forinstance——andthekissesprobablywithit；andthenallthesedifficultieswouldbesmoothed。

Buthedidnotforamomentconceivethattherewouldbeanydifficultywiththeuncle。Howshouldtherebe？Washenotabaronetwithtenthousandayearcomingtohim？Hadhenoteverythingwhichfatherswantforportionlessdaughters，andunclesfordependantnieces？Mighthenotwellinformthedoctorthathehadsomethingtotellhimforhisadvantage？

Andyet，totellthetruth，thedoctordidnotseemtobeoverjoyedwhentheannouncementwasfirstmadetohim。Hewasbynomeansoverjoyed。Onthecontrary，evenSirLouiscouldperceivehisguardian\'ssurprisewasaltogetherunmixedwithdelight。

Whataquestionwasthisthatwasaskedhim！WhatwouldhethinkofamarriagebetweenMaryThorne——hisMaryandSirLouisScatcherd？Betweenthealphaofthewholealphabet，andhimwhomhecouldnotbutregardastheomega！Thinkofit！Whyhewouldthinkofitasthoughalambandawolfweretostandatthealtartogether。HadSirLouisbeenaHottentot，oranEsquimaux，theproposalcouldnothaveastonishedhimmore。Thetwopersonsweresototallyofadifferentclass，thattheideaoftheonefallinginlovewiththeotherhadneveroccurredtohim。\'WhatwouldyouthinkofMissMaryThorne？\'SirLouishadasked；

andthedoctor，insteadofansweringhimwithreadyandpleasantalacrity，stoodsilent，thunderstruckwithamazement。

\'Well，wouldn\'tshebeagoodwife？\'saidSirLouis，ratherinatoneofdisgustattheevidentdisapprovalshowninhischoice。\'Ithoughtyouwouldhavebeensodelighted。\'

\'MaryThorne！\'ejaculatedthedoctoratlast。\'Haveyouspokentomynieceaboutthis，SirLouis？\'

\'Well，IhaveandyetIhaven\'t；Ihaven\'t，andyetinamannerI

have。\'

\'Idon\'tunderstandyou，\'saidthedoctor。

\'Why，yousee，Ihaven\'texactlypoppedtoheryet；butIhavebeendoingthecivil；andifshe\'suptosnuff，asItakehertobe，sheknowsverywellwhatI\'mafterbythistime。\'

Uptosnuff！MaryThorne，hisMaryThorne，uptosnuff！Tosnufftooofsuchaverydisagreeabledescription！

\'Ithink，SirLouis，thatyouareinmistakeaboutthis。IthinkyouwillfindthatMarywillnotbedisposedtoavailherselfofthegreatadvantages——forgreattheyundoubtedlyare——whichyouareabletooffertoyourintendedwife。Ifyouwilltakemyadvice，youwillgiveupthinkingofMary。Shewouldnotsuityou。\'

\'Notsuitme！Oh，butIthinkshejustwould。She\'sgotnomoney，youmean？\'

\'No，Ididnotmeanthat。Itwillnotsignifytoyouwhetheryourwifehasmoneyornot。Youneednotlookformoney。Butyoushouldthinkofsomeonemorenearlyofyourtemperament。Iamquitesurethatmyniecewouldrefuseyou。\'

Theselastwordsthedoctorutteredwithmuchemphasis。Hisintentionwastomakethebaronetunderstandthatthematterwasquitehopeless，andtoinducehimifpossibletodropitonthespot。ButhedidnotknowSirLouis；herankedhimtoolowinthescaleofhumanbeings，andgavehimnocreditforanystrengthofcharacter。SirLouisinhiswaydidloveMaryThorne。AndcouldnotbringhimselftobelievethatMarydidnot，oratanyrate，wouldnotsoonreturnhispassion。Hewas，moreover，sufficientlyobstinate，firmweoughtperhapstosay——forhispursuitinthiscasewascertainlynotanevilone，——andheatoncemadeuphismindtosucceedinspiteoftheuncle。

\'Ifsheconsents，however，youwilldosotoo？\'askedhe。

\'Itisimpossiblethatsheshouldconsent，\'saidthedoctor。

\'Impossible！Idon\'tseeanythingatallimpossible。Butifshedoes？\'

\'Butshewon\'t。\'

\'Verywell，——that\'stobeseen。Butjusttellmethis，ifshedoes，willyouconsent？\'

\'Thestarswouldfallfirst。It\'sallnonsense。Giveitup，mydearfriend；believemeyouareonlypreparingunhappinessforyourself；\'

andthedoctorputhishandkindlyontheyoungman\'sarm。\'Shewillnot，cannot，acceptsuchanoffer。\'

\'Willnot！cannot！\'saidthebaronet，thinkingoverallthereasonswhichinhisestimationcouldpossiblybeinducingthedoctortobesohostiletohisviews，andshakingthehandofhisarm。\'Willnot！

cannot！Butcome，doctor，answermyquestionfairly。Ifshe\'llhavemeforbetterorworse，youwon\'tsayaughtagainstit；willyou？\'

\'Butshewon\'thaveyou；whyshouldyougiveherandyourselfthepainofarefusal？\'

\'Oh，asforthat，Imuststandmychancelikeanother。Andasforher，whyd——，doctor，youwouldn\'thavemebelievethatanyyoungladythinksitsoverydreadfultohaveabaronetwithtenthousandpoundsayearatherfeet，speciallywhenthatsamebaronetain\'tveryold，noryetparticularlyugly。Iain\'tsogreenasthat，doctor。\'

\'Isupposeshemustgothroughwithit，then，\'saidthedoctor，musing。

\'But，DrThorne，Ididlookforakinderanswerfromyou，consideringallthatyousooftensayaboutyourgreatfriendshipwithmyfather。I

didthinkyou\'datanyrateanswermewhenIaskedyouaquestion。\'

Butthedoctordidnotwanttoanswerthatspecialquestion。CoulditbepossiblethatMaryshouldwishtomarrythisodiousman，couldsuchastateofthingsbeimaginedtobethecase，hewouldnotrefusehisconsent，infinitelyashewouldbedisgustedbyherchoice。ButhewouldnotgiveSirLouisanyexcuseoftellingMarythatheruncleapprovedofsoodiousamatch。

\'IcannotsaythatincaseIwouldapproveofsuchamarriage，SirLouis。Icannotbringmyselftosayso；forIknowitwouldmakeyoubothmiserable。Butonthatmattermyniecewillchoosewhollyforherself。\'

\'Andaboutmoney，doctor？\'

\'Ifyoumarryadecentwomanyoushallnotwantthemeansofsupportingherdecently，\'andsosayingthedoctorwalkedaway，leavingSirLouistohismeditations。

CHAPTERXXIX

THEDONKEYRIDE

SirLouis，whenlefttohimself，wasslightlydismayedandsomewhatdiscouraged；buthewasnotinducedtogiveuphisobject。ThefirsteffortofhismindwasmadeinconjecturingwhatprivatemotiveDrThornecouldpossiblyhaveinwishingtodebarhisniecefrommarryingarichyoungbaronet。Thattheobjectionwaspersonaltohimself，SirLouisdidnotforamomentimagine。Coulditbethatthedoctordidnotwishthathisnieceshouldbericher，andgrander，andaltogetherbiggerthanhimself？Orwasitpossiblethathisguardianwasanxioustopreventhimfrommarryingfromsomeviewofthereversionofthelargefortune？Thattherewassomesuchreason，SirLouiswaswellsure；butletitbewhatitmight，hewouldgetthebetterofthedoctor。\'Heknewso，\'sohesaidtohimself，\'whatstuffgirlsweremadeof。Baronetsdidnotgrowlikeblackberries。\'Andso，assuringhimselfwithsuchphilosophy，hedeterminedtomakehisoffer。

Thetimeheselectedfordoingthiswasthehourbeforedinner；butonthedayonwhichhisconversationwiththedoctorhadtakenplace，hewasdeterredbythepresenceofastrangevisitor。ToaccountforthisstrangevisititwillbenecessarythatweshouldreturntoGreshamsburyforafewminutes。

Frank，whenhereturnedhomeforhissummervacation，foundthatMaryhadagainflown；andtheveryfactofherabsenceaddedfueltothefireofhislove，moreperhapsthenevenherpresencemighthavedone。

Fortheflightofthequarryeveraddseagernesstothepursuitofthehuntsman。LadyArabella，moreover，hadabitterenemy；afoe，utterlyopposedtohersideinthecontest，whereshehadoncefondlylookedforherstaunchestally。FrankwasnowinthehabitofcorrespondingwithMissDunstable，andreceivedfromhermostenergeticadmonitionstobetruetothelovewhichhehadsworn。Truetoitheresolvedtobe；and，therefore，whenhefoundthatMarywasflown，heresolvedtoflyafterher。

