第15章

Hewouldnotexcuseher，orallowhertoescapefromsayingitinsomanywords；andwhenthewordsdidcomeatlast，theycamefreely。\'Yes，Frank，Idoloveyou；ifthatwereallyouwouldhavenocauseforfear。\'

\'AndIwillhavenocauseforfear。\'

\'Ah；butyourfather，Frank，andmyuncle。Icanneverbringmyselftodoanythingthatshallbringeitherofthemtosorrow。\'

Frank，ofcourse，ranthroughallhisarguments。Hewouldgointoaprofession，ortakeafarmandliveinit。Hewouldwait；thatis，forafewmonths。\'Afewmonths，Frank！\'saidMary。\'Well，perhapssix。\'\'Oh，Frank！\'ButFrankwouldnotbestopped。Hewoulddoanythingthathisfathermightaskhim。Anythingbuttheonething。Hewouldnotgiveupthewifehehadchosen。Itwouldnotbereasonable，orproper，orrighteousthatheshouldbeaskedtodoso；andherehemountedasomewhathighhorse。

Maryhadnoargumentswhichshecouldbringfromherhearttoofferinoppositionofallthis。Shecouldonlyleaveherhandinhis，andfeelthatshewashappierthanshehadbeenatanytimesincethedayofthedonkey-rideatBoxallHill。

\'But，Mary，\'continuedhe，becomingverygraveandserious。\'Wemustbetruetoeachother，andfirminthis。Nothingthatanyofthemcansayshalldrivemefrommypurpose；willyousayasmuch？\'

Herhandwasstillinhis，andsoshestood，thinkingforamomentbeforesheansweredhim。Butshecouldnotdolessforhimthanhewaswillingtodoforher。\'Yes，\'saidshe——saidinaverylowvoice，andwithamannerperfectlyquiet——\'Iwillbefirm。Nothingthattheycansayshallshakeme。But，Frank，itcannotbesoon。\'

Nothingfurtheroccurredinthisinterviewwhichneedsrecording。FrankhadbeenthreetimestoldbyMarythathehadbettergobeforehedidgo；and，atlast，shewasobligedtotakethematterintoherownhands，andleadhimtothedoor。

\'Youareinagreathurrytogetridofme，\'saidhe。

\'Youhavebeenheretwohours，andyoumustgonow；whatwilltheythink？\'

\'Whocareswhattheythink？Letthemthinkthetruth：that\'safterayear\'sabsence，Ihavemuchtosaytoyou。\'However，atlast，hedidgo，andMarywasleftalone。

Frank，althoughhehadbeensoslowtomove，hadathousandotherthingstodo，andwentaboutthematonce。Hewasverymuchinlove，nodoubt；

butthatdidnotinterferewithhisinterestinotherpursuits。Inthefirstplace，hehadtoseeHarryBaker，andHarryBaker\'sstud。HarryhadbeenspeciallychargedtolookaftertheblackhorseduringFrank\'sabsence，andtheholidaydoingsofthatvaluableanimalhadtobeinquiredinto。Thenthekennelofthehoundshadtobevisited，and——asamatterofsecond-rateimportance——themaster。Thiscouldnotbedoneonthesameday；butaplanfordoingsomustbeconcoctedwithHarry——andthentherewerethetwoyoungpointerpups。

Frank，whenhelefthisbetrothed，wentaboutthesethingsquiteasvehementlyasthoughhewerenotinloveatall；quiteasvehementlyasthoughhehadsaidnothingastogoingintosomeprofessionwhichmustnecessarilyseparatehimfromhorsesanddogs。ButMarysatthereatherwindow，thinkingofherlove，andthinkingofnothingelse。Itwasallinalltohernow。Shehadpledgedherselfnottobeshakenfromhertrothbyanything，byanyperson；anditwouldbehovehertobetruetothispledge。Truetoit，thoughalltheGreshamsbutoneshouldopposeherwithalltheirpower；truetoit，eventhoughherownuncleshouldopposeher。

Andhowcouldshehavedoneanyotherthantopledgeherself，invokedtoitasshehadbeen？Howcouldshedolessforhimthanhewassoanxioustodoforher？Theywouldtalktoherofmaidendelicacy，andtellherthatshehadputastainonthatsnow-whitecoatofproof，inconfessingherloveforonewhosefriendswereunwillingtoreceiveher。Letthemsotalk。Honour，honesty，andtruth，out-spokentruth，self-denyingtruth，andfealtyfrommantoman，areworthmorethanmaidendelicacy；

more，atanyrate，thanthetalkofit。Itwasnotforherselfthatthispledgehadbeenmade。Sheknewherposition，andthedifficultiesofit；

sheknewalsothevalueofit。Hehadmuchtooffer，muchtogive；shehadnothingbutherself。Hehadname，andoldrepute，family，honour，andwhateventuallywouldatleastbewealthtoher。Shewasnameless，fameless，portionless。Hehadcometherewithallhisardour，withtheimpulseofhischaracter，andaskedherforherlove。Itwasalreadyhisown。Hehadthendemandedhertroth，andsheacknowledgedthathehadarighttodemandit。Shewouldbehisifeveritshouldbeinhispowertotakeher。

Butthereletthebargainend。Shewouldalwaysremember，thatthoughitwasinherpowertokeepherpledge，itmighttooprobablynotbeinhispowertokeephis。Thatdoctrine，laiddownsoimperativelybythegreatauthoritiesofGreshamsbury，thatedict，whichdemandedthatFrankshouldmarrymoney，hadcomehomealsotoherwithacertainforce。ItwouldbesadthatthefameofGreshamsburyshouldperish，andthatthegloryshoulddepartfromtheoldhouse。Itmightbe，thatFrankalsoshouldperceivethathemustmarrymoney。Itwouldbeapitythathehadnotseenitsooner；butshe，atanyrate，wouldnotcomplain。

Andsoshestood，leaningontheopenwindow，withherbookunnoticedlyingbesideher。Thesunhadbeeninthemid-skywhenFrankhadlefther，butitsrayswerebeginningtostreamintotheroomfromthewestbeforeshemovedfromherposition。Herfirstthoughtinthemorninghadbeenthis：Wouldhecometoseeher？Herlastnowwasmoresoothingtoher，lessfullofabsolutefear：Woulditberightthatheshouldcomeagain？

Thefirstsoundssheheardwerethefootstepsofheruncle，ashecameuptothedrawing-room，threestepsatatime。Hisstepwasalwaysheavy；butwhenhewasdisturbedinspirit，itwasslow；whenmerelyfatiguedinbodybyordinarywork，itwasquick。

\'Whatabroilingday！\'hesaid，andhethrewhimselfintoachair。\'Formercy\'ssake，givemesomethingtodrink。\'Nowthedoctorwasagreatmanforsummer-drinks。Inhishouse，lemonade，currant-juice，orange-mixtures，andraspberry-vinegarwereusedbythequart。Hefrequentlydisapprovedofthesethingsforhispatients，asbeingapttodisarrangethedigestion；butheconsumedenoughhimselftothrowalargefamilyintosuchdifficulties。

\'Ha-a！\'heejaculatedafteradraught；\'I\'mbetternow。Well，what\'sthenews？\'

\'You\'vebeenout，uncle；yououghttohavethenews。How\'sMrsGreen？\'

\'Reallyasbadasennuiandsolitudecanmakeher。\'

\'AndMrsOaklerath？\'

\'She\'sgettingbetter，becauseshehastenchildrentolookafter，andtwinstosuckle。Whathashebeendoing？\'AndthedoctorpointedtowardstheroomoccupiedbySirLouis。

Mary\'sconsciencestruckherthatshehadnotevenasked。Shehadhardlyremembered，duringthewholeday，thatthebaronetwasinthehouse。\'Idonotthinkhehasbeendoingmuch，\'shesaid。\'Janethasbeenwithhimallday。\'

\'Hashebeendrinking？\'

\'Uponmyword，Idon\'tknow，uncle。Ithinknot，forJanethasbeenwithhim。But，uncle——\'

\'Well，dear——butjustgivemealittlemoreofthattipple。\'

Marypreparedthetumbler，andasshehandedittohim，shesaid，\'FrankGreshamhasbeenhereto-day。\'

