下载辰思小说免费APP
CHAPTERXLII
WHATCANYOUGIVEINRETURN？
Inspiteofthefamilytroubles，thesewerehappydaysforBeatrice。Itsoseldomhappensthatyoungladiesontheeveoftheirmarriagehavetheirhusbandslivingnearthem。Thishappinesswashers，andMrOrielmadethemostofit。ShewasconstantlybeingcoaxeddowntotheparsonagebyPatience，inorderthatshemightgiveheropinion，inprivate，onsomedomesticarrangement，somepieceoffurniture，orsomenewcarpet；butthisprivacywasalwaysinvaded。WhatMrOriel\'sparishionersdidinthesehalcyondays，Iwillnotask。Hismorningservices，however，hadbeenaltogethergivenup，andhehadprovidedhimselfwithaveryexcellentcurate。
ButonegriefdidweighheavilyonBeatrice。ShecontinuallyheardhermothersaythingswhichmadeherfeelthatitwouldbemorethaneverimpossiblethatMaryshouldbeatherwedding；andyetshehadpromisedherbrothertoaskher。Frankhadalsorepeatedhisthreat，thatifMarywerenotpresent，hewouldabsenthimself。
Beatricedidwhatmostgirlsdoinsuchacase；whatallwoulddowhoareworthanything；sheaskedherlover\'sadvice。
\'Oh！butFrankcan\'tbeinearnest，\'saidthelover。\'Ofcoursehe\'llbeatourwedding。\'
\'Youdon\'tknowhim，Caleb。Heissochangedthatnoonehardlywouldknowhim。Youcan\'tconceivehowmuchinearnestheis，howdeterminedandresolute。Andthen，IshouldliketohaveMarysomuchifmammawouldlethercome。\'
\'AskLadyArabella，\'saidCaleb。
\'Well，IsupposeImustdothat；butIknowwhatshe\'llsay，andFrankwillneverbelievethatIhavedonemybest。\'MrOrielcomfortedherwithsuchlittlewhisperedconsolationsashewasabletoafford，andthenshewentawayonhererrandtohermother。
Shewasindeedsurprisedatthemannerinwhichherprayerwasreceived。
Shecouldhardlyfalterforthherpetition；butwhenshehaddoneso，LadyArabellaansweredinthiswise：-
\'Wellmydear，Ihavenoobjection，nonetheleast；thatis，ofcourse，ifMaryisdisposedtobehaveherselfproperly。\'
\'Oh，mamma！ofcourseshewill，\'saidBeatrice；\'shealwaysdidandalwaysdoes。\'
\'Ihopeshewill，mylove。But，Beatrice，whenIsaythatIshallbegladtoseeher，ofcourseImeanundercertainconditions。IneverdislikedMaryThorne，andifshewouldonlyletFrankunderstandthatshewillnotlistentohismadproposals，IshouldbedelightedtoseeheratGreshamsburyjustassheusedtobe。\'
Beatricecouldsaynothinginanswertothis；butshefeltverysurethatMary，letherintentionbewhatitmight，wouldnotundertaketomakeFrankunderstandanythingatanybody\'sbidding。
\'IwilltellyouwhatIwilldo，mydear，\'continuedLadyArabella；\'I
willcallonMarymyself。\'
\'What！atDrThorne\'shouse？\'
\'Yes；whynot？IhavebeenatDrThorne\'shousebeforenow。\'AndLadyArabellacouldnotbutthinkofherlastvisitthither，andthestrongfeelingshehad，asshecameout，thatshewouldneveragainenterthosedoors。Shewas，however，preparedtodoanythingonbehalfofherrebelliousson。
\'Oh，yes！Iknowthat，mamma。\'
\'Iwillcalluponher，andIcanpossiblymanageit，Iwillaskhermyselftomakeoneofyourparty。Ifso，youcangotoherafterwardsandmakeyourownarrangements。Justwriteheranote，mydear，andsaythatIwillcallto-morrowattwelve。ItmightflusterherifIweretogowithoutnotice。\'
Beatricedidasshewasbid，butwithapresentimentthatnogoodwouldcomeofit。ThenotewascertainlyunnecessaryforthepurposeassignedbyLadyArabella，asMarywasnotgiventobeflusteredbysuchoccurrences；but，perhaps，itwasaswellasthatitwaswritten，asitenabledhertomakeuphermindsteadilyastowhatinformationshouldbegiven，andwhatshouldnotbegiventohercomingvisitor。
Onthenextmorning，attheappointedhour，LadyArabellawalkeddowntothedoctor\'shouse。Sheneverwalkedaboutthevillagewithoutmakingsomelittledisturbanceamongtheinhabitants。Withthesquire，himself，theywerequitefamiliar，andhecouldappearandreappearwithoutcreatinganysensation；butherladyshiphadnotmadeherselfequallycommoninmen\'ssight。Therefore，whenshewentthroughalltheGreshamsburyintenminutes，andbeforeshehadleftthehouse，MrsUmblebyandMissGushinghadquitesettledbetweenthemwhatwastheexactcauseoftheverysingularevent。
Thedoctor，whenhehadheardwhatwasgoingtohappen，carefullykeptoutoftheway：Mary，therefore，hadthepleasureofreceivingLadyArabellaalone。Nothingcouldexceedherladyship\'saffability。Marythoughtthatitperhapsmighthavesavouredlessofcondescension；butthenonthissubject，Marywasprobablyprejudiced。LadyArabellasmiledandsimpered，andaskedafterthedoctor，andthecat，andJanet，andsaideverythingthatcouldbedesiredbyanyonelessunreasonablethanMaryThorne。
\'Andnow，Mary，I\'lltellyouwhyIhavecalled。\'Marybowedherheadslightly，asmuchtosay，thatshewouldbegladtoreceiveanyinformationthatLadyArabellacouldgiveheronthatsubject。\'OfcourseyouknowthatBeatriceisgoingtobemarriedveryshortly。\'
Maryacknowledgedthatshehadheardsomuch。
\'Yes：wethinkitwillbeinSeptember——earlyinSeptember——andthatiscomingverysoonnow。Thepoorgirlisanxiousthatyoushouldbeatherwedding。\'Maryturnedslightlyred；butshemerelysaid，andthatsomewhattoocoldly，thatshewasmuchindebtedtoBeatriceforherkindness。
\'Icanassureyou，Mary，thatsheisveryfondofyou，asmuchasever；
andso，indeed，amI，andallofusareso。YouknowthatMrGreshamwasalwaysyourfriend。\'
\'Yes，healwayswas，andIamgratefultoMrGresham，\'answeredMary。ItwaswellforLadyArabellathatshehadhertemperundercommand，forhadshespokenhermindouttherewouldhavebeenverylittlechanceleftforreconciliationbetweenherandMary。