Hedidnot，however，dothistillhehadbeeninameasureprovokedbyitbythesharp-tonguedcautionsandbluntedironyofhismother。ItwasnotenoughforherthatshehadbanishedMaryoutoftheparish，andmadeDrThorne\'slifemiserable；notenoughthatsheharassedherhusbandwithharanguesontheconstantsubjectofFrank\'smarryingmoney，anddismayedBeatricewithinvectivesagainsttheiniquityofherfriend。Thesnakewassobutscotched；tokillitoutrightshemustinduceFrankutterlytorenounceMissThorne。

Thistasksheessayed，butnotexactlywithsuccess。\'Well，mother，\'

saidFrank，atlastturningveryred，partlywithshame，andpartlywithindignation，ashemadethefrankavowal，\'sinceyoupressmeaboutit，ItellyoufairlythatmymindismadeuptomarryMarysoonerorlater，if——\'

\'Oh，Frank！goodheavens！youwickedboy；youaresayingthispurposelytodrivemedistracted。\'

\'If，\'continuedFrank，notattendingtohismother\'sinterjections，\'ifshewillconsent。\'

\'Consent！\'saidLadyArabella。\'Oh，heavens！\'andfallingintothecornerofhersofa，sheburiedherfaceinherhandkerchief。

\'Yes，mother，ifshewillconsent。AndnowthatIhavetoldyousomuch，itisonlyjustthatIshouldtellyouthisalso；thatasfarasIcanseeatpresentIhavenoreasontohopethatshewilldoso。\'

\'Oh，Frank，thegirlisdoingallshecantocatchyou，\'saidLadyArabella，——notprudently。

\'No，mother；thereyouwrongheraltogether；wronghermostcruelly。\'

\'Youungracious，wickedboy！youcallmecruel！\'

\'Idon\'tcallyoucruel；butyouwronghercruelly，mostcruelly。WhenIhavespokentoheraboutthis——forIhavespokentoher——shehasbehavedexactlyasyouwouldhavewantedhertodo；butnotatallasI

wishedher。Shehasgivenmenoencouragement。Youhaveturnedheroutamongyou\'——Frankwasbeginningtobeverybitternow——\'butshehasdonenothingtodeserveit。Iftherehasbeenanyfaultithasbeenmine。Butitiswellnowthatweshouldunderstandeachother。MyintentionistomarryMaryifIcan。\'And，sospeaking，certainlywithoutduefilialrespect，heturnedtowardsthedoor。

\'Frank，\'saidhismother，raisingherselfupwithenergytomakeonelastappeal。\'Frank，doyouwishtoseemedieofabrokenheart？\'

\'Youknow，mother，Iwouldwishtomakeyouhappy，ifIcould。\'

\'Ifyouwishtoseemeeverhappyagain，ifyoudonotwishtoseemesinkbroken-heartedtomygrave，youmustgiveupthismadidea，Frank，\'——andnowallLadyArabella\'senergycameout。\'Frankthereisbutonecourseleftopentoyou。YouMUSTmarrymoney。\'AndthenLadyArabellastoodupbeforehersonasLadyMacbethmighthavestood，hadLadyMacbethlivedtohaveasonofFrank\'syears。

\'MissDunstable，Isuppose，\'saidFrank，scornfully。\'No，mother；I

madeanassandworsethananassofmyselfonceinthatway，andI

won\'tdoitagain。Ihatemoney。\'

\'Oh，Frank！\'

\'Ihatemoney。\'

\'But，Frank，theestate？\'

\'Ihatetheestate——atleastIshallhateitifIamexpectedtobuyitatsuchapriceasthat。Theestateismyfather\'s。\'

\'Oh，no，Frank；itisnot。\'

\'ItisinthesenseImean。Hemaydowithitashepleases；hewillneverhaveawordofcomplaintfromme。Iamreadytogointoaprofessionto-morrow。I\'llbealawyer，oradoctor，oranengineer；I

don\'tcarewhat。\'Frank，inhisenthusiasm，probablyoverlookedsomeofthepreliminarydifficulties。\'OrI\'lltakeafarmunderhim，andearnmybreadthatway；but，mother，don\'ttalktomeanymoreaboutmarryingmoney。\'And，sosaying，Franklefttheroom。

Frank，itwillberemembered，wastwenty-onewhenhewasfirstintroducedtothereader；heisnowtwenty-two。Itmaybesaidthattherewasagreatdifferencebetweenhischaracterthenandnow。A

yearatthatperiodwillmakeagreatdifference；butthechangehasbeen，notinhischaracter，butinhisfeelings。

Frankwentoutfromhismotherandimmediatelyorderedhisblackhorsetobegotreadyforhim。HewouldatoncegoovertoBoxallHill。Hewenthimselftothestablestogivehisorders；andashereturnedtogethisglovesandwhiphemetBeatriceinthecorridor。

\'Beatrice，\'saidhe，\'stepinhere，\'andshefollowedhimintohisroom。\'I\'mnotgoingtobearthisanylonger；I\'mgoingtoBoxallHill。\'

\'Oh，Frank！howcanyoubesoimprudent？\'

\'You，atanyrate，havesomedecentfeelingforMary。Ibelieveyouhavesomeregardforher；andthereforeItellyou。Willyousendheranymessage？\'

\'Oh，yes；mybest，bestlove；thatisifyouwillseeher；but，Frank，youareveryfoolish，very；andshewillbeinfinitelydistressed。\'

\'Donotmentionthis，notatpresent；notthatImeanyoutomakeanysecretofit。Ishalltellmyfathereverything。I\'moffnow！\'andthen，payingnoattentiontoherremonstrance，heturneddownthestairsandwassoononhorseback。

HetooktheroadtoBoxallHill，buthedidnotrideveryfast：hedidnotgojauntilyasajolly，thrivingwooer；butmusingly，andoftenwithdiffidence，meditatingeverynowandthenwhetheritwouldnotbebetterforhimtoturnback：toturnback——butnotfromfearofhismother；notfromprudentialmotives；notbecausethatoften-repeatedlessonastomarryingmoneywasbeginningtotakeeffect；notfromsuchcausesasthese；butbecausehedoubtedhowhemightbereceivedbyMary。

Hedid，itistrue，thinksomethingabouthisworldlyprospects。Hehadtalkedrathergrandiloquentlytohismotherastohishatingmoney，andhatingtheestate。Hismother\'snever-ceasingworldlycaresonsuchsubjectsperhapsdemandedthatalittlegrandiloquenceshouldbeopposedtothem。ButFrankdidnothatetheestate；nordidheatallhatethepositionofanEnglishcountrygentleman。MissDunstable\'seloquence，however，ranginhisears。ForMissDunstablehadaneloquenceofherown，eveninherletters。\'Neverletthemtalkyououtofyourowntrue，honest，heartyfeelings，\'shehadsaid。

\'Greshamsburyisaveryniceplace，Iamsure；andIhopeIshallseeitsomeday；butallitsgreenknollsarenothalfsonice，shouldnotbehalfsoprecious，asthepulsesofyourownheart。Thatisyourownestate，yourown，yourveryown——yourownandanother\'s；whatevermaygotothemoney-lenders，don\'tsendthatthere。Don\'tmortgagethat，MrGresham。\'

\'No，\'saidFrank，pluckily，asheputhishorseintoafastertrot，\'I

won\'tmortgagethat。Theymaydowhattheylikewiththeestate；butmyheart\'smyown，\'andsospeakingtohimself，almostaloud，heturnedacorneroftheroadrapidlyandcameatonceuponthedoctor。

\'Hallo，doctor！isthatyou？\'saidFrank，ratherdisgusted。

\'What！Frank！Ihardlyexpectedtomeetyouhere，\'saidDrThorne，notmuchbetterpleased。

TheywerenownotaboveamilefromBoxallHill，andthedoctor，therefore，couldnotbutsurmisewhitherFrankwasgoing。TheyhadrepeatedlymetsinceFrank\'sreturnfromCambridge，bothinthevillageandinthedoctor\'shouse；butnotawordhadbeensaidbetweenthemaboutMarybeyondwhatthemerestcourtesyhadrequired。Notthateachdidnotlovetheothersufficientlytomakeafullconfidencebetweenthemdesirabletoboth；butneitherhadhadthecouragetospeakout。

Norhadeitherofthemthecouragetodosonow。\'Yes，\'saidFrank，blushing，\'IamgoingtoLadyScatcherd\'s。ShallIfindtheladiesathome？\'

\'Yes；LadyScatcherdisthere；butSirLouisistherealso——aninvalid：

perhapsyouwouldnotwishtomeethim。\'

\'Oh！Idon\'tmind，\'saidFrank，tryingtolaugh；\'hewon\'tbite，I

suppose？\'