Thedoctorswallowedhisdraught，andputdowntheglassbeforehemadeanyreply，andeventhenhesaidbutlittle。

\'Oh！FrankGresham。\'

\'Yes，uncle。\'

\'Youthoughthimlookingprettywell？\'

\'Yes，uncle；hewasverywell，Ibelieve。\'

DrThornehadnothingmoretosay，sohegotupandwenttohispatientinthenextroom。

\'Ifhedisapprovesofit，whydoeshenotsayso？\'saidMarytoherself。

\'Whydoeshenotadviseme？\'

ButitwasnotsoeasytogiveadvicewhileSirLouisScatcherdwaslyingthereinthatstate。

CHAPTERXXXVII

SIRLOUISLEAVESGRESHAMSBURY

JanethadbeensedulousinherattentionstoSirLouis，andhadnottroubledhermistress；butshehadnothadaneasytimeofit。Herordershadbeen，thateithersheorThomasshouldremainintheroomthewholeday，andthoseordershadbeenobeyed。

Immediatelyafterbreakfast，thebaronethadinquiredafterhisownservant。\'Hisconfoundednosemustberightbythistime，Isuppose？\'

\'Itwasverybad，SirLouis，\'saidtheoldwoman，whoimaginedthatitmightbedifficulttoinduceJonahtocomeintothehouseagain。

\'Amaninsuchaplaceashishasnobusinesstobelaidup，\'saidhismaster，withawhine。\'I\'llseeandgetamanwhowon\'tbreakhisnose。\'

Thomaswassenttotheinnthreeorfourtimes，butinvain。Themanwassittingup，wellenough，inthetap-room；butthemiddleofhisfacewascoveredwithstreaksofplaster，andhecouldnotbringhimselftoexposehiswoundsbeforehisconqueror。

SirLouisbeganbyorderingthewomantobringhimchasse-cafe。Sheofferedhimcoffee，asmuchashewould；butnochasse。\'Aglassofportwine，\'shesaid，attwelveo\'clock，andanotheratthreehadbeenorderedforhim。

\'Idon\'tcarea——fortheorders，\'saidSirLouis；\'sendmemyownman。\'

Themanwasagainsentfor；butwouldnotcome。\'There\'sabottleofthatstuffthatItake，inthatportmanteau，intheleft-handcorner——justhandittome。\'

ButJanetwasnottobedone。Shewouldgivehimnostuff，exceptwhatthedoctorhadordered，tillthedoctorcameback。Thedoctorwouldthen，nodoubt，givehimanythingthatwasproper。

SirLouissworeagooddeal，andstormedasmuchashecould。Hedrank，however，histwoglassesofwine，andhegotnomore。Onceortwiceheessayedtogetoutofbedanddress；but，ateveryeffort，hefoundthathecouldnotdoitwithoutJoe：andtherehewas，stillundertheclotheswhenthedoctorreturned。

\'I\'lltellyouwhatitis，\'saidhe，assoonashisguardianenteredtheroom，\'I\'mnotgoingtobemadeaprisonerofhere。\'

\'Aprisoner！no，surelynot。\'

\'Itseemsverymuchlikeitatpresent。Yourservanthere——thatoldwoman——takesituponhertosayshe\'lldonothingwithoutyourorders。\'

\'Well；she\'srightthere。\'

\'Right！Idon\'tknowwhatyoucallright；butIwon\'tstandit。Youarenotgoingtomakeachildofme，DrThorne；soyouneednotthinkit。\'

Andthentherewasalongquarrel，betweenthem，andbutanindifferentreconciliation。ThebaronetsaidthathewouldgotoBoxallHill，andwasvehementinhisintentiontodosobecausethedoctoropposedit。Hehadnot，however，asyetferretedoutthesquire，orgivenabitofhismindtoMrGazebee，anditbehovedhimtodothisbeforehetookhimselfofftohisowncountrymansion。Heended，therefore，bydecidingtogoonthenextdaybutone。

\'Letitbeso，ifyouarewellenough，\'saidthedoctor。

\'Wellenough！\'saidtheother，withasneer。\'There\'snothingtomakemeillthatIknowof。Itcertainlywon\'tbedrinkingtoomuchhere。\'

Onthenextday，SirLouiswasinadifferentmood，andinonemoredistressingforthedoctortobear。Hiscompelledabsencefromintemperatedrinkinghad，nodoubt，beengoodforhim；buthismindhadsomuchsunkunderthepainoftheprivation，thathisstatewaspiteoustobehold。Hehadcriedforhisservant，asachildcriesforitsnurse，tillatlastthedoctor，movedtopity，hadhimselfgoneoutandbroughtthemaninfromthepublic-house。Butwhenhedidcome，Joewasofbutlittleservicetohismaster，ashewasaltogetherpreventedfrombringinghimeitherwineorspirits；andwhenhesearchedfortheliqueur-case，hefoundthateventhathadbeencarriedaway。

\'Ibelieveyouwantmetodie，\'hesaid，asthedoctor，sittingbyhisbedside，wastyring，forthehundredthtime，tomakehimunderstandthathehadbutonechanceofliving。

Thedoctorwasnotintheleastirritated。Itwouldhavebeenaswisetobeirritatedbythewantofreasoninadog。

\'IamdoingwhatIcantosaveyourlife，\'hesaidcalmly；\'butasyousaidjustnow，Ihavenopoweroveryou。Aslongasyouareabletomoveandremaininmyhouse，youcertainlyshallnothavethemeansofdestroyingyourself。Youwillbeverywisetostayhereforaweekortendays：aweekortendaysofhealthylivingmight，perhaps，bringyouround。\'

SirLouisagaindeclaredthatthedoctorwishedhimtodie，andspokeofsendingforhisattorneyFinnie，tocometoGreshamsburytolookafterhim。

\'Sendforhimifyouchoose，\'saidthedoctor。\'Hiscomingwillcostyouthreeorfourpounds，butcandonootherharm。\'

ItwascertainlyharduponDrThornethatheshouldbeobligedtoentertainsuchaguestinthehouse；——toentertainhim，andfosterhim，andcareforhim，almostasthoughhewereason。Buthehadnoalternative；hehadacceptedthechargefromSirRoger，andhemustgothroughwithit。Hisconscience，moreover，allowedhimnorestinthematter：itharassedhimdayandnight，drivinghimonsometimestogreatwretchedness。Hecouldnotlovethisincubusthatwasonhisshoulders；

hecouldnotdootherthanbeveryfarfromlovinghim。Ofwhatuseorvaluewashetoanyone？Whatcouldtheworldmakeofhimthatwouldbegood，orheoftheworld？Wasnotanearlydeathhiscertainfate？Theearlieritmightbe，woulditnotbebetter？Werehetolingeronyetfortwoyearslonger——andsuchaspaceoflifewaspossibleforhim——howgreatwouldbethemischiefthathemightdo；nay，certainlywoulddo！

FarewellthentoallhopesforGreshamsbury，asfarasMarywasconcerned。Farewellthentothatdearschemewhichlaydeepinthedoctor\'sheart，thathopethathemightinhisniece\'sname，givebacktothesonthelostpropertyofhisfather。Andmightnotoneyear——sixmonthsbeasfatal。Frank，theyallsaid，mustmarrymoney；andevenhe——hethedoctorhimself，muchashedespisedtheideaformoney\'ssake——evenhecouldnotbutconfessthatFrank，astheheirtoanold，butgrievouslyembarrassedproperty，hadnorighttomarry，athisearlyage，agirlwithoutashilling。Mary，hisniece，hisownchild，wouldprobablybetheheiressofthisimmensewealth；buthecouldnottellthistoFrank；no，nortoFrank\'sfather，whileSirLouiswasyetalive。

What，ifbysodoingheshouldachievethismarriageforhisniece，andthatthenSirLouisshouldlivetodisposeofhisown？HowthenwouldhefacetheangerofLadyArabella？

\'Iwillneverhankerafteradeadman\'sshoes，neitherformyselfnorforanother，\'hehadsaidtohimselfahundredtimes；andasoftendidheaccusehimselfofdoingso。Onepath，however，wasplainlyopenbeforehim。Hewouldkeephispeaceastothewill；andwouldusesucheffortsashemightuseforasonofhisownloinstopreservethelifethatwassovalueless。Hiswishes，hishopes，histhoughts，hecouldnotcontrol；buthisconductwasathisowndisposal。