\'Yes，indeedhewas；andIthinkwealldidwhatlittlewecouldtomakeyouwelcomeatGreshamsbury，Mary，tillthoseunpleasantoccurrencestookplace。\'
\'Whatoccurrences，LadyArabella？\'
\'AndBeatriceissoveryanxiousonthispoint，\'saidherladyship，ignoringforthemomentMary\'squestion。\'Youtwohavebeensomuchtogether，thatshefeelsshecannotbequitehappyifyouarenotnearherwhensheisbeingmarried。\'
\'DearBeatrice！\'saidMary，warmedforthemomenttoanexpressionofgenuinefeeling。
\'Shecametomeyesterday，beggingthatIwouldwaiveanyobjectionI
mighthavetoyourbeingthere。Ihavemadehernoansweryet。WhatanswerdoyouthinkIoughttomakeher？\'
Marywasastoundedatthisquestion，andhesitatedinherreply。\'WhatanswerdoyouthinkIoughttomakeher？\'shesaid。
\'Yes，Mary。WhatanswertoyouthinkIoughttogive？Iwishtoaskyouthequestion，asyouarethepersonthemostconcerned。\'
Maryconsideredforawhile，thendidgiveheropiniononthematterinafirmvoice。\'IthinkyoushouldtellBeatrice，thatasyoucannotatpresentreceivemecordiallyinyourhouse，itwillbebetterthatyoushouldnotbecalledupontoreceivemeatall。\'
ThiswascertainlynotthesortofanswerthatLadyArabellaexpected，andshewasnowsomewhatastoundedinherturn。\'But，Mary，\'shesaid，\'IshouldbedelightedtoreceiveyoucordiallyifIcoulddoso。\'
\'Butitseemsyoucannot，LadyArabella；andsotheremustbeanendofit。\'
\'On，butIdonotknowthat：\'andshesmiledhersweetestsmile。\'Idonotknowthat。Iwanttoputanendtoallthisill-feeling，ifIcan。
Italldependsupononething，youknow。\'
\'Doesit，LadyArabella？\'
\'Yes，upononething。Youwon\'tbeangryifIaskyouanotherquestion——eh，Mary？\'
\'No；atleastIdon\'tthinkIwill。\'
\'IsthereanytruthinwhatwehearaboutyourbeingengagedtoFrank？\'
Marymadenoimmediateanswertothis；butsatquitesilent，lookingatLadyArabellaintheface；notbutthatshehadmadeuphermindastowhatanswershewouldgive，buttheexactwordsfailedheratthemoment。
\'Ofcourseyoumusthaveheardofsucharumour。\'
\'Oh，yes，Ihaveheardofit。\'
\'Yes，andyouhavenoticedit，andImustsayveryproperly。WhenyouwenttoBoxallHill，andbeforethatwithMissOriel\'stoheraunt\'s，I
thoughtyoubehavedextremelywell。\'Maryfeltherselfglowwithindignation，andbegantopreparethewordsthatshouldbesharpanddecisive。\'But，nevertheless，peopletalk；andFrank，whoisstillquiteaboy\'(Mary\'sindignationwasnotsoftenedbythisallusiontoFrank\'sfolly)，\'seemstohavegotsomenonsenseinhishead。Igrievetosayit，butIfeelmyselfinjusticeboundtodoso，thatinthismatterhehasnotactedaswellasyouhavedone。Now，therefore，Imerelyaskyouwhetherthereisanytruthinthereport。Ifyoutellmethatthereisnone，Ishallbequitecontented。\'
\'Butitisaltogethertrue，LadyArabella；Iamengagedtohim。\'
\'Engagedtobemarriedtohim？\'
\'Yes；engagedtobemarriedtohim。\'
Whatwastosayordonow？Nothingcouldbemoreplain，moredecided，orlessembarrassedwithdoubtthanMary\'sdeclaration。Andasshemadeitshelookedhervisitorfullintheface，blushingindeed，forhercheekswerenowsuffusedaswellasherforehead；butboldly，and，asitwere，withdefiance。
\'Andyoutellmethattomyface，MissThorne？\'
\'Andwhynot？Didyounotaskmethequestion；andwouldyouhavemyansweryouwithafalsehood？Iamengagedtohim。Asyouwouldputthequestiontome，whatothercouldImake？Thetruthis，Iamengagedtohim。\'
ThedecisiveabruptnesswithwhichMarydeclaredherowniniquityalmosttookawayherladyship\'sbreath。Shehadcertainlybelievedthattheywereengaged，andhadhardlyhopedthatMarywoulddenyit；butshehadnotexpectedthatthecrimewouldbeacknowledged，or，atanyrate，ifacknowledged，thattheconfessionwouldbemadewithoutsomeshowofshame。OnthisLadyArabellacouldhaveworked；buttherewasnosuchexpression，norwastheretheslightesthesitation。\'IamengagedtoFrankGresham，\'andhavingsosaid，Marylookedathervisitorfullintheface。
\'ThenitisindeedimpossiblethatyoushouldbereceivedatGreshamsbury。\'
\'Atpresent，quiteso，nodoubt：insayingso，LadyArabella，youonlyrepeattheanswerImadetoyourfirstquestion。IcannowgotoGreshamsburyonlyinonelight：thatofMrGresham\'saccepteddaughter-in-law。\'
\'Andthatisperfectlyoutofthequestion；altogetheroutofthequestion，nowandforever。\'
\'Iwillnotdisputewithyouaboutthat；but，asIsaidbefore，mybeingatBeatrice\'sweddingisnottobethoughtof。\'
LadyArabellasatforawhilesilent，thatshemightmeditate，ifpossible，calmlyastowhatlineofargumentshehadnowbettertake。Itwouldbefoolishinher，shethought，toreturnhome，havingmerelyexpressedheranger。ShehadnowanopportunityoftalkingtoMarywhichmightnotagainoccur：thedifficultywasindecidinginwhatspecialwaysheshouldusetheopportunity。Shouldshethreaten，orshouldsheentreat？Todoherjustice，itshouldbestated，thatshedidactuallybelievethatthemarriagewasallbutimpossible；shedidnotthinkthatitwouldtakeplace。Buttheengagementmightbetheruinofherson\'sprospects，seeinghowhehadbeforehimanimperative，oneimmediateduty——thatofmarryingmoney。
Havingconsideredallthisaswellasherhurrywouldallowher，shedeterminedfirsttoreason，thentoentreat，andlastly，ifnecessary，tothreaten。
\'Iamastonished！youcannotbesurprisedatthat，MissThorne：Iamastonishedathearingsosingularconfessionmade。\'
\'Doyouthinkmyconfessionsingular，orisitthefactofmybeingengagedtoyourson？\'
\'Wewillpassoverthatforthepresent。Butdoletmeaskyou，doyouthinkitpossible，Isaypossible，thatyouandFrankshouldbemarried？\'