ThedoctorlongedinhishearttopraytoFranktoreturnwithhim；nottogoandmakefurthermischief；nottodothatwhichmightcauseamorebitterestrangementbetweenhimselfandthesquire。Buthehadnotthecouragetodoit。HecouldnotbringhimselftoaccuseFrankofbeinginlovewithhisniece。Soafterafewmoresenselesswordsoneitherside，wordswhicheachknewtobesenselessasheutteredthem，theybothrodeontheirownways。

Andthenthedoctorsilently，andalmostunconsciously，madesuchacomparisonbetweenLouisScatcherdandFrankGreshamasHamletmadebetweenthedeadandliveking。ItwasHyperiontoasatyr。WasitnotasimpossiblethatMaryshouldnotlovetheone，asthatsheshouldlovetheother？Frank\'sofferofhisaffectionshadatfirstprobablybeenbutaboyishebullitionoffeeling；butifitshouldnowbe，thatthishadgrownintoamanlyanddisinterestedlove，howcouldMaryremainunmoved？Whatcouldherheartwantmore，better，morebeautiful，morerichthansuchaloveasthis？Washenotpersonallyallthatagirlcouldlike？Werenothisdisposition，mind，character，acquirements，allsuchaswomenmostdelighttolove？WasitnotimpossiblethatMaryshouldbeindifferenttohim？

Someditatedthedoctorasheroadalong，withonlytootrueaknowledgeofhumannature。Ah！itwasimpossible，quiteimpossiblethatMaryshouldbeindifferent。ShehadneverbeenindifferentsinceFrankhadutteredhisfirsthalf-jokingwordoflove。Suchthingsaremoreimportanttowomenthantheyaretomen，togirlsthantheyaretoboys。WhenFrankhadfirsttoldherthathelovedher；aye，monthsbeforethat，whenhemerelylookedhislove，herhearthadreceivedthewhisper，hadacknowledgedtheglance，unconsciousasshewasherself，andresolvedasshewastorebukehisadvances。When，inherhearing，hehadsaidsoftnothingstoPatienceOriel，ahated，irrepressibletearhadgatheredinhereye。Whenhehadpressedinhiswarm，lovinggraspthehandwhichshehadofferedinhimintokenofmerefriendship，herhearthadforgivenhimthetreachery，nay，almostthankedhimforit，beforehereyesorherwordshadbeenreadytorebukehim。WhentherumourofhisliaisonwithMissDunstablereachedherears，whensheheardofMissDunstable\'sfortune，shehadwept，weptoutright，inherchamber——wept，asshesaidtoherself，tothinkthathecouldbesomercenary；butshehadwept，assheshouldhavesaidtoherself，atfindingthathewassofaithless。Then，whensheknewatlastthatthisrumourwasfalse，whenshefoundthatshewasbanishedfromGreshamsburyforhissake，whenshewasforcedtoretreatwithherfriendPatience，howcouldshebutlovehim，inthathewasnotmercenary？Howcouldshenotlovehiminthatwassofaithful？

Itwasimpossiblethatsheshouldnotlovehim。Washenotthebrightestandthebestofmenthatshehadeverseen，orwasliketosee？——thatshecouldpossiblyeversee，shewouldhavesaidtoherself，couldshehavebroughtherselftoownthetruth？Andthen，whensheheardhowtruehewas，howhepersistedagainstfather，mother，andsisters，howcoulditbethatthatshouldnotbeameritinhereyeswhichwassogreatafaultintheirs？WhenBeatrice，withwould-besolemnface，butwitheyesbeamingwithfeminineaffection，wouldgravelytalkofFrank\'stenderloveasaterriblemisfortune，asamisfortunetothemall，toMaryherselfaswellasothers，howcouldMarydootherthanlovehim？\'Beatriceishissister，\'shewouldsaywithinherownmind，\'otherwiseshewouldnevertalklikethis；wereshenothissister，shecouldnotbutknowthevalueofsuchloveasthis。\'Ah！yes；Marydidlovehim；lovehimwithallthestrengthofherheart；andthestrengthofherheartwasverygreat。Andnowbydegrees，inthoselonelydonkey-ridesatBoxallHill，inthosesolitarywalks，shewasbeginningtoowntoherselfthetruth。

Andnowthatshedidownit，whatshouldbehercourse？Whatshouldshedo，howshouldsheactifthislovedoneperseveredinhislove？

And，ah！whatshouldshedo，howshouldsheactifhedidnotpersevere？Coulditbethatthereshouldbehappinessinstoreforher？Wasitnottooclearthat，letthemattergohowitwould，therewasnohappinessinstoreforher？MuchasshemightloveFrankGresham，shecouldneverconsenttobehiswifeunlessthesquirewouldsmileonherashisdaughter-in-law。Thesquirehadbeenallthatwaskind，allthatwasaffectionate。Andthen，too，LadyArabella！AsshethoughtoftheLadyArabellaasternerformofthoughtcameacrossherbrow。WhyshouldLadyArabellarobherofherheart\'sjoy？WhatwasLadyArabellathatshe，MaryThorne，needquailbeforeher？HadLadyArabellastoodonlyinherway，LadyArabella，flankedbytheDeCourcylegion，MaryfeltthatshecouldhavedemandedFrank\'shandasherownbeforethemallwithoutablushofshameoramoment\'shesitation。

Thus，whenherheartwasallbutreadytocollapsewithinher，wouldshegainsomelittlestrengthbythinkingoftheLadyArabella。

\'Please，mylady，herebeyoungsquireGresham，\'saidoneoftheuntutoredservantsatBoxallHill，openingLadyScatcherd\'slittleparlourdoorasherladyshipwasamusingherselfbypullingdownandturning，andre-folding，andputtingupagain，aheapofhouseholdlinenwhichwaskeptinahugepressfortheexpresspurposeofsupplyingherwithoccupation。

LadyScatcherd，holdingavastcounterpaneinherarms，lookedbackoverhershouldersandperceivedthatFrankwasintheroom。Downwentthecounterpaneontheground，andFranksoonfoundhimselfintheverypositionwhichthatusefularticlehadsolatelyfilled。

\'Oh！MasterFrank！oh，MasterFrank！\'saidherladyship，almostinanhystericalfitofjoy；andthenshehuggedandkissedhimasshehadneverkissedandhuggedherownsonsincethatsonhadfirstlefttheparentnest。

Frankboreitpatientlyandwithamerrylaugh。\'But，LadyScatcherd，\'

saidhe，\'whatwilltheyallsay？youforgetIamamannow，\'andhestoopedhisheadassheagainpressedherlipsuponhisforehead。

\'Idon\'tcarewhatnoneof\'emsay，\'saidherladyship，quitegoingbacktoherolddays；\'Iwillkissmyownboy；soIwill。Eh，butMasterFrank，thisisgoodonyou。Asightofyouisgoodforsoreeyes；andmyeyeshavebeensoreenoughsinceIsawyou；\'andsheputherapronuptowipeatearaway。

\'Yes，\'saidFrank，gentlytryingtodisengagehimself，butnotsuccessfully：\'yes，youhavehadagreatloss，LadyScatcherd。IwassosorrywhenIheardofyourgrief。\'

\'Youalwayshadasoft，kindheart，MasterFrank；soyouhad。God\'sblessingonyou！Whatafinemanyouhavegrown！Dearyme！Well，itseemsasthoughitwereonlyjustt\'otherdaylike。\'Andshepushedhimalittlefromher，sothatshemightlookthebetterintohisface。

\'Well。Isitallright？IsupposeyouwouldhardlyknowmeagainnowI\'vegotapairofwhiskers？\'

\'Knowyou！IshouldknowyouwellifIsawbuttheheelofyourfoot。

Why，whataheadofhairyouhavegot，andsodarktoo！butitdoesn\'tcurlasitusedonce。\'Andshestrokedhishair，andlookedintohiseyes，andputherhandtohischeeks。\'You\'llthinkmeanoldfool，MasterFrank：Iknowthat；butyoumaythinkwhatyoulike。IfIliveforthenexttwentyyearsyou\'llalwaysbemyownboy；soyouwill。\'

Bydegrees，slowdegrees，Frankmanagedtochangetheconversation，andtoinduceLadyScatcherdtospeakonsomeothertopicthanhisowninfantineperfections。Heaffectedanindifferenceashespokeofherguest，whichwouldhavedeceivednoonebutLadyScatcherd；butheritdiddeceive；andthenheaskedwhereMarywas。

\'She\'sjustgoneoutonherdonkey——somewhereabouttheplace。Sheridesonadonkeymostlyeveryday。Butyou\'llstopandtakeabitofdinnerwithus？Eh，nowdo\'ee，MasterFrank。\'

ButMasterFrankexcusedhimself。HedidnotchoosetopledgehimselftositdowntodinnerwithMary。Hedidnotknowinwhatmoodtheymightreturnwithregardtoeachotheratdinner-time。Hesaid，therefore，thathewouldreturntothehouseagainbeforehewent。

