第13章

Andyethecouldnotbringhimselftoencourageitthen。Theideaof\'lookingafterdeadman\'sshoes\'wasabhorrenttohismind，especiallywhenthemanwhosedeathhecontemplatedhadbeensotrustedtohimashadbeenSirLouisScatcherd。Hecouldnotspeakoftheevent，eventothesquire，asbeingpossible。Sohekepthispeacefromdaytoday，andgavenocounseltoMaryinthematter。

Andthenhehadhisownindividualannoyances，andveryaggravatingannoyancestheywere。Thecarriage——orratherthepost-chaise——ofDrFillgravewasnowfrequentinGreshamsbury，passinghimconstantlyinthestreet，amongthelanes，andonthehighroads。ItseemedasthoughDrFillgravecouldnevergettohispatientsatthebighousewithoutshowinghimselftohisbeatenrival，eitheroniswaythitheroronhisreturn。Thisalonewould，perhaps，nothavehurtthedoctormuch；butitdidhurthimtoknowthatDrFillgravewasattendingthesquireforalittleincipientgout，andthatdearNinawasinmeaslesunderthoseunlovinghands。

Andthen，also，theold-fashionedphaeton，ofold-fashionedoldDrCenturywasseentorumbleuptothebighouse，anditbecameknownthatLadyArabellawasnotverywell。\'Notverywell，\'whenpronouncedinalow，gravevoiceaboutLadyArabella，alwaysmeantsomethingserious。And，inthiscase，somethingseriouswasmeant。LadyArabellawasnotonlyill，butfrightened。Itappearedeventoher，thatDrFillgravehardlyknewwhathewasabout，thathewasnotsosureinhisopinion，soconfidentinhimselfasDrThorneusedtobe。

howshouldhebe，seeingthatDrThornehadmedicallyhadLadyArabellainhishandsforthelasttenyears？

Ifsittingwithdignityinhishiredcarriage，andsteppingwithauthorityupthebigfrontsteps，wouldhavedoneanything，DrFillgravemighthavedonemuch。LadyArabellawasgreatlytakenwithhislookswhenhefirstcametoher，anditwasonlywhenshebydegreesthatthesymptoms，whichsheknewsowell，didnotyieldtohimthatshebegantodoubtthoselooks。

AfterawhileDrFillgravehimselfsuggestedDrCentury。\'NotthatI

fearanything，LadyArabella，\'saidhe，——lyinghugely，forhedidfear；

fearbothforhimselfandforher。\'ButDrCenturyhasgreatexperience，andinsuchamatter，whentheinterestsaresoimportant，onecannotbetoosafe。\'

SoDrCenturycameandtoddledslowlyintoherladyship\'sroom。Hedidnotsaymuch；heleftthetalkingtohislearnedbrother，whocertainlywasabletodothatpartofthebusiness。ButDrCentury，thoughhesaidverylittle，lookedverygrave，andbynomeansquietedLadyArabella\'smind。She，asshesawthetwoputtingtheirheadstogether，alreadyhadmisgivingsthatshehaddonewrong。SheknewthatshecouldnotbesafewithoutDrThorneatherbedside，andshealreadyfeltthatshehadexercisedamostinjudiciouscourageindrivinghimaway。

\'Well，doctor？\'saidshe，assoonasDrCenturyhadtoddleddownstairstoseethesquire。

\'Oh！weshallbeallright，LadyArabella；allright，verysoon。Butwemustbecareful，verycareful；IamgladI\'vehadDrCenturyhere，very；butthere\'snothingtoalter；littleornothing。\'

TherewasbutfewwordsspokenbetweenDrCenturyandthesquire；butfewastheywere，theyfrightenedMrGresham。WhenDrFillgravecamedownthegrandstairs，aservantwaitedatthebottomtoaskhimalsotogotothesquire。NowthereneverhadbeenmuchcordialitybetweenthesquireandDrFillgrave，thoughMrGreshamhadconsentedtotakeapreventativepillfromhishands，andthelittlemanthereforeswelledhimselfoutsomewhatmorethanordinarilyashefollowedtheservant。

\'DrFillgrave，\'saidthesquire，atoncebeginningtheconversation，\'LadyArabella，isIfear，indanger？\'

\'Well，no；Ihopenotindanger，MrGresham。IcertainlybelieveImaybejustifiedinexpressingahopethatsheisnotindanger。Herstateis，nodoubt，ratherserious；——ratherserious——asDrCenturyhasprobablytoldyou；\'andDrFillgravemadeabowtotheoldman，whosatquietinoneofthedining-roomarm-chairs。

\'Well，doctor，\'saidthesquire，\'Ihavenotanygroundsonwhichtodoubtyourjudgement。\'

DrFillgravebowed，butwiththestiffest，slightestinclinationwhichaheadcouldpossiblymake。HeratherthoughtthatMrGreshamhadnogroundfordoubtinghisjudgement。

\'NordoI。\'

Thedoctorbowed，andalittle，averylittlelessstiffly。

\'But，doctor，Ithinkthatsomethingoughttobedone。\'

Thedoctorthistimedidhisbowingmerelywithhiseyesandmouth。Theformerheclosedforamoment，thelatterhepressed；andthendecorouslyrubbedhishandsoneovertheother。

\'Iamafraid，DrFillgrave，thatyouandmyfriendThornearenotthebestfriendsintheworld。\'

\'No，MrGresham，no；Imaygosofarastosaywearenot。\'

\'Well，Iamsorryforit——\'

\'Perhaps，MrGresham，weneedhardlydiscussit；buttherehavebeencircumstances——\'

\'Iamnotgoingtodiscussanything，DrFillgrave；IsayIamsorryforit，becauseIbelievethatprudencewillimperativelyrequireLadyArabellatohaveDoctorThornebackagain。Now，ifyouwouldnotobjecttomeethim——\'

\'MrGresham，Ibegpardon；Ibegpardon，indeed；butyoumustreallyexcuseme。DoctorThornehas，inmyestimation——\'

\'But，DoctorFillgrave——\'

\'MrGresham，youreallymustexcuseme；youreallymust，indeed。

AnythingelsethatIcoulddoforLadyArabella，Ishouldbemosthappytodo；butafterwhathaspassed，IcannotmeetDoctorThorne；Ireallycannot。Youmustnotaskmetodoso；MrGresham。And，MrGresham，\'

continuedthedoctor，\'IdidunderstandfromLadyArabellathathis——thatis，DrThorne\'s——conducttoherladyshiphadbeensuch——soveryoutrageous，Imaysay，that——that——that——ofcourse，MrGresham，youknowbest；butIdidthinkthatLadyArabellaherselfwasquiteunwillingtoseeDoctorThorneagain；\'andDrFillgravelookedverybig，andverydignified，andveryexclusive。

Thesquiredidnotaskagain。HehadnowarrantforsupposingthatLadyArabellawouldreceiveDrThorneifhedidcome；andhesawthatitwasuselesstoattempttoovercometherancourofthemansopig-headedasthelittleGalennowbeforehim。Otherpropositionswerethenbroached，anditwasatlastdecidedthatassistanceshouldbesoughtforfromLondon，inthepersonofthegreatSirOmicronPie。

SirOmicroncame，andDrsFillgraveandCenturyweretheretomeethim。WhentheyallassembledinLadyArabella\'sroom，thepoorwoman\'sheartalmostsandwithinher，——aswellitmight，atsuchasight。Ifshecouldonlyreconcileitwithherhonour，herconsistency，withherhighDeCourcyprinciples，tosendoncemoreforDrThorne。Oh，Frank！Frank！towhatmiseryyourdisobediencebroughtyourmother！

SirOmicronandthelesserprovinciallightshadtheirconsultation，andthelesserlightswenttheirwaytoBarchesterandSilverbridge，leavingSirOmicrontoenjoythehospitalityofGreshamsbury。

\'YoushouldhaveThornebackhere，MrGresham，\'saidSirOmicron，almostinawhisper，whentheywerequitealone。\'DoctorFillgraveisaverygoodman，andsoisDrCentury；verygood，I\'msure。ButThornehasknownherladyshipsolong。\'Andthen，onthefollowingmorning，SirOmicronalsowenthisway。