\'Oh，certainly；quitepossible。\'
\'Ofcourseyouknowthathehasnotashillingintheworld。\'
\'NorhaveI，LadyArabella。\'
\'Norwillhehavewerehetodoanythingsoutterlyhostiletohisfather\'swishes。Theproperty，asyouareaware，isaltogetheratMrGresham\'sdisposal。\'
\'Iamawareofnothingabouttheproperty，andcansaynothingaboutitexceptthis，thatithasnotbeen，andwillnotbeinquiredafterbymeinthismatter。IfImarryFrankGresham，itwillnotbefortheproperty。Iamsorrytomakesuchanapparentboast，butyouforcemetodoit。\'
\'Onwhatthenareyoutolive？Youaretoooldforloveinacottage，I
suppose？\'
\'Notatalltooold；Frank，youknowis“stillquiteaboy“。\'
Impudenthussy！forward，ill-conditionedsaucyminx！suchweretheepithetswhichrosetoLadyArabella\'smind；butshepolitelysuppressedthem。
\'MissThorne，thissubjectisofcoursetomeveryserious；veryill-adaptedforjesting。Ilookuponsuchamarriageasabsolutelyimpossible。\'
\'Idonotknowwhatyoumeanbyimpossible，LadyArabella。\'
\'Imean，inthefirstplace，thatyoutwocouldnotgetyourselvesmarried。\'
\'Oh，yes；MrOrielwouldmanagethatforus。Wearehisparishioners，andhewouldbeboundtodoit。\'
\'Ibegyourpardon；Ibelievethatunderallthecircumstancesitwouldbeillegal。\'
Marysmiled；butshesaidnothing。\'Youmaylaugh，MissThorne，butI
thinkyouwillfindthatIamright。Therearestilllawstopreventsuchfearfuldistressaswouldbebroughtaboutbysuchamarriage。\'
\'IhopethatnothingIshalldowillbringdistressonthefamily。\'
\'Ah，butitwould；don\'tyouknowthatitwould？Thinkofit，MissThorne。ThinkofFrank\'sstate，andofhisfather\'sstate。Youknowenoughofthat，Iamsure，tobewellawarethatFrankisnotinaconditiontomarrywithoutmoney。ThinkofthepositionwhichMrGresham\'sonlysonshouldholdinthecounty；thinkoftheoldname，andthepridewehaveinit；youhavelivedamongusenoughtounderstandallthis；thinkofthesethings，andthensaywhetheritispossiblethatsuchamarriageshouldtakeplacewithoutfamilydistressofthedeepestkind。ThinkofMrGresham；ifyoutrulylovemyson，youcouldnotwishtobringonhimallthismiseryandruin。\'
Marynowwastouched，fortherewastruthinwhatLadyArabellasaid。
Butshehadnopowerofgoingback；hertrothwasplighted，andnothinganyhumanbeingcouldsayshouldtakeherfromit。Ifhe，indeed，chosetorepent，thatwouldbeanotherthing。
\'LadyArabella，\'shesaid，\'Ihavenothingtosayinfavourofthisengagement，exceptthathewishesit。\'
\'Andisthisareason，Mary？\'
\'Tomeitis；notonlyareason，butalaw。Ihavegivenhimmypromise。\'
\'Andyouwillkeepyourpromiseeventohisownruin？\'
\'Ihopenot。Ourengagement，unlessheshallchoosetobreakitoff，mustnecessarilybealongone；butthetimewillcome——\'
\'What！whenMrGreshamisdead？\'
\'Beforethat，Ihope。\'
\'Thereisnoprobabilityofit。Andbecauseheisheadstrong，you，whohavealwayshadcreditforsomuchsense，willholdhimtothismadengagement？\'
\'No，LadyArabella；Iwillnotholdhimtoanythingtowhichhedoesnotwishtobeheld。Nothingthatyoucansayshallmoveme：nothingthatanybodycansayshallinducemetobreakmypromisetohim。Butawordfromhimselfwilldoit。Onelookwillbesufficient。Lethimgivemetounderstand，inanyway，thathisloveformeisinjurioustohim——thathehaslearnttothinkso——andthenIwillrenouncemypartinthisengagementasquicklyasyoucouldwishit。\'
Therewasmuchinthispromise，butstillnotsomuchasLadyArabellawishedtoget。Mary，sheknew，wasobstinate，yetreasonable；Frank，shethought，wasbothobstinateandunreasonable。ItmightbepossibletoworkonMary\'sreason，butquiteimpossibletotouchFrank\'sirrationality。Soshepersevered——foolishly。
\'MissThorne——that，is，Mary，forIstillwishtobethoughtyourfriend——\'
\'Iwilltellyouthetruth，LadyArabella：forsomeconsiderabletimepastIhavenotthoughtyouso。\'
\'Thenyouhavewrongedme。ButIwillgoonwithwhatIwassaying。Youquiteacknowledgethatthisisafoolishaffair？\'
\'Iacknowledgenosuchthing。\'
\'Somethingverymuchlikeit。Youhavenotawordtosayinitsdefence。\'
\'Nottoyou：Idonotchoosetobeputonmydefencebyyou。\'
\'Idon\'tknowwhohasmoreright；however，youpromisethatifFrankwishesit，youwillreleasehimfromhisengagement。\'
\'Releasehim！Itisforhimtoreleaseme，thatis，ifhewishesit。\'
\'Verywell；atanyrate，yougivehimpermissiontodoso。Butwillitnotbemorehonourableforyoutobegin？\'
\'No；Ithinknot。\'
\'Ah，butitwould。Ifhe，inhisposition，shouldbethefirsttospeak，thefirsttosuggestthatthisaffairbetweenyouisafoolishone，whatwouldpeoplesay？\'
\'Theywouldsaythetruth。\'
\'Andwhatwouldyouyourselfsay？\'
\'Nothing。\'
\'Whatwouldhethinkhimself？\'
\'Ah，thatIdonotknow。Itisaccordingasthatmaybe，thathewillorwillnotactatyourbidding。\'
\'Exactly；andbecauseyouknowhimtobehigh-minded，becauseyouthinkthathe，havingsomuchtogive，willnotbreakhiswordtoyou——toyouwhohavenothingtogiveinreturn——itis，therefore，thatyousaythatthefirststepmustbetakenbyhim。Itthatnoble？\'
ThenMaryrosefromherseat，foritwasnolongerpossibleforhertospeakwhatitwasinhertosay，sittingthereleisurelyonhersofa。
LadyArabella\'sworshipofmoneyhadnothithertobeensobroughtforwardintheconversationastogiveherunpardonableoffence；butnowshefeltthatshecouldnolongerrestrainherindignation。\'Toyouwhohavenothingtogiveinreturn！\'Hadshenotgivenallthatshepossessed？Hadshenotemptiedhisstoreintoherlap？thatheartofhers，beatingwithsuchgenuinelife，capableofsuchperfectlove，throbbingwithsograndapride；hadshenotgiventhat？Andwasitnotthat，betweenhimandher，morethantwentyGreshamsburys，noblerthananypedigree？\'Toyouwhohavenothingtogive，\'indeed！Thistoherwhowassoreadytogiveeverything！
