下载辰思小说免费APP
CHAPTERXXXIX
WHATTHEWORLDSAYSABOUTBLOOD
\'Beatrice，\'saidFrank，rushingsuddenlyintohissister\'sroom，\'Iwantyoutodomeoneespecialfavour。\'ThiswasthreeorfourdaysafterhehadspokentoMaryThorne。Sincethattimehehadspokentononeofhisfamilyonthesubject；buthewasonlypostponingfromdaytodaythetaskoftellinghisfather。Hehadnowcompletedhisroundofvisitstothekennel，masterhuntsman，andstablesofthecountyhunt，andwasatlibertytoattendtohisownaffairs。Sohehaddecidedonspeakingtothesquirethatveryday；buthefirstmadehisrequesttohissister。
\'Iwantyoutodomeoneespecialfavour。\'ThedayforBeatrice\'smarriagehadnowbeenfixed，anditwasnottobeverydistant。MrOrielhadurgedthattheirhoneymoontripwouldlosehalfitsdelightsiftheydidnottakeadvantageofthefineweather；andBeatricehadnothingtoallegeinanswer。Thedayhadjustbeenfixed，andwhenFrankranintoherroomwithhisspecialrequest，shewasnotinahumourtorefusehimanything。
\'Ifyouwishmetobeatyourwedding，youmustdoit。\'
\'Wishyoutobethere！Youmustbethere，ofcourse。Oh，Frank！whatdoyoumean？I\'lldoanythingyouask；ifitisnottogotothemoon，oranythingofthatsort。\'
Frankwastoomuchinearnesttojoke。\'YoumusthaveMaryforoneofyourbridesmaids，\'hesaid。\'Now，mind；theremaybesomedifficulty，butyoumustinsistonit。Iknowwhathasbeengoingon；butitisnottobebornethatsheshouldbeexcludedonsuchadayasthat。Youthathavebeenlikesistersallyourlivestillayearago。\'
\'But，Frank——\'
\'Now，Beatrice，don\'thaveanybuts；saythatyouwilldoit，anditwillbedone：IamsureOrielwillapprove，andsowillmyfather。\'
\'But，Frank，youwon\'thearme。\'
\'Notifyoumakeobjections；Ihavesetmyheartonyourdoingit。\'
\'ButIhadsetmyheartonthesamething。\'
\'Well？\'
\'AndIwenttoMaryonpurpose；andtoldherjustasyoutellmenow，thatshemustcome。ImeanttomakemammaunderstandthatIcouldnotbehappyunlessitwereso；butMarypositivelyrefused。\'
\'Refused！Whatdidshesay？\'
\'Icouldnottellyouwhatshesaid；indeed，itwouldnotberightifI
could；butshepositivelydeclined。Sheseemedtofeel，thatafterallthathadhappened，shenevercouldcometoGreshamsburyagain。\'
\'Fiddlestick！\'
\'But，Frank，thoseareherfeelings；and，totellthetruth，Icouldnotcombatthem。Iknowsheisnothappy；buttimewillcurethat。And，totellyouthetruth，Frank——\'
\'ItwasbeforeIcamebackthatyouaskedher，wasitnot？\'
\'Yes；justthedaybeforeyoucame，Ithink。\'
\'Well，it\'salterednow。Ihaveseenhersincethat。\'
\'HaveyouFrank？\'
\'Whatdoyoutakemefor？Ofcourse，Ihave。TheveryfirstdayIwenttoher。Andnow，Beatrice，youmaybelievemeornot，asyoulike；butifIevermarry，IshallmarryMaryThorne；andifsheevermarries，I
thinkshemaymarryme。Atanyrate，Ihaveherpromise。Andnow，youcannotbesurprisedthatIshouldwishhertobeatyourwedding；orthatIshoulddeclare，thatifsheisabsent，Iwillbeabsent。Idon\'twantanysecrets，andyoumaytellmymotherifyoulikeit——andalltheDeCourcystoo，foranythingIcare。\'
Frankhadeverbeenusedtocommandhissisters：andthey，especiallyBeatrice，hadeverbeenusedtoobey。Onthisoccasion，shewaswellinclinedtodoso，ifsheonlyknewhow。SheagainrememberedhowMaryhadoncesworntobeatherwedding，tobenearher，andtotouchher——eventhoughallthebloodoftheDeCourcysshouldbecrowdedbeforethealtarrailings。
\'Ishouldbehappythatsheshouldbethere；butwhatamItodo，Frank，ifsherefuses？Ihaveaskedher，andshehasrefused。\'
\'Gotoheragain；youneednothaveanyscrupleswithher。DonotI
tellyoushewillbeyoursister？NotcomehereagaintoGreshamsbury！
Why，Itellyouthatshewillbelivingherewhileyouarelivingthereattheparsonage，foryearsandyearstocome。\'
BeatricepromisedthatshewouldgotoMaryagain，andthatshewouldendeavourtotalkhermotheroverifMarywouldconsenttocome。ButshecouldnotyetmakeherselfbelievethatMaryThornewouldeverbemistressofGreshamsbury。ItwassoindispensablynecessarythatFrankshouldmarrymoney！Besides，whatwerethesehorridrumourswhichwerenowbecomingrifeastoMary\'sbirth；rumoursmorehorridthananywhichhadyetbeenheard。
Augustahadsaidhardlymorethanthetruthwhenshespokeofherfatherbeingbroken-heartedbyhisdebts。Histroubleswerebecomingalmosttoomanyforhim；andMrGazebee，thoughnodoubthewasanexcellentmanofbusiness，didnotseemtolessenthem。MrGazebee，indeed，wascontinuallypointingouthowmuchheowed，andinwhataquagmireofdifficultieshehadentangledhimself。Now，todoMrUmblebyjustice，hehadnevermadehimselfdisagreeableinthismanner。
MrGazebeehadbeendoubtlessright，whenhedeclaredthatSirLouisScatcherdhadnothimselfthepowertotakeanystepshostiletothesquire；butSirLouishadalsobeenright，whenheboastedthat，inspiteofhisfather\'swill，hecouldcauseotherstomoveinthematter。
Othersdidmove，andweremoving，anditbegantobeunderstoodthatamoiety，atleast，oftheremainingGreshamsburypropertymustbesold。
Eventhis，however，wouldbynomeansleavethesquireinundisturbedpossessionoftheothermoiety。Andthus，MrGreshamwasnearlybroken-hearted。
Frankhadnowbeenathomeaweek，andhisfatherhadnotasyetspokentohimaboutthefamilytroubles；norhadawordasyetbeensaidbetweenthemastoMaryThorne。IthadbeenagreedthatFrankshouldgoawayfortwelvemonths，inorderthathemightforgether。Hehadbeenawaythetwelvemonth，andhadnowreturned，nothavingforgottenher。
Itgenerallyhappens，thatineveryhousehold，onesubjectofimportanceoccupiesitatatime。ThesubjectofimportancenowmostlythoughtofintheGreshamsburyhousehold，wasthemarriageofBeatrice。LadyArabellahadtosupplythetrousseauforherdaughter；thesquirehadtosupplythemoneyforthetrousseau；MrGazebeehadthetaskofobtainingthemoneyforthesquire。Whilethiswasgoingon，MrGreshamwasnotanxioustotalktohisson，eitherabouthisowndebtsorhisson\'slove。Therewouldbetimeforthesethingswhenthemarriage-feastwasover。
Sothoughtthefather，butthematterwasprecipitatedbyFrank。Healsohadputoffthedeclarationwhichhehadtomake，partlyfromawishtosparethesquire，butpartlyalsowithaviewtosparehimself。
Wehaveallsomeofthatcowardicewhichinducesustopostponeaninevitablyevilday。AtthistimethediscussionsastoBeatrice\'sweddingwerefrequentinthehouse，andatoneofthemFrankhadheardhismotherrepeatthenamesoftheproposedbridesmaids。Mary\'snamewasnotamongthem，andhencehadarisentheattackonhissister。
LadyArabellahadhadherreasonfornamingthelistbeforeherson；butsheovershothermark。ShewishedtoshowhimhowMarywasforgottenatGreshamsbury；butsheonlyinspiredhimwitharesolvethatsheshouldnotbeforgotten。Heaccordinglywenttohissister；andthen，thesubjectbeingfullonhismind，heresolvedatoncetodiscussitwithhisfather。
\'Sir，areyouatleisureforfiveminutes？\'hesaid，enteringtheroominwhichthesquirewasaccustomedtositmajestically，toreceivehistenants，scoldhisdependants，andinwhich，informerhappydays，hehadalwaysarrangedthemeetsoftheBarsetshirehunt。