\'Isay，doctor，youdon\'treallythinkthatI\'mgoingtodie？\'SirLouissaid，whenDrThorneagainvisitedhim。

\'Idon\'tthinkatall；Iamsureyouwillkillyourselfifyoucontinuetoliveasyouhavelatelydone。\'

\'ButsupposeIgoallrightforawhile，andlive——livejustasyoutellme，youknow？\'

\'AllofusareinGod\'shands，SirLouis。Bysodoingyouwill，atanyrate，giveyourselfthebestchance。\'

\'Bestchance？Why，d——n，doctor！therearefellowshavedonetentimesworsethanI；andtheyarenotgoingtokick。Come，now，Iknowyouaretryingtofrightenme；ain\'tyounow？\'

\'IamtryingtodothebestIcanforyou。\'

\'It\'sveryhardonafellowlikeme；Ihavenobodytosayakindwordtome；no，notone。\'AndSirLouis，inhiswretchedness，begantoweep。

\'Come，doctor；ifyou\'llputmeoncemoreonmylegs，I\'llletyoudrawontheestateforfivehundredpounds；byG——，Iwill。\'

Thedoctorwentawaytohisdinner，andthebaronetalsohadhisinbed。

Hecouldnoteatmuch，buthewasallowedtwoglassesofwine，andalsoalittlebrandyinhiscoffee。Thissomewhatinvigoratedhim，andwhenDrThorneagainwenttohim，intheevening，hedidnotfindhimsoutterlyprostratedinspirit。Hehad，indeed，madeuphismindtoagreatresolve；andthusunfoldedhisfinalschemeforhisownreformation：-

\'Doctor，\'hebeganagain，\'Ibelieveyouareanhonestfellow；Idoindeed。\'

DrThornecouldnotbutthankhimforhisgoodopinion。

\'Youain\'tannoyedatwhatIsaidthismorning，areyou？\'

ThedoctorhadforgottentheparticularannoyancetowhichSirLouisalluded；andinformedhimthathismindmightbeatrestonanysuchmatter。

\'Idobelieveyou\'dbegladtoseemewell；wouldn\'tyou，now？\'

Thedoctorassuredhimthatsuchwasinverytruththecase。

\'Well，now，I\'lltellyouwhat：I\'vebeenthinkingaboutitagreatdealto-day；indeed，Ihave，andIwanttodowhatisright。Mightn\'tIhavealittledropofthatstuff，justinacupofcoffee？\'

Thedoctorpouredhimoutacupofcoffee，andputaboutateaspoonfulofbrandyinit。SirLouistookitwithadisconsolateface，nothavingbeenaccustomedtosuchmeasuresintheuseofhisfavouritebeverage。

\'Idowishtodowhatisright——Ido，indeed；only，yousee，I\'mlonely。

AstothosefellowsupinLondon，Idon\'tthinkthatoneofthemcaresastrawaboutme。\'

DrThornewasofthesamewayofthinking，andhesaidso。Hecouldnotbutfeelsomesympathywiththeunfortunatemanashethusspokeofhisownlot。Itwastruethathehadbeenthrownontheworldwithoutanyonetotakecareofhim。

\'Mydearfriend，IwilldothebestIcanineveryway；Iwill，indeed。

Idobelievethatyourcompanionsintownhavebeentooreadytoleadyouastray。Dropthem，andyoumayyetdowell。\'

\'MayIthough，doctor？Well，Iwilldropthem。There\'sJenkins；he\'sthebestofthem；butevenheisalwayswantingtomakemoneyofme。NotbutwhatI\'muptothebestoftheminthatway。\'

\'YouhadbetterleaveLondon，SirLouis，andchangeyourmodeoflife。

GotoBoxallHillforawhile；fortwoorthreedaysorso；livewithyourmotherthereandtaketofarming。\'

\'What！farming？\'

\'Yes；that\'swhatallcountrygentlemendo：takethelandthereintoyourownhand，andoccupyyourminduponit。\'

\'Well，doctor，Iwill——upononecondition。\'

DrThornesatstillandlistened。Hehadnoideawhattheconditionmightbe，buthewasnotpreparedtopromiseacquiescencetillheheardit。

\'YouknowwhatItoldyouoncebefore，\'saidthebaronet。

\'Idon\'trememberatthismoment。\'

\'Aboutmygettingmarried，youknow。\'

Thedoctor\'sbrowgrewblack，andpromisednohelptothepoorwretch。

Badineveryway，wretched，selfish，sensual，unfeeling，purse-proud，ignorantasSirLouisScatcherdwasstill，therewaslefttohimthepoweroffeelingsomethinglikesincerelove。ItmaybepresumedthathedidloveMaryThorne，andthathewasatthetimeearnestindeclaringthatifshecouldbegiventohim，hewouldendeavourtoliveaccordingtoheruncle\'scounsel。Itwasonlyatrifleheasked；but，alas！thattriflecouldnotbevouchsafed。

\'Ishouldmuchapproveofyourgettingmarried，butIdonotknowhowI

canhelpyou。\'

\'Ofcourse，ImeanMissMary：Idoloveher；Ireallydo，DrThorne。\'

\'Itisquiteimpossible，SirLouis；quite。Youdomyniecemuchhonour；

butIamabletoanswerforher，positively，thatsuchapropositionisquiteoutofthequestion。\'

\'Lookherenow，DrThorne；anythinginthewayofsettlements——\'

\'Iwillnothearawordonthesubject：youareverywelcometotheuseofmyhouseaslongasitmaysuityoutoremainhere；butImustinsistthatmynieceshallnotbetroubledonthismatter。\'

\'Doyoumeantosayshe\'sinlovewiththatyoungGresham？\'

Thiswastoomuchforthedoctor\'spatience。\'SirLouis，\'saidhe，\'I

canforgiveyoumuchforyourfather\'ssake。Icanalsoforgivesomethingonthescoreofyourownill-health。Butyououghttoknow，yououghtbythistimetohavelearnt，thattherearesomethingswhichamancannotforgive。Iwillnottalktoyouaboutmyniece；andrememberthis，also，Iwillnothavehertroubledbyyou：\'and，sosaying，thedoctorlefthim。

Onthenextdaythebaronetwassufficientlyrecoveredtobeabletoresumehisbraggadocioairs。HesworeatJanet；insistedonbeingservedbyhisownman；demandedinaloudvoice，butinvain，thathisliqueur-caseshouldberestoredtohim；anddesiredthatpost-horsesmightbereadyforhimonthemorrow。Onthatdayhegotupandatehisdinnerinhisbedroom。Onthenextmorninghecountermandedthehorses，informingthedoctorthathedidsobecausehehadlittlebitofbusinesstotransactwithSquireGreshambeforehelefttheplace！Withsomedifficulty，thedoctormadehimunderstandthatthesquirewouldnotseehimonbusiness；anditwasatlastdecided，thatMrGazebeeshouldbeinvitedtocallonhimatthedoctor\'shouse；andthisMrGazebeeagreedtodo，inordertopreventtheannoyanceofhavingthebaronetupatGreshamsbury。

Onthisday，theeveningbeforeMrGazebee\'svisit，SirLouiscondescendedtocomedowntodinner。Hedined，however，tete-a-tetewiththedoctor。Marywasnotthere，norwasanythingsaidastoherabsence。

SirLouisScatcherdneverseteyesuponheragain。

Heborehimselfarrogantlyonthatevening，havingresumedtheairsandwould-bedignitywhichhethoughtbelongedtohimasamanofrankandproperty。Inhisperiodsoflowspirits，hewasabjectandhumbleenough；abjectandfearfulofthelamentabledestinywhichatthesemomentshebelievedtobeinstoreforhim。Butitwasoneofthepeculiarsymptomsofhisstate，thatashepartiallyrecoveredhisbodilyhealth，thetoneofhismindrecovereditselfalso，andhisfearsforthetimewererelieved。

Therewasverylittlesaidbetweenhimandthedoctorthatevening。Thedoctorsat，guardingthewine，andthinkingwhenheshouldhavehishousetohimselfagain。SirLouissatmoody，everynowandthenutteringsomeimpertinenceastotheGreshamsandtheGreshamsburyproperty，and，atanearlyhour，allowedJoetoputhimtobed。