Andthentherewasascenebetweenthesquireandherladyship。LadyArabellahadgivenherselfcreditforgreatgoodgeneralshipwhenshefoundthatthesquirehadbeeninducedtotakethatpill。Wehaveallheardofthelittleendofthewedge，andwehavemostofusanideathatthelittleendisthedifficulty。ThatpillhadbeenthelittleendofLadyArabella\'swedge。Uptothatperiodshehadbeenstrugglinginvaintomakeaseverancebetweenherhusbandandherenemy。Thatpillshoulddothebusiness。Shewellknewhowtomakethemostofit；tohaveitpublishedinGreshamsburythatthesquirehadputhisgoutytoeintoDrFillgrave\'shands；howtoletitbeknown——especiallyatthathumblehouseinthecornerofthestreet——thatFillgrave\'sprescriptionsnowrancurrentthroughthewholeestablishment。DrThornedidhearofit，anddidsuffer。Hehadbeenatruefriendtothesquire，andhethoughtthesquireshouldhavestoodtohimmorestaunchly。

\'Afterall，\'saidhehimself，\'perhapsit\'saswell——perhapsitwillbebestthatIshouldleavethisplacealtogether。\'AndthenhethoughtofSirRogerandhiswill，andofMaryandherlover。AndthenofMary\'sbirth，andofhisowntheoreticaldoctrinesastopureblood。

Andsohistroublesmultiplied，andhesawnopresentdaylightthroughthem。

SuchhadbeenthewayinwhichLadyArabellahadgotinthelittleendofthewedge。Andshewouldhavetriumphedjoyfullyhadnotherincreaseddoubtsandfearsastoherselfthencomeintocheckhertriumphanddestroyherjoy。Shehadnotyetconfessedtoanyonehersecretregretforthefriendshehaddrivenaway。Shehardlyyetacknowledgedtoherselfthatshedidregrethim；butshewasuneasy，frightened，andinlowspirits。

\'Mydear，\'saidthesquire，sittingdownbyherbedside，\'IwanttotellyouwhatSirOmicronsaidashewentaway。\'

\'Well？\'saidherladyship，sittingupandlookingfrightened。

\'Idon\'tknowhowyoumaytakeit，Bell；butIthinkitverygoodnews：\'thesquirenevercalledhiswifeBell，exceptwhenhewantedhertobeonparticularlygoodtermswithhim。

\'Well？\'shesaidagain。Shewasnotover-anxioustobegracious，anddidnotreciprocatehisfamiliarity。

\'SirOmicronsaysthatyoushouldhaveThornebackagain，anduponmyhonour，Icannotbutagreewithhim。Now，Thorneisacleverman，averycleverman；nobodydeniesthat；andthen，youknow——\'

\'WhydidnotSirOmicronsaythattome？\'saidherladyship，sharply，allherdispositioninDrThorne\'sfavourbecomingwonderfullydampedbyherhusband\'sadvocacy。

\'Isupposehethoughtitbettertosayittome，\'saidthesquire。

\'Heshouldhavespokentomyself，\'saidLadyArabella，who，thoughshedidnotabsolutelydoubtherhusband\'sword，gavehimcreditforhavinginducedandledonSirOmicrontotheutteringoftheopinion。\'DoctorThornehasbehavedtomeinsogross，soindecentamanner！Andthen，asIunderstand，heisabsolutelyencouragingthatgirl——\'

\'Now，Bell，youarequitewrong——\'

\'OfcourseIam；Ialwaysamquitewrong。\'

\'Quitewronginmixinguptwothings；DoctorThorneasanacquaintance，andDrThorneasadoctor。\'

\'Itisdreadfultohavehimhere，evenstandingintheroomwithme。

Howcanonetalktoone\'sdoctoropenlyandconfidentiallywhenonelooksuponhimasone\'sworstenemy？\'AndLadyArabella，softening，almostmeltedwithtears。

\'Mydear，youcannotwonderthatIshouldbeanxiousforyou。\'

LadyArabellagavealittlesnuffle，whichmightbetakenasanotveryeloquentexpressionofthanksforthesquire\'ssolicitude，orasanironicaljeerathiswantofsincerity。

\'And，therefore，IhavenotlostamomentintellingyouwhatSirOmicronsaid。“YoushouldhaveThornebackhere；“thosewerehisverywords。Youcanthinkitover，mydear。Andrememberthis，Bell；ifheistodoanygoodnotimeistobelost。\'

Andthenthesquirelefttheroom，andLadyArabellaremainedalone，perplexedbymanydoubts。

CHAPTERXXXII

MRORIEL

Imustnow，shortly——asshortlyasitisinmypowertodoit——introduceanewcharactertomyreader。MentionhasbeenmadeoftherectoryofGreshamsbury；but，hitherto，noopportunityhasoffereditselffortheRevCalebOrieltocomeupontheboards。

MrOrielwasamanoffamilyandfortune，who，havinggonetoOxfordwiththeusualviewsofsuchmen，hadbecomeinoculatedtherewithveryHigh-Churchprinciples，andhadgoneintoordersinfluencedbyafeelingofenthusiasticloveforthepriesthood。Hewasbynomeansanascetic——suchmen，indeed，seldomare——norwasheadevotee。Hewasamanwellable，andcertainlywillingtodotheworkofaparishclergyman；andwhenhebecameone，hewasefficaciousinhisprofession。Butitmayperhapsbesaidofhim，withoutspeakingslanderously，thathisoriginalcalling，asayoungman，wasrathertotheoutwardandvisiblesignsofreligionthantoitsinwardandspiritualgraces。

Hedelightedinlecternsandcredence-tables，inservicesatdarkhoursofwintermorningswhennoonewouldattend，inhighwaistcoatsandnarrowwhiteneckties，inchantedservicesandintonedprayers，andinalltheparaphernaliaofAnglicanformalitieswhichhavegivensuchoffencetothoseofourbrethrenwholiveindailyfearofthescarletlady。ManyofhisfriendsdeclaredthatMrOrielwouldsoonerorlaterdeliverhimselfoverbodyandsoultothatlady；buttherewasnoneedtofearforhim：forthoughsufficientlyenthusiastictogetoutofbedatfiveamonwintermornings——hedidso，atleast，allthroughhisfirstwinteratGreshamsbury——hewasnotmadeofthatstuffwhichisnecessaryforastaunch，burning，self-denyingconvert。ItwasnotinhimtochangehisverysleekblackcoatforaCapuchin\'sfilthycassock，norhispleasantparsonageforsomedirtyholeinRome。Anditwasbettersobothforhimandothers。Therearebutfew，veryfew，towhomitisgiventobeaHuss，aWickliffe，oraLuther；andamangainsbutlittlebybeingafalseHuss，orafalseLuther，——andhisneighboursgainless。

Butcertainlengthsinself-privationMrOrieldidgo；atanyrate，forsometime。Heeschewedmatrimony，imaginingthatitbecamehimasapriesttodoso。HefastedrigorouslyonFridays；andtheneighboursdeclaredthathescourgedhimself。

MrOrielwas，ithasbeensaid，amanoffortune；thatistosay，whenhecameofagehewasmasterofthirtythousandpounds。WhenhetookitintohisheadtogointotheChurch，hisfriendsboughtforhimthenextpresentationtothelivingatGreshamsbury；and，ayearafterhisordination，thelivingfallingin，MrOrielbroughthimselfandhissistertotherectory。

MrOrielsoonbecamepopular。Hewasadark-haired，good-lookingman，ofpolishedmanners，agreeableinsociety，notgiventomonkishausterities——exceptinthematterofFridays——noryettotheLow-Churchseverityofdemeanour。Hewasthoroughlyagentleman，good-humoured，inoffensive，andsociable。Buthehadonefault：hewasnotamarryingman。

Onthisgroundtherewasafeelingagainsthimsostrongasalmostatonetimetothrowhimintoseriousdanger。Itwasnotonlythatheshouldbeswornagainstmatrimonyinhisindividualself——hewhomfatehadmadesoabletosustaintheweightofawifeandfamily；butwhatanexamplehewassetting！Ifotherclergymenallaroundshoulddeclareagainstwivesandfamilies，whatwastobecomeofthecountry？

Whatwastobedoneintheruraldistricts？Thereligiousobservances，asregardswomen，ofaBrighamYoungwerehardlysobadasthis！

