第14章

Nevertheless，whenMrMortimerGazebeevisitedGreshamsbury，whichhedidonmorethanoneortwooccasions，hewasalwaysreceivedengrandseigneur。ToLadyArabellahewasbynomeansanunwelcomeguest，forshefoundherselfable，forthefirsttimeinherlife，tospeakconfidentiallyonherhusband\'specuniaryaffairswiththemanwhohadthemanagementofherhusband\'sproperty。MrGazebeealsowasapetwithLadyDeCourcy；andbeingknowntobeafashionablemaninLondon，andquiteadifferentsortofpersonfrompoorMrUmbleby，hewasalwaysreceivedwithsmiles。Hehadahundredlittlewaysofmakinghimselfagreeable，andAugustadeclaredtohercousin，theLadyAmelia，afterhavingbeenacquaintedwithhimforafewmonths，thathewouldbeaperfectgentleman，only，thathisfamilyhadneverbeenanythingbutattorneys。TheLadyAmeliasmiledinherownpeculiarlyaristocraticway，shruggedhershouldersslightly，andsaid，\'thatMrMortimerGazebeewasaverygoodsortofperson，very。\'PoorAugustafeltherselfsnubbed，thinkingperhapsofthetailor\'sson；butastherewasneveranyappealagainsttheLadyAmelia，shesaidnothingmoreatthatmomentinfavourofMrMortimerGazebee。

Alltheseevils——MrMortimerGazebeebeingtheworstofthem——hadSirLouisScatcherdbroughtdownonthepoorsquire\'shead。Theremaybethosewhowillsaythatthesquirehadbroughtthemonhimself，byrunningintodebt；andso，doubtless，hehad；butitwasnotthelesstruethatthebaronet\'sinterferencewasunnecessary，vexatious，andonemightalmostsay，malicious。Hisinterestwouldhavebeenquitesafeinthedoctor\'shands，andhehad，infact，nolegalrighttomeddle；butneitherthedoctornorthesquirecouldpreventhim。MrFinnieknewverywellwhathewasabout，ifSirLouisdidnot；andsothethreewenton，eachwithhisownlawyer，andeachofthemdistrustful，unhappy，andillatease。Thiswasharduponthedoctor，forhewasnotindebt，andhadborrowednomoney。

TherewasnotmuchreasontosupposethatthevisitofSirLouistoGreshamsburywouldmuchimprovematters。Itmustbepresumedthathewasnotcomingwithanyamicableviews，butwiththeobjectratheroflookingafterhisown；aphrasewhichwasnowconstantlyinhismouth。

HemightprobablyfinditnecessarywhilelookingafterhisownatGreshamsbury，tosaysomeverydisagreeablethingstothesquire；andthedoctor，therefore，hardlyexpectedthatthevisitwouldgooffpleasantly。

WhenlasthesawSirLouis，nownearlytwelvemonthssince，hewasintentonmakingaproposalofmarriagetoMissThorne。ThisintentionhecarriedoutabouttwodaysafterFrankGreshamhaddonethesamething。HehaddelayeddoingsotillhehadsucceededinpurchasinghisfriendJenkins\'sArabpony，imaginingthatsuchapresentcouldnotbutgofarinweaningMary\'sheartfromherotherlover。PoorMarywasputtothetroubleofrefusingboththebaronetandthepony，andaverybadtimeshehadofitwhiledoingso。SirLouiswasamaneasilyangered，andnotveryeasilypacified，andMaryhadtoendureagooddealofannoyance；fromanyotherperson，indeed，shewouldhavecalleditimpertinence。SirLouis，however，hadtobearhisrejectionasbesthecould，and，afteraperseveranceofthreedays，returnedtoLondonindisgust；andMaryhadnotseenhimsince。

MrGreyson\'sfirstletterwasfollowedbyasecond；andthesecondwasfollowedbythebaronetinperson。Healsorequiredtobereceivedengrandseigneur，perhapsmoreimperativelythanMrMortimerGazebeehimself。HecamewithfourpostersfromtheBarchesterStation，andhadhimselfrattleduptothedoctor\'sdoorinawaythattookthebreathawayfromallGreshamsbury。Why！thesquirehimselfforamanylongyearhadbeencontentedtocomehomewithapairofhorses；andfourwereneverseenintheplace，exceptwhentheDeCourcyscametoGreshamsbury，orLadyArabella，withallherdaughtersreturnedfromherhard-foughtmetropolitancampaigns。

SirLouis，however，camewithfour，andveryarrogantlooked，leaningbackinthebarouchebelongingtotheGeorgeandDragon，andwrappedupinfur，althoughitwasnowmidsummer。Andupinthedickybehindwasaservant，morearrogant，ifpossible，thanhismaster——thebaronet\'sownman，whowastheobjectofDrThorne\'sspecialdetestationanddisgust。

Hewasalittlefellow，chosenoriginallyonaccountofhislightweightonhorseback；butifthatmaybeconsideredamerit，itwastheonlyonehehad。Hisout-doorshowdresswasalittletightfrock-coat，roundwhichapolishedstrapwasalwaysbuckledtightly，astiffwhitechoker，leatherbreeches，top-boots，andahat，withacockade，stuckononesideofhishead。HisnamewasJonah，whichhismasterandhismaster\'sfriendsshortenedtoJoe；none，however，butthosewhowereveryintimatewithhismasterwereallowedtodosowithimpunity。

ThisJoewasDrThorne\'sspecialaversion。InhisanxietytotakeeverypossiblesteptokeepSirLouisfrompoisoninghimself，hehadatfirstattemptedtoenlistthebaronet\'s\'ownman\'inthecause。Joehadpromisedfairly，buthadbetrayedthedoctoratonce，andhadbecometheworstinstrumentofhismaster\'sdissipation。When，therefore，hishatandthecockadewereseen，asthecarriagedasheduptothedoor，thedoctor\'scontentmentwasbynomeansincreased。

SirLouiswasnowtwenty-threeyearsold，andwasagreatdealtooknowingtoallowhimselftobekeptunderthedoctor\'sthumb。Ithad，indeed，becomehisplantorebelagainsthisguardianinalmosteverything。Hehadatfirstbeendecentlysubmissive，withtheviewofobtainingincreasedsuppliesofreadymoney；buthehadbeensharpenoughtoperceivethat，lethisconductbewhatitwould，thedoctorwouldkeephimoutofdebt；butthatthedoingsotooksolargeasumthathecouldnothopeforanyfurtheradvances。InthisrespectSirLouiswasperhapsmorekeen-wittedthanDrThorne。

Mary，whenshesawthecarriage，atonceranuptoherownbedroom。Thedoctor，whohadbeenwithherinthedrawing-room，wentdowntomeethisward，butassoonashesawthecockadehedartedalmostinvoluntarilyintohisshopandshutthedoor。Thisprotection，however，lastedonlyforamoment；hefeltthatdecencyrequiredhimtomeethisguest，andsohewentforthandfacedtheenemy。

\'Isay，\'saidJoe，speakingtoJanet，whostoodcurtsyingatthegate，withBridget，theothermaid，behindher，\'Isay，arethereanychapsabouttheplacetotakethethings——eh？come，looksharphere。\'

Itsohappenedthatthedoctor\'sgroomwasnotonthespot，and\'otherchaps\'thedoctorhadnone。

\'Takethosethings，Bridget，\'hesaid，comingforwardandofferinghishandtothebaronet。SirLouis，whenhesawhishost，rousedhimselfslowlyfromthebackofhiscarriage。\'Howdo，doctor？\'saidhe。\'Whatterriblebadroadsyouhavehere！and，uponmyword，it\'sascoldaswinter：\'and，sosaying，heslowlyproceededtodescend。

SirLouiswasayearolderthanwhenwelastsawhim，and，inhisgeneration，ayearwiser。Hehadthenbeensomewhathumblebeforethedoctor；butnowhewasdeterminedtolethisguardianseethatheknewhowtoactthebaronet；thathehadacquiredthemannersofagreatman；

andthathewasnottobeputupon。HehadlearntsomelessonsfromJenkinsinLondon，andotherfriendsofthesamesort，andhewasabouttoprofitbythem。

Thedoctorshowedhimtohisroom，andthenproceededtoaskafterhishealth。\'Oh，I\'mrightenough，\'saidSirLouis。\'Youmustn\'tbelieveallthatfellowGreysontellsyou：hewantsmetotakesaltsandsenna，opodeldoc，andallthatsortofstuff；looksafterhisbill，youknow——eh？likealltherestofyou。ButIwon\'thaveit；——notatanyprice；andthenhewritestoyou。\'