Thehorseswereorderedonthenextdayforthree，and，astwo，MrGazebeecametothehouse。Hehadneverbeentherebefore，norhadheevermetDrThorneexceptatthesquire\'sdinner。Onthisoccasionheaskedonlyforthebaronet。

\'Ah！ah！I\'mgladyou\'recome，MrGazebee；veryglad，\'saidSirLouis；

actingthepartoftherich，greatmanwithallthepowerhehad。\'I

wanttoaskyouafewquestionssoastomakeitallclearsailingbetweenus。\'

\'Asyouhaveaskedtoseeme，Ihavecome，SirLouis，\'saidtheother，puttingonmuchdignityashespoke。\'Butwoulditnotbebetterthatanybusinesstheremaybeshouldbedoneamongthelawyers？\'

\'Thelawyersareverywell，Idaresay；butwhenamanhassolargeastakeatinterestasIhaveinthisGreshamsburyproperty，why，yousee，MrGazebee，hefeelsalittleinclinedtolookafterithimself。Now，doyouknow，MrGazebee，howmuchitisthatMrGreshamowesme？\'

MrGazebee，ofcourse，didknowverywell；buthewasnotgoingtodiscussthesubjectwithSirLouis，ifhecouldhelpit。

\'Whateverclaimyourfather\'sestatemayhaveonthatofMrGreshamis，asfarasIunderstand，vestedinDrThorne\'shandsastrustee。IaminclinedtobelievethatyouhavenotyourselfatpresentanyclaimonGreshamsbury。Theinterest，asitbecomesdue，ispaidtoDrThorne；andifImaybeallowedtomakeasuggestion，Iwouldsaythatitwillnotbeexpedienttomakeanychangeinthatarrangementtillthepropertyshallcomeintoyourownhands。\'

\'Idifferfromyouentirely，MrGazebee；intotoasweusedtosayatEton。Whatyoumeantosayis——Ican\'tgotolawwithMrGresham；I\'mnotsosureofthat；butperhapsnot。ButIcancompelDrThornetolookaftermyinterests。Icanforcehimtoforeclose。Andtotellyouthetruth，Gazebee，unlesssomearrangementisproposedtomewhichIshallthinkadvantageous，Ishalldosoatonce。Thereisnearahundredthousandpoundsowingtome；yestome。Thorneisonlyanameinthematter。Themoneyismymoney；and，by——，Imeantolookafterit。\'

\'Haven\'tyouanydoubt，SirLouis，astothemoneybeingsecure？\'

\'Yes，Ihave。Itisn\'tsoeasytohaveahundredthousandpoundssecured。Thesquireisapoorman，andIdon\'tchoosetoallowapoormantoowemesuchasumasthat。Besides，Imeantoinvestinland。I

tellyoufairly，therefore，Ishallforeclose。\'

MrGazebee，usingalltheperspicuitywhichhisprofessionaleducationhadlefttohim，triedtomakeSirLouisunderstandthathehadnopowertodoanythingofthekind。

\'Nopower！MrGreshamshallseewhetherIhavenopower。Whenamanhasahundredthousandpoundsowingtohimheoughttohavesomepower；

and，asItakeit，hehas。Butwewillsee。PerhapsyouknowFinnie，doyou？\'

MrGazebee，withagooddealofscorninhisface，saidthathehadnotthatpleasure。MrFinniewasnotinhisline。

\'Well，youwillknowhimthen，andyou\'llfindhe\'ssharpenough；thatis，unless，IhavesomeoffermadetomethatImaychoosetoaccept。\'

MrGazebeedeclaredthathewasnotinstructedtomakeanyoffer，andsohetookhisleave。

Onthatafternoon，SirLouiswentofftoBoxallHill，transferringthemiserabletaskofsuperintendinghisself-destructionfromtheshouldersofthedoctortothoseofhismother。OfLadyScatcherd，thebaronettooknoaccountinhisproposedsojourninthecountry，nordidhetakemuchofthedoctorinleavingGreshamsbury。Heagainwrappedhimselfinhisfurs，and，withtotteringsteps，climbedupintothebarouchewhichwastocarryhimaway。

\'Ismymanupbehind？\'hesaidtoJanet，whilethedoctorwasstandingatthelittlefrontgarden-gate，makinghisadieux。

\'No，sir，heisnotupyet，\'saidJanet，respectfully。

\'Thensendhimout，willyou？Ican\'tlosemytimewaitinghereallday。\'

\'IshallcomeovertoBoxallHillandseeyou，\'saidthedoctor，whoseheartsoftenedtowardstheman，inspiteofhisbrutality，asthehourofhisdeparturecame。

\'Ishallbehappytoseeyouifyouliketocome，ofcourse；thatis，inthewayofvisiting，andthatsortofthing。Asfordoctoring，ifIwantanyIshallsendforFillgrave。\'Suchwerehislastwordsasthecarriage，witharush，wentofffromthedoor。

Thedoctor，ashere-enteredthehouse，couldnotavoidsmiling，forhethoughtofDrFillgrave\'slastpatientatBoxallHill。\'It\'saquestiontome，\'saidhetohimself，\'whetherFillgravewilleverbeinducedtomakeanothervisittothathouse，evenwiththeobjectofrescuingabaronetoutofmyhands。\'

\'He\'sgone；isn\'the，uncle？\'saidMary，comingoutofherroom。

\'Yes，mydear；he\'sgone，poorfellow。\'

\'Hemaybeapoorfellow，uncle；buthe\'saverydisagreeableinmateinahouse。Ihavenothadanydinnerthesetwodays。\'

\'AndIhaven\'thadwhatcanbecalledacupofteasincehe\'sbeeninthehouse。ButI\'llmakeupforthatto-night。

CHAPTERXXXVIII

DECOURCYPRECEPTSANDDECOURCYPRACTICE

Thereisamodeofnovel-writingwhichusedtobemuchinvogue，butwhichhasnowgoneoutoffashion。Itis，nevertheless，onewhichisveryexpressivewheningoodhands，andwhichenablestheauthortotellhisstory，orsomeportionofhisstory，withmorenaturaltrustthananyother，Imeanthatoffamiliarletters。ItrustIshallbeexcusedifIattemptitasregardsthisonechapter；though，itmaybe，thatI

shallbreakdownandfallintothecommonplacenarrative，evenbeforetheonechapterbecompleted。ThecorrespondentsaretheLadyAmeliaDeCourcyandMissGresham。I，ofcourse，giveprecedencetothehigherrank，butthefirstepistleoriginatedwiththelatter-namedyounglady。

Letmehopethattheywillexplainthemselves。

\'MissGreshamtoLadyAmeliadeCourcy\'GreshamsburyHouse，June185-

\'MYDEARESTAMELIA，\'Iwishtoconsultyouonasubjectwhich，asyouwillperceive，isofamostmomentousnature。YouknowhowmuchrelianceIplaceinyourjudgementandknowledgeofwhatisproper，and，therefore，Iwritetoyoubeforespeakingtoanyotherlivingpersononthesubject：noteventomamma；for，althoughherjudgementisgoodtoo，shehassomanycaresandtroubles，thatitisnaturalthatitshouldbealittlewarpedwhentheinterestsofherchildrenareinvolved。Nowthatitisallover，IfeelthatitmaypossiblyhavebeensointhecaseofMrMoffat。

\'YouareawarethatMrMortimerGazebeeisnowstayinghere，andthathehasbeenherefornearlytwomonths。Heisengagedinmanagingpoorpapa\'saffairs，andmamma，wholikeshimverymuch，saysthatheisamostexcellentmanofbusiness。Ofcourse，youknowthatheisajuniorpartnerintheveryoldfirmofGumption，Gazebee，andGazebee，who，Iunderstand，donotundertakeanybusinessatall，exceptwhatcomestothemfrompeers，orcommonersoftheveryhighestclass。