\'LadyArabella，\'shesaid，\'Ithinkthatyoudonotunderstandme，andthatitisnotlikelythatyoushould。Ifso，ourfurthertalkingwillbeworsethanuseless。Ihavetakennoaccountofwhatwillbegivenbetweenyoursonandmeinyoursenseofthewordgiving。Buthehasprofessedto——toloveme\'——asshespoke，shestilllookedonthelady\'sface，buthereyelashesscreenedhereyes，andhercolourwasalittleheightened——\'andIhaveacknowledgedthatIalsolovehim，andsoweareengaged。Tomemypromiseissacred。Iwillnotbethreatenedintobreakingit。If，however，heshallwishtochangehismind，hecandoso。Iwillnotupbraidhim；willnot，ifIcanhelpit，thinkharshlyofhim。Somuchyoumaytellhimifitsuitsyou；butIwillnotlistentoyourcalculationsastohowmuchorhowlittleeachofusmayhavetogivetotheother。\'
Shewasstillstandingwhenshefinishedspeaking，andsoshecontinuedtostand。HereyeswerefixedonLadyArabella，andherpositionseemedtosaythatsufficientwordshadbeenspoken，andthatitwastimethatherladyshipshouldgo；andsoLadyArabellafeltit。Graduallyshealsorose；slowly，buttacitly，sheacknowledgedthatshewasinthepresenceofaspiritsuperiortoherown；andsoshetookherleave。
\'Verywell，\'shesaid，inatonethatwasintendedtobegrandiloquent，butwhichfailedgrievously；\'Iwilltellhimthathehasyourpermissiontothinkasecondtimeonthismatter。Idonotdoubtthathewilldoso。\'Marywouldnotcondescendtoanswer，butcurtsiedlowashervisitorlefttheroom。Andsotheinterviewwasover。
Theinterviewwasover，andMarywasalone。SheremainedstandingaslongassheheardthefootstepsofFrank\'smotheronthestairs；notimmediatelythinkingofwhathadpassed，butstillbuoyingherselfupwithherhotindignation，asthoughherworkwithLadyArabellawasnotyetfinished；butwhenthefootfallwasnolongerheard，andthesoundoftheclosingdoortoldherthatshewasintruthalone，shesankbackinherseat，and，coveringherfacewithherhands，burstintobittertears。
Allthatdoctrineaboutmoneywashorribletoher；thatinsolentpretence，thatshehadcaughtatFrankbecauseofhisworldlyposition，madeherallbutferocious；butLadyArabellahadnotthelessspokenmuchthatwastrue。ShedidthinkofthepositionwhichtheheirofGreshamsburyshouldholdinthecounty，andofthefactthatsuchamarriagewouldmarthatpositionsovitally；shedidthinkoftheoldname，andtheoldGreshampride；shedidthinkofthesquireandhisdeepdistress：itwastruethatshehadlivedamongthemlongenoughtounderstandthesethings，andtoknowthatitwasnotpossiblethatthismarriageshouldtakeplacewithoutdeepfamilysorrow。
Andthensheaskedherselfwhether，inconsentingtoacceptFrank\'shand，shehadadequatelyconsideredthis；andshewasforcedtoacknowledgethatshehadnotconsideredit。ShehadridiculedLadyArabellaforsayingthatFrankwasstillaboy；butwasitnottruethathisofferhadbeenmadewithaboy\'senergy，ratherthanaman\'sforethought？Ifso，ifshehadbeenwrongtoaccedetothatofferwhenmade，wouldshenotbedoublywrongtoholdhimtoitnowthatshesawhiserror？
ItwasdoubtlesstruethatFrankhimselfcouldnotbethefirsttodrawback。Whatwouldpeoplesayofhim？Shecouldnowcalmlyaskherselfthequestionthathadsoangeredher，whenaskedbyLadyArabella。Ifhecouldnotdoit，andif，nevertheless，itbehovedthemtobreakoffthismatch，bywhomwasittobedoneifnotbyher？WasnotLadyArabellarightthroughout，rightinherconclusions，thoughsofoullywronginhermannerofdrawingthem？
Andthenshedidthinkforonemomentofherself。\'Youwhohavenothingtogiveinreturn！\'SuchhadbeenLadyArabella\'smainaccusationagainsther。Wasitinfacttruethatshehadnothingtogive？Hermaidenlove，herfemininepride，herverylife，andspirit，andbeing——werethesethingsnothing？Weretheytobeweighedagainstpoundssterlingperannum？and，whensoweighed，weretheyevertokickthebeamlikefeathers？Allthesethingshadbeennothingtoherwhen，withoutreflection，governedwhollybytheimpulseofthemoment，shehadfirstallowedhisdaringhandtolieforaninstantinherown。Shehadthoughtnothingofthesethingswhenthatothersuitorcame，richerfarthanFrank，tolovewhomitwasimpossibletoherasitwasnottolovehim。
Herlovehadbeenpurefromallsuchthoughts；shewasconsciousthatiteverwouldbepurefromthem。LadyArabellawasunabletocomprehendthis，and，therefore，wasLadyArabellasoutterlydistastefultoher。
Frankhadonceheldherclosetohiswarmbreast；andherverysoulhadthrilledwithjoytofeelthathesolovedher，——withajoywhichshehardlydaredtoacknowledge。Atthatmoment，hermaidenlyeffortshadbeenmadetopushhimoff，butherhearthadgrowntohis。Shehadacknowledgedhimtobemasterofherspirit；herbosom\'slord；themanwhomshehadbeenborntoworship；thehumanbeingtowhomitwasforhertolinkherdestiny。Frank\'sacreshadbeenofnoaccount；norhadhiswantofacres。Godhadbroughtthemtwotogetherthattheyshouldloveeachother；thatconvictionhadsatisfiedher，andshehadmadeitadutytoherselfthatshewouldlovehimwithherverysoul。Andnowshewascalledupontowrenchherselfasunderfromhimbecauseshehadnothingtogiveinreturn！
Well，shewouldwrenchherselfasunder，asfarassuchwrenchingmightbedonecompatiblywithhersolemnpromise。ItmightberightthatFrankshouldhaveanopportunityofferedhim，sothathemightescapefromhispositionwithoutdisgrace。Shewouldendeavourtogivehimthisopportunity。So，withonedeepsigh，shearose，tookherselfpen，ink，andpaper，andsatherselfdownagainsothatthewrenchingmightbegin。