\'I\'mgladtoseeyouareabletotravel，\'saidDrThorne，whocouldnotforcehimselftotellhisguestthathewasgladtoseehimatGreshamsbury。

\'Oh，travel；yes，Icantravelwellenough。ButIwishyouhadsomebettersortoftrapdowninthesecountryparts。I\'mshakentobits。

And，doctor，wouldyoutellyourpeopletosendthatfellowofmineupherewithhotwater。

Sodismissed，thedoctorwenthisway，andmetJoeswaggeringinoneofthepassages，whileJanetandhercolleaguedraggedalongbetweenthemaheavyarticleofbaggage。

\'Janet，\'saidhe，\'godownstairsandgetSirLouissomehotwater，andJoe，doyoutakeholdofyourmaster\'sportmanteau。\'

Joesulkilydidashewasbid。\'Seemstome，\'saidhe，turningtothegirl，andspeakingbeforethedoctorwasoutofhearing，\'seemstome，mydear，youberathershort-handedhere；lotsofworkandnothingtoget；that\'sabouttheticket，ain\'tit？\'Bridgetwastoodemurelymodesttomakeanyansweruponsoshortanacquaintance；so，puttingherendoftheburdendownatthestrangegentleman\'sdoor，sheretreatedintothekitchen。

SirLouisinanswertothedoctor\'sinquiries，haddeclaredhimselftobeallright；buthisappearancewasanythingbutallright。Twelvemonthssince，alifeofdissipation，orrather，perhaps，alifeofdrinking，hadnothaduponhimsostronganeffectbutthatsomeofthesaltofyouthwasstillleft；someofthefreshnessofyoungyearsmightstillbeseeninhisface。Butthiswasnowallgone；hiseyesweresunkenandwatery，hischeekswerehollowandwan，hismouthwasdrawnandhislipsdry；hisbackwasevenbent，andhislegswereunsteadyunderhim，sothathehadbeenforcedtostepdownfromhiscarriageasanoldmanwoulddo。Alas，alas！hehadnofurtherchancenowofeverbeingallrightagain。

Maryhadsecludedherselfinherbedroomassoonasthecarriagehaddrivenuptothedoor，andtheresheremainedtilldinner-time。Butshecouldnotshutherselfupaltogether。Itwouldbenecessarythatsheshouldappearatdinner；and，therefore，afewminutesbeforethehour，shecreptoutintothedrawing-room。Assheopenedthedoor，shelookedintimidly，expectingSirLouistobethere；butwhenshesawthatherunclewastheonlyoccupantoftheroom，herbrowcleared，andsheenteredwithaquickstep。

\'He\'llcomedowntodinner；won\'the，uncle？\'

\'Oh，Isupposeso。\'

\'What\'shedoingnow？\'

\'Dressing，Isuppose；he\'sbeenatthishour。\'

\'But，uncle——\'

\'Well？\'

\'Willhecomeupafterdinner，doyouthink？\'

Maryspokeofhimasthoughheweresomewildbeast，whomheruncleinsistedonhavinginhishouse。

\'Goodnessknowswhathewilldo！Comeup？Yes。Hewillnotstayinthedining-roomallnight。\'

\'But，dearuncle，dobeserious。\'

\'Serious！\'

\'Yes；serious。Don\'tyouthinkthatImightgotobed，insteadofwaiting？\'

Thedoctorwassavedthetroubleofansweringbytheentranceofthebaronet。Hewasdressedinwhatheconsideredthemostfashionablestyleoftheday。Hehadonanewdress-coatlinedwithsatin，newdress-trousers，asilkwaistcoatcoveredwithchains，awhitecravat，polishedpumps，andsilkstockings，andhecarriedascentedhandkerchiefinhishand；hehadringsonhisfingers，andcarbunclestudsinhisshirt，andhesmeltassweetaspatchoulicouldmakehim。

Buthecouldhardlydomorethanshuffleintotheroom，andseemedalmosttodragoneofhislegsbehindhim。

Mary，inspiteofheraversion，wasshockedanddistressedwhenshesawhim。He，however，seemedtothinkhimselfperfect，andwasnowhitabashedbytheunfavourablereceptionwhichtwelvemonthssincehadbeenpaidtohissuit。Marycameupandshookhandswithhim，andhereceivedherwithacomplimentwhichnodoubthethoughtmustbeacceptable。

\'Uponmyword，MissThorne，everyplaceseemstoagreewithyou；onebetterthananother。YouwerelookingcharmingatBoxallHill；but，uponmyword，charmingisn\'thalfstrongenoughnow。\'

Marysatdownquietly，andthedoctorassumedafaceofunutterabledisgust。Thiswasthecreatureforwhomallhissympathieshadbeendemanded，allhisbestenergiesputinrequisition；onwhosebehalfhewastoquarrelwithhisoldestfriends，losehispeaceandquietnessoflife，andexerciseallthefunctionsofalovingfriend！Thiswashisself-invitedguest，whomhewasboundtofoster，andwhomhecouldnotturnfromhisdoor。

Thedinnercame，andMaryhadtoputherhanduponhisarm。Shecertainlydidnotleanuponhim，andonceortwicefeltinclinedtogivehimsomesupport。Theyreachedthedining-room，however，thedoctorfollowingthem，andthensatdown，Janetwaitingintheroom，aswasusual。

\'Isay，doctor，\'saidthebaronet，\'hadn\'tmymanbettercomeinandhelp？He\'sgotnothingtodo，youknow。Weshouldbemorecosy，shouldn\'twe？\'

\'Janetwillmanageprettywell，\'saidthedoctor。

\'Oh，you\'dbetterhaveJoe；there\'snothinglikeagoodservantattable。Isay，Janet，justsendthatfellowin，willyou？\'

\'Weshalldoverywellwithouthim，\'saidthedoctor，becomingratherredaboutthecheek-bones，andwithaslightgleamofdeterminationabouttheeye。Janet，whosawhowmattersstood，madenoattempttoobeythebaronet\'sorder。

\'Oh，nonsense，doctor；youthinkhe\'sanuppishsortoffellow，Iknow，andyoudon\'tliketotroublehim；butwhenI\'mnearhim，he\'sallright；justsendhimin，willyou？\'

\'SirLouis，\'saidthedoctor，\'I\'maccustomedtononebutmyownoldwomanhereinmyownhouse，andifyouwillallowme，I\'llkeepmyoldways。Ishallbesorryifyouarenotcomfortable。\'Thebaronetsaidnothingmore，andthedinnerpassedoffslowlyandwearilyenough。

WhenMaryhadeatenherfruitandescaped，thedoctorgotintoonearm-chairandthebaronetintoanother，andthelatterbegantheonlyworkofexistenceofwhichheknewanything。

\'That\'sgoodport，\'saidhe；\'veryfairport。\'

Thedoctorlovedhisportwine，andthawedalittleinhismanner。Heloveditnotasatoper，butasacollectorloveshispetpictures。Helikedtotalkaboutit，andthinkaboutit；topraiseit，andhearitpraised；tolookatitturnedtowardsthelight，andtocountovertheyearsithadlaininhiscellar。

\'Yes，\'saidhe，\'it\'sprettyfairwine。Itwas，atleast，whenIgotit，twentyyearsago，andIdon\'tsupposetimehashurtit；\'andheheldtheglassuptothewindow，andlookedattheeveninglightthroughtherosytintoftheliquid。\'Ah，dear，there\'snotmuchofitleft；more\'sthepity。\'

\'Agoodthingwon\'tlastforever。I\'lltellyouwhatnow；IwishIhadbroughtdownadozenortwoofclaret。I\'vesomeprimestuffinLondon；

gotitfromMuzzleandDrug，atninety-sixshillings；itwasagreatfavour，though。I\'lltellyouwhatnow，I\'llsendupforacoupleofdozento-morrow。Imustn\'tdrinkyououtofthehouse，highanddry；

mustI，doctor？\'

Thedoctorfrozeimmediately。

\'Idon\'tthinkIneedtroubleyou，\'saidhe；\'Ineverdrinkclaret，atleastnothere；andthere\'senoughoftheoldbinlefttolastsomelittletimelongeryet。\'

SirLouisdranktwoorthreeglassesofwineveryquicklyaftereachother，andtheyimmediatelybegantotelluponhisweakstomach。Butbeforehewastipsy，hebecamemoreimpudentandmoredisagreeable。