\'Isoonperceived，dearestAmelia，thatMrGazebeepaidmemorethanordinaryattention，andIimmediatelybecameveryguardedinmymanner。IcertainlylikedMrGazebeefromthefirst。Hismannersarequiteexcellent，hisconducttomammaischarming，and，asregardsmyself，Imustsaythattherehasbeennothinginhisbehaviourofwhichevenyoucouldcomplain。Hehasneverattemptedtheslightestfamiliarity，andIwilldohimthejusticetosay，that，thoughhehasbeenveryattentive，hehasalsobeenveryrespectful。

\'Imustconfessthat，forthelastthreeweeks，Ihavethoughtthathemeantsomething。Imight，perhaps，havedonemoretorepelhim；orImighthaveconsultedyouearlierastotheproprietyofkeepingaltogetheroutofhisway。Butyouknow，Amelia，howoftenthesethingsleadtonothing，andthoughI

thoughtallalongthatMrGazebeewasinearnest，IhardlylikedtosayanythingaboutiteventoyoutillIwasquitecertain。Ifyouhadadvisedme，youknow，toaccepthisoffer，andif，afterthat，hehadnevermadeit，Ishouldhavefeltsofoolish。

\'Butnowhehasmadeit。Hecametomeyesterdayjustbeforedinner，inthelittledrawing-room，andtoldme，inthemostdelicatemanner，inwordsthatevenyoucouldnothavebutapproved，thathishighestambitionwastobethoughtworthyofmyregard，andthathefeltformethewarmestlove，andthemostprofoundadmiration，andthedeepestrespect。Youmaysay，Amelia，thatheisonlyanattorney，andIbelievethatheisanattorney；butIamsureyouwouldhaveesteemedhimhadyouheardtheverydelicatewayinwhichheexpressedhissentiments。

\'SomethinghadgivenmeapresentimentofwhathewasgoingtodowhenIsawhimcomeintotheroom，sothatIwasonmyguard。Itriedveryhardtoshownoemotion；butIsupposeI

wasalittleflurried，asIoncedetectedmyselfcallinghimMrMortimer：hisname，youknow，isMortimerGazebee。Ioughtnottohavedoneso，certainly；butitwasnotsobadasifI

hadcalledhimMortimerwithouttheMr，wasit？Idon\'tthinktherecouldpossiblybeaprettierChristiannamethanMortimer。Well，Amelia，Iallowedhimtoexpresshimselfwithoutinterruption。Heonceattemptedtotakemyhand；buteventhiswasdonewithoutanyassumptionoffamiliarity；andwhenhesawthatIwouldnotpermitit，hedrewback，andfixedhiseyesonthegroundasthoughhewereashamedevenofthat。

\'Ofcourse，Ihadtogivehimananswer；andthoughIhadexpectedthatsomethingofthissortwouldtakeplace，Ihadnotmadeupmymindonthesubject。Iwouldnot，certainly，underanycircumstances，accepthimwithoutconsultingyou。IfIreallydislikedhim，ofcoursetherewouldbenodoubt；butIcan\'tsay，dearestAmelia，thatIdoabsolutelydislikehim；

andIreallythinkthatwewouldmakeeachotherveryhappy，ifthemarriageweresuitableasregardedbothourpositions。

\'IcollectedmyselfaswellasIcould，andIreallydothinkthatyouwouldhavesaidthatIdidnotbehavebadly，thoughthepositionwasrathertrying。Itoldhimthat，ofcourse，I

wasflatteredbyhissentiments，thoughmuchsurprisedathearingthem；thatsinceIknewhim，Ihadesteemedandvaluedhimasanacquaintance，butthat，lookingonhimasamanofbusiness，Ihadneverexpectedanythingmore。Ithenendeavouredtoexplaintohim，thatIwasnotperhapsprivilegedassomeothergirlsmightbe，toindulgemyfeelingsaltogether：perhapsthatwassayingtoomuch，andmightmakehimthinkthatIwasinlovewithhim；but，fromthewayIsaidit，Idon\'tthinkhewould，forIwasverymuchguardedinmymanner，andverycollected；andthenItoldhim，thatinanyproposalofmarriagethatmightbemadetome，itwouldbemydutytoconsultmyfamilyasmuch，ifnotmorethanmyself。

\'Hesaid，ofcourse；andaskedwhetherhemightspeaktopapa。

Itriedtomakehimunderstand，thatintalkingofmyfamily，Ididnotexactlymeanpapa，orevenmamma。OfcourseIwasthinkingwhatwasduetothenameofGresham。Iknowverywellwhatpapawouldsay。Hewouldgivehisconsentinhalfaminute；heissobroken-heartedbythesedebts。And，totellyouthetruth，Amelia，Ithinkmammawouldtoo。HedidnotseemquitetocomprehendwhatImeant；buthedidsaythatheknewitwasahighambitiontomarryintothefamilyoftheGreshams。Iamsureyouwouldconfessthathehasthemostproperfeelings；andasforexpressingthemnomancoulddoitbetter。

\'Heownedthatitwasambitiontoallyhimselfwithafamilyabovehisownrankinlife，andthathelookedtodoingsoasameansofadvancinghimself。Nowthiswasatanyratehonest。

Thatwasoneofhismotives，hesaid；though，ofcourse，nothisfirst：andthenhedeclaredhowtrulyhewasattachedtome。Inanswertothis，Iremarkedthathehadknownmeonlyaveryshorttime。This，perhaps，wasgivinghimtoomuchencouragement；but，atthatmoment，Ihardlyknewwhattosay，forIdidnotwishtohurthisfeelings。Hethenspokeofhisincome。Hehasfifteenhundredayearfromthebusiness，andthatwillbegreatlyincreasedwhenhisfatherleavesit；andhisfatherismucholderthenMrGumption，thoughheisonlyasecondpartner。MortimerGazebeewillbetheseniorpartnerhimselfbeforeverylong；andperhapsthatdoesalterhispositionalittle。

\'HehasaveryniceplacedownsomewhereinSurrey；Ihavemammasayitquiteagentleman\'splace。Itisletnow；buthewilllivetherewhenheismarried。Andhehaspropertyofhisownbesideswhichhecansettle。So，yousee，heisquiteaswelloffasMrOriel；better，indeed；andifamanisinaprofession，Ibelieveitisconsideredthatitdoesnotmattermuchwhat。Ofcourse，aclergymancanbeabishop；butthen，I

thinkIhaveheardthatoneattorneydidoncebecomeLordChancellor。Ishouldhavemycarriage，youknow；Irememberhissayingthat，especially，thoughIcannotrecollecthowhebroughtitin。

\'Itoldhim，atlast，thatIwassomuchtakenbysurprisethatIcouldnotgivehimananswerthen。HewasgoinguptoLondon，hesaid，onthenextday，andmighthebepermittedtoaddressmeonthesamesubjectwhenhereturned？Icouldnotrefusehim，youknow；andsonowIhavetakentheopportunityofhisabsencetowritetoyouforyouradvice。Youunderstandtheworldsoverywell，andknowexactlywhatoneoughttodoinsuchastrangeposition！

\'IhopeIhavemadeitintelligible，atleast，astowhatI

havewrittenabout。Ihavesaidnothingastomyownfeelings，becauseIwishyoutothinkonthematterwithoutconsultingthem。IfitwouldbederogatorytoacceptMrGazebee，I

certainlywouldnotdosobecauseIhappentolikehim。Ifweweretoactinthatway，whatwouldtheworldcometo，Amelia？

Perhapsmyideasmaybeoverstrained；ifso，youwilltellme。

\'WhenMrOrielproposedtoBeatrice，nobodyseemedtomakeanyobjection。Itallseemedtogoasamatterofcourse。Shesaysthathisfamilyisexcellent；butasfarasIcanlearn，hisgrandfatherwasageneralinIndia，andcamehomeveryrich。

MrGazebee\'sgrandfatherwasamemberofthefirm，andso，I

believe，washisgreat-grandfather。Don\'tyouthinkthisoughttocountforsomething？Besides，theyhavenobusinessexceptwiththemostaristocraticpersons，suchasuncleDeCourcy，andtheMarquisofKensingtonGore，andthatsort。ImentionthemarquisbecauseMrMortimerGazebeeistherenow。AndI

knowthatoneoftheGumptionswasonceinParliament；andI

don\'tthinkthatanyoftheOrielseverwere。Thenameofattorneyiscertainlyverybad，isitnot，Amelia？buttheycertainlydonotseemtobeallthesame，andIdothinkthatthisoughttomakeadifference。TohearMrMortimerGazebeetalkofsomeattorneyatBarchester，youwouldsaythatthereisquiteasmuchdifferencebetweenthemasbetweenabishopandacurate。AndsoIthinkthereis。