MrGreshamwasquiteatleisure：whenwashenotso？Buthadhebeenimmersedinthedeepestbusinessofwhichhewascapable，hewouldgladlyhaveputitasideathisson\'sinstance。
\'Idon\'tliketohaveanysecretfromyou，sir，\'saidFrank；\'nor，forthematterofthat，fromanybodyelse\'——theanybodyelsewasintendedtohavereferencetohismother——\'and，therefore，IwouldrathertellyouatoncewhatIhavemadeupmymindtodo。\'
Frank\'saddresswasveryabrupt，andhefeltitwasso。Hewasratherredintheface，andhismannerwasfluttered。Hehadquitemadeuphismindtobreakthewholeaffairtohisfather；buthehadhardlymadeuphismindastothebestmodeofdoingso。
\'Goodheavens，Frank！whatdoyoumean？youarenotgoingtodoanythingrash？Whatisityoumean，Frank？\'
\'Idon\'tthinkitisrash，\'saidFrank。
\'Sitdown，myboy；sitdown。Whatisitthatyousayyouaregoingtodo？\'
\'Nothingimmediately，sir，\'saidhe，ratherabashed；\'butasIhavemadeupmymindaboutMaryThorne——\'
\'Oh，aboutMary，\'saidthesquire，almostrelieved。
AndthenFrank，involublelanguage，whichhehardly，however，hadquiteunderhiscommand，toldhisfatherallthathadpassedbetweenhimandMary。\'Yousee，sir，\'saidhe，\'thatitisfixednow，andcannotbealtered。Normustitbealtered。Youaskedmetogoawayfortwelvemonths，andIhavedoneso。Ithasmadenodifference，yousee。Astoourmeansofliving，Iamquitewillingtodoanythingthatmaybebestandmostprudent。Iwasthinking，sir，oftakingafarmsomewherenearhere，andlivingonthat。\'
Thesquiresatquitesilentforsomemomentsafterthiscommunicationhadbeenmadetohim。Frank\'sconduct，asason，inthisspecialmatterofhislove，howwasitpossibleforhimtofindfault？HehimselfwasalmostasfondofMaryasofadaughter；and，thoughhetoowouldhavebeendesirousthathissonshouldreceivetheestatefromitsembarrassmentbyarichmarriage，hedidnotatallshareLadyArabella\'sfeelingsonthesubject。NoCountessdeCourcyhadeverengraveditonthetabletsofhismindthattheworldwouldcometoruinifFrankdidnotmarrymoney。Ruintherewas，andwouldbe，butithadbeenbroughtaboutbynosinofFrank\'s。
\'Doyourememberaboutherbirth，Frank？\'hesaid，atlast。
\'Yes，sir；everything。Shetoldmeallsheknew；andDrThornefinishedthestory。\'
\'Andwhatdoyouthinkofit？\'
\'Itisapityandamisfortune。Itmight，perhaps，havebeenareasonwhyyouormymothershouldnothavehadMaryinthehousemanyyearsago；butitcannotmakeanydifferencenow。\'
Frankhadnotmeanttoleansoheavilyonhisfather；buthedidso。ThestoryhadneverbeentoldtoLadyArabella；wasnotevenknowntohernow，positively，andongoodauthority。ButMrGreshamhadalwaysknownit。IfMary\'sbirthwassogreatastainuponher，whyhadhebroughtherintohishouseamonghischildren？
\'Itisamisfortune，Frank；averygreatmisfortune。Itwillnotdoforyouandmetoignorebirth；toomuchofthevalueofone\'spositiondependsonit。\'
\'ButwhatwasMrMoffat\'sbirth？\'saidFrank，almostwithscorn；\'orwhatMissDunstable\'s？\'hewouldhaveadded，haditnotbeenthathisfatherhadnotbeenconcernedinthatsinofweddinghimtotheoilofLebanon。
\'True，Frank。Butyet，whatyouwouldmeantosayisnottrue。Wemusttaketheworldaswefindit。Wereyoutomarryarichheiress，wereherbirthevenaslowasthatofpoorMary——\'
\'Don\'tcallherpoorMary，father；sheisnotpoor。Mywifewillhavearighttotakerankintheworld，howevershewasborn。\'
\'Well，——poorinthatway。Butweresheanheiress，theworldwouldforgiveherbirthonaccountofherwealth。\'
\'Theworldisverycomplaisant，sir。\'
\'Youmusttakeitasyoufindit，Frank。Ionlysaythatsuchisthefact。IfPorlockweretomarrythedaughterofashoeblack，withoutafarthing，hewouldmakeamesalliance；butifthedaughteroftheshoeblackhadhalfamillionofmoney，nobodywoulddreamofsayingso。
Iamstatingnoopinionofmyown：Iamonlygivingyoutheworld\'sopinion。\'
\'Idon\'tgiveastrawfortheworld。\'
\'Thatisamistake，myboy；youdocareforit，andwouldbeveryfoolishifyoudidnot。Whatyoumeanis，that，onthisparticularpoint，youvalueyourlovemorethantheworld\'sopinion。\'
\'Well，yes，thatiswhatImean。\'
Butthesquire，thoughhehadbeenverylucidinhisdefinition，hadnotgotnearertohisobject；hadnotevenyetascertainedwhathisownobjectwas。ThismarriagewouldberuinoustoGreshamsbury；andyet，whatwashetosayagainstit，seeingthattheruinhadbeenhisfault，andnothisson\'s？
\'Youcouldletmehaveafarm；couldyounot，sir？Iwasthinkingofaboutsixorsevenhundredacres。Isupposeitcouldbemanagedsomehow？\'
\'Afarm？\'saidthefather，abstractedly。
\'Yes，sir。Imustdosomethingformyliving。Ishouldmakelessofamessofthatthananythingelse。Besides，itwouldtakesuchatimetobeanattorney，oradoctor，oranythingofthatsort。\'
Dosomethingforhisliving！AndwastheheirofGreshamsburycometothis——theheirandhisonlyson？Whereas，he，thesquire，hadsucceededatanearlieragethanFrank\'stoanunembarrassedincomeoffourteenthousandpoundsayear！Thereflectionwasveryhardtobear。
\'Yes：Idaresayyoucouldhaveafarm：\'andthenhethrewhimselfbackinhischair，closinghiseyes。Then，afterawhile，roseagain，andwalkedhurriedlyabouttheroom。\'Frank，\'hesaid，atlast，standingoppositetohisson，\'Iwonderwhatyouthinkofme？\'
\'Thinkofyou，sir？\'ejaculatedFrank。
\'Yes；whatdoyouthinkofme，forhavingthusruinedyou。Iwonderwhetheryouhateme？\'
Frank，jumpingupfromhischair，threwhisarmsroundhisfather\'sneck。\'Hateyou，sir？Howcanyouspeaksocruelly？YouknowwellthatI
loveyou。And，father，donottroubleyourselfabouttheestateformysake。Idonotcareforit；Icanbejustashappywithoutit。Letthegirlshavewhatisleft，andIwillmakemyownwayintheworld，somehow。IwillgotoAustralia；yes，sir，thatwillbethebest。IandMarywillbothgo。Nobodywillcareaboutherbirththere。But，father，neversay，neverthink，thatIdonotloveyou！\'
Thesquirewastoomuchmovedtospeakatonce，sohesatdownagainandcoveredhisfacewithhishands。Frankwentonpacingtheroom，till，gradually，hisfirstidearecoveredpossessionofhismind，andtheremembranceofhisfather\'sgrieffadedaway。\'MayItellMary，\'hesaidatlast，\'thatyouconsenttoourmarriage？\'
Butthesquirewasnotpreparedtosaythis。Hewaspledgedtohiswifetodoallthathecouldtoopposeit；andhehimselfthought，thatifanythingcouldconsummatethefamilyruin，itwouldbethismarriage。
\'Icannotsaythat，Frank；Icannotsaythat。Whatwouldyoubothliveon？Itwouldbemadness。\'
\'WewouldgotoAustralia，\'answeredhe，bitterly。\'Ihavejustsaidso。\'
\'Oh，no，myboy；youcannotdothat。Youmustnotthrowuptheoldplacealtogether。Thereisnootheronebutyou，Frank；andwehavelivedherenowforsomany，manyyears。\'
\'Butifwecannotlivehereanylonger，father？\'
\'Butforthisschemeofyours，wemightdo。Iwillgiveupeverythingtoyou，themanagementoftheestate，thepark，allthelandwehaveinhand，ifyouwillgiveupthisfatalscheme。For，Frank，itisfatal。
Youareonlytwenty-three；whyshouldyoubeinsuchahurrytomarry？\'
\'Youmarriedattwenty-one，sir。\'
Frankwasagainsevereonhisfather，unwittingly。\'Yes，Idid，\'saidMrGresham；\'andseewhathascomeofit！HadIwaitedtenyearslonger，howdifferentwouldeverythinghavebeen！No，Frank，Icannotconsenttosuchamarriage；norwillyourmother。\'