\'Doctor，\'saidhe，\'whenarewegoingtoseeanyofthisGreshamsburymoney？That\'swhatIwanttoknow。\'

\'Yourmoneyisquitesafe，SirLouis；andtheinterestispaidtotheday。\'

\'Interestyes；buthowdoIknowhowlongitwillbepaid？Ishouldliketoseetheprincipal。Ahundredthousandpounds，orsomethinglikeit，isapreciouslargestaketohaveinoneman\'shands，andheispreciouslyharduphimself。I\'lltellyouwhat，doctor——Ishalllookthesquireupmyself。\'

\'Lookhimup？\'

\'Yes；lookhimup；ferrethimout；tellhimabitofmymind。I\'llthankyoutopassthebottle。D——medoctor；Imeantoknowhowthingsaregoingon。\'

\'Yourmoneyisquitesafe，\'repeatedthedoctor，\'and，tomymind，couldnotbebetterinvested。\'

\'That\'sallverywell；d——wellIdaresay，foryouandSquireGresham——\'

\'Whatdoyoumean，SirLouis？\'

\'Mean！whyImeanthatI\'llsellthesquireup；that\'swhatI

mean——hallo——begpardon。I\'mblessedifIhaven\'tbrokenthewater-jug。

Thatcomesofhavingwateronthetable。Oh，d——me，it\'salloverme。\'Andthen，gettingup，toavoidthefloodhehimselfhadcaused，henearlyfellintothedoctor\'sarms。

\'You\'retiredwithyourjourney，SirLouis；perhapsyou\'dbettergotobed。\'

\'Well，Iamabitseedyorso。Thosecursedroadsofyoursshakeafellowso。\'

Thedoctorrangthebell，and，onthisoccasion，didrequestthatJoemightbesentfor。Joecamein，and，thoughhewasmuchsteadierthanhismaster，lookedasthoughhealsohadfoundsomebinofwhichhehadapproved。

\'SirLouiswishestogotobed，\'saidthedoctor；\'youhadbettergivehimyourarm。\'

\'Oh，yes；incourseIwill，\'saidJoe，standingimmoveableabouthalf-waybetweenthedoorandthetable。

\'I\'lljusttakeonemoreglassoftheoldport——eh，doctor？\'saidSirLouis，puttingouthishandandclutchingthedecanter。

Itisveryhardforanymantodenyhisguestinhisownhouse，andthedoctor，atthemoment，didnotknowhowtodoit；soSirLouisgothiswine，afterpouringhalfofitoverthetable。

\'Comein，sir，andgiveSirLouisyourarm，\'saidthedoctor，angrily。

\'SoIwillincourse，ifmymastertellsme；but，ifyouplease，DrThorne——\'andJoeputhishanduptohishairinamannerthatagreatdealmoreimpudencethanreverenceinit——\'Ijustwanttoaxonequestion；wherebeItosleep？\'

Nowthiswasaquestionwhichthedoctorwasnotpreparedtoansweronthespurofthemoment，howeverwellJanetorMarymighthavebeenabletodoso。

\'Sleep，\'saidhe，\'Idon\'tknowwhereyouaretosleep，anddon\'tcare；

askJanet。\'

\'That\'sallverywell，master——\'

\'Holdyourtongue，sirrah！\'saidSirLouis。\'Whatthedevildoyouwantofsleep？——comehere，\'andthen，withhisservant\'shelp，hemadehiswayuptohisbedroom，andwasnomoreheardofthatnight。

\'Didhegettipsy，\'askedMary，almostinawhisper，whenherunclejoinedherinthedrawing-room。

\'Don\'ttalkofit，\'saidhe。\'Poorwretch！poorwretch！Let\'shavesometeanow，Molly，andpraydon\'ttalkanymoreabouthimto-night。\'

ThenMarydidmakethetea，anddidnottalkanymoreaboutSirLouisthatnight。

Whatonearthweretheytodowithhim？Hehadcomethereself-invited；

buthisconnexionwiththedoctorwassuch，thatitwasimpossibleheshouldbetoldtogoaway，eitherhehimself，orthatservantofhis。

Therewasnoreasontodisbelievehimwhenhedeclaredthathehadcomedowntoferretoutthesquire。Suchwas，doubtless，hisintention。Hewouldferretoutthesquire。PerhapshemightferretoutLadyArabellaalso。Frankwouldbehomeinafewdays；andhe，too，mightbeferretedout。

Butthemattertookaverysingularturn，andonequiteunexpectedonthedoctor\'spart。Onthemorningfollowingthelittledinnerofwhichwehavespoken，oneoftheGreshamsburygroomsrodeuptothedoctor\'sdoorwithtwonotes。Onewasaddressedtothedoctorinthesquire\'swell-knownlargehandwriting，andtheotherwasforSirLouis。Eachcontainedaninvitationdodinnerforthefollowingday；andthattothedoctorwasinthiswise：-

\'DEARDOCTOR，Docomeanddinehereto-morrow，andbringSirLouisScatcherdwithyou。

Ifyou\'rethemanItakeyoutobe，youwon\'trefuseme。LadyArabellasendsanoteforSirLouis。TherewillbenobodyherebutOriel，andMrGazebee，who\'sstayinginthehouse。

\'Yoursever，F。N。GRESHAM\'

\'PS——Imakeapositiverequestthatyou\'llcome，andIthinkyouwillhardlyrefuseme。\'

Thedoctorreadittwicebeforehecouldbelieveit，andthenorderedJanettotaketheothernoteuptoSirLouis。AstheseinvitationswereratherinoppositiontothethenexistingGreshamsburytactics，thecauseofLadyArabella\'sspecialcivilitymustbeexplained。

MrMortimerGazebeewasnowatthehouse，andtherefore，itmustbepresumed，thatthingswerenotallowedtogoonaftertheiroldfashion。

MrGazebeewasanacuteaswellasfashionableman；onewhoknewwhathewasabout，andwho，moreover，haddeterminedtogivehisverybesteffortsonbehalfoftheGreshamsburyproperty。Hisenergy，inthisrespect，willexplainitselfhereafter。ItwasnotprobablethatthearrivalinthevillageofsuchapersonasSirLouisScatcherdshouldescapeattention。Hehadheardofitbeforedinner，and，beforetheeveningwasover，haddiscusseditwithLadyArabella。

HerladyshipwasnotatfirstinclinedtomakemuchofSirLouis，andexpressedherselfasbutlittleinclinedtoagreewithMrGazebeewhenthatgentlemansuggestedthatheshouldbetreatedwithcivilityatGreshamsbury。Butshewasatlasttalkedover。ShefounditpleasantenoughtohavemoretodowiththesecretmanagementoftheestatethanMrGreshamhimself；andwhenMrGazebeeprovedtoher，bysundrynodsandwinks，andsubtleallusionstoherowninfinitegoodsense，thatitwasnecessarytocatchthisobscenebirdwhichhadcometopreyupontheestate，bythrowingalittlesaltuponhistail，shealsonoddedandwinked，anddirectedAugustatopreparethesaltaccordingtoorder。

\'Butwon\'titbeodd，MrGazebee，askinghimoutofDrThorne\'shouse？\'

\'Oh，wemusthavethedoctor，too，LadyArabella；byallmeansaskthedoctoralso。\'

LadyArabella\'sbrowgrewdark。\'MrGazebee，\'shesaid，\'youcanhardlybelievehowthatmanhasbehavedtome。\'

\'Heisaltogetherbeneathyouranger，\'saidMrGazebee，withabow。

\'Idon\'tknow：inonewayhemaybe，butnotinanother。IreallydonotthinkIcansitdowntotablewithDoctorThorne。\'

But，nevertheless，MrGazebeegainedhispoint。ItwasnowaboutaweeksinceSirOmicronPiehadbeenatGreshamsbury，andthesquirehad，almostdaily，spokentohiswifeastothatlearnedman\'sadvice。LadyArabellaalwaysansweredinthesametone：\'Youcanhardlyknow，MrGresham，howthatmanhasinsultedme。\'But，nevertheless，thephysician\'sadvicehadnotbeendisbelieved：ittalliedtoowellwithherowninwardconvictions。ShewasanxiousenoughtohaveDoctorThornebackatherbedside，ifshecouldonlygethimtherewithoutdamagetoherpride。Herhusband，shethought，mightprobablysendthedoctortherewithoutabsolutepermissionfromherself；inwhichcaseshewouldhavebeenabletoscold，andshowthatshewasoffended；and，atthesametime，profitbywhathadbeendone。ButMrGreshamneverthoughtoftakingsoviolentastepasthis，and，therefore，DrFillgravestillcame，andherladyship\'sfinessewaswastedinvain。