Andthen，foramoment，shethoughtofheruncle。Whyhadhenotspokentoherofallthis？Whyhadhenotwarnedher？Hewhohadeverbeensogoodtoher，whyhadhenowfailedhersogrievously？Shehadtoldhimeverything，hadhadnosecretfromhim；buthehadneveransweredheraword。\'Healsomusthaveknown\'shesaidtoherself，piteously，\'healsomusthaveknownthatIcouldgivenothinginreturn。\'Suchaccusation，however，availedhernotatall，soshesatdownandslowlywroteherletter。
\'DearestFrank，\'shebegan。Shehadfirstwritten\'dearMrGresham\'；
butherheartrevoltedagainstsuchuselesscoldness。Shewasnotgoingtopretendshedidnotlovehim。
\'DEARESTFRANK，\'Yourmotherhasbeenheretalkingtomeaboutourengagement。
Idonotgenerallyagreewithheraboutsuchmatters；butshehassaidsomethingsto-daywhichIcannotbutacknowledgetobetrue。Shesays，thatourmarriagewouldbedistressingtoyourfather，injurioustoallyourfamily，andruinoustoyourself。Ifthisbeso，howcanI，wholoveyou，wishforsuchamarriage？
\'Iremembermypromise，andhavekeptit。Iwouldnotyieldtoyourmotherwhenshedesiredmetodisclaimourengagement。
ButIdothinkitwillbemoreprudentifyouwillconsenttoforgetallthathaspassedbetweenus——not，perhaps，toforgetit；thatmaynotbepossibleforus——buttoletitpassbyasthoughithadneverbeen。Ifso，ifyouthinkso，dearFrank，donothaveanyscruplesonmyaccount。Whatwillbebestforyou，mustbebestforme。Thinkwhatareflectionitwouldeverbetome，tohavebeentheruinofonethatIlovesowell。
\'LetmehavebutonewordtosaythatIamreleasedfrommypromise，andIwilltellmyunclethatthematterbetweenusisover。Itwillbepainfulforusatfirst；thoseoccasionalmeetingswhichmusttakeplacewilldistressus，butthatwillwearoff。Weshallalwaysthinkwellofeachother，andwhyshouldwenotbefriends？This，doubtless，cannotbedonewithoutinwardwounds；butsuchwoundsareinGod\'shands，andHecancurethem。
\'Iknowyourfirstfeelingswillbeonreadingthisletter；
butdonotansweritinobediencetosuchfeelings。Thinkoverit，thinkofyourfather，andallyouowehim，ofyouroldname，youroldfamily，andwhattheworldexpectsofyou。\'
(Marywasforcedtoputherhandtohereyes，tosavethepaperfromherfallingtears，asshefoundherselfthusrepeating，nearlywordforword，theargumentsthathadbeenusedbyLadyArabella。)\'Thinkofthesethingscoolly，ifyoucan，but，atanyrate，withoutpassion：andthenletmehaveonewordinanswer。Onewordwillsuffice。
\'Ihavebuttoaddthis：donotallowyourselftothinkthatmyheartwilleverreproachyou。ItcannotreproachyoufordoingthatwhichImyselfsuggest。\'(Mary\'slogicinthiswasveryfalse；butshewasnotherselfawareofit。)\'Iwillneverreproachyoueitherinwordorthought；andasforallothers，itseemstomethattheworldagreesthatwehavehithertobeenwrong。Theworld，Ihope，willbesatisfiedwhenwehaveobeyedit。
\'Goblessyou，dearestFrank！Ishallnevercallyousoagain；butitwouldbeapretencewereItowriteotherwiseinthisletter。Thinkofthis，andthenletmehaveoneline。
\'Youraffectionatefriend，MARYTHORNE\'
\'PS——OfcourseIcannotbeatdearBeatrice\'smarriage；butwhentheycomebacktotheparsonage，Ishallseeher。Iamsuretheywillbothbehappy，becausetheyaresogood。IneedhardlysaythatIshallthinkofthemontheirweddingday。\'
Whenshefinishedtheletter，sheaddresseditplainly，inherownsomewhatboldhandwriting，toFrancisN。Gresham，Jun。，Esq。，andthentookitherselftothelittlevillagepost-office。Thereshouldbenothingunderhandabouthercorrespondence：alltheGreshamsburyworldshouldknowofit——thatworldofwhichshehadspokeninherletter——ifthatworldsopleased。Havingputherpennylabelonit，shehandedit，withanopenbrowandanunembarrassedface，tothebaker\'swife，whowasHerMajesty\'spostmistressatGreshamsbury；and，havingsofinishedherwork，shereturnedtoseethetablepreparedforheruncle\'sdinner。
\'Iwillsaynothingtohim，\'shesaidtoherself，\'tillIgettheanswer。Hewillnottalktomeaboutit，sowhyshouldItroublehim？\'
CHAPTERXLIII
THERACEOFSCATCHERDBECOMESEXTINCT
Itwillnotbeimagined，atanyratebyfemininereaders，thatMary\'sletterwaswrittenoffatonce，withoutalterationsandchanges，orthenecessityforafaircopy。Lettersfromoneyoungladytoanotheraredoubtlesswritteninthismanner，andevenwiththemitmightsometimesbebetterifmorepatiencehadbeentaken；butwithMary\'sfirstlettertoherlover——herfirstlove-letter，iflove-letteritcanbecalled-muchmorecarewasused。Itwascopiedandre-copied，andwhenshereturnedfrompostingit，itwasreadandre-read。
\'Itisverycold，\'shesaidtoherself；\'hewillthinkIhavenoheart，thatIhaveneverlovedhim！\'Andthensheallbutresolvedtorundowntothebaker\'swife，andgetbackherletter，thatshemightalterit。
\'Butitwillbebetterso，\'shesaidagain。\'IfItouchedhisfeelingsnow，hewouldneverbringhimselftoleaveme。ItisrightthatIshouldbecoldwithhim。IshouldbefalsetomyselfifItriedtomovehislove——I，whohavenothingtogivehiminreturnforit。\'Andsoshemadenofurthervisittothepost-office，andtheletterwentonitsway。
Wewillnowfollowitsfortunesforashortwhile，andexplainhowitwasthatMaryreceivednoanswerforaweek；aweek，itmaywellbeimagined，ofterriblesuspensetoher。Whenshetookittothepost-office，shedoubtlessthoughtthatthebaker\'swifehadnothingtodobuttosendituptothehouseatGreshamsbury，andthatFrankwouldreceiveitthatevening，or，atlatest，earlyonthefollowingmorning。