\'ItisyourconsentthatIask，sir；andIamaskingfornothingbutyourconsent。\'
\'Itwouldbesheermadness；madnessforyouboth。MyownFrank，mydearboy，donotdrivemetodistraction！Giveitupforfouryears。\'
\'Fouryears！\'
\'Yes；forfouryears。Iaskitasapersonalfavour；asanobligationtomyself，inorderthatwemaybesavedfromruin；you，yourmother，andsisters，yourfamilyname，andtheoldhouse。Idonottalkaboutmyself；butweresuchamarriagetotakeplace，Ishouldbedriventodespair。\'
Frankfounditveryhardtoresisthisfather，whonowhadholdofhishandandarm，andwasthushalfretaininghim，andhalfembracinghim。
\'Frank，saythatyouwillforgetthisforfouryears——sayforthreeyears。\'
ButFrankwouldnotsayso。Topostponehismarriageforfouryears，orforthree，seemedtohimtobetantamounttogivingupMaryaltogether；
andhewouldnotacknowledgethatanyonehadtherighttodemandofhimtodothat。
\'Mywordispledged，sir，\'hesaid。
\'Pledged！Pledgedtowhom？\'
\'ToMissThorne。\'
\'ButIwillseeher，Frank；——andheruncle。Shewasalwaysreasonable。
IamsureshewillnotwishtobringruinonheroldfriendsatGreshamsbury。\'
\'HeroldfriendsatGreshamsburyhavedonebutlittlelatelytodeserveherconsideration。Shehasbeentreatedshamefully。Iknowithasnotbeenbyyou，sir；butImustsayso。Shehasalreadybeentreatedshamefully；butIwillnottreatherfalsely。\'
\'Well，Frank，Icansaynomoretoyou。Ihavedestroyedtheestatewhichshouldhavebeenyours，andIhavenorighttoexpectyoushouldregardwhatIsay。\'
Frankwasgreatlydistressed。Hehadnotanyfeelingofanimosityagainsthisfatherwithreferencetotheproperty，andwouldhavedoneanythingtomakethesquireunderstandthis，shortofgivinguphisengagementtoMary。Hisfeelingratherwas，that，aseachhadacaseagainsttheother，theyshouldcryquits；thatheshouldforgivehisfatherforhisbadmanagement，onconditionthathehimselfwastobeforgivenwithregardtohisdeterminedmarriage。Notthatheputitexactlyinthatshape，eventohimself；butcouldhehaveunravelledhisownthoughts，hewouldhavefoundthatsuchwasthewebonwhichtheywerebased。
\'Father，Idoregardwhatyousay；butyouwouldnothavemebefalse。
Hadyoudoubledthepropertyinsteadoflesseningit，Icouldnotregardwhatyousayanymore。\'
\'Ishouldbeabletospeakinaverydifferenttone；Ifeelthat，Frank。\'
\'Donotfeelitanymore，sir；saywhatyouwish，asyouwouldhavesaiditunderanyothercircumstances；andpraybelievethis，theideaneveroccurstome，thatIhavegroundforcomplaintasregardstheproperty；
never。Whatevertroubleswemayhave，donotletthattroubleyou。\'
SoonafterthisFranklefthim。Whatmorewastherethatcouldbesaidbetweenthem？Theycouldnotbeofoneaccord；butevenyetitmightnotbenecessarythattheyshouldquarrel。Hewentout，androamedbyhimselfthroughthegrounds，rathermoreinmeditationthanwashiswont。
Ifhedidmarry，howwashetolive？Hetalkedofaprofession；buthadhemeanttodoasothersdo，whomaketheirwayinprofessions，heshouldhavethoughtofthatayearortwoago！——or，rather，havedonemorethanthinkofit。Hespokealsoofafarm，buteventhatcouldnotbehadinamoment；nor，ifitcould，woulditproducealiving。Wherewashiscapital？Wherewashisskill？andhemighthaveaskedalso，wheretheindustrysonecessaryforsuchatrade？Hemighthavesethisfatheratdefiance，andifMarywereequallyheadstrongwithhimself，hemightmarryher。But，whatthen？
Ashewalkedslowlyabout，cuttingoffthedaisieswithhisstick，hemetMrOriel，goinguptothehouse，aswasnowhiscustom，todinethereandspendtheevening，closetoBeatrice。
\'HowIenvyyou，Oriel！\'hesaid。\'WhatwouldInotgivetohavesuchapositionintheworldasyours！\'
\'Thoushaltnotcovetaman\'shouse，norhiswife，\'saidMrOriel；
\'perhapsitoughttohavebeenadded，norhisposition。\'
\'Itwouldn\'thavemademuchdifference。Whenamanistempted，theCommandments，Ibelieve，donotgoformuch。\'
\'Dotheynot，Frank？That\'sadangerousdoctrine；andonewhich，ifyouhadmyposition，youwouldhardlyadmit。Butwhatmakesyousomuchoutofsorts？Yourownpositionisgenerallyconsideredaboutthebestwhichtheworldhastogive。\'
\'Isit？Thenletmetellyouthattheworldhasverylittletogive。
WhatcanIdo？WherecanIturn？Oriel，iftherebeanempty，lyinghumbugintheworld，itisthetheoryofhighbirthandpurebloodwhichsomeofusendeavourtomaintain。Blood，indeed！Ifmyfatherhadbeenabaker，Ishouldknowbythistimewheretolookformylivelihood。Asitis，Iamtoldofnothingbutmyblood。Willmybloodevergetmehalfacrown？\'
Andthentheyoungdemocratwalkedonagaininsolitude，leavingMrOrielindoubtastotheexactlineofargumentwhichhehadmeanttoinculcate。
CHAPTERXL
THETWODOCTORSCHANGEPATIENTS
DrFillgravestillcontinuedhisvisitstoGreshamsbury，forLadyArabellahadnotyetmusteredthecouragenecessaryforswallowingherprideandsendingoncemoreforDrThorne。NothingpleasedDrFillgravemorethanthosevisits。
Hehabituallyattendedgranderfamilies，andricherpeople；butthen，hehadattendedthemhabitually。Greshamsburywasaprizetakenfromtheenemy；itwashisrockofGibraltar，ofwhichhethoughtmuchmorethanofanyordinaryHampshireorWiltshirewhichhadalwaysbeenwithinhisownkingdom。
Hewasjuststartingonemorningwithhispost-horsesforGreshamsbury，whenanimpudent-lookinggroom，withacrookednose，trotteduptohisdoor。ForJoestillhadacrookednose，allthedoctor\'scarehavingbeeninefficacioustoremedytheevileffectsofBridget\'slittletapwiththerolling-pin。Joehadnowrittencredentials，forhismasterwashardlyequaltowriting，andLadyScatcherdhaddeclinedtoputherselftofurtherpersonalcommunicationwithDrFillgrave；buthehadeffronteryenoughtodeliveranymessage。
\'BeyouDrFillgrave？\'saidJoe，withonefingerjustraisedtohiscockedhat。
\'Yes，\'saidDrFillgrave，withonefootonthestepofthecarriage，butpausingatthesightofthewell-turned-outservant。\'Yes；IamDrFillgrave。\'
\'ThenyoubetogotoBoxallHillimmediately；beforeanywhereelse。\'
\'BoxallHill！\'saidthedoctor，withaveryangryfrown。
\'Yes；BoxallHill：mymaster\'splace——mymasterisSirLouisScatcherd，baronet。You\'veheardofhim，Isuppose？\'
DrFillgravehadnothismindquitereadyforsuchanoccasion。Sohewithdrewhisfootfromthecarriagestep，andrubbinghishandsoneoveranother，lookedathisownhalldoorforinspiration。Asingleglanceathisfacewassufficienttoshowthatnoordinarythoughtswerebeingturnedoverwithinhisbreast。
\'Well！\'saidJoe，thinkingthathismaster\'snamehadnotaltogetherproducedthemagiceffectwhichhehadexpected；remembering，also，nowsubmissiveGreysonhadalwaysbeen，who，beingaLondondoctor，mustbesupposedtobeabiggermanthanthisprovincialfellow。\'Doyouknowmymasterisdying，verylike，whileyoustandhere？\'
\'Whatisyourmaster\'sdisease？\'saidthedoctor，facingJoe，slowly，andstillrubbinghishands。\'Whatailshim？Whatisthematterwithhim？\'