LadyScatcherdthenbeganmakingapologiesforSirLouis。Shewasaninvalid；thedoctorhadbeenwithhimallthemorning，andhewasnotyetoutofhisroom。

TheseapologiesFrankwillinglyaccepted，andthenmadehiswayashiscouldontothelawn。Agardener，ofwhomheinquired，offeredtogowithhiminpursuitofMissThorne。Thisassistance，however，hedeclined，andsetforthinquestofher，havinglearntwhatwerehermostusualhaunts。Norwashedirectedwrongly；forafterwalkingabouttwentyminutes，hesawthroughthetreesthelegsofadonkeymovingonthegreen-sward，atabouttwohundredyardsfromhim。OnthatdonkeydoubtlesssatMaryThorne。

Thedonkeywascomingtowardshim；notexactlyinastraightline，butsomuchsoastomakeitimpossiblethatMaryshouldnotseehimifhestoodstill。Hedidstandstill，andsoonemergingfromthetrees，Marysawhimallbutclosetoher。

Herheartgavealeapwithinher，butshewassofarmistressofherselfastorepressanyvisiblesignofoutwardemotion。Shedidnotfallfromherdonkey，orscream，orburstintotears。Shemerelyutteredthewords，\'MrGresham！\'inatoneofnotunnaturalsurprise。

\'Yes，\'saidhe，tryingtolaugh，butlesssuccessfulthanshehadbeensuppressingashowoffeeling。\'MrGresham！Ihavecomeoveratlasttopaymyrespectstoyou。Youmusthavethoughtmeveryuncourteousnottodosobefore。\'

Thisshedenied。Shehadnot，shesaid，thoughthimatalluncivil。

ShehadcometoBoxallHilltobeoutoftheway；and，ofcourse，hadnotexpectedanysuchformalities。Assheutteredthisshealmostblushedattheabrupttruthofwhatshewassaying。Butshewastakensomuchunawaresthatshedidnotknowhowtomakethetruthotherthanabrupt。

\'Tobeoutoftheway！\'saidFrank。\'Andwhyshouldyouwanttobeoutoftheway？\'

\'Oh！therewerereasons，\'saidshe，laughing。\'PerhapsIhavequarrelleddreadfullywithmyuncle。\'

Frankatthepresentmomenthadnotabouthimascrapofbadinage。Hehadnotasingleeasywordathiscommand。Hecouldnotanswerherwithanythinginguiseofajoke；sohewalkedon，notansweringatall。

\'IhopeallmyfriendsatGreshamsburyarewell，\'saidMary。\'IsBeatricequitewell？\'

\'Quitewell，\'saidhe。

\'AndPatience？\'

\'What，MissOriel；yes，Ibelieveso。Ihaven\'tseenherthisdayortwo。\'HowwasitthatMaryfeltalittleflushofjoy，asFrankspokeinthisindifferentwayaboutMissOriel\'shealth？

\'Ithoughtshewasalwaysaparticularfriendofyours，\'saidshe。

\'What！who？MissOriel？Sosheis！Ilikeheramazingly；sodoesBeatrice。\'Andthenhewalkedaboutsixstepsinsilence，pluckingupcourageforthegreatattempt。Hedidpluckuphiscourageandthenrushedatoncetotheattack。

\'Mary！\'saidhe，andashespokeheputhishandonthedonkey\'sneck，andlookedtenderlyintoherface。Helookedtenderly，and，asMary\'searatoncetoldher，hisvoicesoundedmoresoftthanithadeversoundedbefore。\'Mary，doyourememberthelasttimethatweweretogether？\'

Marydidrememberitwell。Itwasonthatoccasionwhenhehadtreacherouslyheldherhand；onthatdaywhen，accordingtolaw，hehadbecomeaman；whenhehadoutragedalltheproprietyoftheDeCourcyinterestbyofferinghislovetoMaryinAugusta\'shearing。Marydidrememberitwell；buthowwasshetospeakofit？\'Itwasyourbirthday，Ithink，\'saidshe。

\'Yes，itwasmybirthday。IwonderwhetheryourememberwhatIsaidtoyouthen？\'

\'Irememberthatyouwereveryfoolish，MrGresham。\'

\'Mary，Ihavecometorepeatmyfolly；——thatis，ifitbefolly。ItoldyouthenthatIlovedyou，andIdaresaythatIdiditawkwardly，likeaboy。PerhapsImaybejustasawkwardnow；butyououghtatanyratetobelievemewhenyoufindthatayearhasnotalteredme。\'

Marydidnotthinkhimatallawkward，andshedidbelievehim。Buthowwasshetoanswerhim？Shehadnotyettaughtherselfwhatanswersheoughttomakeifhepersistedinhissuit。Shehadhithertobeencontenttorunawayfromhim；butshehaddonesobecauseshewouldnotsubmittobeaccusedoftheindelicacyofputtingherselfinhisway。

Shehadrebukedhimwhenhefirstspokeofhislove；butshehaddonesobecauseshelookedonwhathesaidasaboy\'snonsense。ShehadschooledherselfinobediencetotheGreshamsburydoctrines。Wasthereanyrealreason，anyreasonfoundedontruthandhonesty，whysheshouldnotbeafittingwifetoFrankGresham，——FrancisNewboldGresham，ofGreshamsbury，thoughhewas，orwastobe？\'

Hewaswellborn——aswellbornasanygentlemaninEngland。Shewasbaselyborn——asbaselybornasanyladycouldbe。Wasthissufficientbaragainstsuchamatch？Maryfeltinherheartthatsometwelvemonthsince，beforesheknewwhatlittleshedidnowknowofherownstory，shewouldhavesaiditwasso。Andwouldsheindulgeherownlovebyinveiglinghimshelovedintoabasemarriage？Butthenreasonspokeagain。What，afterall，wasthisbloodofwhichshehadtaughtherselftothinksomuch？Wouldshehavebeenmorehonest，morefittograceanhonestman\'shearthstone，hadshebeenthelegitimatedescendantofascoreoflegitimateduchesses？Wasitnotherfirstdutytothinkofhim——ofwhatwouldmakehimhappy？Thenofheruncle——whathewouldapprove？Thenofherself——whatwouldbestbecomehermodesty；hersenseofhonour？Coulditbewellthatsheshouldsacrificethehappinessoftwopersonstoatheoreticloveofpureblood？

Soshehadarguedwithinherself。Notnow，sittingonthedonkey，withFrank\'shandbeforeheronthetamebrute\'sneck；butonotherformeroccasionsasshehadriddenalongdemurelyamongthosetrees。Soshehadargued；butshehadneverbroughtherargumentstoadecision。Allmannerofthoughtscrowdedonhertopreventherdoingso。Shewouldthinkofthesquire，andresolvetorejectFrank；andwouldthenrememberLadyArabella，andresolvetoaccepthim。Herresolutions，however，weremostirresolute；andso，whenFrankappearedinpersonbeforeher，carryinghisheartinhishand，shedidnotknowwhatanswertomaketohim。Thusitwaswithheraswithsomanyothermaidenssimilarlycircumstanced；atlastsheleftitalltochance。

\'Yououghtatanyrate，tobelieveme，\'saidFrank，\'whenyoufindthatayearhasnotalteredme。\'

\'Ayearshouldhavetaughtyoutobewiser，\'saidshe。\'Youshouldhavelearntbythistime，MrGresham，thatyourlotandminearenotcastinthesamemould；thatourstationsinlifearedifferent。Wouldyourfatherormotherapproveofyourevencomingheretoseeme？\'

Mary，asshespokethesesensiblewords，feltthattheywere\'flat，stale，andunprofitable。\'Shefeltalso，thattheywerenottrueinsense；thattheydidnotcomefromherheart；thattheywerenotsuchasFrankdeservedatherhands，andshewasashamedofherself。

\'MyfatherIhopewillapproveofit，\'saidhe。\'ThatmymothershoulddisapproveofitisamisfortunewhichIcannothelp；butonthispointIwilltakenoanswerfrommyfatherormother；thequestionisonetoopersonaltomyself。Mary，ifyousaythatyouwillnot，orcannotreturnmylove，Iwillgoaway；——notfromhereonly，butfromGreshamsbury。Mypresenceshallnotbanishyoufromallthatyouholddear。IfyoucanhonestlysaythatIamnothingtoyou，canbenothingtoyou，Iwillthentellmymotherthatshemaybeatease，andIwillgoawaysomewhereandgetoveritasImay。\'Thepoorfellowgotsofar，lookingapparentlyatthedonkey\'sears，withhardlyagaspofhopeinhisvoice，andhesofarcarriedMarywithhimthatshealsohadhardlyagaspofhopeinherheart。Therehepausedforamoment，andthenlookingupintoherface，hespokebutonewordmore。\'But，\'saidhe——andtherehestopped。Itwasclearlytoldinthat\'but\'。ThuswouldhedoifMarywoulddeclarethatshedidnotcareforhim。If，however，shecouldnotbringherselfsotodeclare，thenwashereadytothrowhisfatherandmothertothewinds；thenwouldhestandhisground；thenwouldhelookallotherdifficultiesintheface，surethattheymightfinallybeovercome。PoorMary！thewholeonusofsettlingthematterwasthusthrownuponher。Shehadonlytosaythathewasindifferenttoher；——thatwasall。