TherewerearoundGreshamsburyverymanyunmarriedladies——Ibelievetheregenerallyaresoroundmustsuchvillages。Fromthegreathousehedidnotreceivemuchannoyance。Beatricewasthenonlyjustonthevergeofbeingbroughtout，andwasnotperhapsinclinedtothinkverymuchofayoungclergyman；andAugustacertainlyintendedtoflyathighergame。ButthereweretheMissAthelings，thedaughtersofaneighbouringclergyman，whowerereadytogoalllengthswithhiminHigh-Churchmatters，exceptasthatonetremendouslypapalstepofcelibacy；andthetwoMissHesterwells，ofHesterwellPark，theyoungerofwhomboldlydeclaredherpurposeofcivilizingthesavage；andMrsOpieGreen，averyprettywidow，withaveryprettyjointure，wholivedinaveryprettyhouseaboutamilefromGreshamsbury，andwhodeclaredheropinionthatMrOrielwasquiterightinhisviewofaclergyman\'sposition。Howcouldawoman，situatedasshewas，havethecomfortofaclergyman\'sattentionifheweretoberegardedjustasanyotherman？ShecouldnowknowinwhatlighttoregardMrOriel，andwouldbeablewithoutscrupletoavailherselfofhiszeal。Soshedidavailherselfofhiszeal，——andthatwithoutanyscruple。

AndthentherewasMissGushing，——ayoungthing。MissGushinghadagreatadvantageovertheothercompetitorsforthecivilizationofMrOriel，namely，inthis——thatshewasabletoattendhismorningservices。IfMrOrielwastobereachedinanyway，itwasprobablethathemightbereachedinthisway。Ifanythingcouldcivilizehim，thiswoulddoit。Therefore，theyoungthing，throughallonelong，tediouswinter，toreherselffromherwarmbed，andwastobeseen——no，notseen，butheard——enteringMrOriel\'schurchatsixo\'clock。Withindefatigableassiduitytheresponsesweremade，utteredfromunderaclosebonnet，andoutofadarkcorner，inanenthusiasticallyfemininevoice，throughthewholewinter。

NordidMissGushingaltogetherfailinherobject。Whenaclergyman\'sdailyaudienceconsistsofbutoneperson，andthatpersonisayounglady，itishardlypossiblethatheshouldnotbecomepersonallyintimatewithher；hardlypossiblethatheshouldnotbeinsomemeasuregrateful。MissGushing\'sresponsescamefromherwithsuchfervour，andshebeggedforghostlyadvicewithsucheagerlongingtohaveherscruplessatisfied，thatMrOrielhadnothingforitbuttogivewaytoacertainamountofcivilization。

BydegreesitcametopassthatMissGushingcouldnevergetherfinalprayersaid，hershawlandboaadjusted，andstowawayhernicenewPrayerBookwiththeredlettersinside，andthecrossontheback，tillMrOrielhadbeenintohisvestryandgotridofhissurplice。Andthentheymetatthechurch-porch，andnaturallywalkedtogethertillMrOriel\'scruelgatewayseparatedthem。Theyoungthingdidsometimesthinkthat，astheparson\'scivilizationprogressed，hemighthavetakenthetroubletowalkwithherasfarasMrsYatesUmbleby\'shalldoor；butshehadhopetosustainher，andafirmresolvetomeritsuccess，eventhoughshemightnotattainit。

\'Itisnottenthousandpities，\'sheoncesaidtohim，\'thatnonehereshouldavailthemselvesoftheinestimableprivilegewhichyourcominghasconferreduponus？Oh，MrOriel，Idosowonderatit！Tomeitissodelightful！Themorningserviceinthedarkchurchissobeautiful，sotouching！\'

\'Isupposetheythinkitaboregettingupsoearly，\'saidMrOriel。

\'Ah，abore！\'saidMissGushing，inanenthusiastictoneofdepreciation。\'Howinsensatetheymustbe！Tomeitgivesanewcharmtolife。Itquietsonefortheday；makesonesofitterforone\'sdailytrialsanddailytroubles。Doesitnot，MrOriel？\'

\'Ilookuponmorningprayerasanimperativeduty，certainly。\'

\'Oh，certainly，amostimperativeduty；butsodeliciousatthesametime。IspoketoMrsUmblebyaboutit，butshesaidshecouldnotleavethechildren。\'

\'No：Idaresaynot，\'saidMrOriel。

\'AndMrUmblebysaidbusinesskepthimupsolateatnight。\'

\'Veryprobably。Ihardlyexpecttheattendanceofmenofbusiness。\'

\'Buttheservantsmightcome，mightn\'tthey，MrOriel？\'

\'Ifearthatservantsseldomcanhavetimefordailyprayersinchurch。\'

\'Oh，ah，no；perhapsnot。\'AndthenMissGushingbegantobethinkherselfofwhomshouldbecomposedthecongregationwhichitmustbepresumedthatMrOrielwishedtoseearoundhim。Butonthismatterhedidnotenlightenher。

ThenMissGushingtooktofastingonFridays，andmadesomefutileattemptstoinduceherpriesttogiveherthecomfortofconfessionalabsolution。But，unfortunately，thezealofthemasterwaxedcoolasthatofthepupilwaxedhot；and，atlast，whentheyoungthingreturnedtoGreshamsburyfromanautumnexcursionwhichshemadewithMrsUmblebytoWeston-super-Mare，shefoundthatthedeliciousmorningserviceshaddiedanaturaldeath。MissGushingdidnotonthataccountgiveupthegame，butshewasboundtofightwithnoparticularadvantageinherfavour。

MissOriel，thoughagoodChurchwoman，wasbynomeansaconverttoherbrother\'sextremistviews，andperhapsgavebutscantycredittotheGushings，Athelings，andOpieGreensforthesincerityoftheirreligion。But，nevertheless，sheandherbrotherwerestaunchfriends；

andshestillhopedtoseethedaywhenhemightbeinducedtothinkthatanEnglishparsonmightgetthroughhisparishworkwiththeassistanceofawifebetterthanhecoulddowithoutsuchfeminineencumbrance。Thegirlwhomsheselectedforhisbridewasnottheyoungthing，butBeatriceGresham。

AndatlastitseemedprobabletoMrOriel\'snearestfriendsthathewasinafairwaytobeovercome。NotthathehadbeguntomakelovetoBeatrice，orcommittedhimselfbytheutteranceofanyopinionastotheproprietyofclericalmarriages；buthedailybecamelooserabouthispeculiartenets，ravedlessimmoderatelythanheretoforeastotheatrocityoftheGreshamsburychurchpews，andwasobservedtotakesomeopportunitiesofconversingalonewithBeatrice。Beatricehadalwaysdeniedtheimputation——thishadusuallybeenmadebyMaryintheirhappydays——withthevehementasseverationsofanger；andMissGushinghadtittered，andexpressedherselfassupposingthatgreatpeople\'sdaughtersmightbeasbarefacedastheypleased。

AllthishadhappenedprevioustothegreatGreshamsburyfeud。MrOrielgraduallygothimselfintoawayofsaunteringuptothegreathouse，saunteringintothedrawing-roomforthepurpose，asIamsurehethought，oftalkingwithLadyArabella，andthenofsaunteringhomeagain，havingusuallyfoundanopportunityforsayingafewwordstoBeatriceduringthevisit。ThiswentonallthroughthefeuduptotheperiodofLadyArabella\'sillness；andthenonemorning，aboutamonthbeforethedatefixedforFrank\'sreturn，MrOrielfoundhimselfengagedtoMissBeatriceGresham。

FromthedaythatMissGushingheardofit——whichwasnothoweverforsomeconsiderabletimeafterthis——shebecameanIndependentMethodist。

Shecouldnolonger，shesaidatfirst，haveanyfaithinanyreligion；

andforanhourorsoshewasalmosttemptedtoswearthatshecouldnolongerhaveanyfaithinanyman。Shehadnearlycompletedaworkedcoverforacredence-tablewhenthenewsreachedher，astowhich，intheyoungenthusiasmofherheart，shehadnotbeenabletoremainsilent；ithadalreadybeenpromisedtoMrOriel；thatpromiseshesworeshouldnotbekept。Hewasanapostate，shesaid，fromhisprinciples；anutterpervert；afalse，designingman，withwhomshewouldneverhavetrustedherselfaloneondarkmorningshadsheknownthathehadsuchgrovelling，worldlyinclinations。SoMissGushingbecameanIndependentMethodist；thecredence-tablecoveringwascutupintoslippersforthepreacher\'sfeet；andtheyoungthingherself，morehappyinthisdirectionthanshehadbeenintheother，becamethearbiterofthatpreacher\'sdomestichappiness。