\'Idon\'twishatalltospeakofmyownfeelings；butifhewerenotanattorney，heis，Ithink，thesortofmanIshouldlike。Heisveryniceineveryway，andifyouwerenottold，Idon\'tthinkyouwouldknowhewasanattorney。But，dearAmelia，Iwillbeguidedbyyoualtogether。HeiscertainlymuchnicerthanMrMoffat，andhasagreatdealmoretosayforhimself。Ofcourse，MrMoffathavingbeeninParliament，andhavingbeentakenupbyuncleDeCourcy，wasinadifferentsphere；butIreallyfeltalmostrelievedwhenhebehavedinthatway。WithMortimerGazebee，Ithinkitwouldbedifferent。

\'Ishallwaitsoimpatientlyforyouranswer，sodopraywriteatonce。Ihearsomepeoplesaythatthesesortofthingsarenotsomuchthoughtofnowastheywereonce，andthatallmannerofmarriagesareconsideredtobecommeilfaut。Idonotwant，youknow，tomakemyselffoolishbybeingtooparticular。Perhapsallthesechangesarebad，andIratherthinktheyare；butiftheworldchanges，onemustchangetoo；

onecan\'tgoagainsttheworld。

\'Sodowriteandtellmewhatyouthink。DonotsupposethatIdisliketheman，forIreallycannotsaythatIdo。ButI

wouldnotforanythingmakeanallianceforwhichanyonebearingthenameofDeCourcywouldhavetoblush。

\'Always，dearestAmelia，\'

Yourmostaffectionatecousin\'AUGUSTAGRESHAM。

\'PS——IfearFrankisgoingtobeveryfoolishwithMaryThorne。YouknowitisabsolutelyimportantthatFrankshouldmarrymoney。

\'ItstrikesmeasquitepossiblethatMrMortimerGazebeemaybeinParliamentsomeofthesedays。Heisjustthemanforit。\'

PoorAugustaprayedveryhardforherhusband；butsheprayedtoabosomthatonthissubjectwasashardasaflint，andsheprayedinvain。AugustaGreshamwastwenty-two，LadyAmeliawasthirty-four；wasitlikelythatLadyAmeliawouldpermitAugustatomarry，theissuehavingthusbeenleftinherhands？WhyshouldAugustaderogatefromherpositionbymarryingbeneathherself，seeingthatLadyAmeliahadspentsomanymoreyearsintheworldwithouthavingfounditnecessarytodoso？Augusta\'sletterwaswrittenontwosheetsofnote-paper，crossedallover；andLadyAmelia\'sanswerwasalmostequallyformidable。

\'LadyAmeliadeCourcytoMissAugustaGresham\'CourcyCastle，June，185-

\'MYDEARAUGUSTA，\'Ireceivedyourletteryesterdaymorning，butIhaveputoffansweringittillthisevening，asIhavewishedtogiveitverymatureconsideration。Thequestionisonewhichconcerns，notonlyyourowncharacter，buthappinessforlife，andnothinglessthanverymatureconsiderationwouldjustifymeingivingadecidedopiniononthesubject。

\'Inthefirstplace，Imaytellyou，thatIhavenotawordtosayagainstMrMortimerGazebee。\'(WhenAugustahadreadasfarasthis，herheartsankwithinher；therestwasallleatherandprunella；shesawatoncethatthefiathadgoneagainsther，andthatherwishtobecomeMrsMortimerGazebeewasnottobeindulged。)\'Ihaveknownhimforalongtime，andIbelievehimtobeaveryrespectableperson，andIhavenodoubtagoodmanofbusiness。ThefirmofMessrsGumptionandGazebeestandsprobablyquiteamongthefirstattorneysinLondon，andIknowthatpapahasaveryhighopinionofthem。

\'AllofthesewouldbeexcellentargumentstouseinfavourofMrGazebeeasasuitor，hadhisproposalsbeenmadetoanyoneinhisownrankinlife。Butyou，inconsideringthematter，should，Ithink，lookonitinaverydifferentlight。Theveryfactthatyoupronouncehimtobesomuchsuperiortootherattorneys，showsinhowverylowesteemyouholdtheprofessioningeneral。Itshowsalso，dearAugusta，howwellawareyouarethattheyareaclassofpeopleamongwhomyoushouldnotseekapartnerforlife。

\'Myopinionis，thatyoushouldmakeMrGazebeeunderstand-

verycourteously，ofcourse——thatyoucannotaccepthishand。

Youobservethathehimselfconfessesthatinmarryingyouhewouldseekawifeinarankabovehisown。Isitnot，therefore，clear，thatinmarryinghim，youwoulddescendtoarankbelowyouown？

\'Ishallbeverysorryifitgrievesyou；butstillitwillbebetterthatyoushouldbearthegriefofovercomingatemporaryfancy，thantakeastepwhichmaysoprobablymakeyouunhappy；andwhichsomeofyourfriendswouldcertainlyregardasdisgraceful。

\'Itisnotpermittedtous，mydearAugusta，tothinkofourselvesinsuchmatters。Asyoutrulysay，ifweweretoactinthisway，whatwouldtheworldcometo？IthasbeenGod\'spleasurethatweshouldbebornwithhighbloodinourveins。

Thisisagreatboonwhichwebothvalue，buttheboonhasitsresponsibilitiesaswellasitsprivileges。Itisestablishedbylaw，thattheroyalfamilyshallnotintermarrywithsubjects。Inourcasethereisnolaw，butthenecessityisnotthelessfelt；weshouldnotintermarrywiththosewhoareprobablyofalowerrank。MrMortimerGazebeeis，afterall，onlyanattorney；and，althoughyouspeakofhisgreat-grandfather，heisamanofnobloodwhatsoever。YoumustacknowledgethatsuchanadmixtureshouldbelookedonbyaDeCourcy，orevenaGresham，asapollution。\'(HereAugustagotveryred，andshefeltalmostinclinedtobeangrywithhercousin。)\'Beatrice\'smarriagewithMrOrielisdifferent；

though，remember，Iambynomeansdefendingthat；itmaybegoodorbad，andIhavehadnoopportunityofinquiringrespectingMrOriel\'sfamily。Beatrice，moreover，hasneverappearedtometofeelwhatwasduetoherselfinsuchmatters；but，asIsaid，hermarriagewithMrOrielisverydifferent。Clergymen——particularlytherectorsandvicarsofcountryparishes——dobecomeprivilegedaboveotherprofessionalmen。Icouldexplainwhy，butitwouldbetoolonginaletter。

\'Yourfeelingsonthesubjectaltogetherdoyougreatcredit。

IhavenodoubtthatMrGresham，ifasked，wouldaccedetothematch；butthatisjustthereasonwhyheshouldnotbeasked。

ItwouldnotberightthatIshouldsayanythingagainstyourfathertoyou；butitisimpossibleforanyofusnottoseethatallthroughlifehehasthrownawayeveryadvantage，andsacrificedhisfamily。Whyishenowindebt，asyousay？WhyishenotholdingthefamilyseatinParliament？Eventhoughyouarehisdaughter，youcannotbutfeelthatyouwouldnotdorighttoconsulthimonsuchasubject。

\'Astodearaunt，Ifeelsure，thatweresheingoodhealth，andlefttoexerciseherownjudgement，shewouldnotwishtoseeyoumarriedtotheagentforthefamilyestate。For，dearAugusta，thatistherealtruth。MrGazebeeoftencomeshereinthewayofbusiness；andthoughpapaalwaysreceiveshimasagentleman——thatis，hedinesattableandallthat——heisnotonthesamefootinginthehouseastheordinaryguestsandfriendsofthefamily。HowwouldyouliketobereceivedatCourcyCastleinthesameway？

\'Youwillsay，perhaps，thatyouwouldstillbepapa\'sniece；

soyouwould。Butyouknowhowstrictinsuchmatterspapais，andyoumustremember，thatthewifealwaysfollowstherankofthehusband。Papaisaccustomedtothestrictetiquetteofacourt，andIamsurethatnoconsiderationwouldinducehimtoreceivetheestate-agentinthelightofanephew。Indeed，wereyoutomarryMrGazebee，thehousetowhichhebelongswould，Iimagine，havetogiveupthemanagementoftheproperty。