If\'allthebloodoftheHowards\'haddependeduponit，shecouldnothavebroughtherselftouttersuchafalsehood。Indifferenttoher，ashewalkedtherebyherdonkey\'sside，talkingthusearnestlyofhisloveforher！Washenottoherlikesomegodcomefromtheheavenstomakeherblessed？Didnotthesunshineuponhimwithahalo，sothathewasbrightasanangel？Indifferenttoher！Couldtheopenunadulteratedtruthhavebeenpracticableforher，shewouldhavedeclaredherindifferenceintermsthatwouldtrulyhaveastonishedhim。Asitwas，shefounditeasiertosaynothing。Shebitherlipstokeepherselffromsobbing。Shestruggledhard，butinvain，topreventherhandsandfeetfromtrembling。Sheseemedtoswinguponherdonkeyasthoughliketofall，andwouldhavegivenmuchtobeuponherownfeetinthesward。

\'Silajeunessesavait……\'ThereissomuchinthatwickedoldFrenchproverb！HadFrankknownmoreaboutawoman\'smind——hadhe，thatis，beenforty-twoinsteadoftwenty-twohewouldatoncehavebeensureofhisgame，andhavefeltthatMary\'ssilencetoldhimallhewishedtoknow。Butthen，hadbeenforty-twoinsteadoftwenty-two，hewouldnothavebeensoreadytorisktheacresofGreshamsburyforthesmilesofMaryThorne。

\'Ifyoucan\'tsayonewordtocomfortme，Iwillgo，\'saidhe，disconsolately。\'Imadeupmymindtotellyouthis，andsoIcameover。ItoldLadyScatcherdIshouldnotstay——notevenfordinner。\'

\'Ididnotknowyouweresohurried，\'saidshe，almostinawhisper。

Onasuddenhestoodstill，andpullingthedonkey\'srein，causedhimtostandstillalso。Thebeastrequiredverylittlepersuasiontobesoguided，andobliginglyremainedmeeklypassive。

\'Mary，Mary！\'saidFrank，throwinghisarmsroundherkneesasshesatuponhersteed，andpressinghisfaceagainstherbody。\'Mary，youwerealwayshonest；behonestnow。Iloveyouwithallmyheart。Willyoubemywife？\'

ButstillMarysaidnotaword。Shenolongerbitherlips；shewasbeyondthat，andwasnowusingallhereffortstopreventhertearsfromfallingabsolutelyonherlover\'sface。Shesaidnothing。Shecouldnomorerebukehimnowandsendhimfromherthanshecouldencouragehim。Shecouldonlysitthereshakingandcryingandwishingshewasontheground。Frank，onthewhole，ratherlikedthedonkey。

Itenabledhimtoapproachsomewhatnearertoanembracethanhemighthavefoundpracticablehadtheybothbeenontheirfeet。Thedonkeyhimselfwasquiteathisease，andlookedasthoughhewasapprovinglyconsciousofwhatwasgoingonbehindhisears。

\'Ihavearighttoaword，Mary；say，“Go“，andIwillleaveyouatonce。\'

ButMarydidnotsay\'Go\'。Perhapsshewouldhavedonesohadshebeenable；butjustatpresentshecouldsaynothing。Thiscamefromherhavingfailedtomakeuphermindinduetimeastowhatcourseitwouldbestbecomehertofollow。

\'Oneword，Mary；onelittleword。There，ifyouwillnotspeak，hereismyhand。Ifyouwillhaveit，letitlieinyours；——ifnot，pushitaway。\'Sosaying，hemanagedtogettheendofhisfingersontoherpalm，andthereitremainedunrepulsed。\'Lajeuness\'wasbeginningtogetalesson；experiencewhendulysoughtaftersometimescomesearlyinlife。

IntruthMaryhadnotstrengthtopushthefingersaway。\'Mylove，myown，myown！\'saidFrank，presumingonthisverynegativesignofacquiescence。\'Mylife，myown，myownMary！\'andthenthehandwascaughtholdofandwasathislipsbeforeaneffortcouldbemadetosaveitfromsuchtreatment。

\'Mary，lookatme；sayonewordtome。\'

Therewasadeepsigh，andthencametheoneword——\'Oh，Frank！\'

\'MrGresham，IhopeIhavethehonourofseeingyouquitewell，\'saidavoiceclosetohisear。\'IbegtosaythatyouarewelcometoBoxallHill。\'FrankturnedroundandinstantlyfoundhimselfshakinghandswithSirLouisScatcherd。

HowMarygotoverherconfusionFrankneversaw，forhehadenoughtodotogetoverhisown。HeinvoluntarilydesertedMaryandbegantalkingveryfasttoSirLouis。SirLouisdidnotoncelookatMissThorne，butwalkedbacktowardsthehousewithMrGresham，sulkyenoughintemper，butstillmakingsomeefforttodothefinegentleman。Mary，gladtobeleftalone，merelyoccupiedherselfwithsittingonthedonkey；andthedonkey，whenhefoundthatthetwogentlemenwenttowardsthehouse，forcompany\'ssakeandforhisstable\'ssake，followedafterthem。

Frankstayedbutthreeminutesinthehouse；gaveanotherkisstoLadyScatcherd，gettingthreeinreturn，andtherebyinfinitelydisgustingSirLouis，shookhands，anythingbutwarmly，withtheyoungbaronet，andjustfeltthewarmthofMary\'shandwithinhisown。Hefeltalsothewarmthofhereyes\'lastglance，androdehomeahappyman。

CHAPTERXXX

POSTPRANDIAL

Frankrodehomeahappyman，cheeringhimself，assuccessfulloversdocheerthemselves，withthebrilliancyofhislateexploit：norwasittillhehadturnedthecornerintotheGreshamsburystablesthathebegantoreflectwhathewoulddonext。ItwasallverywelltohaveinducedMarytoallowhisthreefingerstoliehalfaminuteinhersofthand；thehavingdonesomightcertainlybesufficientevidencethathehadovercomeoneofthelionsinhispath；butitcouldhardlybesaidthatallhisdifficultieswerenowsmoothed。Howwashetomakefurtherprogress？

ToMary，also，thesameideasnodoubtoccurred——withmanyothers。But，then，itwasnotforMarytomakeanyprogressinthematter。Toheratleastbelongedthispassivecomfort，thatatpresentnoacthostiletotheDeCourcyinterestwouldbeexpectedfromher。Allthatshecoulddowouldbetotellherunclesomuchasitwasfittingthatheshouldknow。Thedoingthiswoulddoubtlessbeinsomedegreedifficult；butitwasnotprobablethattherewouldbemuchdifference，muchofanythingbutlovinganxietyforeachother，betweenherandDrThorne。Oneotherthing，indeed，shemustdo；Frankmustbemadetounderstandwhatherbirthhadbeen。\'This，\'shesaidtoherself，\'willgivehimanopportunityofretractingwhathehasdoneshouldhechoosetoavailhimselfofit。Itiswellheshouldhavesuchopportunity。\'

ButFrankhadmorethanthistodo。HehadtoldBeatricethathewouldmakenosecretofhislove，andhefullyresolvedtobeasgoodashisword。Tohisfatherheowedanunreservedconfidence；andhewasfullymindedtogiveit。Itwas，heknew，altogetheroutofthequestionthatheshouldatoncemarryaportionlessgirlwithouthisfather\'sconsent；probablyoutofthequestionthatheshoulddosoevenwithit。Buthewould，atanyrate，tellhisfather，andthendecideastowhatshouldbedonenext。Soresolving，heputhisblackhorseintothestableandwentintodinner。Afterdinnerheandhisfatherwouldbealone。

Yes；afterdinnerheandhisfatherwouldbealone。Hedressedhimselfhurriedly，forthedinner-bellwasalmostonthestrokeasheenteredthehouse。Hesaidthistohimselfonceandagain；butwhenthemeatsandthepuddings，andthenthecheesewereborneaway，asthedecanterswereplacedbeforehisfather，andLadyArabellasippedheroneglassofclaret，andhissistersatetheirportionofstrawberries，hispressinganxietyforthecominginterviewbegantowaxsomewhatdull。

Hismotherandsisters，however，renderedhimnoassistancebyprolongingtheirstay。Withunwontedassiduityhepressedasecondglassofclaretonhismother。ButLadyArabellawasnotonlytemperateinherhabits，butalsoatthepresentmomentveryangrywithherson。ShethoughtthathehadbeentoBoxallHill，andwasonlywaitingapropermomenttocross-questionhimsternlyonthesubject。