ButMrGazebee\'spropositionopenedadoorbywhichherpointmightbegained。\'Well，\'saidshe，atlast，withinfiniteself-denial，\'ifyouthinkitisforMrGresham\'sadvantage，andifhechoosestoaskDrThorne，Iwillnotrefusetoreceivehim。\'

MrGazebee\'snexttaskwastodiscussthematterwiththesquire。Norwasthiseasy，forMrGazebeewasnofavouritewithMrGresham。Butthetaskwasatlastperformedsuccessfully。MrGreshamwassogladathearttofindhimselfable，oncemore，toaskhisoldfriendtohisownhouse；

and，thoughitwouldhavepleasedhimbetterthatthissignofrelentingonhiswife\'spartshouldhavereachedhimbyothermeans，hedidnotrefusetotakeadvantageofit；andsohewrotetheabovelettertoDrThorne。

Thedoctor，aswehavesaid，readittwice；andheatonceresolvedstoutlythathewouldnotgo。

\'Oh，do，do，dogo！\'saidMary。Shewellknewhowwretchedthisfeudhadmadeheruncle。\'Pray，praygo！\'

\'Indeed，Iwillnot，\'saidhe。\'Therearesomethingsamanshouldbear，andsomeheshouldnot。\'

\'Youmustgo，\'saidMary，whohadtakenthenotefromheruncle\'shand，andreadit。\'Youcannotrefusehimwhenheasksyoulikethat。\'

\'Itwillgreatlygrieveme；butImustrefusehim。\'

\'Ialsoamangry，uncle；veryangrywithLadyArabella；butforhim，forthesquire，Iwouldgotohimonmykneesifheaskedmeinthatway。\'

\'Yes；andhadheaskedyou，Ialsowouldhavegone。\'

\'Oh！nowIshallbesowretched。Itishisinvitation，nothers：MrGreshamcouldnotaskme。Asforher，donotthinkofher；butdo，dogowhenheasksyoulikethat。Youwillmakemesomiserableifyoudonot。

AndthenSirLouiscannotgowithoutyou，\'——andMarypointedupstairs——\'andyoumaybesurethathewillgo。\'

\'Yes；andmakeabeastofhimself。\'

ThiscolloquywascutshortbyamessageprayingthedoctortogouptoSirLouis\'sroom。Theyoungmanwassittinginhisdressing-gown，drinkingacupofcoffeeathistoilet-table，whileJoewaspreparinghisrazorandhotwater。Thedoctor\'snoseimmediatelytoldhimthattherewasmoreinthecoffee-cupthanhadcomeoutofhisownkitchen，andhewouldnotlettheoffencepassunnoticed。

\'Areyoutakingbrandythismorning，SirLouis？\'

\'Justalittlechasse-cafe，\'saidhe，notexactlyunderstandingthewordheused。\'It\'sallthegonow；andacapitalthingforthestomach。\'

\'It\'snotacapitalthingforyourstomach；——abouttheleastcapitalthingyoucantake；thatis，ifyouwishtolive。\'

\'Nevermindaboutthatnow，doctor，butlookhere。Thisiswhatwecallthecivilthing——eh？\'andheshowedtheGreshamsburynote。\'Notbutthattheyhaveanobject，ofcourse。Iunderstandallthat。Lotsofgirlsthere——eh？\'

Thedoctortookthenoteandreadit。\'Itiscivil，\'saidhe；\'verycivil。\'

\'Well；Ishallgo，ofcourse。Idon\'tbearmalicebecausehecan\'tpaymethemoneyheowesme。I\'lleathisdinner，andlookatthegirls。

Haveyouaninvitetoo，doctor？\'

\'Yes；Ihave。\'

\'Andyou\'llgo？\'

\'Ithinknot；butthatneednotdeteryou。But，SirLouis——\'

\'Well！eh！whatisit？\'

\'Stepdownstairsamoment，\'saidthedoctor，turningtotheservant，\'andwaittillyouarecalledfor。Iwishtospeaktoyourmaster。\'Joe，foramoment，lookedupatthebaronet\'sface，asthoughhewantedbuttheslightestencouragementtodisobeythedoctor\'sorders；butnotseeingit，heslowlyretired，andplacedhimself，ofcourse，atthekeyhole。

Andthen，thedoctorbeganalongandveryuselesslecture。ThefirstobjectofitwastoinducehiswardnottogetdrunkatGreshamsbury；

buthavinggotsofar，hewenton，anddidsucceedinfrighteninghisunhappyguest。SirLouisdidnotpossesstheironnervesofhisfather——nerveswhichevenbrandyhadnotbeenabletosubdue。Thedoctorspoke，strongly，verystrongly；spokeofquick，almostimmediatedeathincaseoffurtherexcesses；spoketohimofthecertaintytherewouldbethathecouldnotlivetodisposeofhisownpropertyifhecouldnotrefrain。AndthushedidfrightenSirLouis。Thefatherhehadneverbeenabletofrighten。Buttherearemenwho，thoughtheyfeardeathhugely，fearpresentsufferingmore；who，indeed，willnotbearamomentofpainiftherebyanymodeofescape。SirLouiswassuch：hehadnostrengthofnerve，nocourage，noabilitytomakearesolutionandkeepit。Hepromisedthedoctorthathewouldrefrain；and，ashedidso，heswalloweddownhiscupofcoffeeandbrandy，inwhichthetwoarticlesboreaboutequalproportions。

Thedoctordid，atlast，makeuphismindtogo。Whicheverwayhedetermined，hefoundthathewasnotcontentedwithhimself。HedidnotliketotrustSirLouisbyhimself，andhedidnotliketoshowthathewasangry。StilllessdidheliketheideaofbreakingbreadinLadyArabella\'shousetillsomeamendshadbeenmadetoMary。Buthisheartwouldnotallowhimtorefusethepetitioncontainedinthesquire\'spostscript，andthematterendedinhisacceptingtheinvitation。

Thisvisitofhisward\'swas，ineveryway，pernicioustothedoctor。Hecouldnotgoabouthisbusiness，fearingtoleavesuchamanalonewithMary。Ontheafternoonofthesecondday，sheescapedtotheparsonageforanhourorso，andthen，walkedawayamongthelanes，callingonsomeofheroldfriendsamongthefarmers\'wives。Buteventhen，thedoctorwasafraidtoleaveSirLouis。Whatcouldsuchamando，leftaloneinavillagelikeGreshamsbury？Sohestayedathome，andthetwotogetherwentovertheiraccounts。Thebaronetwasparticularabouthisaccounts，andsaidagooddealastohavingFinnieovertoGreshamsbury。

Tothis，however，DrThornepositivelyrefusedhisconsent。

Theeveningpassedoffbetterthantheprecedingone；atleasttheearlypartofit。SirLouisdidnotgettipsy；hecameuptotea，andMary，whodidnotfeelsokeenlyonthesubjectasheruncle，almostwishedthathehaddoneso。Atteno\'clockhewenttobed。

Butafterthatnewtroublescameon。Thedoctorhadgonedownstairsintohisstudytomakeupsomeofthetimewhichhehadlost，andhadjustseatedhimselfathisdesk，whenJanet，withoutannouncingherself，burstintotheroom；andBridget，dissolvedinhystericaltears，withheraprontohereyes，appearedbehindtheseniordomestic。

\'Please，sir，\'saidJanet，drivenbyexcitementmuchbeyondherusualplaceofspeaking，andbecomingunintentionallyalittlelessrespectfulthanusual，\'pleasesir，that\'ereyoungmanmustgooutofthisherehouse；orelsenorespectableyoung\'oomancan\'tstophere；no，indeed，sir；andwebesorrytotroubleyou，DrThorne；sowebe。\'

\'Whatyoungman？SirLouis？\'askedthedoctor。

\'Man！\'sobbedBridgetfrombehind。\'Hean\'tnoman，nonothinglikeaman。IfTummashadbeenhere，hewouldn\'thavedared；sohewouldn\'t。\'

Thomaswasthegroom，and，ifallGreshamsburyreportsweretrue，itwasprobable，thatonsomehappy，futureday，ThomasandBridgetwouldbecomeonefleshandonebone。

\'Pleasesir，\'continuedJanet，\'there\'llbebadworkhereifthere\'ereyoungmandoesn\'tquitthisherehousethisverynight，andI\'msorrytotroubleyou，doctor；andsoIam。ButTom，hebegiventofighta\'mostfornothin\'。He\'soutnow；butifthatthereyoungmanbe\'sherewhenTomcomeshome，Tomwillbepunchinghishead；Iknowhewill。\'