\'Oh；thematterwithhim？Well，tosayitoutatoncethen，hedotakeadroptoomuchattimes，andthenhehasthehorrors——whatisittheycallit？Deliciousbeam-ends，orsomethingofthatsort。\'
\'Ah，ah，yes；Iknow；andtellme，myman，whoisattendinghim？\'
\'Attendinghim？why，Ido，andhismother，thatis，herladyship。\'
\'Yes；butwhatmedicalattendant：whatdoctor？\'
\'Why，therewasGreyson，inLondon，and——\'
\'Greyson！\'andthedoctorlookedasthoughanamesomedicinallyhumblehadneverstruckthetympanumofhisear。
\'Yes；Greyson。Andthen，downatwhat\'sathemanoftheplace，therewasThorne。\'
\'Greshamsbury？\'
\'Yes；Greshamsbury。ButheandThornedidn\'thititoff；andsosincethathehashadnoonebutmyself。\'
\'IwillbeatBoxallHillinthecourseofthemorning，\'saidDrFillgrave；\'or，rather，youmaysay，thatIwillbethereatonce：I
willtakeitinmyway。\'Andhavingthusresolved，hegavehisordersthatthepost-horsesshouldmakesuchadetouraswouldenablehimtovisitBoxallHillonhisroad。\'Itisimpossible，\'saidhetohimself，\'thatIshouldbetwicetreatedinsuchamannerinthesamehouse。\'
Hewasnot，however，altogetherinacomfortableframeofmindashewasdrivenuptothehalldoor。Hecouldnotbutrememberthesmileoftriumphwithwhichhisenemyhadregardedhiminthathall；hecouldnotbutthinkhowhehadreturnedfee-lesstoBarchester，andhowlittlehehadgainedinthemedicalworldbyrejectingLadyScatcherd\'sbank-note。
However，healsohadhadhistriumphssincethat。HehadsmiledscornfullyatDrThornewhenhehadseenhimintheGreshamsburystreet；
andhadbeenabletotell，attwentyhousesthroughthecounty，howLadyArabellahadatlastbeenobligedtoplaceherselfinhishands。AndhetriumphedagainwhenhefoundhimselfreallystandingbySirLouisScatcherd\'sbedside。AsforLadyScatcherd，shedidnotevenshowherself。Shekeptinherownlittleroom，sendingoutHannahtoaskhimupthestairs；andsheonlyjustgotapeepathimthroughthedoorassheheardthemedicalcreakofhisshoesasheagaindescended。
WeneedsaybutlittleofhisvisittoSirLouis。Itmatterednothingnow，whetheritwasThorne，orGreyson，orFillgrave。AndDrFillgraveknewthatitmatterednothing：hehadskillatleastforthat——andheartenoughalsotofeelthathewouldfainhavebeenrelievedfromthistask；wouldfainhaveleftthepatientinthehandsevenofDrThorne。
ThenamewhichJoehadgiventohismaster\'sillnesswascertainlynotafalseone。HedidfindSirLouis\'inthehorrors\'。Ifanyfatherhaveasonwhosebesettingsinwasapassionforalcohol，lethimtakehischildtotheroomofadrunkardwhenpossessedby\'thehorrors\'。Nothingwillcurehimifnotthat。
Iwillnotdisgustmyreaderbyattemptingtodescribethepoorwretchinhismisery：thesunken，butyetglaringeyes；theemaciatedcheeks；
thefallenmouth；theparched，sorelips；theface，nowdryandhot，andthensuddenlyclammywithdropsofperspiration；theshakinghand，andallbutpalsiedlimbs；andworsethanthis，thefearfulmentalefforts，andthestrugglesfordrink；strugglestowhichitisoftennecessarytogiveway。
DrFillgravesoonknewwhatwastobetheman\'sfate；buthedidwhathemighttorelieveit。There，inonebig，bestbedroom，lookingouttothenorth，laySirLouisScatcherd，dyingwretchedly。There，intheotherbig，bestbedroom，lookingouttothesouth，haddiedtheotherbaronetabouttwelvemonthsince，andeachavictimofthesamesin。TothishadcometheprosperityofthehouseofScatcherd！
AndthenDrFillgravewentontoGreshamsbury。Itwasalongday\'swork，bothforhimselfandthehorses；butthen，thetriumphofbeingdraggedupthatavenuecompensatedforboththeexpenseandthelabour。
Healwaysputonhissweetestsmileashecamenearthehalldoor，andrubbedhishandsinthemostcomplaisantmannerofwhichheknew。ItwasseldomthathesawanyofthefamilybutLadyArabella；butthenhedesiredtoseenoneother，andwhenheleftherinagoodhumour，wasquitecontenttotakehisglassofsherryandeathislunchbyhimself。
Onthisoccasion，however，theservantatonceaskedhimtogointothedining-room，andtherehefoundhimselfinthepresenceofFrankGresham。Thefactwas，thatLadyArabella，havingatlastdecided，hadsentforDrThorne；andithadbecomenecessarythatsomeoneshouldbeentrustedwiththedutyofinformingDrFillgrave。Thatsomeonemustbethesquire，orFrank。LadyArabellawoulddoubtlesshavepreferredamessengermoreabsolutelyfriendlytoherownsideofthehouse；butsuchmessengertherewasnone：shecouldnotsendMrGazebeetoseethedoctor，andso，ofthetwoevils，shechosetheleast。
\'DrFillgrave，\'saidFrank，shakinghandswithhimverycordiallyashecameup，\'mymotherissomuchobligedtoyouforallyourcareandanxietyonherbehalf！and，soindeed，areweall。\'
Thedoctorshookhandswithhimverywarmly。Thislittleexpressionofafamilyfeelingonhisbehalfwasthemoregratifying，ashehadalwaysthoughtthatthemalesoftheGreshamsburyfamilywerestillweddedtothatpseudo-doctor，thathalf-apothecarywholivedinthevillage。
\'Ithasbeenawfullytroublesometoyou，comingoverallthisway，Iamsure。Indeed，moneycouldnotpayforit；mymotherfeelsthat。Itmustcutupyourtimesomuch。\'
\'Notatall，MrGresham；notatall，\'saidtheBarchesterdoctor，risinguponhistoesproudlyashespoke。\'Apersonofyourmother\'simportance，youknow！Ishouldbehappytogoanydistancetoseeher。\'
\'Ah！but，DrFillgrave，wecannotallowthat。\'
\'MrGresham，don\'tmentionit。\'
\'Oh，yes；butImust，\'saidFrank，whothoughtthathehaddoneenoughforcivility，andwasnowanxioustocometothepoint。\'Thefactis，doctor，thatweareverymuchobligedforwhatyouhavedone；but，forthefuture，mymotherthinksthatshecantrusttosuchassistanceasshecangethereinthevillage。\'
FrankhadbeenparticularlyinstructedtobeverycarefulhowhementionedDrThorne\'sname，and，therefore，cleverlyavoidedit。\'
Getwhatassistanceshewantedinthevillage！Whatwordswerethosethatheheard？\'MrGresham，eh——hem——perhapsIdonotcompletely——\'Yes，alas！hehadcompletelyunderstoodwhatFrankhadmeantthatheshouldunderstand。Frankdesiredtobecivil，buthehadnoideaofbeatingunnecessarilyaboutthebushonsuchanoccasionasthis。
\'It\'sbySirOmicron\'sadvice，DrFillgrave。Yousee，thismanhere\'——andhenoddedhisheadtowardsthedoctor\'shouse，beingstillanxiousnottopronouncethehideousname——\'hasknownmymother\'sconstitutionforsomanyyears。\'
\'Oh，MrGresham；ofcourse，ifitiswished。\'
\'Yes，DrFillgrave，itiswished。Lunchiscomingdirectly：\'andFrankrangthebell。
\'Nothing，Ithankyou，MrGresham。\'
\'Dotakeaglassofsherry。\'
\'Nothingatall，Iamverymuchobligedtoyou。\'
\'Won\'tyouletthehorsesgetsomeoats？\'
\'Iwillreturnatonce，ifyouplease，MrGresham。\'Andthedoctordidreturn，takingwithhim，onthisoccasion，thefeethatwasofferedtohim。Hisexperiencehadatanyratetaughthimsomuch。
ButthoughFrankcoulddothisforLadyArabella，hecouldnotreceiveDrThorneonherbehalf。Thebitternessofthatinterviewhadtobebornebyherself。Amessengerhadbeensentforhim，andhewasupstairswithherladyshipwhilehisrivalwasreceivinghiscongedownstairs。