Nowshedeparted，takinghertrainofdaughterswithher。

\'Givemeonebiggooseberry，\'saidNina，asshesqueezedherselfinunderherbrother\'sarm，priortomakingherretreat。Frankwouldwillinglyhavegivenheradozenofthebiggest，hadshewantedthem；

buthavinggottheone，shesqueezedherselfoutagainandscamperedoff。

Thesquirewasverycheerythisevening；fromwhatcausecannotnowbesaid。Perhapshehadsucceededinnegotiatingafurtherloan，thustemporarilysprinklingadropofwaterovertheever-risingdustofhisdifficulties。

\'Well，Frank，whathaveyoubeenafterto-day？Petertoldmeyouhadtheblackhorseout，\'saidhe，pushingthedecantertohisson。\'Takemyadvice，myboy，anddon\'tgivehimtoomuchsummerroad-work。Legswon\'tstandit，letthembeeversogood。\'

\'Why，sir，Iwasobligedtogooutto-day，andtherefore，ithadtobeeithertheoldmareortheyounghorse。\'

\'Whydidn\'tyoutakeRamble？\'NowRamblewasthesquire\'sownsaddlehack，usedforfarmsurveying，andoccasionallyforgoingtocover。

\'Ishouldn\'tthinkofdoingthat，sir。\'

\'Mydearboy，heisquiteatyourservice；forgoodness\'sakedoletmehavealittlewine，Frank——quiteatyourservice；anyridingIhavenowisafterthehaymakers，andthat\'sallonthegrass。\'

\'Thank\'ee，sir。Well，perhapsIwilltakeaturnoutofRambleshouldIwantit。\'

\'Do，andpray，praytakecareofthatblackhorse\'slegs。He\'sturningoutmoreofahorsethanItookhimtobe，andIshouldbesorrytoseehiminjured。Wherehaveyoubeento-day？\'

\'Well，father，Ihavesomethingtotellyou。\'

\'Somethingtotellme！\'andthenthesquire\'shappyandgaylook，whichhadbeenonlyrenderedmorehappyandmoregaybyhisassumedanxietyabouttheblackhorse，gaveplacetoaheavinessofvisagewhichacrimonyandmisfortunehadmadesohabitualtohim。\'Somethingtotellme！\'Anygravewordslikethesealwayspresagedsomemoneydifficultytothesquire\'sears。HelovedFrankwiththetenderestlove。Hewouldhavedonesounderalmostanycircumstances；but，doubtless，thatlovehadbeenmademorepalpabletohimselfbythefactthatFrankhadbeenagoodsonasregardsmoney——notexigeantaswasLadyArabella，orselfishlyrecklessaswashisnephewLordPorlock。

ButnowFrankmustbeinsomedifficultyaboutmoney。Thiswashisfirstidea。\'Whatisit，Frank；youhaveseldomhadanythingtosaythathasnotbeenpleasantformetohear？\'Andthentheheavinessofvisageagaingavewayforamomentashiseyefelluponhisson。

\'IhavebeentoBoxallHill，sir。\'

Thetenorofhisfather\'sthoughtswaschangedinaninstant；andthedreadofimmediatetemporaryannoyancegaveplacetotrueanxietyforhisson。He，thesquire，hadbeennopartytoMary\'sexilefromhisowndomain；andhehadseenwithpainthatshehadnowasecondtimebeendrivenfromherhome：buthehadneverhithertoquestionedtheexpediencyofseparatinghissonfromMaryThorne。Alas！ithadbecometoonecessary——toonecessarythroughhisowndefault——thatFrankshouldmarrymoney！

\'AtBoxallHill，Frank！Hasthatbeenprudent？Or，indeed，hasitbeengeneroustoMissThorne，whohasbeendriventhere，asitwere，byyourimprudence？\'

\'Father，itiswellthatweshouldunderstandeachotheraboutthis——\'

\'Fillyourglass，Frank；\'Frankmechanicallydidashewastold，andpassedthebottle。

\'IshouldneverforgivemyselfwereItodeceiveyou，orkeepanythingfromyou。\'

\'Ibelieveitisnotinyournaturetodeceiveme，Frank。\'

\'Thefactis，sir，thatIhavemadeupmymindthatMaryThorneshallbemywife——soonerorlater，thatis，unless，ofcourse，sheshouldutterlyrefuse。Hitherto，shehasutterlyrefusedme。IbelieveImaynowsaythatshehasacceptedme。\'

Thesquiresippedhisclaret，butatthemomentsaidnothing。Therewasaquiet，manly，butyetmodestdeterminationabouthissonthathehadhardlynoticedbefore。Frankhadbecomelegallyofage，legallyaman，whenhewastwenty-one。Nature，itseems，hadpostponedtheceremonytillhewastwenty-two。Natureoftendoespostponetheceremonyeventoamuchlaterage；——sometimes，altogetherforgetstoaccomplishit。

Thesquirecontinuedtosiphisclaret；hehadtothinkoverthematterawhilebeforehecouldanswerastatementsodeliberatelymadebyhisson。

\'IthinkImaysayso，\'continuedFrank，withperhapsunnecessarymodesty。\'Sheissohonestthat，hadshenotintendedit，shewouldhavesaidsohonestly。AmIright，father，inthinkingthat，asregardsMary，personally，youwouldnotrejectherasadaughter-in-law？\'

\'Personally！\'saidthesquire，gladtohavethesubjectpresentedtohiminaviewthatenabledhimtospeakout。\'Oh，no；personally，I

shouldnotobjecttoher，forIloveherdearly。Sheisagoodgirl。I

dobelievesheisagoodgirlineveryrespect。Ihavealwayslikedher；likedtoseeheraboutthehouse。But——\'

\'Iknowwhatyouwouldsay，father。\'Thiswasrathermorethanthesquireknewhimself。\'Suchamarriageisimprudent。\'

\'Itismorethanthat，Frank；Ifearthatisimpossible。\'

\'Impossible！No，father；itisnotimpossible。\'

\'Itisimpossible，Frank，intheusualsense。Whatareyoutoliveupon？Whatwouldyoudowithyourchildren？Youwouldnotwishtoseeyourwifedistressedandcomfortless。\'

\'No，Ishouldnotliketoseethat。\'

\'Youwouldnotwishtobeginlifeasanembarrassedmanandenditasaruinedman。IfyouwerenowtomarryMissThornesuchwould，Ifear，doubtlessbeyourlot。\'

Frankcaughtattheword\'now\'。\'Idon\'texpecttomarryimmediately。

Iknowthatwouldbeimprudent。ButIampledged，father，andI

certainlycannotgoback。AndnowthatIhavetoldyouallthis，whatisyouradvicetome？\'

Thefatheragainsatsilent，stillsippinghiswine。Therewasnothinginhissonthathecouldbeashamedof，nothingthathecouldmeetwithanger，nothingthathecouldnotlove；buthowshouldheanswerhim？

Thefactwas，thatthesonhadmoreinhimthanthefather；thishismindandspiritwereofacalibrenottobeopposedsuccessfullybythemindandthespiritofthesquire。

\'DoyouknowMary\'shistory？\'saidMrGresham，atlast；\'thehistoryofherbirth？\'

\'Notawordofit，\'saidFrank。\'Ididnotknowshehadahistory。\'

\'Nordoessheknowit；atleast，Ipresumenot。Butyoushouldknowitnow。And，Frank，Iwilltellityou；nottoturnyoufromher——notwiththatobject，thoughIthinkthat，toacertainextent，itshouldhavethateffect。Mary\'sbirthwasnotsuchthatwouldbecomeyourwife，andbebeneficialtoyourchildren。\'

\'Ifso，father，Ishouldhaveknownitsooner。Whywasshebroughthereamongus？\'

\'True，Frank。Thefaultismine；mineandyourmother\'s。

Circumstancesbroughtitallaboutyearsago，whenitneveroccurredtousthatallthiswouldarise。ButIwilltellyouherhistory。And，Frank，rememberthis，thoughItellityouasasecret，asecrettobekeptfromalltheworldbutone，youarequiteatlibertytoletthedoctorknowIhavetoldyou。Indeed，IshallbecarefultolethimknowmyselfshoulditeverbenecessarythatheandIshouldspeaktogetherastothisengagement。\'ThesquirethentoldhissonthewholestoryofMary\'sbirth，asitisknowntothereader。