\'Hewouldn\'tstandbyandseeapoorgirlputupon；nomorehewouldn\'t，\'saidBridget，throughhertears。

Aftermanyfutileinquiries，thedoctorascertainedthatMrJonahhadexpressedsomeadmirationforBridget\'syouthfulcharms，andhad，intheabsenceofJanet，thrownhimselfatthelady\'sfeetinamannerwhichhadnotbeenaltogetherpleasingtoher。Shehaddefendedherselfstoutlyandloudly，andinthemiddleoftherowJanethadcomedown。

\'Andwhereishenow？\'saidthedoctor。

\'Why，sir，\'saidJanet，\'thepoorgirlwassoputaboutthatshedidgivehimonetouchacrossthefacewiththerolling-pin，andhebeallbloodynow，inthebackkitchen。\'Athearingthisachievementofhersthusspokenof，Bridgetsobbedmorehystericallythanever；butthedoctor，lookingatherarmassheheldheraprontoherface，thoughtinhisheartthatJoemusthavehadsomuchtheworstofit，thattherecouldbenopossibleneedfortheinterferenceofThomasthegroom。

Andsuchturnedouttobethecase。ThebridgeofJoe\'snosewasbroken；andthedoctorhadtosetitforhiminalittlebedroomatthevillagepublic-house，Bridgethavingpositivelyrefusedtogotobedinthesamehousewithsodreadfulacharacter。

\'Quietnow，orI\'llbeservingtheethesameway；theeseeI\'vefoundthetrickofit。\'Thedoctorcouldnotbuthearsomuchashemadeintohisownhousebythebackdoor，afterfinishinghissurgicaloperation。

Bridgetwasrecountingtoherchampionthefracasthathadoccurred；andhe，aswassonatural，wasexpressinghisadmirationforhervalour。

CHAPTERXXXV

SIRLOUISGOESOUTTODINNER

ThenextdayJoedidnotmakehisappearance，andSirLouiswithmanyexecrations，wasdriventotheterriblenecessityofdressinghimself。

Thencameanunexpecteddifficulty：howweretheytogetuptothehouse？Walkingouttodinner，thoughitwasmerelythroughthevillageanduptheavenueseemedtoSirLouistobeathingimpossible。Indeed，hewasnotwellabletowalkatall，andpositivelydeclaredthatheshouldneverbeabletomakehiswayoverthegravelinpumps。HismotherwouldnothavethoughthalfasmuchofwalkingfromBoxallHilltoGreshamsburyandbackagain。Atlast，theonevillageflywassentfor，andthematterwasarranged。

Whentheyreachedthehouse，itwaseasytoseethattherewassomeunwontedbustle。Inthedrawing-roomtherewasnoonebutMrMortimerGazebee，whointroducedhimselftothemboth。SirLouis，whoknewthathewasonlyanattorney，didnottakemuchnoticeofhim，butthedoctorenteredintoconversation。

\'HaveyounotheardthatMrGreshamhascomehome？\'

\'MrGresham！Ididnotknowthathehadbeenaway。\'

\'MrGresham，junior，Imean。\'No，indeed；thedoctorhadnotheard。

Frankhadreturnedunexpectedly，justbeforedinner，andwasnowundergoinghisfather\'ssmiles，hismother\'sembraces，andhissisters\'

questions。

\'Quiteunexpectedly，\'saidMrGazebee。\'Idon\'tknowwhathasbroughthimbackbeforehistime。IsupposehefoundLondontoohot。\'

\'Deucedhot，\'saidthebaronet。\'Ifounditso，atleast。Idon\'tknowwhatkeepsmeninLondonwhenit\'ssohot；exceptthosefellowswhohavebusinesstodo：they\'repaidforit。\'

MrMortimerGazebeelookedathim。HewasmanaginganestatewhichowedSirLouisanenormoussumofmoney，and，therefore，hecouldnotaffordtodespisethebaronet；buthethoughttohimself，whataveryabjectfellowthemanwouldbeifhewerenotabaronet，andhadnotalargefortune！

Andthesquirecamein。Hisbroad，honestfacewascoveredwithasmilewhenhesawthedoctor。

\'Thorne，\'saidhe，almostinawhisper，\'you\'rethebestfellowbreathing；Ihavehardlydeservedthis。\'Thedoctor，ashetookhisoldfriend\'shand，couldnotbutbegladthathehadfollowedMary\'scounsel。

\'SoFrankhascomehome？\'

\'Oh，yes；quiteunexpectedly。HewastohavestayedaweeklongerinLondon。Youwouldhardlyknowhimifyoumethim。SirLouis，Ibegyourpardon。\'Andthesquirewentuptohisotherguest，whohadremainedsomewhatsullenlystandinginonecorneroftheroom。Hewasthemanofhighestrankpresent，ortobepresent，andheexpectedtobetreatedassuch。

\'Iamhappytohavethepleasureofmakingyouracquaintance，MrGresham，\'saidthebaronet，intendingtobeverycourteous。\'Thoughwehavenotmetbefore，Iveryoftenseeyournameinmyaccounts——ha！ha！

ha！\'andSirLouislaughedasthoughhehadsaidsomethingverygood。

ThemeetingbetweenLadyArabellaandthedoctorwasratherdistressingtotheformer；butshemanagedtogetoverit。Sheshookhandswithhimgraciously，andsaidthatitwasafineday。Thedoctorsaidthatitwasfine，onlyperhapsalittlerainy。Andthentheywentintodifferentpartsoftheroom。

WhenFrankcamein，thedoctorhardlydidknowhim。Hishairwasdarkerthanithadbeen，andsowashiscomplexion；buthischiefdisguisewasinalongsilkenbeard，whichhungdownoverhiscravat。Thedoctorhadhithertonotbeenmuchinfavouroflongbeards，buthecouldnotdenythatFranklookedverywellwiththeappendage。

\'Oh，doctor，Iamsodelightedtofindyouhere，\'saidhe，cominguptohim；\'sovery，veryglad：\'and，takingthedoctor\'sarm，heledhimawayintoawindow，wheretheywerealone。\'AndhowisMary？\'saidhe，almostinawhisper。\'Oh，Iwishshewerehere！But，doctor，itshallallcomeintime。Buttellme，doctor，thereisnonewsabouther，isthere？\'

\'News——whatnews？\'

\'Oh，well；nonewsisgoodnews：youwillgivehermylove，won\'tyou？\'

Thedoctorsaidthathewould。Whatelsecouldhesay？ItappearedquitecleartohimthatsomeofMary\'sfearsweregroundless。

Frankwasagainverymuchaltered。Ithasbeensaid，thatthoughhewasaboyattwenty-one，hewasamanattwenty-two。Butnow，attwenty-three，heappearedtobealmostamanoftheworld。Hismannerswereeasy，hisvoiceunderhiscontrol，andwordswereathiscommand：

hewasnolongereithershyornoisy；but，perhaps，wasopentothechargeofseeming，atleast，tobetooconsciousofhisownmerits。Hewas，indeed，veryhandsome；tall，manly，andpowerfullybuilt，hisformwassuchaswomen\'seyeshaveeverlovedtolookupon。\'Ah，ifhewouldbutmarrymoney！\'saidLadyArabellatoherself，takenupbyamother\'snaturaladmirationforherson。Hissistersclungaroundhimbeforedinner，alltalkingtohimatonce。Howproudafamilyofgirlsareofone，big，tall，burlybrother！

\'Youdon\'tmeantotellme，Frank，thatyouaregoingtoeatsoupwiththatbeard？\'saidthesquire，whentheywereseatedroundthetable。Hehadnotceasedtorallyhissonastothispatriarchaladornment；but，nevertheless，anyonecouldhaveseen，withhalfandeye，thathewasasproudofitasweretheothers。

\'Don\'tI，sir？AllIrequireisarelayofnapkinsforeverycourse；\'

andhewenttowork，coveringitwitheveryspoonful，asmenwithbeardsalwaysdo。

\'Well，ifyoulikeit！\'saidthesquire，shrugginghisshoulders。

\'ButIdolikeit，\'saidFrank。

\'Oh，papa，youwouldn\'thavehimcutitoff，\'saidoneofthetwins。\'Itissohandsome。\'

\'Ishouldliketoworkitintoachair-backinsteadoffloss-silk，\'saidtheothertwin。

\'Thank\'ee，Sophy；I\'llrememberyouforthat。\'