ButthislittlehistoryofMissGushing\'sfuturelifeispremature。MrOrielbecameengageddemurely，nay，almostsilently，toBeatrice，andnooneoutoftheirownimmediatefamilieswasatthetimeinformedofthematter。Itwasarrangedverydifferentlyfromthoseothertwomatches——embryo，ornotembryo，those，namely，ofAugustawithMrMoffat，andFrankwithMaryThorne。AllBarsetshirehadheardofthem；

butthatofBeatriceandMrOrielwasmanagedinamuchmoreprivatemanner。

\'Idothinkyouareahappygirl，\'saidPatiencetoheronemorning。

\'IndeedIam。\'

\'Heissogood。Youdon\'tknowhowgoodheisasyet；heneverthinksofhimself，andthinkssomuchofthoseheloves。\'

Beatricetookherfriend\'shandinherownandkissedit。Shewasfullofjoy。Whenagirlisabouttobemarried，whenshemaylawfullytalkoflove，thereisnomusicinherearssosweetasthepraisesofherlover。

\'Imadeupmymindfromthefirstthatheshouldmarryyou。\'

\'Nonsense，Patience。\'

\'Idid，indeed。Imadeupmymindthatheshouldmarry；andtherewereonlytwotochoosefrom。\'

\'MeandMissGushing，\'saidBeatrice，laughing。

\'No；notexactlyMissGushing。IhadnotmanyfearsforCalebthere。\'

\'Ideclaresheisverypretty，\'saidBeatrice，whocouldaffordtobegood-natured。NowMissGushingcertainlywaspretty；andwouldhavebeenveryprettyhadhernosenotturnedupsomuch，andcouldshehavepartedherhairinthecentre。

\'Well，Iamverygladyouchoseme；——ifitwasyouwhochose，\'saidBeatrice，modestly；having，however，inherownmindastrongopinionthatMrOrielhadchosenforhimself，andhadneveranydoubtinthematter。\'Andwhowastheother？\'

\'Can\'tyouguess？\'

\'Iwon\'tguessanymore；perhapsMrsGreen。\'

\'Oh，no；certainlynotawidow。Idon\'tlikewidowsmarrying。Butofcourseyoucouldguessifyouwould；ofcourseitwasMaryThorne。ButIsoonsawMarywouldnotdo，fortworeasons；Calebwouldneverhavelikedherwellenoughnorwouldshehaveeverlikedhim。\'

\'Notlikehim！ohIhopeshewill；IdosoloveMaryThorne。\'

\'SodoIdearly；andsodoesCaleb；buthecouldneverhavelovedherashelovesyou。\'

\'But，Patience，haveyoutoldMary？\'

\'No，Ihavetoldnoone，andshallnotwithoutyourleave。\'

\'Ah，youmusttellher。Tellitherwithmybest，andkindest，warmestlove。TellherhowhappyIam，andhowIlongtotalktoher。TellthatIwillhaveherformybridesmaid。Oh！Idohopethatbeforethatallthishorridquarrelwillbesettled。

Patienceundertookthecommission，anddidtellMary；didgiveheralsothemessagewhichBeatricehadsent。AndMarywasrejoicedtohearit；

forthough，asPatiencehadsaidofher，shehadneverherselffeltanyinclinationtofallinlovewithMrOriel，shebelievedhimtobeoneinwhosehandsherfriend\'shappinesswouldbesecure。Then，bydegrees，theconversationchangedfromthelovesofMrOrielandBeatricetothetroublesofFrankGreshamandherself。

\'Shesaysthatletwhatwillhappenyoushallbeoneofherbridesmaids。\'

\'Ah，yes，dearTrichy！thatwassettledbetweenusinauldlangsyne；

butthosesettlementsareallunsettlednow，andmustbebroken。No，I

cannotbeherbridesmaid；butIshallyethopetoseeheroncebeforehermarriage。\'

\'Andwhynotbeherbridesmaid？LadyArabellawillhardlyobjecttothat。\'

\'LadyArabella！\'saidMary，curlingupherlipwithdeepscorn。\'IdonotcarethatforLadyArabella，\'andshelethersilverthimblefallfromherfingersontothetable。\'IfBeatriceinvitedmetoherwedding，shemightmanageastothat；IshouldasknoquestionastoLadyArabella。\'

\'Thenwhynotcometoit？\'

Sheremainedsilentforawhile，andthenboldlyanswered。\'ThoughI

donotcareforLadyArabella，IdocareforMrGresham：——andIdocareforhisson。\'

\'Butthesquirealwayslovedyou。\'

\'Yes，andthereforeIwillnotbetheretovexhissight。Iwilltellyouthetruth，Patience。IcanneverbeinthathouseagaintillFrankGreshamisamarriedman，ortillIamabouttobeamarriedwoman。I

donotthinktheyhavetreatedmewell，butIwillnottreatthemill。\'

\'Iamsureyouwillnotdothat，\'saidMissOriel。

\'Iwillendeavournottodoso；and，therefore，willgotononeoftheirfetes！No，Patience。\'Andthensheturnedherheadtothearmofthesofa，andsilently，withoutaudiblesobs，hidingherface，sheendeavouredtogetridofthetearsunseen。Foronemomentshehadallbutresolvedtopouroutthewholetruthofherloveintoherfriend\'sears；butsuddenlyshechangedhermind。Whyshouldshetalkofherownunhappiness？WhyshouldshespeakofherownlovewhenshewasfullydeterminednottospeakofFrank\'spromises。

\'Mary，dearMary。\'

\'Anything，butpity，Patience；anythingbutthat，\'saidshe，convulsively，swallowinghersobs，andrubbingawayhertears。\'I

cannotbearthat。TellBeatricefromme，thatIwishhereveryhappiness；and，withsuchahusband，Iamsureshewillbehappy。I

wishhereveryjoy；givehermykindestlove；buttellherthatI

cannotbeathermarriage。Oh，Ishouldliketoseeher；notthere，youknow，buthere，inmyownroom，whereIstillhavelibertytospeak。\'

\'Butwhyshouldyoudecidenow？Sheisnottobemarriedyet，youknow。\'

\'Now，orthisdaytwelvemonth，canmakenodifference。Iwillnotgointothathouseagain，unless——butnevermind；Iwillnotgointoitall；never，neveragain。IfIcouldforgiveherformyself，Icouldnotforgiveherformyuncle。Buttellme，Patience，mightnotBeatricenowcomehere？ItissodreadfultoseehereverySundayinchurchandnevertospeaktoher，nevertokissher。Sheseemstolookawayfrommeasthoughshetoohadchosentoquarrelwithme。\'

MissOrielpromisedtodoherbest。Shecouldnotimagine，shesaid，thatsuchavisitcouldbeobjectedtoonsuchanoccasion。ShewouldnotadviseBeatricetocomewithouttellinghermother；butshecouldnotthinkthatLadyArabellawouldbesocruelastomakeanyobjection，knowing，asshecouldnotbutknow，thatherdaughter，whenmarried，wouldbeatlibertytochooseherownfriends。

\'Good-bye，Mary，\'saidPatience。\'IwishIknewhowtosaymoretocomfortyou。\'

\'Oh，comfort！Idon\'twantcomfort。Iwanttobeletalone。\'

\'That\'sjustit：youaresoferociousinyourscorn，sounbending，sodeterminedtotakeallthepunishmentthatcomesinyourway。\'

\'WhatIdotake，I\'lltakewithoutcomplaint，\'saidMary；andthentheykissedeachotherandparted。

CHAPTERXXXIII

AMORNINGVISIT

ItmustberememberedthatMary，amonghermiseries，hadtosufferthis：thatsinceFrank\'sdeparture，nownearlytwelvemonthsago，shehadnotheardawordabouthim；orrather，shehadonlyheardthathewasverymuchinlovewithsomeladyinLondon。Thisnewsreachedherinamannersocircuitous，andfromsuchadoubtfulsource；itseemedtohertosavoursostronglyofLadyArabella\'sprecautions，thatsheattributeditatoncetomalice，andblewittothewinds。ItmightnotimprobablybethecasethatFrankwasuntruetoher；butshewouldnottakeitforgrantedbecauseshewasnowtoldso。Itwasmorethanprobablethatheshouldamusehimselfwithsomeone；flirtingwashisprevailingsin；andifhedidflirt，themostwouldofcoursebemadeofit。