Shehadtwoobjectstoaccomplish，ifitmightbepossible：shehadfoundthathighwordswiththedoctorwereofnoavail；butitmightbepossiblethatFrankcouldbesavedbyhumiliationonherpart。Ifshehumbledherselfbeforethisman，wouldheconsenttoacknowledgethathisniecewasnotthefitbridefortheheirofGreshamsbury？
Thedoctorenteredtheroomwhereshewaslyingonhersofa，andwalkinguptoherwithagentle，butyetnotconstrainedstep，tooktheseatbesideherlittletable，justashehadalwaysbeenaccustomedtodo，andasthoughtherehadbeennobreakintheintercourse。
\'Well，doctor，youseethatIhavecomebacktoyou，\'shesaid，withafaintsmile。
\'Or，ratherIhavecomebacktoyou。And，believeme，LadyArabella，I
amveryhappytodoso。Thereneedbenoexcuses。Youwere，doubtless，righttotrywhatotherskillcoulddo；andIhopeithasnotbeentriedinvain。\'
Shehadmeanttohavebeensocondescending；butnowallthatwasputquitebeyondherpower。Itwasnoteasytobecondescendingtothedoctor：shehadbeentryingallherlife，andhadneversucceeded。
\'IhavehadSirOmicronPie，\'shesaid。
\'SoIwasgladtohear。SirOmicronisacleverman，andhasagoodname。IalwaysrecommendSirOmicronmyself。\'
\'AndSirOmicronreturnsthecompliment，\'saidshe，smilinggracefully，\'forherecommendsyou。HetoldMrGreshamthatIwasveryfoolishtoquarrelwithmybestfriend。Sonowwearefriendsagain，arewenot？
YouseehowselfishIam。\'Andsheputoutherhandtohim。
Thedoctortookherhandcordially，andassuredherthatheborehernoill-will；thathefullyunderstoodherconduct——andthathehadneveraccusedherofselfishness。Thiswasallverywellandverygracious；
but，nevertheless，LadyArabellafeltthatthedoctorkepttheupperhandinthosesweetforgivenesses。Whereas，shehadintendedtokeeptheupperhand，atleastforawhile，sothatherhumiliationmightbemoreeffectivewhenitdidcome。
Andthenthedoctorusedhissurgicallore，ashewellknewhowtouseit。Therewasanassuredconfidenceabouthim，anairwhichseemedtodeclarethathereallyknewwhathewasdoing。Thesewereverycomfortabletohispatients，buttheywerewantinginDrFillgrave。Whenhehadcompletedhisexaminationsandquestions，andshehadcompletedherlittledetailsandmadeheranswer，shewascertainlymoreateasethanshehadbeensincethedoctorhadlastlefther。
\'Don\'tgoyet，foramoment，\'shesaid。\'Ihaveonewordtosaytoyou。\'
Hedeclaredthathewasnotintheleastinahurry。Hedesirednothingbetter，hesaid，thantositthereandtalktoher。\'AndIoweyouamostsincereapology，LadyArabella。\'
\'Asincereapology！\'saidshe，becomingalittlered。WashegoingtosayanythingaboutMary？Washegoingtoownthathe，andMary，andFrankhadallbeenwrong？
\'Yes，indeed。IoughtnottohavebroughtSirLouisScatcherdhere：I
oughttohaveknownthathewouldhavedisgracedhimself。\'
\'Oh！itdoesnotsignify，\'saidherladyshipinatonealmostofdisappointment。\'Ihadforgottenit。MrGreshamandyouhadmoreinconveniencethanwehad。\'
\'Heisanunfortunate，wretchedman——mostunfortunate；withanimmensefortunewhichhecanneverlivetopossess。\'
\'Andwhowillthemoneygoto，doctor？\'
ThiswasaquestionforwhichDrThornewashardlyprepared。\'Goto？\'herepeated。\'Oh，somememberofthefamily，Ibelieve。Thereareplentyofnephewsandnieces。\'
\'Yes；butwillitbedivided，orallgotoone？\'
\'Probablytoone，Ithink。SirRogerhadastrongideaofleavingitallinonehand。\'Ifitshouldhappentobeagirl，thoughtLadyArabella，whatanexcellentopportunitywouldthatbeforFranktomarrymoney！
\'Andnow，doctor，Iwanttosayonewordtoyou；consideringtheverylongtimethatwehaveknowneachother，itisbetterthatIshouldbeopenwithyou。ThisestrangementbetweenusanddearMaryhasgivenusallsomuchpain。Cannotwedoanythingtoputanendtoit？\'
\'Well，whatcanIsay，LadyArabella？Thatdependssowhollyonyourself。\'
\'Ifitdependsonme，itshallbedoneatonce。\'
Thedoctorbowed。Andthoughhecouldhardlybesaidtodosostiffly，hediditcoldly。Hisbowseemedtosay，\'Certainly；ifyouchoosetomakeaproperamendeitcanbedone。ButIthinkitisveryunlikelythatyouwilldoso。\'
\'Beatriceisjustgoingtobemarried，youknowthat，doctor。\'Thedoctorsaidthathedidknowit。\'AnditwillbesopleasantthatMaryshouldmakeoneofus。PoorBeatrice；youdon\'tknowwhatshehassuffered。\'
\'Yes，\'saidthedoctor，\'therehasbeensuffering，Iamsure；sufferingonbothsides。\'
\'YoucannotwonderthatweshouldbesoanxiousaboutFrank，DrThorne；
anonlyson，andtheheirtoanestatethathasbeensoverylonginthefamily：\'andLadyArabellaputherhandkerchieftohereyes，asthoughthesefactswerethemselvesmelancholy，andnottobethoughtofbyamotherwithoutsomesofttears。\'NowIwishyoucouldtellmewhatyourviewsare，inafriendlymanner，betweenourselves。Youwon\'tfindmeunreasonable。\'
\'Myviews，LadyArabella？\'
\'Yes，doctor；aboutyourniece，youknow：youmusthaveviewsofsomesort；that\'sofcourse。Itoccurstome，thatperhapswereallinthedarktogether。Ifso，alittlecandidspeakingbetweenyouandmemaysetitallright。\'
LadyArabella\'scareerhadnothithertobeenconspicuousforcandour，asfarasDrThornehadbeenabletojudgeofit；butthatwasnoreasonwhyheshouldnotrespondtosoverybecominganinvitationonherpart。
Hehadnoobjectiontoalittlecandidspeaking；atleast，sohedeclared。AstohisviewswithregardtoMary，theyweremerelythese：
thathewouldmakeherashappyandcomfortableashecouldwhilesheremainedwithhim；andthathewouldgiveherhisblessing——forhehadnothingelsetogiveher——whenshelefthim；——ifeversheshoulddoso。
Now，itwillbesaidthatthedoctorwasnotverycandidinthis；notmoreso，perhaps，thanwasLadyArabellaherself。Butwhenoneisspeciallyinvitedtobecandid，oneisnaturallysetuponone\'sguard。
Thosewhobydispositionaremostopen，areapttobecomecraftywhensoadmonished。Whenamansaystoyou，\'Letusbecandidwitheachother，\'
youfeelinstinctivelythathedesirestosqueezeyouwithoutgivingadropofwaterhimself。
\'Yes；butaboutFrank，\'saidLadyArabella。
\'AboutFrank！\'saidthedoctor，withaninnocentlook，whichherladyshipcouldhardlyinterpret。
\'WhatImeanisthis：canyougivemeyourwordthattheseyoungpeopledonotintendtodoanythingrash？Onewordlikethatfromyouwillsetmymindquiteatrest。Andthenwecouldbesohappytogetheragain。\'
\'Ah！whoistoanswerforwhatrashthingsayoungmanwilldo？\'saidthedoctor，smiling。
LadyArabellagotupfromthesofa，andpushedawaythelittletable。
Themanwasfalse，hypocritical，andcunning。Nothingcouldbemadeofhim。Theywereallinaconspiracytogethertorobherofherson；tomakehimmarrywithoutmoney！Whatshouldshedo？Whereshouldsheturnforadviceandcounsel？Shehadnothingmoretosaytothedoctor；andhe，perceivingthatthiswasthecase，tookhisleave。Thislittleattempttoachievecandourhadnotsucceeded。
DrThornehadansweredLadyArabellaashadseemedbesttohimonthespurofthemoment；buthewasbynomeanssatisfiedwithhimself。Ashewalkedawaythroughthegardens，hebethoughthimselfwhetheritwouldbebetterforallpartiesifhecouldbringhimselftobereallycandid。