Franksatsilent，lookingveryblank；healsohad，ashadeveryGresham，agreatloveforhispureblood。Hehadsaidtohismotherthathehatedmoney，thathehatedtheestate；buthewouldhavebeenveryslowtosay，eveninhiswarmestoppositiontoher，thathehatedtherollofthefamilypedigree。Heloveditdearly，thoughheseldomspokeofit；——asmenofgoodfamilyseldomdospeakofit。Itisoneofthosepossessionswhichtohaveissufficient。Amanhavingitneednotboastofwhathehas，orshowitoffbeforetheworld。Butonthataccounthevaluesitmore。HehadregardedMaryasacuttingdulytakenfromtheUllathornetree；not，indeed，asagraftingbranch，fullofflower，justseparatedfromtheparentstalk，butasbeingnotawhitthelesstrulyendowedwiththepuresapofthatvenerabletrunk。

When，therefore，heheardhertruehistoryhesatawhiledismayed。

\'Itisasadstory，\'saidthefather。

\'Yes，sadenough，\'saidFrank，risingfromhischairandstandingwithitbeforehim，leaningonthebackofit。\'PoorMary，poormary！Shewillhavetolearnitsomeday。\'

\'Ifearso，Frank；\'andthentherewasagainafewmoments\'silence。

\'Tome，father，itistoldtoolate。Itcannowhavenoeffectonme。

Indeed，\'saidhe，sighingashespoke，butstillrelievinghimselfbytheverysigh，\'itcouldhavehadnoeffecthadIlearnediteversosoon。\'

\'Ishouldhavetoldyoubefore，\'saidthefather；\'certainlyIoughttohavedoneso。\'

\'Itwouldhavebeennogood，\'saidFrank。\'Ah，sir，tellmethis：whowereMissDunstable\'sparents？WhatwasthatfellowMoffat\'sfamily？\'

ThiswasperhapscruelofFrank。Thesquire，however，madenoanswertothequestion。\'Ihavethoughtitrighttotellyou，\'saidhe。\'I

leaveallthecommentarytoyourself。Ineednottellyouwhatyourmotherwillthink。\'

\'WhatdidshethinkofmissDunstable\'sbirth？\'saidhe，againmorebitterlythanbefore。\'No，sir，\'hecontinued，afterafurtherpause。

\'Allthatcanmakenochange；noneatanyratenow。Itcan\'tmakemyloveless，evenifitcouldhavepreventedit。Nor，even，coulditdoso——whichitcan\'tintheleast，notintheleast——butcoulditdoso，itcouldnotbreakmyengagement。IamnowengagedtoMaryThorne。\'

Andthenheagainrepeatedhisquestion，askingforhisfather\'sadviceunderthepresentcircumstances。Theconversationwasaverylongone，aslongastodisarrangeallLadyArabella\'splans。Shehaddeterminedtotakehersonmorestringentlytotaskthatveryevening；andwiththisobjecthadensconcedherselfinthesmalldrawing-roomwhichhadformerlybeenusedforasimilarpurposebytheaugustcountessherself。Hereshenowsat，havingdesiredAugustaandBeatrice，aswellasthetwins，tobegFranktogotoherassoonasheshouldcomeoutofthedining-room。Poorlady！thereshewaitedtillteno\'clock，——tealess。TherewasnotmuchoftheBluebeardaboutthesquire；buthehadsucceededinmakingitunderstoodthroughthehouseholdthathewasnottobeinterruptedbymessagesfromhiswifeduringthepost-prandialhour，which，thoughnotoper，helovedsowell。

Asaperiodoftwelvemonthswillnowhavetobepassedover，theupshotofthislongconversationmustbetoldinasfewwordsaspossible。Thefatherfounditimpracticabletotalkhissonoutofhisintendedmarriage；indeed，hehardlyattemptedtodosobyanydirectpersuasion。Heexplainedtohimthatitwasimpossiblethatheshouldmarryatonce，andsuggestedthathe，Frank，wasveryyoung。

\'Youmarried，sir，beforeyouwereone-and-twenty，\'saidFrank。YesandrepentedbeforeIwastwo-and-twenty。Sodidnotsaythesquire。

HesuggestedthatMaryshouldhavetimetoascertainwhatwouldbeheruncle\'swishes，andendedbyinducingFranktopromise，thataftertakinghisdegreeinOctoberhewouldgoabroadforsomemonths，andthathewouldnotindeedreturntoGreshamsburyuntilhewasthree-and-twenty。

\'Hemayperhapsforgether，\'saidthefathertohimself。

\'HethinksthatIshallforgether，\'saidFranktohimselfatthesametime；\'buthedoesnotknowme。\'

WhenLadyArabellaatlastgotholdofhersonshefoundthatthetimeforherpreachinghadutterlygoneby。Hetoldhe，almostwithsang-froid，whathisplanswere；andwhenshecametounderstandthem，andtounderstandalsowhathadtakenplaceatBoxallHill，shecouldnotblamethesquireforwhathehaddone。Shealsosaidtoherself，moreconfidentlythanthesquirehaddone，thatFrankwouldquiteforgetMarybeforetheyearwasout。\'LordBuckish，\'saidshetoherself，rejoicingly，\'isnowwiththeambassadoratParis\'——LordBuckishwashernephew——\'andwithhimFrankwillmeetwomenthatarereallybeautiful——womenoffashion。WhenwithLordBuckishhewillsoonforgetMaryThorne。\'

ButnotonthisaccountdidshechangeherresolvetofollowuptothefurthestpointherhostilitytotheThornes。Shewasfullyenablednowtodoso，forDrFillgravewasalreadyreinstatedatGreshamsburyashermedicaladviser。

OneothershortvisitdidFrankpaytoBoxallHill，andoneinterviewhadhewithDrThorne。Marytoldhimallsheknewofherownsadhistory，andwasansweredonlybyakiss，——akissabsolutelynotinanywaybyhertobeavoided；thefirst，andonlyone，thathadeveryetreachedherlipsfromhis。Andthenhewentaway。

Thedoctortoldhimthefullstory。\'Yes，\'saidFrank，\'Iknewitallbefore。DearMary，dearestMary！Don\'tyou，doctor，teachyourselftobelievethatIshallforgether。\'Andthenalsohewenthiswayfromhim——wenthiswayalsofromGreshamsbury，andwasabsentforthefullperiodoftheallottedbanishment——twelvemonths，namely，andaday。

CHAPTERXXXI

THESMALLEDGEOFTHEWEDGE

FrankGreshamwasabsentfromGreshamsburytwelvemonthsandaday：adayisalwaysaddedtotheperiodofsuchabsences，asshowninthehistoryofLordBatemanandothernobleheroes。Weneednotdetailallthecircumstancesofhisbanishment，allthedetailsofthecompactthatwasmade。Onedetailofcoursewasthis，thatthereshouldbenocorresponding；apointtowhichthesquirefoundsomedifficultyinbringinghissontoassent。

ItmustnotbesupposedthatMaryThorneorthedoctorwereinanywaypartiesto，orprivytotheseagreements。Bynomeans。Theagreementsweredrawnout，andmade，andsigned，andsealedatGreshamsbury，andwereknownnowhereelse。ThereadermustnotimaginethatLadyArabellawaspreparedtogiveupherson，ifonlyhislovecouldremainconstantforoneyear。NeitherdidLadyArabellaconsenttoanysucharrangement，nordidthesquire。Itwassettledratherinthiswise：

thatFrankshouldbesubjectedtonotorturingprocess，pesteredtogivenopromises，shouldinnowaybebulliedaboutMary——thatis，notatpresent——ifhewouldgoawayforayear。Then，attheendoftheyear，themattershouldagainbediscussed。Agreeingtothis，Franktookhisdeparture，andwasabsentasperagreement。

WhatwereMary\'sfortunesimmediatelyafterhisdeparturemustbeshortlytold，andthenwewillagainjoinsomeofourGreshamsburyfriendsataperiodaboutamonthbeforeFrank\'sreturn。

WhenSirLouissawFrankGreshamstandingbyMary\'sdonkey，withhisarmsroundMary\'sknees，hebegantofearthattheremustbesomethinginit。HehadintendedthatverydaytothrowhimselfatMary\'sfeet，andnowitappearedtohisinexperiencedeyesasthoughsomebodyelsehadbeenatthesameworkbeforehim。Thisnotunnaturallymadehimcross；so，afterhavingsullenlywishedhisvisitorgood-bye，hebetookhimselftohisroom，andtheredrankcuracoaalone，insteadofcomingdowntodinner。

Thishedidfortwoorthreedays，andthen，takingheartofgrace，herememberedthat，afterall，hehadmanyadvantagesoveryoungGresham。

Inthefirstplace，hewasabaronet，andcouldmakehiswifea\'lady\'。Inthenextplace，Frank\'sfatherwasaliveandliketolive，whereashisownwasdead。HepossessedBoxallHillinhisownright，buthisrivalhadneitherhousenorlandofhisown。Afterall，mightitnotbepossibleforhimalsotoputhisarmroundMary\'sknees；——herknees，orherwaist，or，perhaps，evenherneck？Faintheartneverwonfairlady。Atanyrate，hewouldtry。