\'Doesn\'titlooknice，andgrand，andpatriarchal？\'saidBeatrice，turningtoherneighbour。

\'Patriarchal，certainly，\'saidMrOriel。\'IshouldgrowonemyselfifI

hadnotthefearofthearchbishopbeforemyeyes。\'

Whatwasnextsaidtohimwasinawhisper，audibleonlytohimself。

\'Doctor，didyouknowWildmanoftheNinth。HewasleftassurgeonatScutarifortwoyears。Why，mybeardtohisisonlyalittledown。\'

\'Alittlewaydown，youmean，\'saidMrGazebee。

\'Yes，\'saidFrank，resolutelysetagainstlaughingatMrGazebee\'spun。

\'Why，hisbearddescendstohisankles，andheisobligedtotieitinabagatnight，becausehisfeetgetentangledinitwhenheisasleep！\'

\'Oh，Frank！\'saidoneofthegirls。

Thiswasallverywellforthesquire，andLadyArabella，andthegirls。

TheywerealldelightedtopraiseFrank，andtalkabouthim。NeitherdiditcomeamisstoMrOrielandthedoctor，whohadbothapersonalinterestintheyounghero。ButSirLouisdidnotlikeitatall。Hewastheonlybaronetintheroom，andyetnobodytookanynoticeofhim。Hewasseatedinthepostofhonour，nexttoLadyArabella；butevenLadyArabellaseemedtothinkmoreofherownsonthanofhim。Seeinghewasill-used，hemeditatedrevenge；butnotthelessdiditbehovehimtomakesomeefforttoattractattention。

\'WasyourladyshipinLondon，thisseason？\'

LadyArabellahadnotbeeninLondonatallthisyear，anditwasasoresubjectwithher。\'No，\'saidshe，verygraciously；\'circumstanceshavekeptusathome。\'

\'Ah，indeed！Iamverysorryforthat；thatmustbeverydistressingtoapersonlikeyourladyship。Butthingsaremending，perhaps？\'

LadyArabelladidnotintheleastunderstandhim。\'Mending！\'shesaid，inherpeculiartoneofaristocraticindifference；andthenturnedtoMrGazebee，whowasontheothersideofher。

SirLouiswasnotgoingtostandthis。Hewasthefirstmanintheroom，andheknewhisownimportance。ItwasnottobebornethatLadyArabellashouldturntotalktoadirtyattorney，andleavehim，abaronet，toeathisdinnerwithoutnotice。Ifnothingelsewouldmoveher，hewouldletherknowwhowastherealowneroftheGreshamsburytitle-deeds。

\'IthinkIsawyourladyshipoutto-day，takingaride，\'LadyArabellahaddriventhroughthevillageinherpony-chair。

\'Ineverride，\'saidshe，turningherheadforonemomentfromMrGazebee。

\'Intheone-horsecarriage，Imean，mylady。Iwasdelightedwiththewayyouwhippedhimuproundthecorner。\'

Whippedhimuproundthecorner！LadyArabellacouldmakenoanswertothis；soshewentontalkingtoMrGazebee。SirLouis，repulsed，butnotvanquished-resolvednottobevanquishedbyanyLadyArabella——turnedhisattentiontohisplateforaminuteortwo，andthenrecommenced。

\'Thehonourofaglassofwinewithyou，LadyArabella，\'saidhe。\'

\'Inevertakewineatdinner，\'saidLadyArabella。Themanwasbecomingintolerabletoher，andshewasbeginningtofearthatitwouldbenecessaryforhertoflytheroomtogetridofhim。

Thebaronetwasagainsilentforamoment；buthewasdeterminednottobeputdown。

\'Thisisanice-lookingcountryabouther，\'saidhe。

\'Yes；verynice，\'saidMrGazebee，endeavouringtorelievetheladyofthemansion。

\'IhardlyknowwhichIlikebest；this，ormyownplaceatBoxallHill。

Youhavetheadvantagehereintrees，andthosesortofthings。But，astothehouse，why，myboxthereisverycomfortable，very。You\'dhardlyknowtheplacenow，LadyArabella，ifyouhaven\'tseenitsincemygovernorboughtit。Howmuchdoyouthinkhespentaboutthehouseandgrounds，pineriesincluded，youknow，andthosesortofthings。\'

LadyArabellashookherhead。

\'Nowguess，mylady，\'saidhe。ButitwasnottobesupposedthatLadyArabellashouldguessonsuchasubject。

\'Ineverguess，\'saidshe，withalookofineffabledisgust。

\'Whatdoyousay，MrGazebee？\'

\'Perhapsahundredthousandpounds。\'

\'What！forahouse！Youcan\'tknowmuchaboutmoney，noryetaboutbuilding，Ithink，MrGazebee。\'

\'Notmuch，\'saidMrGazebee，\'astosuchmagnificentplacesasBoxallHill。\'

\'Well，mylady，ifyouwon\'tguess，I\'lltellyou。Itcosttwenty-twothousandfourhundredandnineteenpoundsfourshillingsandeightpence。

I\'vealltheaccountsexact。Now，that\'satidylotofmoneyforahouseforamantolivein。\'

SirLouisspokethisinaloudtone，whichatleastcommandedtheattentionofthetable。LadyArabella，vanquished，bowedherhead，andsaidthatitwasalargesum；MrGazebeewentonsedulouslyeatinghisdinner；thesquirewasstruckmomentarilydumbinthemiddleofalongchatwiththedoctor；evenMrOrielceasedtowhisper；andthegirlsopenedtheireyeswithastonishment。Beforetheendofhisspeech，SirLouis\'svoicehadbecomeveryloud。

\'Yes，indeed，\'saidFrank；\'averytidylotofmoney。I\'dhavegenerouslydroppedthefourandeightpenceifI\'dbeenthearchitect。\'

\'Itwasn\'tononebill；butthat\'sthetot。Icanshowthebills；\'andSirLouis，wellpleasedwithhistriumph，swallowedaglassofwine。

Almostimmediatelyaftertheclothwasremoved，LadyArabellaescaped，andthegentlemenclusteredtogether。SirLouisfoundhimselfnexttoMrOriel，andbegantomakehimselfagreeable。

\'Averynicegirl，MissBeatrice；verynice。\'

NowMrOrielwasamodestman，and，whenthusaddressedastohisfuturewife，founditdifficulttomakeanyreply。

\'Youparsonsalwayshaveyourownluck，\'saidSirLouis。\'Yougetallthebeauty，andgenerallyallthemoney，too。Notmuchofthelatterinthiscase，though——eh？\'

MrOrielwasdumbfounded。HehadneversaidawordanycreatureastoBeatrice\'sdowry；andwhenMrGreshamhadtoldhim，withsorrow，thathisdaughter\'sportionmustbesmall，hehadatoncepassedawayfromthesubjectasonethatwashardlyfitforconversation，evenbetweenhimandhisfuturefather-in-law；andnowhewasabruptlyquestionedonthesubjectbyamanhehadneverseenbeforeinhislife。Ofcourse，hecouldmakenoanswer。

\'Thesquirehasmuddledhismattersmostuncommonly，\'continuedSirLouis，fillinghisglassforthesecondtimebeforehepassedthebottle。\'Whatdoyousupposenowheowesmealone；justatonelump，youknow？\'

MrOrielhadnothingforitbuttorun。Hecouldmakenoanswer，norwouldhesittherefortidingsastoMrGresham\'sembarrassments。Sohefairlyretreated，withouthavingsaidonewordtohisneighbour，findingsuchdiscretiontobetheonlykindofvalourlefttohim。

\'What，Oriel！offalready？\'saidthesquire。\'Anythingthematter？\'

\'Oh，no；nothingparticular。I\'mnotjustquite——IthinkIwillgooutforafewminutes。\'

\'Seewhatitistobeinlove，\'saidthesquire，half-whisperingtoDrThorne。\'You\'renotinthesameway，Ihope？\'

SirLouisthenshiftedhisseatagain，andfoundhimselfnexttoFrank。

MrGazebeewasoppositetohim，andthedoctoroppositetoFrank。

\'Parsonseemspeekish，Ithink，\'saidthebaronet。

\'Peekish！？\'saidthesquire，inquisitively。

\'Ratherdownonhisluck。He\'sdecentlywelloffhimself，isn\'the？\'

Therewasanotherpause，andnobodyseemedinclinedtoanswerthequestion。

\'Imean，he\'sgotsomethingmorethanhisbareliving。\'