Butthiswasbynomeansso。TheepistlewaspostedonaFridayafternoon，anditbehovedthebaker\'swifetosenditintoSilverbridge——Silverbridgebeingthepost-town——sothatalldueformalities，asorderedbytheQueen\'sGovernment，mighttherebeperfected。Now，unfortunatelythepost-boyhadtakenhisdeparturebeforeMaryreachedtheshop，anditwasnot，therefore，dispatchedtillSaturday。SundaywasalwaysadiesnonwiththeGreshamsburyMercury，and，consequently，Frank\'sletterwasnotdeliveredatthehousetillMondaymorning；atwhichtimeMaryhadfortwolongdaysbeenwaitingwithwearyheartfortheexpectedanswer。
NowFrankhadonthatmorninggoneuptoLondonbytheearlytrain，withhisfuturebrother-in-law，MrOriel。Inordertoaccomplishthis，theyhadleftGreshamsburyforBarchesterexactlyasthepostboywasleavingSilverbridgeforGreshamsbury。
\'Ishouldliketowaitformyletters，\'MrOrielhadsaid，whenthejourneywasbeingdiscussed。
\'Nonsense，\'Frankhadanswered。\'Whoevergotaletterthatwasworthwaitingfor？\'andsoMarywasdoomedtoaweekofmisery。
Whenthepost-bagarrivedatthehouseonMondaymorningitwasopenedasusualbythesquirehimselfatthebreakfast-table。\'HereisaletterforFrank，\'saidhe，\'postedinthevillage。Youhadbettersendittohim：\'andhethrewtheletteracrosstoBeatrice。
\'It\'sfromMary，\'saidBeatrice，outloud，takingtheletterupandexaminingtheaddress。Andhavingsaidso，sherepentedwhatshehaddone，asshelookedfirstatherfatherandthenathermother。
Acloudcameoverthesquire\'sbrowasforaminutehewentonturningoverthelettersandnewspapers。\'Oh，fromMaryThorne，isit？\'hesaid。
\'Well，youhadbettersendittohim。\'
\'Franksaidthatifanyletterscametheyweretobekept，\'saidhissisterSophy。\'Hetoldmesoparticularly。Idon\'tthinkhelikeshavingletterssenttohim。\'
\'Youhadbettersendthatone，\'saidthesquire。
\'MrOrielistohaveallhislettersaddressedtoLong\'sHotel，BondStreet，andthisonecanverywellbesentwiththem，\'saidBeatrice，whoknewallaboutit，andintendedherselftomakefreeuseoftheaddress。
\'Yes，youhadbettersendit，\'saidthesquire；andthennothingfurtherwassaidatthetable。ButLadyArabella，thoughshesaidnothing，hadnotfailedtomarkwhathadpassed。Hadsheaskedfortheletterbeforethesquire，hewouldprobablyhavetakenpossessionofithimself；butassoonasshewasalonewithBeatrice，shediddemandit，\'IshallbewritingtoFrankhimself，\'shesaid，\'andwillsendittohim。\'Andso，Beatrice，withaheavyheart，gaveitup。
TheletterlaybeforeLadyArabella\'seyesallthatday，andmanyawistfulglancewascastatit。Sheturneditoverandover，andmuchdesiredtoknowitscontents；butshedidnotdaretobreakthesealofherson\'sletter。Allthatdayitlayuponherdesk，andallthenext，forshecouldhardlybringherselftopartwithit；butontheWednesdayitwassent——sentwiththeselinesfromherself：-
\'Dearest，dearestFrank，IsendyoualetterwhichhascomebythepostfromMaryThorne。Idonotknowwhatitmaycontain；butbeforeyoucorrespondwithher，pray，praythinkofwhatIsaidtoyou。Formysake，foryourfather\'s，foryourown，praythinkofit。\'
Thatwasall，butitwasenoughtomakeherwordtoBeatricetrue。ShedidsendittoFrankenclosedinaletterfromherself。WemustreserveforthenextchapterwhathadtakenplacebetweenFrankandhismother；
but，forthepresent，wewillreturntothedoctor\'shouse。
Marysaidnotawordtohimabouttheletter；but，keepingsilentonthesubject，shefeltwretchedlyestrangedfromhim。\'Isanythingthematter，Mary？\'hesaidtoherontheSundayafternoon。
\'No，uncle，\'sheanswered，turningawayherheadtohidehertears。
\'Ah，butthereissomething；whatisit，dearest？\'
\'Nothing——thatis，nothingthatonecantalkabout。\'
\'WhatMary！Beunhappyandnottotalkaboutittome？That\'ssomethingnew，isitnot？\'
\'Onehaspresentimentssometimes，andisunhappywithoutknowingwhy。
Besides，youknow——\'
\'Iknow！WhatdoIknow？DoIknowanythingthatwillmakemypethappier？\'andhetookherintohisarmsandtheysattogetheronthesofa。Hertearswerenowfallingfast，andshenolongermadeanefforttohidethem。\'Speaktome，Mary；thisissomethingmorethanapresentiment。Whatisit？\'
\'Oh，uncle——\'
\'Come，love，speaktome；tellmewhyyouaregrieving。\'
\'Oh，uncle，whyhaveyounotspokentome？Whyhaveyounottoldmewhattodo？Whyhaveyounotadvisedme？Whyareyoualwayssosilent？\'
\'Silentaboutwhat？\'
\'Youknow，uncle；silentabouthim；silentaboutFrank。\'
Why，indeed？Whatwashetosaytothis？Itwastruethathehadnevercounselledher；nevershownherwhatcoursesheshouldtake；hadneverevenspoketoheraboutherlover。Anditwasequallytruethathewasnotnowpreparedtodoso，eveninanswertosuchanappealasthis。Hehadahope，astronghope，morethanahope，thatMary\'slovewouldyetbehappy；buthecouldnotexpressorexplainhishope；norcouldheevenacknowledgetohimselfawishthatwouldseemtobebasedonthedeathofhimtowhoselifehewasbound，ifpossible，topreserve。
\'Mylove，\'hesaid，\'itisamatterinwhichyoumustjudgeforyourself。DidIdoubtyourconduct，Ishouldinterfere；butIdonot。\'
\'Conduct！Isconducteverything？Onemayconductoneselfexcellently，andyetbreakone\'sheart。\'
Thiswastoomuchforthedoctor；hissternnessandfirmnessinstantlydesertedhim。\'Mary，\'hesaid，\'Iwilldoanythingthatyouwouldhaveme。Ifyouwishit，Iwillmakearrangementsforleavingthisplaceatonce。\'
\'Oh，no，\'shesaid，plaintively。