Woulditnotbebetterforhimatoncetotellthesquirewhatwerethefutureprospectsofhisniece，andletthefatheragreetothemarriage，ornotagreetoit，ashemightthinkfit。Butthen，ifso，ifhediddothis，wouldhenotinfactsay，\'Thereismyniece，thereisthisgirlofwhomyouhavebeentalkingforthelasttwelvemonth，indifferenttowhatagonyofmindyoumayhaveoccasionedtoher；theresheis，aprobableheiress！Itmaybeworthyourson\'swhiletowaitalittletime，andnotcastherofftillheshallknowwhethershebeanheiressorno。Ifitshallturnoutthatsheisrich，lethimtakeher；ifnot，why，hecandesertherthenaswellasnow。\'Hecouldnotbringhimselftoputhisnieceintosuchapositionasthis。HewasanxiousenoughthatsheshouldbeFrankGresham\'swife，forhelovedFrankGresham；hewasanxiousenough，also，thatsheshouldgivetoherhusbandthemeansofsavingthepropertyofhisfamily。ButFrank，thoughhemightfindherrich，wasboundtotakeherwhileshewaspoor。
Then，also，hedoubtedwhetherhewouldbejustifiedinspeakingofthiswillatall。Healmosthatedthewillforthetroubleandvexationithadgivenhim，andtheconstantstressithadlaidonhisconscience。Hehadspokenofitasyettonoone，andhethoughtthathewasresolvednottodosowhileSirLouisshouldyetbeinthelandoftheliving。
Onreachinghome，hefoundanotefromLadyScatcherd，informinghimthatDrFillgravehadoncemorebeenatBoxallHill，andthat，onthisoccasion，hehadleftthehousewithoutanger。
\'Idon\'tknowwhathehassaidaboutLouis，\'sheadded，\'for，totellthetruth，doctor，Iwasafraidtoseehim。Buthecomesagainto-morrow，andthenIshallbebraver。ButIfearthatmypoorboyisinabadway。\'
CHAPTERXLI
DOCTORTHORNEWON\'TINTERFERE
Atthisperiodtherewas，asitwere，atrucetotheordinarylittleskirmisheswhichhadbeensocustomarybetweenLadyArabellaandthesquire。Thingshadsofallenout，thattheyneitherofthemhadmustspiritforacontest；and，moreover，onthatpointwhichatthepresentmomentwasmostthoughtofbybothofthem，theywerestrangelyinunison。Foreachofthemwasanxioustopreventthethreatenedmarriageoftheironlyson。
Itmust，moreover，beremembered，thatLadyArabellahadcarriedagreatpointinoustingMrYatesUmblebyandputtingthemanagementoftheestateintothehandsofherownpartisan。ButthenthesquirehadnotdonelessingettingridofFillgraveandreinstatingDrThorneinpossessionofthefamilyinvalids。Thelosses，therefore，hadbeenequal；thevictoriesequal；andtherewasamutualobject。
Anditmustbeconfessed，also，thatLadyArabella\'stasteforgrandeurwasonthedecline。MisfortunewascomingtooneartohertoleavehermuchanxietyforthegaietiesofaLondonseason。Thingswerenotfaringwellwithher。Whenhereldestdaughterwasgoingtomarryamanoffortune，andamemberofParliament，shehadthoughtnothingofdemandingathousandpoundsorsofortheextraordinaryexpensesincidenttosuchanoccasion。Butnow，Beatricewastobecomethewifeofaparishparson，andeventhatwasthoughttobeafortunateevent；
shehad，therefore，noheartforsplendour。
\'Thequieterwecandoitthebetter，\'shewrotetohercountess-sister。
\'Herfatherwantedtogivehimatleastathousandpounds；butMrGazebeehastoldmeconfidentiallythatitliterallycannotbedoneatthepresentmoment！Ah，mydearRosina！howthingshavebeenmanaged！Ifoneortwoofthegirlswillcomeover，weshallalltakeitasafavour。Beatricewouldthinkitverykindofthem。ButIdon\'tthinkofaskingyouorAmelia。\'AmeliawasalwaysthegrandestoftheDeCourcyfamily，beingalmostonanequalitywith——nay，insomerespectsuperiorto——thecountessherself。Butthis，ofcourse，wasbeforethedaysoftheplaceinSurrey。
Such，andsohumblebeingthepresenttemperoftheladyofGreshamsbury，itwillnotbethoughtsurprisingthatsheandMrGreshamshouldatlastcometogetherintheireffortstoreclaimtheirson。
AtfirstLadyArabellaurgeduponthesquirethedutyofbeingveryperemptoryandveryangry。\'Doasotherfathersdoinsuchcases。Makehimunderstandthathewillhavenoallowancetoliveon。\'\'Heunderstandsthatwellenough，\'saidMrGresham。
\'Threatentocuthimoffwithashilling，\'saidherladyship，withspirit。\'Ihaven\'tashillingtocuthimoffwith，\'answeredthesquire，bitterly。
ButLadyArabellaherselfsoonperceived，thatthislinewouldnotdo。
AsMrGreshamhimselfconfessed，hisownsinsagainsthissonhadbeentogreattoallowofhistakingahighhandwithhim。Besides，MrGreshamwasnotamanwhocouldeverbeseverewithasonwhoseindividualconducthadbeensogoodasFrank\'s。Thismarriage，was，inhisview，amisfortunetobeavertedifpossible，——tobeavertedbyanypossiblemeans；but，asfarasFrankwasconcerned，itwastoberegardedratherasamonomaniathanacrime。
\'IdidfeelsocertainthathewouldhavesucceededwithMissDunstable，\'saidthemother，almostcrying。
\'Ithoughtitimpossiblebutthatathisageatwelvemonthknockingabouttheworldwouldcurehim，\'saidthefather。
\'Ineverheardofaboybeingsoobstinateaboutagirl，\'saidthemother。\'I\'msurehedidn\'tgetitfromtheDeCourcys：\'andthen，again，theytalkeditoverinallitsbearings。
\'Butwhataretheytoliveupon？\'saidLadyArabella，appealing，asitwere，tosomeimpersonationofreason。\'That\'swhatIwanthimtotellme。Whataretheytoliveupon？\'
\'IwonderwhetherDeCourcycouldgethimintosomeembassy？\'saidthefather。\'Hedoestalkofaprofession。\'
\'What！withthegirlandall？\'askedLadyArabellawithhorror，alarmedattheideaofsuchanappealbeingmadetohernoblebrother。
\'No；butbeforehemarries。Hemightbebrokenofitthatway。\'
\'Nothingwillbreakhim，\'saidthewretchedmother；\'nothing——nothing。
Formypart，Ithinkthatheispossessed。Whywasshebroughthere？Oh，dear！oh，dear！Whywassheeverbroughtintothishouse？\'
ThislastquestionMrGreshamdidnotthinkitnecessarytoanswer。Thatevilhadbeendone，anditwouldbeuselesstodisputeit。\'I\'lltellyouwhatI\'lldo，\'saidhe。\'I\'llspeaktothedoctormyself。\'
\'It\'snottheslightestuse，\'saidLadyArabella。\'Hewillnotassistus。Indeed，Ifirmlybelieveit\'sallhisowndoing。\'
\'Oh，nonsense！thatreallyisnonsense，mylove。\'
\'Verywell，MrGresham。WhatIsayisalwaysnonsense，Iknow；youhavealwaystoldmeso。Butyet，seehowthingshaveturnedout。Iknewhowitwouldbewhenshewasfirstbroughtintothehouse。\'ThisassertionwasratherastretchonthepartofLadyArabella。
\'Well，itisnonsensetosaythatFrankisinlovewiththegirlatthedoctor\'sbidding。\'
\'Ithinkyouknow，MrGresham，thatIdon\'tmeanthat。WhatIsayisthis，thatDrThorne，findingwhataneasyfoolFrankis——\'
\'Idon\'tthinkhe\'satalleasy，mylove；andiscertainlynotafool。\'
\'Verywell，haveityourownway。I\'llnotsayawordmore。I\'mstrugglingtodomybest，andI\'mbrowbeatenoneveryside。GodknowsI
amnotinastateofhealthtobearit！\'AndLadyArabellabowedherheadintoherpocket-handkerchief。
\'Ithink，mydear，ifyouweretoseeMaryherselfitmightdosomegood，\'saidthesquire，whentheviolenceofhiswife\'sgriefhadsomewhatsubsided。
\'What！goandcalluponthisgirl？\'
\'Yes；youcansendBeatricetogivehernotice，youknow。Sheneverwasunreasonable，andIdonotthinkthatyouwouldfindherso。Youshouldtellher，youknow——\'
\'Oh，Ishouldknowverywellwhattotellher，MrGresham。\'