\'EvenwereMrGazebeeinParliament——andIdonotseehowitisprobablethatheshouldgetthere——itwouldnotmakeanydifference。Youmustremember，dearest，thatIneverwasanadvocatefortheMoffatmatch。Iacquiescedinit，becausemammadidso。IfIcouldhavehadmyownway，Iwouldadheretoallouroldprescriptiveprinciples。Neithermoneynorpositioncanatonetomeforlowbirth。Buttheworld，alas！

isretrograding；and，accordingtothenew-fangleddoctrinesoftheday，aladyofbloodisnotdisgracedbyallyingherselftoamanofwealth，andwhatmaybecalledquasi-

aristocraticposition。Iwishitwereotherwise；butsoitis。

And，therefore，thematchwithMrMoffatwasnotdisgraceful，thoughitcouldnotberegardedasaltogethersatisfactory。

\'ButwithMrGazebeethematterwouldbealtogetherdifferent。

Heisamanearninghisbread；honestly，Idaresay，butinahumbleposition。Yousayheisveryrespectable：Idonotdoubtit；andsoisMrScraggs，thebutcheratCourcy。Yousee，Augusta，towhatsuchargumentsreduceyou。

\'IdaresayhemaybenicerthanMrMoffat，inoneway。Thatis，hemayhavemoresmall-talkathiscommand，andbemorecleverinallthoselittlepursuitsandamusementswhicharevaluedbyordinaryyoungladies。Butmyopinionis，thatneitherInoryouwouldbejustifiedinsacrificingourselvesforsuchamusements。Wehavehighdutiesbeforeus。Itmaybethattheperformanceofthosedutieswillprohibitusfromtakingapartintheordinaryarenaofthefeminineworld。Itisnaturalthatgirlsshouldwishtomarry；and，therefore，thosewhoareweak，takethefirstthatcome。Thosewhohavemorejudgement，makesomesortofselection。Butthestrongest-mindedare，perhaps，thosewhoareabletoforgothemselvesandtheirownfancies，andtorefrainfromanyalliancethatdoesnottendtothemaintenanceofhighprinciples。Ofcourse，Ispeakofthosewhohavebloodintheirveins。YouandIneednotdilateastotheconductofothers。

\'IhopewhatIhavesaidwillconvinceyou。Indeed，IknowthatitonlyrequiresthatyouandIshouldhavealittlecousinlytalkonthismattertobequiteinaccord。YoumustnowremainatGreshamsburytillMrGazebeeshallreturn。

Immediatelythathedoesso，seekaninterviewwithhim；donotwaittillheasksforit；thentellhim，thatwhenheaddressedyou，thematterhadtakenyousomuchbysurprise，thatyouwerenotatthemomentabletoanswerhim，withthatdecisionthatthesubjectdemanded。Tellhim，thatyouareflattered——insayingthis，however，youmustkeepacollectedcountenance，andbeverycoldinyourmanner——butthatfamilyreasonswouldforbidyoutoavailyourselfofhisoffer，evendidnoothercausepreventit。

\'Andthen，dearAugusta，cometoushere。Iknowyouwillbealittledown-heartedaftergoingthroughthisstruggle；butI

willendeavourtoinspirityou。Whenwearebothtogether，youwillfeelmoresensiblythevalueofthathighpositionwhichyouwillpreservebyrejectingMrGazebee，andwillregretlessacutelywhateveryoumaylose。

\'Yourveryaffectionatecousin，\'AMELIADECOURCY。

\'PS——IamgreatlygrievedaboutFrank；butIhavelongfearedthathewoulddosomeverysillything。IhaveheardlatelythatMissMaryThorneisnoteventhelegitimatenieceofyourDrThorne，butisthedaughterofsomepoorcreaturewhowasseducedbythedoctor，inBarchester。Idonotknowhowtruethismaybe，butIthinkyourbrothershouldbeputonhisguard：itmightdogood。\'

PoorAugusta！Shewasintruthtobepitied，forhereffortsweremadewiththeintentionofdoingrightaccordingtoherlights。ForMrMoffatshehadnevercaredastraw；andwhen，therefore，shelostthepieceofgildingforwhichshehadbeeninstructedbyhermothertosellherself，itwasimpossibletopityher。ButMrGazebeeshewouldhavelovedwiththatsortoflovewhichitwasinherpowertobestow。

Withhimshewouldhavebeenhappy，respectable，andcontented。

Shehadherwrittenherletterwithgreatcare。Whentheofferwasmadetoher，shecouldnotbringherselftothrowLadyAmeliatothewindsandmarrytheman，asitwere，outofherownhead。LadyAmeliahadbeenthetyrantofherlife，andsoshestrovehardtoobtainhertyrant\'spermission。Sheusedallherlittlecunninginshowingthat，afterall，MrGazebeewasnotsoveryplebeian。Allherlittlecunningwasutterlyworthless。LadyAmelia\'smindwastoostrongtobecaughtwithsuchchaff。AugustacouldnotserveGodandMammon。Shemusteitherbetruetothegodofhercousin\'sidolatry，andremainsingle，orservetheMammonofherowninclinations，andmarryMrGazebee。

Whenre-foldinghercousin\'sletter，afterthefirstperusal，shedidforamomentthinkofrebellion。CouldshenotbehappyattheniceplaceinSurrey，having，asshewouldhave，acarriage，eventhoughalltheDeCourcysshoulddropher？IthadbeenputtoherthatshewouldnotliketobereceivedatCourcyCastlewiththescantcivilitywhichwouldbeconsideredduetoaMrsMortimerGazebee；butwhatifshecouldputupwithoutbeingreceivedatCourcyCastleatall？Suchideasdidfloatthroughhermind，dimly。

Buthercouragefailedher。Itissohardtothrowoffatyrant；somucheasiertoyield，whenwehavebeeninthehabitofyielding。Thisthirdletter，therefore，waswritten；anditistheendofthecorrespondence。

\'MissAugustaGreshamtoLadyAmeliadeCourcy\'GreshamsburyHouse，July，185-

\'MYDEARESTAMELIA，\'Ididnotansweryourletterbefore，becauseIthoughtitbettertodelaydoingsotillMrGazebeehadbeenhere。Hecamethedaybeforeyesterday，andyesterdayIdid，asnearlyaspossible，whatyouadvised。Perhaps，onthewhole，itwillbebetter。Asyousay，rankhasitsresponsibilitiesaswellasitsprivileges。

\'Idon\'tquiteunderstandwhatyoumeanaboutclergymen，butwecantalkthatoverwhenwemeet。Indeed，itseemstomethatifoneistobeparticularaboutfamily——andIamsureI

thinkweought——oneoughttobesowithoutexception。IfMrOrielbeaparvenu，Beatrice\'schildrenwon\'tbewellbornmerelybecausetheirfatherwasaclergyman，eventhoughheisarector。Sincemyformerletter，IhaveheardthatMrGazebee\'sgreat-great-great-grandfatherestablishedthefirm；

andtherearemanypeoplewhowerenobodiesthenwhoarethoughttohavegoodbloodintheirveinsnow。

\'ButIdonotsaythisbecauseIdifferfromyou。Iagreewithyousofully，thatIatoncemadeupmymindtorejecttheman；and，consequently，Ihavedoneso。

\'WhenItoldhimIcouldnotaccepthimfromfamilyconsiderations，heaskedmewhetherIhadspokentopapa。I

toldhim，no；andthatitwouldbenogood，asIhadmadeupmyownmind。Idon\'tthinkhequiteunderstoodme；butitdidnotperhapsmuchmatter。Youtoldmetobeverycold，andI

thinkthatperhapshethoughtmelessgraciousthanbefore。

Indeed，Ifearthatwhenhefirstspoke，Imayseemtohavegivenhimtoomuchencouragement。However，itisallovernow；

quiteover！\'(AsAugustawrotethis，shebarelymanagedtosavethepaperbeneathherhandfrombeingmoistenedwiththetearwhichescapedfromhereye。)