\'Oh，yes，\'saidFrank，laughing。\'He\'sgotwhatwillbuyhimbreadandcheesewhentheRadsshutuptheChurch：——unless，indeed，theyshutuptheFundstoo。\'

\'Ah，there\'snothinglikeland，\'saidSirLouis：\'nothinglikedirtyacres；isthere，squire？\'

\'Landisaverygoodinvestment，certainly，\'saidtheMrGresham。

\'Thebestgoing，\'saidtheother，whowasnow，aspeoplesaywhentheymeantobegood-natured，slightlyundertheinfluenceofliquor。\'Thebestgoing——eh，Gazebee？\'

MrGazebeegatheredhimselfup，andturnedawayhishead，lookingoutofthewindow。

\'Youlawyersneverliketogiveanopinionwithoutmoney，ha！ha！ha！Dothey，MrGresham？YouandIhavehadtopayforplentyofthem，andwillhavetopayplentymorebeforetheyletusalone。\'

HereMrGazebeegotup，andfollowedMrOrieloutoftheroom。Hewasnot，ofcourse，onsuchintimatetermsinthehouseaswasMrOriel；buthehopedtobeforgivenbytheladiesinconsequenceoftheseverityofthemiseriestowhichhewassubjected。HeandMrOrielweresoontobeseenthroughthedining-roomwindow，walkingaboutthegroundswiththetwoeldestMissGreshams。AndPatienceOriel，whohadalsobeenoftheparty，wasalsotobeseenwiththetwins。Franklookedathisfatherwithalmostamalicioussmile，andbegantothinkthathetoomightbebetteremployedoutamongthewalks。Didhethinkthenofaformersummerevening，whenhehadhalfbrokenMary\'sheartbywalkingtheretoolovinglywithPatienceOriel？

SirLouis，ifhecontinuedhisbrilliantcareerofsuccess，wouldsoonbeleftthecockofthewalk。Thesquire，tobesure，couldnotbolt，norcouldthedoctorverywell；buttheymightbeequallyvanquished，remainingthereintheirchairs。DrThorne，duringallthistime，wassittingwithtinglingears。Indeed，itmaybesaidthathiswholebodytingled。Hewasinamannerresponsibleforthishorriblescene；butwhatcouldhedotostopit？HecouldnottakeSirLouisupbodilyandcarryhimaway。Oneideadidoccurtohim。Theflyhadbeenorderedforteno\'clock。Hecouldrushoutandsendforitinstantly。

\'You\'renotgoingtoleaveme？\'saidthesquire，inavoiceofhorror，ashesawthedoctorrisingfromhischair。

\'Oh，no，no，no，\'saidthedoctor；andthenhewhisperedthepurposeofhismission。\'Iwillbebackintwominutes。\'Thedoctorwouldhavegiventwentypoundstohaveclosedthesceneatonce；buthewasnotthemantodeserthisfriendinsuchastraitasthat。

\'He\'sawell-meaningfellow，thedoctor，\'saidSirLouis，whenhisguardianwasoutoftheroom，\'very；buthe\'snotuptotrap——notatall。\'

\'Uptotrap——well，Ishouldsayhewas；thatis，ifIknowwhattrapmeans，\'saidFrank。

\'Ah，butthat\'sjusttheticket。Doyouknow？NowIsayDrThorne\'snotamanoftheworld。\'

\'He\'saboutthebestmanIknow，oreverheardof，\'saidthesquire。

\'Andifanymaneverhadagoodfriend，youhavegotoneinhim；andsohaveI：\'andthesquiresilentlydrankthedoctor\'shealth。

\'Allverytrue，Idaresay；butyethe\'snotuptotrap。Nowlookhere，squire——\'

\'Ifyoudon\'tmind，sir，\'saidFrank，\'I\'vegotsomethingveryparticular——perhaps，however——\'

\'StaytillThornereturns，thanksFrank。\'

FrankdidstaytillThornereturned，andthenescaped。

\'Excuseme，doctor，\'saidhe，\'butI\'vesomethingveryparticulartosay；I\'llexplainto-morrow。\'Andthenthethreewereleftalone。

SirLouiswasnobecomingalmostdrunk，andwasknockinghiswordstogether。Thesquirehadalreadyattemptedtostopthebottle；butthebaronethadcontrivedtogetholdofamodicumofMadeira，andtherewasnopreventinghimfromhelpinghimself；atleast，noneatthemoment。

\'Asweweresayingaboutlawyers，\'continuedSirLouis。\'Let\'ssee，whatwerewesaying？Why，squire，it\'sjusthere。Thesefellowswillfleeceusbothifwedon\'tmindwhatweareafter。\'

\'Nevermindaboutlawyersnow，\'saidDrThorne，angrily。

\'Ah，butIdomind；mostparticularly。That\'sallverywellforyou，doctor；you\'venothingtolose。You\'venogreatstakeinthematter。

Why，now，whatsumofmoneyofminedoyouthinkthosed——doctorsarehandling？\'

\'D——doctors！\'saidthesquireinatoneofdismay。

\'Lawyers，Imean，ofcourse。Why，now，Gresham，we\'realltottednow，yousee；you\'redowninmybooks，Itakeit，forprettynearahundredthousandpounds。\'

\'Holdyourtongue，sir，\'saidthedoctor，gettingup。

\'Holdmytongue！\'saidSirLouis。

\'SirLouisScatcherd，\'saidthesquire，slowlyrisingfromhischair，\'wewillnot，ifyouplease，talkaboutbusinessatthepresentmoment。

Perhapswehadbettergototheladies。\'

Thislatterpropositionhadcertainlynotcomefromthesquire\'sheart：

goingtotheladieswastheverylastthingforwhichSirLouiswasnowfit。Butthesquirehadsaiditasbeingtheonlyrecognisedformalwayhecouldthinkofforbreakingupthesymposium。

\'Oh，verywell，\'hiccuppedthebaronet，\'I\'malwaysreadyfortheladies，\'andhestretchedouthishandtothedecantertogetalastglassofMadeira。

\'No，\'saidthedoctor，risingstoutly，andspeakingwithadeterminedvoice。\'No；youwillhavenomorewine。\'

\'What\'sallthisabout？\'saidSirLouis，withadrunkenlaugh。

\'Ofcoursehecannotgointothedrawing-room，MrGresham。Ifyouwillleavehimherewithme，Iwillstaywithhim，tilltheflycomes。PraytellLadyArabellafrommehowsorryIamthatthishasoccurred。\'

Thesquiretookhimbythehandaffectionately。\'I\'veseenatipsymanbeforeto-night，\'saidhe。

\'Yes，\'saidthedoctor，\'andsohaveI，but——\'Hedidnotexpresstherestofhisthoughts。

CHAPTERXXXVI

WILLHECOMEAGAIN？

Longbeforethedoctorreturnedhomeafterthelittledinner-partyabovedescribed，MaryhadlearntthatFrankwasalreadyatGreshamsbury。Shehadheardnothingofhim，notaword，nothingintheshapeofamessage，fortwelvemonths；andatheragetwelvemonthsisalongperiod。Wouldhecomeandseeherinspiteofhismother？Wouldhesendheranytidingsofisreturn，ornoticeherinanyway？Ifhedidnot，whatwouldshedo？andifhedid，whatthenwouldshedo？Itwassohardtoresolve；sohardtobedeserted；andsohardtodaretowishthatshemightnotbedeserted！Shecontinuedtosaytoherself，thatitwouldbebetterthattheyshouldbestrangers；andshecouldhardlykeepherselffromtearsinthefearthattheymightbeso。Whatchancecouldtherebethatheshouldcareforher，afteranabsencespentintravellingovertheworld？No；shewouldforgetthataffairofhishand；andthen，immediatelyafterhavingsodetermined，shewouldconfesstoherselfthatitwasathingnottobeforgotten，andimpossibleofoblivion。

Onheruncle\'sreturn，shewouldhearsomewordabouthim；andsoshesatalone，withabookbeforeher，ofwhichshecouldnotreadaline。

Sheexpectedthemabouteleven，andwas，therefore，rathersurprisedwhentheflystoppedatthedoorbeforenine。

Sheimmediatelyheardheruncle\'svoice，loudandangry，callingforThomas。BothThomasandBridgetwereunfortunatelyout，being，atthismoment，forgetfulofallsublunarycares，andseatedinhappinessunderabeech-treeinthepark。Janetflewtothelittlegate，andtherefoundSirLouisinsistingthathewouldbetakenatoncetohisownmansionatBoxallHill，andpositivelyswearingthathewouldnotlongersubmittotheinsultofthedoctor\'ssurveillance。