Andhedidtry。Withwhatresult，asregardsMary，needhardlybetold。Hecertainlydidnotgetnearlysofarasputtinghishandevenuponherkneebeforehewasmadetounderstandthatit\'wasnogo\'，ashegraphicallydescribedittohismother。Hetriedonceandagain。OnthefirsttimeMarywasverycivil，thoughverydetermined。Onthesecond，shewasmoredetermined，thoughlesscivil；andthenshetoldhim，thatifhepressedherfurtherhewoulddriveherfromhermother\'shouse。TherewassomethingthenaboutMary\'seye，afixedcomposureroundhermouth，andanauthorityinherface，whichwentfartoquellhim；andhedidnotpressheragain。

HeimmediatelyleftBoxallHill，and，returningtoLondon，hadmoreviolentrecoursetothecuracoa。Itwasnotlongbeforethedoctorheardofhim，andwasobligedtofollowhim，andthenagainoccurredthosefrightfulscenesinwhichthepoorwretchhadtoexpiate，eitherinterribledeliriumormoreterribleprostrationofspirits，thevilesinwhichhisfatherhadsoearlytaughthim。

ThenMaryreturnedtoheruncle\'shome。Frankwasgone，andshethereforecouldresumeherplaceatGreshamsbury。Yes，shecamebacktoGreshamsbury；butGreshamsburywasbynomeansthesameplacethatitwasformerly。AlmostallintercoursewasnowoverbetweenthedoctorandtheGreshamsburypeople。Herarelyeversawthesquire，andthenonlyonbusiness。Notthatthesquirehadpurposelyquarrelledwithhim；butDrThornehimselfhadchosenthatitshouldbeso，sinceFrankhadopenlyproposedtohisniece。Frankwasnowgone，andLadyArabellawasinarmsagainsthim。Itshouldnotbesaidthathekeptupanyintimacyforthesakeofaidingtheloversintheirlove。Nooneshouldrightfullyaccusehimofinveiglingtheheirtomarryhisniece。

Mary，therefore，foundherselfutterlyseparatedfromBeatrice。ShewasnotevenabletolearnwhatBeatricewouldthink，ordidthink，oftheengagementasitnowstood。Shecouldnotevenexplaintoherfriendthatlovehadbeentoostrongforher，andendeavourtogetsomecomfortfromthatfriend\'sabsolutionfromhersin。ThisestrangementwasnowcarriedsofarthatsheandBeatricedidnotevenmeetonneutralground。LadyArabellamadeitknowntoMissOrielthatherdaughtercouldnotmeetMaryThorne，evenasstrangersmeet；anditwasmadeknowntoothersalso。MrsYatesUmbleby，andherdearfriendMissGushing，towhosecharmingtea-partiesnoneoftheGreshamsburyladieswentaboveonceinatwelvemonth，talkedthroughtheparishofthisdistressingdifficulty。TheywouldhavebeensohappytohaveaskeddearMaryThorne，onlytheGreshamsburyladiesdidnotapprove。

Marywasthustabooedfromallsocietyintheplaceinwhichatwelvemonthsinceshehadbeen，ofallitsdenizens，perhapsthemostcourted。Inthosedays，nobevyofGreshamsburyyoungladieshadfairlyrepresentedtheGreshamsburyyoungladyhoodifMaryThornewasnotthere。Nowshewasexcludedfromallsuchbevies。Patiencedidnotquarrelwithher，certainly；——cametoseeherfrequently；——invitedhertowalk；——invitedherfrequentlytotheparsonage。ButMarywasshyofaccedingtosuchinvitationsandatlastfranklytoldherfriendPatience，thatshewouldnotagainbreakbreadinGreshamsburyinanyhouseinwhichshewasnotthoughtfittomeettheotherguestswhohabituallyresortedthere。

Intruth，boththedoctorandhisniecewereverysore，buttherewereofthattemperamentthatkeepsallitssorenesstoitself。Marywalkedoutbyherselfboldly，lookingatleastasthoughshewereindifferenttoalltheworld。Shewas，indeed，hardlytreated。Youngladies\'

engagementsaregenerallymattersofprofoundestsecrecy，andarehardlyknownofbytheirnearfriendstillmarriageisathingsettled。ButalltheworldknewofMary\'sengagementwithinamonthofthatdayonwhichshehadneglectedtoexpelFrank\'sfingerfromherhand；ithadbeentoldopenlythroughthecountry-sidethatshehadconfessedherlovefortheyoungsquire。Nowitisdisagreeableforayoungladytowalkaboutundersuchcircumstances，especiallysowhenshehasnofemalefriendtokeepherincountenance，moreespeciallysowhenthegentlemanissuchimportanceintheneighbourhoodasFrankwasinthatlocality。Itwasamatterofmomenttoeveryfarmer，andeveryfarmer\'swife，whichbrideFrankshouldmarryofthosebespokenforhim；Mary，namely，orMoney。Everyyokelabouttheplacehadbeenmadetounderstandthat，bysomefemininesleightofhand，thedoctor\'sniecehadmanagedtotrapMasterFrank，andthatMasterFrankhadbeensentoutofthewaysothathemight，ifyetpossible，breakthroughthetrapping。Allthismadeliferatherunpleasantforher。

Oneday，walkingsolitaryinthelanes，shemetthatsturdyfarmertowhosedaughtershehadinformerdaysbeensoserviceable。\'Godbless\'ee，MissMary，\'saidhe——healwaysbidGodblessherwhenhesawher。

\'And，MissMary，tosaymymindoutfreely，theebequitegudeenoughforun，quitegudeenough；sotheebe\'sttho\'fheweretensquoires。\'

Theremay，perhaps，havebeensomethingpleasantintheheartinessofthis；butitwasnotpleasanttohavethisheartaffairofhersthuspubliclyscannedandtalkedover：tohaveitknowntoeveryonethatshehadsetherheartonmarryingFrankgem，andthatalltheGreshamshadsettheirheartsinpreventingit。Andyetshecouldinnowisehelpit。Nogirlcouldhavebeenmorestaidanddemure，lessdemonstrativeandboastfulaboutherlove。Shehadneveryetspokenfreely，outofherfullheart，toonehumanbeing。\'Oh，Frank！\'Allherspokensinhadbeencontainedinthat。

ButLadyArabellahadbeenveryactive。Itsuitedherbetterthatitshouldbeknown，farandwide，thatanamelesspauper——LadyArabellaonlysurmisedthatherfoewasnameless；butshedidnotscrupletodeclareit——wasintriguingtocatchtheheirofGreshamsbury。NoneoftheGreshamsmustmeetMaryThorne；thatwastheedictsentoutaboutthecounty；andtheedictwaswellunderstood。Those，therefore，werebaddaysforMissThorne。

Shehadneveryetspokenonthematterfreely，outofherfullhearttoonehumanbeing。Nottoone？Nottohim？Nottoheruncle？No，noteventohim，fullyandfreely。ShehadtoldhimthatthathadpassedbetweenFrankandherwhichamounted，atanyrateonhispart，toaproposal。

\'Well，dearest，andwhatwasyouranswer？\'saidheruncle，drawingherclosetohim，andspeakinginhiskindestvoice。

\'Ihardlymadeananswer，uncle。\'

\'Youdidnotrejecthim，Mary？\'

\'No，uncle，\'andthenshepaused；——hehadneverknownhertrembleasshenowtrembled。\'ButifyousaythatIought，Iwill，\'sheadded，drawingeverywordfromherselfwithdifficulty。

\'Isayyouought，Mary！Nay；butthisquestionyoumustansweryourself。\'

\'MustI？\'saidshe，plaintively。Andthenshesatforthenexthalfhourwithherheadagainsthisshoulder；butnothingmorewassaidaboutit。Theybothacquiescedinthesentencethathadbeenpronouncedagainstthem，andwentontogethermorelovinglythanbefore。

Thedoctorwasquiteasweakashisniece；nay，weaker。Shehesitatedfearfullyastowhatsheoughttodo：whethersheshouldobeyherheartorthedictatesofGreshamsbury。Buthehadotherdoubtsthanhers，whichnearlysethimwildwhenhestrovetobringhismindtoadecision。Hehimselfwasnowinpossession——ofcourseasatrusteeonly——ofthetitle-deedsoftheestate；moreoftheestate，muchmore，belongedtotheheirsunderSirRogerScatcherd\'swillthantothesquire。ItwasnowmorethanprobablethatthatheirmustbeMaryThorne。HisconvictionbecamestrongerandstrongerthatnohumaneffortwouldkeepSirLouisinthelandofthelivingtillhewastwenty-five。Couldhe，therefore，wiselyorhonestly，intruefriendshiptothesquire，toFrank，ortohisniece，takeanystepstoseparatetwopersonswholovedeachother，andwhosemarriagewouldinhumanprobabilitybesosuitable？