Butshefoundittobeverydesolatetobethusleftalonewithoutawordofcomfortorawordoflove；withoutbeingabletospeaktoanyoneofwhatfilledherheart；doubting，nay，morethandoubting，beingallbutsurethatherpassionmustterminateinmisery。Whyhadshenotobeyedherconscienceandherbetterinstinctinthatmomentwhenthenecessityfordecidinghadcomeuponher？Whyhadsheallowedhimtounderstandthathewasmasterofherheart？Didshenotknowthattherewaseverythingagainstsuchamarriageasthatwhichwasproposed？Hadshenotdonewrong，verywrong，eventothinkofit？Hadshenotsinneddeeply，againstMrGresham，whohadeverbeensokindtoher？Couldshehope，wasitpossible，thataboylikeFrankshouldbetruetohisfirstlove？And，ifheweretrue，ifhewerereadytogotothealtarwithherto-morrow，oughtshetoallowhimtodegradehimselfbysuchamarriage？

Therewas，alas！sometruthabouttheLondonlady。Frankhadtakenhisdegree，asarranged，andhadthengoneabroadforthewinter，doingthefashionablethings，goinguptheNile，crossingovertoMountSinai，thenceoverthelongdeserttoJerusalem，andhomebyDamascus，Beyrout，andConstantinople，bringingbackalongbeard，aredcap，andachibook，justasourfathersusedtogothroughItalyandSwitzerland，andourgrandfatherstospendaseasoninParis。HehadthenremainedforacoupleofmonthsinLondon，goingthroughallthesocietywhichtheDeCourcyswereabletoopentohim。Anditwastruethatacertainbelleoftheseason，ofthatseasonandsomeothers，hadbeencaptivated——forthetenthtime——bythesilkensheensofhislongbeard。Frankhadprobablybeenmoredemonstrative，perhaps，evermoresusceptible，thanheshouldhavebeen；andhencetherumour，whichhadalltoowillinglybeenforwardedtoGreshamsbury。

ButyoungGreshamhadalsometanotherladyinLondon，namelyMissDunstable。MarywouldindeedhavebeengratefultoMissDunstable，couldshehaveknowallthatladydidforher。Frank\'slovewasneverallowedtoflag。Whenhespokeofthedifficultiesinhisway，shetwittedhimbybeingovercomebystraws；andtoldhimthatnoonewaseverworthhavingwhowasafraidofeverylionhemetinhispath。

Whenhespokeofmoney，shebadehimearnit；andalwaysendedbyofferingtosmoothforhimanyrealdifficultywhichwantofmeansmightputinhisway。

\'No，\'Frankusedtosaytohimself，whentheseoffersweremade，\'I

neverintendedtotakeherandhermoneytogether；and，therefore，I

certainlywillnevertakethemoneyalone。\'

AdayortwoafterMissOriel\'svisit，MaryreceivedthefollowingnotefromBeatrice。

\'DEAREST，DEARESTMARY，\'Ishallbesohappytoseeyou，andwillcometo-morrowattwelve。Ihaveaskedmamma，andshesaysthat，foronce，shehasnoobjection。YouknowitisnotmyfaultthatIhaveneverbeenwithyou；don\'tyou？Frankcomeshomeonthetwelfth。MrOrielwantstheweddingtobeonthefirstofSeptember；butthatseemstobesovery，verysoon；doesn\'tit？However，mammaandpapaareallonhisside。Iwon\'twriteaboutthis，though，forweshallhavesuchadelicioustalk。

Oh，Mary！Ihavebeensounhappywithoutyou。

\'Everyourownaffectionate，TRICHY\'

ThoughMarywasdelightedattheideaofoncemorehavingherfriendinherarms，therewas，nevertheless，somethingintheletterwhichoppressedher。ShecouldnotputupwiththeideathatBeatriceshouldhavepermissiongiventocometoher——justforonce。Shehardlywishedtobeseenbypermission。Nevertheless，shedidnotrefusetheprofferedvisit，andthefirstsightofBeatrice\'sface，thefirsttouchofthefirstembrace，dissipatedforthemomentheranger。

AndthenBeatricefullyenjoyedthedelicioustalkwhichshehadpromisedherself。Maryletherhaveherway，andfortwohoursallthedelightsandalltheduties，allthecomfortsandalltheresponsibilitiesofaparson\'swifewerediscussedwithalmostequalardouronbothsides。ThedutiesandresponsibilitieswerenotexactlythosewhichtoooftenfalltothelotofthemistressofanEnglishvicarage。Beatricewasnotdoomedtomakeherhusbandcomfortable，toeducateherchildren，dressherselflikealady，andexerciseopen-handedcharityonanincomeoftwohundredpoundsayear。Herdutiesandresponsibilitieswouldhavetospreadthemselvesoversevenoreighttimesthatamountofworldlyburden。LivingalsoclosetoGreshamsbury，andnotfarfromCourcyCastle，shewouldhavethefulladvantageandalltheprivilegesofcountysociety。Infact，itwasallcouleurderose，andsoshechatteddeliciouslywithherfriend。

ButitwasimpossiblethattheyshouldseparatewithoutsomethinghavingbeensaidastoMary\'sownlot。Itwould，perhaps，havebeenbetterthattheyshoulddoso；butthiswashardlywithinthecompassofhumannature。

\'AndMary，youknow，IshallbeabletoseeyouasoftenasIlike；——youandDrThorne，too，whenIhaveahouseofmyown。\'

Marysaidnothing，butessayedtosmile。Itwasbutaghastlyattempt。

\'Youknowhowhappythatwillmakeme，\'continuedBeatrice。\'Ofcoursemammawon\'texpectmetobeledbyherthen；ifhelikesit，therecanbenoobjection；andhewilllikeit，youmaybesureofthat。\'

\'Youareverykind，Trichy，\'saidMary；butshespokeinatoneverydifferentfromthatshewouldhaveusedeighteenmonthsago。

\'Why，whatisthematter，Mary？Shan\'tyoubegladtocomeandseeus？\'

\'Idonotknow，dearest；thatmustdependoncircumstances。Toseeyou，youyourself，yourowndear，sweet，lovingfacemustalwaysbepleasanttome。\'

\'Andshan\'tyoubegladtoseehim？\'

\'Yes，certainly，ifhelovesyou。\'

\'Ofcoursehelovesme。\'

\'Allthatalonewouldbepleasantenough，Trichy。Butwhatifthereshouldbecircumstanceswhichshouldstillmakeusenemies；shouldmakeyourfriendsandmyfriends——friend，Ishouldsay，forIhaveonlyone——shouldmakethemopposedtoeachother？\'

\'Circumstances！Whatcircumstances？\'

\'Youaregoingtobemarried，Trichy，tothemanyoulove；areyounot？\'

\'IndeedIam！\'

\'Anditisnotpleasant？isitnotahappyfeeling？\'

\'Pleasant！happy！yes，verypleasant；veryhappy。But，Mary，Iamnotatallinsuchahurryasheis，\'saidBeatrice，naturallythinkingofherownlittleaffairs。

\'And，supposeIshouldwishtobemarriedtothemanthatIlove？\'Marysaidthisslowlyandgravely，andasshespokeshelookedherfriendfullintheface。

Beatricewassomewhatastonished，andforthemomenthardlyunderstood。

\'IamsureIhopeyouwillsomeday。\'

\'No，Trichy；no，youhopetheotherway。Iloveyourbrother；IloveFrankGresham；Ilovehimquiteaswell，quiteaswarmly，asyouloveCalebOriel。\'

\'Doyou？\'saidBeatrice，staringwithallhereyes，andgivingonelongsigh，asthisnewsubjectforsorrowwassodistinctlyputbeforeher。

\'Itthatsoodd？\'saidMary。\'YouloveMrOriel，thoughyouhavebeenintimatewithhimhardlymorethantwoyears。IsitsooddthatIshouldloveyourbrother，whomIhaveknownalmostallmylife？\'