IntheabsenceofThomas，thedoctorwasforcedtoapplyforassistancetothedriverofthefly。Betweenthemthebaronetwasdraggedoutofthevehicle，thewindowssufferedmuch，andthedoctor\'shatalso。Inthisway，hewastakenupstairs，andwasatlastputtobed，Janetassisting：nordidthedoctorleavetheroomtillhisguestwasasleep。

Thenhewentintothedrawing-roomtoMary。ItmayeasilybeconceivedthathewashardlyinahumourtotalkmuchaboutFrankGresham。

\'WhatamItodowithhim？\'saidhe，almostintears：\'whatamItodowithhim？\'

\'CanyousendhimtoBoxallHill？\'askedMary。

\'Yes；tokillhimselfthere！Butitisnomatter；hewillkillhimselfsomewhere。Oh！whatthatfamilyhavedoneforme！\'Andthen，suddenlyrememberingaportionoftheirdoings，hetookMaryinhisarms，andkissedandblessedher；anddeclaredthat，inspiteofallthis，hewasahappyman。

TherewasnowordaboutFrankthatnight。ThenextmorningthedoctorfoundSirLouisveryweak，andbeggingforstimulants。Hewasworsethanweak；hewasinsuchastateofwretchedmiseryandmentalprostration；

solowinheart，insuchcollapseofenergyandspirit，thatDrThornethoughtitprudenttoremovehisrazorsfromhisreach。

\'ForGod\'ssakedoletmehavealittlechasse-cafe；I\'malwaysusedtoit；askJoeifI\'mnot！Youdon\'twanttokillme，doyou？\'Andthebaronetcriedpiteously，likeachild，and，whenthedoctorlefthimforthebreakfast-table，abjectlyimploredJanettogethimsomecuracoawhichheknewwasinoneofhisportmanteaus。Janet，however，wastruetohermaster。

Thedoctordidgivehimsomewine；andthen，havingleftstrictordersastohistreatment——BridgetandThomasbeingnowbothinthehouse——wentforthtosomeofhistoomuchneglectedpatients。

ThenMarywasagainalone，andhermindflewawaytoherlover。Howshouldshebeabletocomposeherselfwhensheshouldfirstseehim？Seehimshemust。Peoplecannotliveinthesamevillagewithoutmeeting。Ifshepassedhimatthechurch-door，assheoftenpassedLadyArabella，whatshouldshedo？LadyArabellaalwayssmiledapeculiar，little，bittersmile，andthis，withhalfanodofrecognition，carriedoffthemeeting。Shouldshetrythebittersmile，thehalf-nodwithFrank？Alas！

sheknewitwasnotinhertobesomuchmistressofherownheart\'sblood。

Asshethusthought，shestoodinthedrawing-roomwindow，lookingoutintohergarden；and，assheleantagainstthesill，herheadwassurroundedbythesweetcreepers。\'Atanyrate，hewon\'tcomehere，\'shesaid：andso，withadeepsigh，sheturnedfromthewindowintotheroom。

Therehewas，FrankGreshamhimselfstandingthereinherimmediatepresence，beautifulasApollo。Hernextthoughtwashowshemightescapefromoutofhisarms。Howithappenedthatshehadfallenintothem，sheneverknew。

\'Mary！myown，ownlove！myownone！sweetest！dearest！best！Mary！dearMary！haveyounotawordtosaytome？\'

No；shehadnotaword，thoughherlifedependedonit。Theexertionnecessaryfornotcryingwasquiteenoughforher。This，then，wasthebittersmileandthehalf-nodthatwastopassbetweenthem；thiswasthemannerinwhichestrangementwastogrowintoindifference；thiswasthemodeofmeetingbywhichshewastoprovethatshewasmistressofherconduct，ifnotherheart！Thereheheldhercloseboundtohisbreast，andshecouldonlyprotectherface，andthatallineffectually，withherhands。\'Helovesanother，\'Beatricehadsaid。\'Atanyrate，hewillnotloveme，\'herownhearthadsaidalso。Herenowwastheanswer。

\'Youknowyoucannotmarryhim，\'Beatricehadsaid，also。Ah！ifthatreallywereso，wasnotthisembracedeplorableforthemboth？Andyethowcouldshenotbehappy？Sheendeavouredtorepelhim；butwithwhataweakendeavour！Herpridehadbeenwoundedtothecore，notbyLadyArabella\'sscorn，butbytheconvictionwhichhadgrownonher，thatthoughshehadgivenherownheartabsolutelyaway，hadpartedwithitwhollyandforever，shehadreceivednothinginreturn。Theworld，herworld，wouldknowthatshehadloved，andlovedinvain。Butherenowwasthelovedoneatherfeet；thefirstmomentthathisenforcedbanishmentwasover，hadbroughthimhere。Howcouldshenotbehappy？

Theyallsaidthatshecouldnotmarryhim。Well，perhapsitmightbeso；nay，whenshethoughtofit，mustnotthatedicttooprobablybetrue？Butifso，itwouldnotbehisfault。Hewastruetoher，andthatsatisfiedherpride。Hehadtakenfromher，bysurprise，aconfessionofherlove。Shehadoftenregrettedherweaknessinallowinghimtodoso；

butshecouldnotregretitnow。Shecouldenduretosuffer；nay，itwouldnotbesufferingwhilehesufferedwithher。

\'Notoneword，Mary？Thenafterallmydreams，afterallmypatience，youdonotlovemeatlast？\'

Oh，Frank！notwithstandingwhathasbeensaidinthypraise，whatafoolthouart！Wasanywordnecessaryforthee？Hadnotherheartbeatagainstthine？Hadshenotbornethycaresses？Hadtherebeenonetouchofangerwhenshewardedoffthythreatenedkisses？Bridget，inthekitchen，whenJonahbecameamorous，smashedhisnosewiththerolling-pin。ButwhenThomassinned，perhapsasdeeply，sheonlytalkedofdoingso。MissThorne，inthedrawing-room，hadsheneededself-protection，coulddoubtlesshavefoundthemeans，thoughtheprocesswouldprobablyhavebeenlessviolent。

AtlastMarysucceededinhereffortsatenfranchisement，andsheandFrankstoodatsomelittledistancefromeachother。Shecouldnotbutmarvelathim。Thatlong，softbeard，whichjustnowhadbeensoclosetoherface，wasallnew；hiswholelookwasaltered；hismien，andgait，andveryvoicewerenotthesame。Wasthis，indeed，theveryFrankwhohadchatteredofhisboyishlove，twoyearssince，inthegardensatGreshamsbury？

\'Notonewordofwelcome，Mary？\'

\'Indeed，MrGresham，youarewelcomehome。\'

\'MrGresham！Tellme，Mary——tellmeatonce——hasanythinghappened？I

couldnotaskupthere。\'

\'Frank，\'shesaid，andthenstopped；notbeingableatthemomenttogetanyfurther。

\'Speaktomehonestly，Mary；honestlyandbravely。Iofferedyoumyhandoncebefore；thereitisagain。Willyoutakeit？\'

Shelookedwistfullyupinhiseyes；andwouldfainhavetakenit。Butthoughagirlmaybehonestinsuchacase，itissohardforhertobebrave。

Hestillheldouthishand。\'Mary，\'saidhe，\'ifyoucanvalueit，itshallbeyoursthroughgoodfortuneorillfortune。Theremaybedifficulties；butifyoucanloveme，wewillgetoverthem。Iamafreeman；freetodoasIpleasewithmyself，exceptsofarasIamboundtoyou。Thereismyhand。Willyouhaveit？\'Andthenhe，too，lookedintohereyes，andwaitedcomposedly，asthoughdeterminedtohaveananswer。

Sheslowlyraisedherhand，and，asshedidso，hereyesfelltotheground。Itthendroopedagain，andwasagainraised；and，atlast，herlighttaperingfingersrestedonhisbroadopenpalm。

Theyweresoonclutched，andthewholehandbroughtabsolutelywithinhisgrasp。\'There，nowyouaremyown！\'hesaid，\'andnoneofthemshallpartus；myownMary，myownwife。\'

\'Oh，Frank，isnotthisimprudent？Isitnotwrong？\'

\'Imprudent！Iamsickofprudence。Ihateprudence。Andasforwrong——no。Isayitisnotwrong；certainlynotwrongifweloveeachother。Andyoudoloveme，Mary——eh？Youdo！don\'tyou？\'