\'Yes，mylove；I\'msureyouwould；nobodybetter。ButwhatImeanis，thatifyouaretodoanygood，youshouldbekindinyourmanner。MaryThornehasaspiritthatyoucannotbreak。Youmayperhapslead，butnobodycandriveher。\'
Asthisschemeoriginatedwithherhusband，LadyArabellacouldnot，ofcourse，confessthattherewasmuchinit。But，nevertheless，shedeterminedtoattemptit，thinkingthatifanythingcouldbeefficaciousforgoodintheirpresentmisfortunes，itwouldbeherowndiplomaticpowers。Itwas，therefore，atlastsettledbetweenthem，thatheshouldendeavourtotalkoverthedoctor，andthatshewoulddothesamewithMary。
\'AndthenIwillspeaktoFrank，\'saidLadyArabella。\'AsyethehasneverhadtheaudacitytoopenhismouthtomeaboutMaryThorne，thoughIbelievehedeclareshisloveopenlytoeveryoneelseinthehouse。\'
\'AndIwillgetOrieltospeaktohim，\'saidthesquire。
\'IthinkPatiencemightdomoregood。IdidoncethinkhewasgettingfondofPatience，andIwasquiteunhappyaboutitthen。Ah，dear！I
shouldbealmostpleasedatthatnow。\'
AndthusitwasarrangedthatalltheartilleryofGreshamsburywastobebroughttobearatonceonFrank\'slove，soastocrushit，asitwere，bytheveryweightofmetal。
Itmaybeimaginedthatthesquirewouldhavelessscrupleinaddressingthedoctoronthismatterthanhiswifewouldfeel；andthathispartoftheirpresentjointundertakingwaslessdifficultthanhers。Forheandthedoctorhadeverbeenfriendsatheart。But，nevertheless，hedidfeelmuchscruple，as，withhisstickinhand，hewalkeddowntothelittlegatewhichopenedoutnearthedoctor\'shouse。
Thisfeelingwassostrong，thathewalkedonbeyondthisdoortotheentrance，thinkingofwhathewasgoingtodo，andthenbackagain。ItseemedtobehisfatetobedependingalwaysontheclemencyorconsiderationofDrThorne。Atthismomentthedoctorwasimposingtheonlyobstaclewhichwasofferedtothesaleofagreatpartofhisestate。SirLouis，throughhislawyer，wasloudlyaccusingthedoctortosell，andthelawyerwasloudlyaccusingthedoctorofdelayingtodoso。\'Hehasthemanagementofyourproperty，\'saidMrFinnie；\'buthemanagesitintheinterestofhisownfriend。Itisquiteclear，andwewillexposeit。\'\'Byallmeans，\'saidSirLouis。\'Itisad——dshame，anditshallbeexposed。\'
Whenhereachedthedoctor\'shouse，hewasshownintothedrawing-room，andfoundMarytherealone。IthadalwaysbeenthehabittokissherforeheadwhenhechancedtomeetheraboutthehouseatGreshamsbury。
Shehadbeenyoungerandmorechildishthen；butevennowshewasbutachildtohim，sohekissedherashehadbeenwonttodo。Sheblushedslightlyasshelookedupintohisface，andsaid：\'Oh，MrGresham，Iamsogladtoseeyouagain。\'
AshelookedatherhecouldnotbutacknowledgethatitwasnaturalthatFrankshouldloveher。Hehadneverbeforeseenthatshewasattractive；——hadneverhadanopinionaboutit。Shehadgrownupasachildunderhiseye；andasshehadnothadthenameofbeingespeciallyaprettychild，hehadneverthoughtonthesubject。Nowhesawbeforehimawomanwhoseeveryfeaturewasfullofspiritandanimation；whoseeyesparkledwithmorethanmerebrilliancy；whosefacewasfullofintelligence；whoseverysmilewaseloquent。WasittobewonderedatthatFrankshouldhavelearnedtoloveher？
MissThornewantedbutoneattributewhichmanyconsideressentialtofemininebeauty。Shehadnobrilliancyofcomplexion，nopearlywhiteness，novividcarnation；nor，indeed，didshepossessthedarkbrillianceofabrunette。Buttherewasaspeakingearnestnessinherface；andexpressionofmentalfacultywhichthesquirenowforthefirsttimeperceivedtobecharming。
Andthenheknewhowgoodshewas。Heknewwellwhatwashernature；
howgenerous，howopen，howaffectionate，andyethowproud！Herpridewasherfault；buteventhatwasnotafaultinhiseyes。Outofhisownfamilytherewasnoonewhomhehadloved，andcouldlove，ashelovedher。Hefelt，andacknowledged，thatnomancouldhaveabetterwife。
Andyethewastherewiththeexpressobjectofrescuinghissonfromsuchamarriage！
\'Youarelookingverywell，Mary，\'hesaid，almostinvoluntarily。\'AmI？\'sheanswered，smiling。\'It\'sveryniceatanyratetobecomplimented。Uncleneverpaysmeanycomplimentsofthatsort。\'
Intruth，shewaslookingwell。Shewouldsaytoherselfoverandoveragain，frommorningtonight，thatFrank\'sloveforherwouldbe，mustbe，unfortunate；couldnotleadtohappiness。But，nevertheless，itdidmakeherhappy。Shehadbeforehisreturnmadeuphermindtobeforgotten，anditwassosweettofindthathehadbeensofarfromforgettingher。Agirlmayscoldamaninwordsforrashnessinhislove，butherheartneverscoldshimforsuchanoffenceasthat。Shehadnotbeenslighted，andherheart，therefore，stillrosebuoyantwithinherbreast。
Thedoctorenteredtheroom。Asthesquire\'svisithadbeenexpectedbyhim，hehadofcoursenotbeenoutofthehouse。\'AndnowIsupposeI
mustgo，\'saidMary；\'forIknowyouaregoingtotalkaboutbusiness。
But，uncle，MrGreshamsaysI\'mlookingverywell。Whyhaveyounotbeenabletofindthatout？\'
\'She\'sadear，goodgirl，\'saidthesquire，asthedoorshutbehindher；
\'adeargoodgirl！\'andthedoctorcouldnotfailtoseethathiseyeswerefilledwithtears。
\'Ithinksheis，\'saidhe，quietly。Andthentheybothsatsilent，asthougheachwaswaitingtohearwhethertheotherhadanythingmoretosayonthatsubject。Thedoctor，atanyrate，hadnothingmoretosay。
\'Ihavecomeherespeciallytospeaktoyouabouther。\'
\'AboutMary？\'
\'Yes，doctor；aboutherandFrank：somethingmustbedone，somearrangementmade：ifnotforoursakes，atleastfortheirs。\'
\'Whatarrangement，squire？\'
\'Ah！that\'sthequestion。ItakeitforgrantedthateitherFrankorMaryhastoldyouthattheyhaveengagedthemselvestoeachother。\'
\'Franktoldmesometwelvemonthssince。\'
\'AndhasnotMarytoldyou？\'
\'Notexactlythat。But，nevermind；shehas，Ibelieve，nosecretfromme。ThoughIhavesaidbutlittletoher，IthinkIknowitall。\'
\'Well，whatthen？\'
Thedoctorshookhisheadandputuphishands。Hehadnothingtosay；
nopropositiontomake；noarrangementtosuggest。Thethingwasso，andheseemedtosaythat，asfarashewasconcerned，therewasanendofit。
Thesquiresatlookingathim，hardlyknowinghowtoproceed。Itseemedtohim，thatthefactofayoungmanandayoungladybeinginlovewitheachotherwasnotathingtobelefttoarrangeitself，particularlyseeingtherankinlifeinwhichtheywereplaced。Butthedoctorseemedtobeofadifferentopinion。
\'But，DrThorne，thereisnomanonGod\'searthwhoknowsmyaffairsaswellasyoudo；andinknowingmine，youknowFrank\'s。Doyouthinkitpossiblethattheyshouldmarryeachother？\'
\'Possible；yes，itispossible。Youmean，willitbeprudent？\'
\'Well，takeitinthatway；woulditnotbemostimprudent？\'
\'Atpresent，itcertainlywouldbe。Ihaveneverspokentoeitherofthemonthesubject；butIpresumetheydonotthinkofsuchathingforthepresent。\'