\'But，Mary，Ithoughtitwasalwaysunderstoodbetweenusthat——that——I

meanthatyouwerenottocareabouthim；notinthewayoflovinghim，youknow——Ithoughtyoualwayssaidso——Ihavealwaystoldmammasoasifitcamefromyourself。\'

\'Beatrice，donottellanythingtoLadyArabellaasthoughitcamefromme；Idonotwantanythingtobetoldtoher，eitherofmeorfromme。

Saywhatyouliketomeyourself；whateveryousaywillnotangerme。

Indeed，Iknowwhatyouwouldsay——andyetIloveyou。Oh，Iloveyou，Trichy——Trichy，Idoloveyousomuch！Don\'tturnawayfromme！\'

TherewassuchamixtureinMary\'smanneroftendernessandalmostferocity，thatpoorBeatricecouldhardlyfollowher。\'Turnawayfromyou，Mary！nonever；butthisdoesmakemeunhappy。\'

\'Itisbetterthatyoushouldknowitall，andthenyouwillnotbeledintofightingmybattlesagain。YoucannotfightthemsothatIshouldwin；Idoloveyourbrother；lovehimtruly，fondly，tenderly。IwouldwishtohavehimformyhusbandasyouwishtohaveMrOriel。\'

\'But，Mary，youcannotmarryhim！\'

\'Whynot？\'saidshe，inaloudvoice。\'WhycanInotmarryhim？Ifthepriestsaysablessingoverus，shallwenotbemarriedaswellasyouandyourhusband？\'

\'Butyouknowhecannotmarryunlesshiswifeshallhavemoney。\'

\'Money——money；andheistosellhimselfformoney？Oh，Trichy！donotyoutalkaboutmoney。Itishorrible。But，Trichy，Iwillgrantit——I

cannotmarryhim；butstill，Ilovehim。Hehasaname，aplaceintheworld，andfortune，family，highblood，position，everything。Hehasallthis，andIhavenothing。OfcourseIcannotmarryhim。ButyetIdolovehim。\'

\'Areyouengagedtohim，Mary？\'

\'Heisnotengagedtome；butIamtohim。\'

\'Oh，Mary，thatisimpossible！\'

\'Itisnotimpossible：itisthecast——Iampledgedtohim；butheisnotpledgedtome。\'

\'But，Mary，don\'tlookatmeinthatway。Idonotquiteunderstandyou。Whatisthegoodofyourbeingengagedifyoucannotmarryhim？\'

\'Good！thereisnogood。ButcanIhelpit，ifIlovehim？CanImakemyselfnotlovehimbyjustwishingit？Oh，IwoulddoitifIcould。

ButnowyouwillunderstandwhyIshakemyheadwhenyoutalkofcomingtoyourhouse。Yourwaysandmywaysmustbedifferent。\'

Beatricewasstartled，and，foratime，silenced。WhatMarysaidofthedifferenceoftheirwayswasquitetrue。Beatricehaddearlylovedherfriend，andhadthoughtofherwithaffectionthroughallthislongperiodinwhichtheyhadbeenseparated；butshehadgivenherloveandherthoughtsontheunderstanding，asitwere，thattheywereinunisonastotheimproprietyofFrank\'sconduct。

Shehadalwaysspoken，withagraveface，ofFrankandhisloveasofagreatmisfortune，eventoMaryherself；andherpityforMaryhadbeenfoundedontheconvictionofherinnocence。Nowallthoseideashadtobealtered。Maryownedherfault，confessedherselftobeguiltyofallthatLadyArabellasofrequentlylaidtohercharge，andconfessedherselfanxioustocommiteverycrimeastowhichBeatricehadbeeneversoreadytodefendher。

HadBeatriceuptothisdreamedthatMarywasinlovewithFrank，shewoulddoubtlesshavesympathizedwithhermoreorlesssoonerorlater。

Asitwas，iswasbeyondalldoubtthatshewouldsoonsympathizewithher。But，atthemoment，thesuddennessofthedeclarationseemedtohardenherheart，andsheforgot，asitwere，tospeaktenderlytoherfriend。

Shewassilent，therefore，anddismayed；andlookedasthoughshethoughtthatherwaysandMary\'swaysmustbedifferent。

Marysawallthatwaspassingintheother\'smind：no，notall；allthehostility，thedisappointment，thedisapproval，theunhappiness，shedidsee；butnottheunder-currentoflove，whichwasstrongenoughtowellupanddrownallthese，ifonlytimecouldbeallowedforittodoso。

\'Iamsogladtohavetoldyou，\'saidMary，curbingherself，\'fordeceitandhypocrisyaredetestable。\'

\'Itwasamisunderstanding，notdeceit，\'saidBeatrice。

\'Well，nowweunderstandeachother；nowyouknowthatIhaveaheartwithinme，whichlikethoseofsomeothershasnotalwaysbeenundermyowncontrol。LadyArabellabelievesthatIamintriguingtobethemistressofGreshamsbury。You，atanyrate，willnotthinkthatofme。

Ifitcouldbediscoveredto-morrowthatFrankwerenottheheir，I

mighthavesomechanceofhappiness。\'

\'But，Mary——\'

\'Well？\'

\'Yousayyoulovehim。\'

\'Yes；Idosayso。\'

\'Butifhedoesnotloveyou，willyouceasetodoso？\'

\'IfIhaveafever，IwillgetridofitifIcan；insuchacaseImustdoso，ordie。\'

\'Ifear，\'continuedBeatrice，\'youhardlyknow，perhapsdonotthink，whatisFrank\'srealcharacter。Heisnotmadetosettledownearlyinlife；evennow，IbelieveheisattachedtosomeladyinLondon，whom，ofcourse，hecannotmarry。\'

Beatricehadsaidthisinperfecttruenessofheart。ShehadheardofFrank\'snewlove-affair，andbelievingwhatshehadheard，thoughtitbesttotellthetruth。ButtheinformationwasnotofakindtoquietMary\'sspirit。

\'Verywell，\'saidshe，\'letitbeso。Ihavenothingtosayagainstit。\'

\'Butareyounotpreparingwretchednessandunhappinessforyourself？\'

\'Verylikely。\'

\'Oh，Mary，donotbesocoldwithme！youknowhowdelightedIshouldbetohaveyouforasister-in-law，ifonlyitwerepossible。\'

\'Yes，Trichy；butitisimpossible，isitnot？ImpossiblethatFrancisGreshamofGreshamsburyshoulddisgracehimselfbymarryingsuchapoorcreatureasIam。OfcourseIknowit；ofcourse，Iampreparedforunhappinessandmisery。Hecanamusehimselfashelikeswithmeorothers——withanybody。Itishisprivilege。Itisquiteenoughtosaythatheisnotmadeforsettlingdown。Iknowmyownposition；——andyetIlovehim。\'

\'But，Mary，hasheaskedyoutobehiswife？Ifso——\'

\'Youaskhome-questions，Beatrice。Letmeaskyouone；hasheevertoldyouthathehasdoneso？\'

AtthismomentBeatricewasnotdisposedtorepeatallthatFrankhadsaid。Ayearago，beforehewentaway，hehadtoldhissisterascoreoftimesthathemeanttomarryMaryThorneifshewouldhavehim；butBeatricenowlookedonallthatasidle，boyishvapouring。Thepitywas，thatMaryshouldhavelookedonitdifferently。

\'Wewilleachkeepoursecret，\'saidMary。\'Onlyrememberthis：shouldFrankmarryto-morrow，Ishallhavenogroundforblaminghim。HeisfreeasfarIasamconcerned。HecantaketheLondonladyifhelikes。

Youmaytellhimsofromme。But，Trichy，whatelseIhavetoldyou，I

havetoldyouonly。\'

\'Oh，yes！\'saidBeatrice，sadly；\'Ishallsaynothingofittoanybody。

Itisverysad，very，very；IwassohappywhenIcamehere，andnowI

amsowretched。\'Thiswastheendofthatdelicioustalktowhichshehadlookedforwardwithsomucheagerness。

\'Don\'tbewretchedaboutme，dearest；Ishallgetthroughit。I

sometimesthinkIwasborntobeunhappy，andthatunhappinessagreeswithmebest。Kissmenow，Trichy，anddon\'tbewretchedanymore。YouoweittoMrOrieltobeashappyasthedayislong。\'