\'Idonotmindconfessingnow，\'shecontinued，\'atanyratetoyou，thatIdidlikeMrGazebeealittle。Ithinkhistemperanddispositionwouldhavesuitedme。ButIamquitesatisfiedthatIhavedoneright。Hetriedveryhardtomakemechangemymind。Thatis，hesaidagreatmanythingsastowhetherI

wouldnotputoffmydecision。ButIwasquitefirm。Imustsaythathebehavedverywell，andthatIreallydothinkhelikedmehonestlyandtruly；but，ofcourse，Icouldnotsacrificefamilyconsiderationsonthataccount。

\'Yes，rankhasitsresponsibilitiesaswellasitsprivileges。

Iwillrememberthat。Itisnecessarytodoso，asotherwiseonewouldbewithoutconsolationforwhatonehastosuffer。

ForIfindthatonehastosuffer，Amelia。Iknowpapawouldhaveadvisedmetomarrythisman；andso，Idaresay，mammawould，andFrank，andBeatrice，iftheyknewthatIlikedhim。

Itwouldnotbesobadifweallthoughtalikeaboutit；butitishardtohaveresponsibilitiesallonone\'sownshoulder；

isitnot？

\'ButIwillgoovertoyou，andyouwillcomfortme。IalwaysfeelstrongeronthissubjectatCourcythanatGreshamsbury。

Wewillhavealongtalkaboutit，andthenIshallbehappyagain。IpurposegoingonnextFriday，ifthatwillsuityouanddearaunt。Ihavetoldmammathatyouallwantedme，andshemadenoobjection。Dowriteatonce，dearestAmelia，fortohearfromyounowwillbemyonlycomfort。

\'Yours，evermostaffectionatelyandobliged，\'AUGUSTAGRESHAM。

\'PS——ItoldmammawhatyousaidaboutMaryThorne，andshesaid，“Yes；Isupposealltheworldknowsitnow；andifalltheworlddidknowit，itmakesnodifferencetoFrank。“Sheseemedveryangry；soyouseeitwastrue。\'

Though，bysodoing，weshallsomewhatanticipatetheendofourstory，itmaybedesirablethatthefulltaleofMrGazebee\'slovesshouldbetoldhere。WhenMaryisbreakingherheartonherdeath-bedinthelastchapter，orotherwiseaccomplishingherdestiny，weshallhardlyfindafitopportunityofsayingmuchaboutMrGazebeeandhisaristocraticbride。

ForhedidsucceedatlastinobtainingabrideinwhoseveinsranthenobleDeCourcyblood，inspiteofthehighdoctrinepreachedsoeloquentlybytheLadyAmelia。AsAugustahadtrulysaid，hehadfailedtounderstandher。Hewasledtothink，byhermannerofreceivinghisfirstproposal——andjustlyso，enough——thatshelikedhim，andwouldaccepthim；andhewasthereforeratherperplexedbyhissecondinterview。Hetriedagainandagain，andbeggedpermissiontomentionthemattertoMrGresham；butAugustawasveryfirm，andheatlastretiredindisgust。AugustawenttoCourcyCastle，andreceivedfromhercousinthatconsolationandre-strengtheningwhichshesomuchrequired。

Fouryearsafterwards——longafterthefateofMaryThornehadfallen，likeathunderbolt，ontheinhabitantsofGreshamsbury；whenBeatricewaspreparingforhersecondbaby，andeachofthetwinshadheracceptedlover——MrMortimerGazebeewentdowntoCourcyCastle；ofcourse，onamatterofbusiness。Nodoubthedinedatthetable，andallthat。WehavethewordofLadyAmelia，thattheearl，withhisusualgood-nature，allowedhimsuchprivileges。Letushopethatheneverencroachedonthem。

Butonthisoccasion，MrGazebeestayedalongtimeatthecastle，andsingularrumoursastothecauseofhisprolongedvisitbecamecurrentinthelittletown。NofemalescionofthepresentfamilyofCourcyhad，asyet，foundamate。Wemayimaginethateaglesfinditdifficulttopairwhentheybecomescarceintheirlocalities；andweallknowhowhardithassometimesbeentogetcommeilfauthusbandswhentherehasbeenanynumberofProtestantprincessesonhand。

Somelittledifficultyhad，doubtless，broughtitaboutthatthecountesswasstillsurroundedbyherfullbevyofmaidens。Rankhasitsresponsibilitiesaswellasitsprivileges，andtheseyoungladies\'

responsibilitiesseemedtohaveconsistedinrejectinganysuitorwhomayhavehithertokneeledtothem。ButnowitwastoldthroughCourcy，thatonesuitorhadkneeled，andnotinvain；fromCourcytherumourflewtoBarchester，andthencecamedowntoGreshamsbury，startlingtheinhabitants，andmakingonepoorheartthrobwithaviolencethatwouldhavebeenpiteoushaditbeenknown。Thesuitor，sonamed，asMrMortimerGazebee。

Yes；MrMortimerGazebeehadnowawardedtohimmanyotherprivilegesthanthoseofdiningatthetable，andallthat。Herodewiththeyoungladiesinthepark，andtheyalltalkedtohimveryfamiliarlybeforecompany；allexceptLadyAmelia。ThecountessevencalledhimMortimer，andtreatedhimquiteasoneofthefamily。

AtlastcamealetterfromthecountesstoherdearsisterArabella。Itshouldbegivenatlength，butthatIfeartointroduceanotherepistle。

Itissuchaneasymodeofwriting，andfacilityisalwaysdangerous。Inthisletteritwasannouncedwithmuchpreliminaryambiguity，thatMortimerGazebee——whohadbeenfoundtobeatreasureineveryway；

quiteaparagonofmen——wasabouttobetakenintotheDeCourcybosomasachildofthathouse。Onthatdayfortnight，hewasdestinedtoleadtothealtar——theLadyAmelia。

Thecountessthenwentontosay，thatdearAmeliadidnotwriteherself，beingsomuchengagedbyhercomingduties——theresponsibilitiesofwhichshedoubtlessfullyrealized，aswellastheprivileges；butshehadbeggedhermothertorequestthatthetwinsshouldcomeandactasbridesmaidsontheoccasion。DearAugusta，sheknew，wastoomuchoccupiedinthecomingeventinMrOriel\'sfamilytobeabletoattend。

MrMortimerGazebeewastakenintotheDeCourcyfamily，anddidleadtheLadyAmeliatothealtar；andtheGreshamtwinsdidgothereandactasbridesmaids。And，whichismuchmoretosayforhumannature，Augustadidforgivehercousin，and，afteracertaininterval，wentonavisittothatniceplaceinSurreywhichshehadhopedwouldbeherownhome。

Itwouldhavebeenaveryniceplace，Augustathought，hadnotLadyAmeliaGazebeebeensoveryeconomical。

Wemustpresumethattherewassomeexplanationbetweenthem。Ifso，Augustayieldedtoit，andconfessedittobesatisfactory。Shehadalwaysyieldedtohercousin，andlovedherwiththatsortoflovewhichisbegottenbetweenfearandrespect。AnythingwasbetterthanquarrellingwithhercousinAmelia。

AndMrMortimerGazebeedidnotaltogethermakeabadbargain。Heneverreceivedashillingofdowry，butthathehadnotexpected。Nordidhewantit。Histroublesarosefromtheoverstrainedeconomyofhisnoblewife。Shewouldhaveit，thatasshehadmarriedapoorman——MrGazebee，however，wasnotapoorman——itbehovedhertomanageherhousewithgreatcare。Suchamatchasthatshehadmade——thisshetoldinconfidencetoAugusta——haditsresponsibilitiesaswellasitsprivileges。

But，onthewhole，MrGazebeedidnotrepenthisbargain；whenheaskedhisfriendstodine，hecouldtellthemthatLadyAmeliawouldbegladtoseethem；hismarriagegavehimsomeeclatathisclub，andsomeadditionalweightinthefirmtowhichhebelonged；hegetshisshareoftheCourcyshooting，andisaskedabouttoGreshamsbury，andotherBarsetshirehouses，notonly\'todineattableandallthat\'，buttotakehispartinwhateverdelightscountrysocietytherehastooffer。

Heliveswiththegreathopethathisnoblefather-in-lawmaysomedaybeabletobringhimintoParliament。