\'Whenyoutellmeofabrokenheart，youalmostbreakmyown。Cometome，darling；donotleavemeso。IwillsayallthatIcansay。Ihavethought，dostillthink，thatcircumstanceswilladmitofyourmarriagewithFrankifyoubothloveeachother，andcanbothbepatient。\'
\'Youthinkso，\'saidshe，unconsciouslyslidingherhandintohis，asthoughtothankhimbyitspressureforthecomforthewasgivingher。
\'Idothinksonowmorethanever。ButIonlythinkso；Ihavebeenunabletoassureyou。There，darling，Imustnotsaymore；onlythatI
cannotbeartoseeyougrieving，Iwouldnothavesaidthis：\'andthenhelefther，andnothingmorewasspokenonthesubject。
Ifyoucanbepatient！Why，apatienceoftenyearswouldbeasnothingtoher。Couldshebutlivewiththeknowledgethatshewasfirstinhisestimation，dearestinhisheart；coulditbealsograntedtohertofeelthatshewasregardedashisequal，shecouldbepatientforever。
Whatmoredidshewantthantoknowandfeelthis？Patient，indeed！
Butwhatcouldthesecircumstancesbetowhichherunclehadalluded？\'I
dothinkthatcircumstanceswilladmitofyourmarriage。\'Suchwashisopinion，andshehadneverknownhimtobewrong。Circumstances！Whatcircumstances？DidheperhapsmeanthatMrGresham\'saffairswerenotsobadastheyhadbeenthoughttobe？Ifso，thatalonewouldhardlyalterthematter，forwhatcouldshegiveinreturn？\'Iwouldgivehimtheworldforonewordoflove，\'shesaidtoherself，\'andneverthinkthathewasmydebtor。Ah！howbeggarlytheheartmustbethatspeculatesonsuchgiftsasthose！\'
Buttherewasheruncle\'sopinion：hestillthoughtthattheymightbemarried。Oh，whyhadshesentherletter？andwhyhadshemadeitsocold？Withsuchaletterasthatbeforehim，Frankcouldnotdootherthanconsenttoherproposal。Andthen，whydidhenotatleastanswerit？
OntheSundayafternoontherearrivedatGreshamsburyamanandahorsefromBoxallHill，bearingaletterfromLadyScatcherdtoDrThorne，earnestlyrequestingthedoctor\'simmediateattendance。\'IfeareverythingisoverwithpoorLouis，\'wrotetheunhappymother。\'Ithasbeendreadful。Docometome；Ihavenootherfriend，andIamnearlywornthroughwithit。Themanfromthecity\'——shemeantDrFillgrave——\'comeseveryday，andIdaresayheisallverywell，buthehasneverdonemuchgood。Hehasnothadspiritenoughtokeepthebottlefromhim；anditwasthat，andthatonly，thatmostbehovedtobedone。Idoubtyouwon\'tfindhiminthisworldwhenyougethere。\'
DrThornestartedimmediately。EventhoughhemighthavetomeetDrFillgrave，hecouldnothesitate，forhewentnotasadoctortothedyingman，butasthetrusteeunderSirRoger\'swill。Moreover，asLadyScatcherdhadsaid，hewasonlyherfriend，andhecouldnotdesertheratsuchamomentforanarmyofFillgraves。HetoldMaryheshouldnotreturnthatnight；andtakingwithhimasmallsaddle-bag，hestartedatonceforBoxallHill。
Asherodetothehalldoor，DrFillgravewasgettingintohiscarriage。
Theyhadnevermetsoastospeaktoeachothersincethatmemorableday，whentheyhadtheirfamouspassageofarmsinthehallofthatveryhousebeforewhichtheybothnowstood。But，atthepresentmoment，neitherofthemwasdisposedtorenewthefight。
\'Whatnewsofyourpatient，Fillgrave？\'saidourdoctor，stillseatedonhissweatinghorse，andputtinghishandlightlytohishat。
DrFillgravecouldnotrefrainfromonemomentofsuperciliousdisdain：
hegaveonelittlechucktohishead，onelittletwisttohisneck，onelittlesqueezetohislips，andthenthemanwithinhimovercamethedoctor。\'SirLouisisnomore，\'hesaid。
\'God\'swillbedone！\'saidDrThorne。
\'Hisdeathisarelease；forhislastdayshavebeenveryfrightful。
Yourcoming，DrThorne，willbeacomforttoLadyScatcherd。\'AndthenDrFillgrave，thinkingthateventhepresentcircumstancesrequirednofurthercondescension，ensconcedhimselfinthecarriage。
\'Hislastdayshavebeenverydreadful！Ah，me，poorfellow！DrFillgrave，beforeyougo，allowmetosaythis：Iamquiteawarethatwhenhefellintoyourhands，nomedicalskillintheworldcouldsavehim。\'
DrFillgravebowedlowfromthecarriage，andafterthisunwontedexchangeofcourtesies，thetwodoctorsparted，nottomeetagain——atanyrate，inthepagesofthisnovel。OfDrFillgrave，letitnowbesaid，thatheisnowregardedasoneofthecelebritiesofBarchester。
LadyScatcherdwasfoundsittingaloneinherlittleroomontheground-floor。EvenHannahwasnotwithher，forHannahwasnowoccupiedupstairs。Whenthedoctorenteredtheroom，whichhedidunannounced，hefoundherseatedonachair，withherbackagainstoneofthepresses，herhandsclaspedtogetheroverherknees，gazingintovacancy。Shedidnoteverhearhimorseehimasheapproached，andhishandhadlightlytouchedhershoulderbeforesheknewthatshewasnotalone。Then，shelookedupathimwithafacesofullofsorrow，sowornwithsuffering，thathisownheartwasrackedtoseeher。
\'It\'sallover，myfriend，\'saidhe。\'Itisbetterso；muchbetterso。\'
Sheseemedatfirsthardlytounderstandhim，butstillregardinghimwiththatwanface，shookherheadslowlyandsadly。OnemighthavethoughtthatshewastwentyyearsolderthanwhenDrThornelastsawher。
Hedrewachairtoherside，andsittingbyher，tookherhandinhis。
\'Itisbetterso，LadyScatcherd；betterso，\'herepeated。\'Thepoorlad\'sdoomhadbeenspoken，anditiswellforhim，andforyou，thatitshouldbeover。\'
\'Theyarebothgonenow，\'saidshe，speakingverylow；\'bothgonenow。
Oh，doctor！Tobeleftalonehere，allalone！\'
Hesaidsomefewwordstryingtocomforther；butwhocancomfortawidowbereavedofherchild？Whocanconsoleaheartthathaslostallitpossessed？SirRogerhadnotbeentoheratenderhusband；butstillhehadbeenthehusbandofherlove。SirLouishadnotbeentoheranaffectionateson；butstillhehadbeenherchild，heronlychild。Nowtheywerebothgone。Whocanwonderthattheworldshouldbeablanktoher？