Andthentheyparted。

Beatrice，asshewentout，sawDrThorneinhislittleshopontheright-handsideofthepassagedeeplyengagedinsomederogatorybranchofanapothecary\'smechanicaltrade；mixingadose，perhaps，foralittlechild。Shewouldhavepassedhimwithoutspeaking，ifshecouldhavebeensureofdoingsowithoutnotice，forherheartwasfull，andhereyeswereredwithtears；butitwassolongsinceshehadbeeninhishousethatshewasmorethanordinarilyanxiousnottoappearuncourteousorunkindtohim。

\'Goodmorning，doctor，\'shesaid，changinghercountenanceasbestshemight，andattemptingasmile。

\'Ah，myfairy！\'saidhe，leavinghisvillainouscompounds，andcomingouttoher；\'andyou，too，areabouttobecomeasteadyoldlady。\'

\'Indeed，Iamnot，doctor；Idon\'tmeantobeeithersteadyorold，forthenexttenyears。Butwhohastoldyou？IsupposeMaryhasbeenatraitor。\'

\'Well，IwillconfessMarywasthetraitor。Buthadn\'tIarighttobetold，seeinghowoftenIhavebroughtyousugar-plumsinmypocket？ButIwishyoujoywithallmyheart——withallmyheart。Orielisanexcellent，goodfellow。\'

\'Ishenot，doctor？\'

\'Anexcellent，goodfellow。Ineverheardbutofonefaultthathehad。\'

\'Whatwasthatonefault，DoctorThorne？\'

\'Hethoughtthatclergymenshouldnotmarry。Butyouhavecuredthat，andnowhe\'sperfect。\'

\'Thankyou，doctor。Ideclarethatyousaytheprettiestthingsofallmyfriends。\'

\'Andnoneofyourfriendswishprettierthingsforyou。Idocongratulateyou，Beatrice，andhopeyoumaybehappywiththemanyouhavechosen；\'andtakingbothherhandsinhis，hepressedthemwarmly，andbadeGodblessher。

\'Oh，doctor！Idosohopethetimewillcomewhenweshallallbefriendsagain。\'

\'Ihopeitaswell，mydear。Butletitcome，orletitnotcome，myregardforyouwillbethesame：\'andthenshepartedfromhimalso，andwentherway。

NothingwasspokenofthateveningbetweenDrThorneandhisnieceexceptingBeatrice\'sfuturehappiness；nothing，atleast，havingreferencetowhathadpassedthatmorning。Butonthefollowingmorning，circumstancesledtoFrankGresham\'snamebeingmentioned。

Attheusualbreakfast-hourthedoctorenteredtheparlourwithaharassedface。Hehadanopenletterinhishand，anditwasatoncecleartoMarythathewasgoingtospeakonsomesubjectthatvexedhim。

\'Thatunfortunatefellowisagainintrouble。HereisaletterfromGreyson。\'GreysonwasaLondonapothecary，whohadbeenappointedasmedicalattendanttoSirLouisScatcherd，andwhoserealbusinessconsistedinkeepingawatchonthebaronet，andreportingtoDrThornewhenanythingwasverymuchamiss。\'HereisaletterfromGreyson；hehasbeendrunkforthelastthreedays，andisnowlaidupinaterriblynervousstate。\'

\'Youwon\'tgouptotownagain；willyou，uncle？\'

\'Ihardlyknowwhattodo。No，Ithinknot。HetalksofcomingdownheretoGreshamsbury。\'

\'Who，SirLouis？\'

\'Yes，SirLouis。Greysonsaysthathewillbedownassoonashecangetoutofhisroom。\'

\'What！tothishouse？\'

\'Whatotherhomecanhecometo？\'

\'Oh，uncle！Ihopenot。Pray，praydonotlethimcomehere。\'

\'Icannotpreventit，dear。Icannotshutmydooronhim。\'

Theysatdowntobreakfast，andMarygavehimhisteainsilence。\'IamgoingovertoBoxallHillbeforedinner，\'saidhe。\'HaveyouanymessagetosendtoLadyScatcherd？\'

\'Message！no，Ihavenomessage；notespecially：givehermylove，ofcourse，\'shesaidlistlessly。Andthen，asthoughathoughthadsuddenlystruckher，shespokewithmoreenergy。\'But，couldn\'tIgotoBoxallHillagain？Ishouldbesodelighted。\'

\'What！torunawayfromSirLouis？No，dearest，wewillhavenomorerunningaway。HewillprobablyalsogotoBoxallHill，andhecouldannoyyoumuchmoretherethanhecanhere。\'

\'But，uncle，MrGreshamwillbehomeonthetwelfth，\'shesaid，blushing。

\'What！Frank？\'

\'Yes。Beatricesaidhewastobehereonthetwelfth。\'

\'Andwouldyourunawayfromhimtoo，Mary？\'

\'Idonotknow：Idonotknowwhattodo。\'

\'No；wewillhavenomorerunningaway：Iamsorrythatyoueverdidso。

Itwasmyfault，altogethermyfault；butitwasfoolish。\'

\'Uncle，Iamnothappyhere。\'Asshesaidthis，sheputdownthecupwhichshehadheld，and，leaningherelbowsonthetable，restedherforeheadonherhands。

\'AndwouldyoubehappieratBoxallHill？Itisnottheplacethatmakesthehappiness。\'

\'No，Iknowthat；itisnottheplace。Idonotlooktobehappyinanyplace；butIshouldbequieter，moretranquilelsewherethanhere。\'

\'IalsosometimesthinkthatitwouldbebetterforustotakeupourstavesandwalkawayfromGreshamsbury；——leaveitaltogether，andsettleelsewhere；miles，miles，milesawayfromhere。Shouldyoulikethat，dearest？\'

Miles，miles，milesawayfromGreshamsbury！TherewassomethinginthesoundthatfellverycoldonMary\'sears，unhappyasshewas。

Greshamsburyhadbeensodeartoher；inspiteofallthathadpassed，wasstillsodeartoher！Wasshepreparedtotakeupherstaff，asherunclesaid，andwalkforthfromtheplacewiththefullunderstandingthatshewastoreturntoitnomore；withamindresolvedthatthereshouldbeaninseparablegulfbetweenheranditsinhabitants？Suchsheknewwastheproposednatureofthewalkingawayofwhichherunclespoke。Soshesatthere，restingonherarms，andgavenoanswertothequestionthathadbeenputtoher。

\'No，wewillstayhereawhileyet，\'saidheruncle。\'Itmaycometothat，butthisisnotthetime。Foroneseasonlongerletusface——I

willnotsayourenemies；IcannotcallanybodymyenemywhobearsthenameofGresham。\'Andthenhewentonforamomentwithhisbreakfast。

\'SoFrankwillbehereonthetwelfth？\'

\'Yes，uncle。\'

\'Well，dearest，Ihavenoquestionstoaskyou；nodirectionstogive。I

knowhowgoodyouare，andhowprudent；Iamanxiousonlyforyourhappiness；notatall——\'

\'Happiness，uncle，isoutofthequestion。\'

\'Ihopenot。Itisneveroutofthequestion，nevercanbeoutofthequestion。But，asIwassaying，Iamquitesatisfiedyourconductwillbegood，and，therefore，Ihavenoquestionstoask。Wewillremainhere；and，whethergoodorevilcome，wewillnotbeashamedtoshowourfaces。\'

Shesatforawhileagainsilent；collectinghercourageonthesubjectthatwasnearestherheart。Shewouldhavegiventheworldthatheshouldaskherquestions；butshecouldnotbidhimtodoso；andshefounditimpossibletotalkopenlytohimaboutFrankunlesshedidso。

\'Willhecomehere？\'atlastshesaid，inalow-tonedvoice。

\'Who？He，Louis？Yes，Ithinkthatinallprobabilityhewill。\'

\'No；butFrank，\'shesaid，inastilllowervoice。

\'Ah！mydarling，thatIcannottell；butwillitbewellthatheshouldcomehere？\'

\'Idonotknow，\'shesaid。\'No，Isupposenot。But，uncle，Idon\'tthinkhewillcome。\'