\'But，doctor——\'Thesquirewascertainlytakenabackbythecoolnessofthedoctor\'smanner。Afterall，he，thesquire，wasMrGreshamofGreshamsbury，generallyacknowledgedtobethefirstcommonerinBarsetshire；afterall，Frankwashisheir，and，inprocessoftime，hewouldbeMrGreshamofGreshamsbury。Crippledastheestatewas，therewouldbesomethingleft，andtherankatanyrateremained。ButastoMary，shewasnoteventhedoctor\'sdaughter。Shewasnotonlypenniless，butnameless，fatherless，worsethanmotherless！ItwasincrediblethatDrThorne，withhisgenerallyexaltedideasastofamily，shouldspeakinthiscoldwayastoaprojectedmarriagebetweentheheirofGreshamsburyandhisbrother\'sbastardchild！
\'But，doctor，\'repeatedthesquire。
Thedoctorputonelegovertheother，andbegantorubhiscalf。
\'Squire，\'saidhe。\'IthinkIknowallthatyouwouldsay，allthatyoumean。Andyoudon\'tliketosayit，becauseyouwouldnotwishtopainmebyalludingtoMary\'sbirth。\'
\'But，independentlyofthat，whatwouldtheyliveon？\'saidthesquire，energetically。\'Birthisagreatthing，averygreatthing。YouandI
thinkexactlythealikeaboutthat，soweneedhavenodispute。YouarequiteasproudofUllathorneasIamofGreshamsbury。\'
\'Imightbeifitbelongedtome。\'
\'Butyouare。Itisnousearguing。But，puttingthatasidealtogether，whatwouldtheyliveon？Iftheyweretomarry，whatwouldtheydo？Wherewouldtheygo？YouknowwhatLadyArabellathinksofsuchthings；woulditbepossiblethattheyshouldliveupatthehousewithher？Besides，whatalifewouldthatbeforbothofthem！Couldtheylivehere？Wouldthatbewellforthem？\'
Thesquirelookedatthedoctorforananswer；buthestillwentrubbinghiscalf。MrGresham，therefore，wasconstrainedtocontinuehisexpostulation。
\'WhenIamdeadtherewillstill，Ihope，besomething；——somethingleftforthepoorfellow。LadyArabellaandthegirlswouldbebetteroff，perhaps，thannow，andIsometimeswish，forFrank\'ssake，thatthetimehadcome。\'
Thedoctorcouldnotnowgoonrubbinghisknees。Hewasmovedtospeak，anddeclaredthat，ofallevents，thatwastheonewhichwouldbefurthestfromFrank\'sheart。\'Iknownoson，\'saidhe，\'wholoveshisfathermoredearlythanhedoes。\'
\'Idobelieveit，\'saidthesquire；\'Idobelieveit。Butyet，IcannotbutfeelthatIaminhisway。\'
\'No，squire，no；youareinnoone\'sway。Youwillfindyourselfhappywithyoursonyet，andproudofhim。Andproudofhiswife，too。Ihopeso，andIthinkso：Ido，indeed，orIshouldnotsayso，squire；wewillhavemanyahappydayyettogether，whenweshalltalkofallthesethingsoverthedining-roomfireatGreshamsbury。\'
Thesquirefeltitkindinthedoctorthatheshouldthusendeavourtocomforthim；buthecouldnotunderstand，anddidnotinquire，onwhatbasisthesegoldenhopeswasfounded。Itwasnecessary，however，toreturntothesubjectwhichhehadcometodiscuss。Wouldthedoctorassisthiminpreventingthismarriage？Thatwasnowtheonethingnecessarytobekeptinview。
\'But，doctor，abouttheyoungpeople；ofcoursetheycannotmarry，youareawareofthat。\'
\'Idon\'tknowthatexactly。\'
\'Well，doctor，ImustsayIthoughtyouwouldfeelit。\'
\'Feelwhat，squire？\'
\'That，situatedastheyare，theyoughtnottomarry。\'
\'Thatisquiteanotherquestion。Ihavesaidnothingaboutthateithertoyouortoanybodyelse。Thetruthis，squire，Ihaveneverinterferedinthismatteronewayortheother；andIhavenowishtodosonow。\'
\'Butshouldyounotinterfere？IsnotMarythesametoyouasyourownchild？\'
DrThornehardlyknewhowtoanswerthis。Hewasawarethathisargumentaboutnotinterferingwasinfactabsurd。Marycouldnotmarrywithouthisinterference；andhaditbeenthecasethatshewasindangerofmakinganimpropermarriage，ofcoursehewouldinterfere。Hismeaningwas，thathewouldnotatthepresentmomentexpressanyopinion；hewouldnotdeclareagainstamatchwhichmightturnouttobeineverywaydesirable；nor，ifhespokeinfavourofit，couldhegivehisreasonsfordoingso。Underthesecircumstances，hewouldhavewishedtosaynothing，couldthatonlyhavebeenpossible。
Butasitwasnotpossible，andashemustsaysomething，heansweredthesquire\'slastquestionbyaskinganother。\'Whatisyourobjection，squire？\'
\'Objection！Why，whatonearthwouldtheyliveon？\'
\'ThenIunderstand，thatifthatdifficultywereover，youwouldnotrefuseyourconsentmerelybecauseofMary\'sbirth？\'
Thiswasamannerinwhichthesquirehadbynomeansexpectedtohavetheaffairpresentedtohim。Itseemedsoimpossiblethatanysound-mindedmanshouldtakeanybuthisviewofthecase，thathehadnotpreparedhimselfforargument。TherewaseveryobjectiontohissonmarryingMissThorne；butthefactoftheirhavingnoincomebetweenthemdidcertainlyjustifyhiminallegingthatfirst。
\'Butthatdifficultycan\'tbegotover，doctor。Youknow，however，thatitwouldbecauseofgrieftousalltoseeFrankmarrymuchbeneathhisstation；thatis，Imean，infamily。Youshouldnotpressmetosaythis，foryouknowthatIloveMarydearly。\'
\'But，mydearfriend，itisnecessary。Woundssometimesmustbeopenedinorderthattheymaybehealed。WhatImeanisthis；——and，squire，I\'msureIneednotsaytoyouthatIhopeforanhonestanswer，——wereMaryThorneanheiress；hadshe，forinstance，suchwealthasthatMissDunstablethatwehearof；inthatcasewouldyouobjecttothismatch？\'
Whenthedoctordeclaredthatheexpectedanhonestanswerthesquirelistenedwithallhisears；butthequestion，whenfinished，seemedtohavenobearingonthepresentcase。
\'Come，squire，speakyourmindfaithfully。TherewassometalkofFrank\'smarryingMissDunstable；didyoumeantoobjecttothatmatch？\'
\'MissDunstablewaslegitimate；atleast，Ipresumeso。\'
\'Oh，MrGresham！hasitcometothat？MissDunstable，then，wouldhavesatisfiedyourideasofhighbirth？\'
MrGreshamwasratherposed，andregretted，atthemoment，hisallusiontoMissDunstable\'spresumedlegitimacy。Buthesoonrecoveredhimself。
\'No，\'saidhe，\'itwouldnot。AndIamwillingtoadmit，asIhaveadmittedbefore，thattheundoubtedadvantagesarisingfromwealtharetakenbytheworldasatoningforwhatotherwisewouldbeamesalliance。
But——\'
\'Youadmitthat，doyou？Youacknowledgethatasyourconvictiononthesubject？\'
\'Yes。But——\'Thesquirewasgoingontoexplaintheproprietyofthisopinion，butthedoctoruncivillywouldnothearhim。
\'Thensquire，Iwillnotinterfereinthismatteronewayortheother。\'
\'Howonearthcansuchanopinion——\'
\'Prayexcuseme，MrGresham；butmymindisnowquitemadeup。Itwasverynearlysobefore。IwilldonothingtoencourageFrank，norwillI
sayanythingtodiscourageMary。\'
\'Thatisthemostsingularresolutionthatamanofsenselikeyouevercameto。\'
\'Ican\'thelpit，squire；itismyresolution。\'
\'ButwhathasMissDunstable\'sfortunetodowithit？\'
\'Icannotsaythatithasanything；but，inthismatter，Iwillnotinterfere。\'
Thesquirewentonforsometime，butitwasalltonopurpose；andatlastheleftthehouse，considerablyindudgeon。Theonlyconclusiontowhichhecouldcomewas，thatDrThornehadthoughtthechanceonhisniece\'sbehalftoogoodtobethrownaway，andhad，therefore，resolvedtoactinaverysingularway。
\'Iwouldnothavebelieveditofhim，thoughallBarsetshirehadtoldme，\'hesaidtohimselfasheenteredthegreatgates；andhewentonrepeatingthesamewordstillhefoundhimselfinhisownroom。\'No，notifallBarsetshirehadtoldme！\'
Hedidnot，however，communicatetheillresultofhisvisittotheLadyArabella。