Shewasnowsittingonasofa，awayfromthetable，andhegotupsatdownbesideher，andtookherhandsinhis。\'Mary，\'saidhe，\'youmustbestrongnow；strongtoendure，nottoattack。Ithinkthatyouhavethatstrength；but，ifnot，perhapsitwillbebetterthatweshouldgoaway。\'

\'Iwillbestrong，\'saidshe，risingupandgoingtowardsthedoor。

\'Nevermindme，uncle；don\'tfollowme；Iwillbestrong。Itwillbebase，cowardly，meantorunaway；verybaseinmetomakeyoudoso。\'

\'No，dearest，notso；itwillbethesametome。\'

\'No，\'saidshe，\'IwillnotrunawayfromLadyArabella。And，asforhim——ifhelovesthisotherone，heshallhearnoreproachfromme。

Uncle，Iwillbestrong；\'andrunningbacktohim，shethrewherarmsaroundhimandkissedhim。And，stillrestraininghertears，shegotsafelytoherbedroom。Inwhatwayshemaytherehaveshownherstrength，itwouldnotbewellforustoinquire。

CHAPTERXXXIV

ABAROUCHEANDFOURARRIVESATGRESHAMSBURY

DuringthelasttwelvemonthsSirLouisScatcherdhadbeenveryefficaciousinbringingtrouble，turmoil，andvexationuponGreshamsbury。Nowthatitwastoolatetotakestepstosavehimself，DrThornefoundthatthewillleftbySirRogerwassomadeastoentailuponhimdutiesthathewouldfinditalmostimpossibletoperform。SirLouis，thoughhisfatherhadwishedtomakehimstillachildintheeyeofthelaw，wasnochild。Heknewhisownrightsandwasdeterminedtoexactthem；andbeforeSirRogerhadbeendeadthreemonths，thedoctorfoundhimselfincontinuallitigationwithalowBarchesterattorney，whowasactingonbehalfofhis，thedoctor\'s，ownward。

Andifthedoctorsufferedsodidthesquire，andsodidthosewhohadhithertohadthemanagementofthesquire\'saffairs。DrThornesoonperceivedthathewastobedrivenintolitigation，notonlywithMrFinnie，theBarchesterattorney，butwiththesquirehimself。WhileFinnieharassedhim，hewascompelledtoharassMrGresham。Hewasnolawyerhimself；andthoughhehadbeenabletomanageverywellbetweenthesquireandSirRoger，andhadperhapsgivenhimselfsomecreditforhislawyer-likeabilityinsodoing，hewasutterlyunabletomanagebetweenSirLouisandMrGresham。

Hehad，therefore，toemployalawyeronhisownaccount，anditseemedprobablethatthewholeamountofSirRoger\'slegacytohimselfwouldbydegreesbeexpendedinthismanner。Andthenthesquire\'slawyershadtotakeupthematter；andtheydidsogreatlytothedetrimentofpoorMrYatesUmbleby，whowasfoundtohavemadeamessoftheaffairsentrustedtohim。MrUmbleby\'saccountswereincorrect；hismindwasanythingbutclear，andheconfessed，whenputtoitbytheverysharpgentlemanthatcamedownfromLondon，thathewas\'bothered\'；andso，afterawhile，hewassuspendedfromhisduties，andMrGazebee，thesharpgentlemanfromLondon，reignedoverthediminishedrent-rolloftheGreshamsburyestate。

ThuseverythingwasgoingwrongatGreshamsbury——withtheoneexceptionofMrOrielandhislove-suit。MissGushingattributedthedepositionofMrUmblebytothenarrownessofthevictorywhichBeatricehadwonincarryingoffMrOriel。ForMissGushingwasarelationoftheUmblebys，andhadbeenformanyyearsoneoftheirfamily。\'IfshehadonlychosentoexertherselfasMissGreshamhaddone，shecouldhavehadMrOriel，easily；oh，tooeasily！butshehaddespisedsuchwork，\'soshesaid。

\'Butthoughshehaddespisedit，theGreshamshadnotbeenlessirritated，and，therefore，MrUmblebyhadbeendrivenoutofhishouse。\'

Wecanhardlybelievethis，asvictorygenerallymakesmengenerous。

MissGushing，however，stateditasafactsooftenthatitisprobableshewasinducedtobelieveitherself。

ThuseverythingwasgoingwrongatGreshamsbury，andthesquirehimselfwasespeciallyasufferer。Umblebyhadatanyratebeenhisownman，andhecoulddowhathelikedwithhim。Hecouldseehimwhenheliked，andwhereheliked，andnowheliked；couldscoldhimifinanill-humour，andlaughathimwheninagoodhumour。AllthisMrUmblebyknew，andbore。ButMrGazebeewasaverydifferentsortofgentleman；hewasthejuniorpartnerinthefirmofGumption，Gazebee&GazebeeofMountStreet，ahousethatneverdefileditselfwithanyotherbusinessthantheagencybusiness，andthatintheveryhighestline。Theydrewoutleases，andmanagedpropertybothfortheDukeofOmniumandLordDeCourcy；andeversincehermarriage，ithadbeenoneoftheobjectsdearesttoLadyArabella\'sheartthattheGreshamsburyacresshouldbesuperintendedbythepoliteskillandpolishedlegalabilityofthatallbutelegantfirminMountStreet。

Thesquirehadlongstoodfirm，andhaddelightedinhavingeverythingdoneunderhisowneyebypoorMrYatesUmbleby。Butnow，alas！hecouldstanditnolonger。Hehadputofftheevildayaslongashecould；hehaddeferredtheodiousworkofinvestigationtillthingshadseemedresolvedoninvestigatingthemselves；andthen，whenitwasabsolutelynecessarythatMrUmblebyshouldgo，therewasnothingforhimleftbuttofallintothereadyhandsofMessrsGumption，GazebeeandGazebee。

ItmustnotbesupposedthatMessrsGumption，GazebeeandGazebeewereintheleastliketheordinaryrunofattorneys。Theywrotenolettersforsix-and-eightpenceeach：theycollectednodebts，filednobills，madenochargeperfoliofor\'whereases\'and\'asaforesaids\'；theydidnodirtywork，andprobablywereasignorantoftheinteriorofacourtoflawasanyyoungladylivingintheirMayfairvicinity。No；theirbusinesswastomanagethepropertyofgreatpeople，drawupleases，makelegalassignments，getthefamilymarriagesettlementsmade，andlookafterwills。Occasionally，also，theyhadtoraisemoney；butitwasgenerallyunderstoodthatthiswasdonebyproxy。

Thefirmhadbeengoingonforahundredandfiftyyears，andthedesignationhadoftenbeenaltered；butitalwaysconsistedofGumptionsandGazebeesdifferentlyarranged，andnolesshallowednameshadeverbeenpermittedtoappear。IthadbeenGazebee，GazebeeandGumption；

thenGazebeeandGumption；thenGazebee，GumptionandGumption；thenGumption，GumptionandGazebee；andnowitwasGumption，GazebeeandGazebee。

MrGazebee，thejuniormemberofthisfirm，wasaveryelegantyoungman。WhilelookingathimridinginRottenRow，youwouldhardlyhavetakenhimforanattorney；andhadheheardthatyouhadsotakenhim，hewouldhavebeenverymuchsurprisedindeed。Hewasratherbald；notbeing，aspeoplesay，quitesoyoungashewasonce。Hisexactagewasthirty-eight。Buthehadareallyremarkablepairofjet-blackwhiskers，whichfullymadeupforhisdeficiencyastohishead；hehadalsodarkeyes，andabeakednose，whatmaybecalledadistinguishedmouth，andwasalwaysdressedinfashionableattire。Thefactwas，thatMrMortimerGazebee，juniorpartnerinthefirmGumption，Gazebee，andGazebee，bynomeansconsideredhimselftobemadeofthatverydisagreeablematerialwhichmortalscallsmallbeer。

WhenthisgreatfirmwasappliedtogetMrGreshamthroughhisdifficulties，andwhenthestateofhisaffairswasmadeknowntothem，theyatfirstexpressedratheradisinclinationforthework。Butatlast，moveddoubtlessbytheirrespectfortheDeCourcyinterest，theyassented；andMrGazebee，junior，wentdowntoGreshamsbury。Thepoorsquirepassedmanyasaddayafterthatbeforeheagainfelthimselftobemasterevenofhisowndomain。