Stillthedoctorspokesoothingwords，andstillheheldherhand。Heknewthathiswordscouldnotconsoleher；butthesoundsofhiskindnessatsuchdesolatemomentsare，tosuchmindsashers，somealleviationofgrief。Shehardlyansweredhim，butsattherestaringoutbeforeher，leavingherhandpassivelytohim，andswayingherheadbackwardsandforwardsasthoughhergriefweretooheavytobeborne。
Atlast，hereyeresteduponanarticlewhichstooduponthetable，andshestartedupimpetuouslyfromherchair。Shedidthissosuddenly，thatthedoctor\'shandfellbesidehimbeforeheknewthatshehadrisen。Thetablewascoveredwithallthoseimplementswhichbecomesofrequentaboutahousewhensevereillnessisaninhabitantthere。Therewerelittleboxesandapothecaries\'bottles，cupsandsaucersstandingseparate，andbowls，inwhichmesseshavebeenpreparedwiththehopeofsuitingasickman\'sfailingappetite。Therewasasmallsaucepanstandingonaplate，acuriouslyshapedglassutensilleftbythedoctor，andsundrypiecesofflannel，whichhadbeenusedinrubbingthesufferer\'slimbs。Butinthemiddleofthedebrisstoodoneblankbottle，withheaderect，unsuitedtothecompanionshipinwhichitwasfound。
\'There，\'shesaid，risingup，andseizingitinamannerthatwouldhavebeenridiculoushaditnotbeensotrulytragic。\'There，thathasrobbedmeofeverything——offatherandson；thathasswallowedthemboth——murderedthemboth！Oh，doctor！thatsuchathingasthatshouldevercausesuchbittersorrow！Ihavehateditalways，butnow——Oh，woeisme！wearyme！\'Andthensheletthebottledropfromherhandasthoughitweretooheavyforher。
\'Thiscomesofbarro-niting，\'shecontinued。\'Iftheyhadlethimalone，hewouldhavebeenherenow，andsowouldtheotherone。Whydidtheydoit？whydidtheydoit？Ah，doctor！peoplesuchasusshouldnevermeddlewiththemaboveus。Seewhathascomeofit；seewhathascomeofit！\'
Thedoctorcouldnotremainwithherlong，asitwasnecessarythatheshouldtakeuponhimselfthedirectionofthehousehold，andgiveordersforthefuneral。Firstofall，hehadtoundergothesaddutyofseeingthecorpseofthedeceasedbaronet。This，atanyrate，maybesparedtomyreaders。Itwasfoundtobenecessarythattheinternmentshouldbemadeveryquickly，asthebodywasnearlydestroyedbyalcohol。Havingdoneallthis，andsentbackhishorsetoGreshamsbury，withdirectionsthatclothesforajourneymightbesenttohim，andanoticethatheshouldnotbehomeforsomedays，heagainreturnedtoLadyScatcherd。
Ofcoursehecouldnotbutthinkmuchoftheimmensepropertywhichwasnow，forashorttime，altogetherinhisownhands。HisresolutionwassoonmadetogoatoncetoLondonandconsultthebestlawyerhecouldfind——orthebestdozenlawyersshouldsuchbenecessary——astothevalidityofMary\'sclaims。ThismustbedonebeforehesaidawordtoherortoanyoftheGreshamfamily；butitmustbedoneinstantly，sothatallsuspensemightbeatanendassoonaspossible。Hemust，ofcourse，remainwithLadyScatcherdtillthefuneralshouldbeover；butwhenthatofficeshouldbecomplete，hewouldstartinstantlyforLondon。
InresolvingtotellnooneastoMary\'sfortunetillafterhehadfortifiedhimselfwithlegalwarranty，hemadeoneexception。HethoughtitrationalthatheshouldexplaintoLadyScatcherdwhowasnowtheheirunderherhusband\'swill；andhewasmoreinclinedtodoso，fromfeelingthatthenewswouldprobablybegratifyingtoher。Withthisview，hehadonceortwiceendeavouredtoinducehertotalkabouttheproperty，butshehadbeenunwillingtodoso。Sheseemedtodislikeallallusionstoit，anditwasnotuntilshehadincidentallymentionedthefactthatshewouldhavetolookforahome，thathewasabletofixhertothesubject。Thiswasontheeveningbeforethefuneral；ontheafternoonofwhichdayheintendedtoproceedtoLondon。
\'Itmayprobablybearrangedthatyoumaycontinuetolivehere，\'saidthedoctor。
\'Idon\'twishitatall，\'saidshe，rathersharply。\'Idon\'twishtohaveanyarrangementsmade。Iwouldnotbeindebtedtoanyofthemforanything。Oh，dear！ifmoneycouldmakeitallright，Ishouldhaveenoughofthat。\'
\'Indebtedtowhom，LadyScatcherd？WhodoyouthinkwillbetheownerofBoxallHill？\'
\'Indeed，then，DrThorne，Idon\'tmuchcare：unlessitbeyourself，itwon\'tbeanyfriendofmine，oranyoneIshallcaretomakeafriendof。Itisn\'tsoeasyforanoldwomanlikemetomakenewfriends。\'
\'Well，itcertainlywon\'tbelongtome。\'
\'Iwishitdid，withallmyheart。Buteventhen，Iwouldnotlivehere。Ihavehadtoomanytroublesheretowishtoseemore。\'
\'Thatshallbeasyoulike，LadyScatcherd；butyouwillbesurprisedtohearthattheplacewill——atleastIthinkitwill——belongtoafriendofyours：toonetowhomyouhavebeenverykind。\'
\'Andwhoishe，doctor？Won\'titgotosomeofthoseAmericans？IamsureIneverdidanythingkindtothem；though，indeed，IdidlovepoorMaryScatcherd。Butthat\'syearsuponyearsago，andsheisdead，andgonenow。Well，IbegrudgenothingtoMary\'schildren。AsIhavenoneofmyown，itisrightthattheyshouldhavethemoney。Ithasnotmademehappy；Ihopeitmaydothem。\'
\'Thepropertywill，Ithink，gotoMaryScatcherd\'seldestchild。ItisshewhomyouhaveknownasMaryThorne。\'
\'Doctor！\'AndthenLadyScatcherd，asshemadetheexclamation，putbothherhandsdowntoholdherchair，asthoughshefearedtheweightofhersurprisewouldtoppleheroffherseat。
\'Yes；MaryThorne——myMary——towhomyouhavebeensogood，wholovesyousowell；she，Ibelieve，willbeSirRoger\'sheiress。AnditwassothatSirRogerintendedonhisdeathbed，intheeventofpoorLouis\'slifebeingcutshort。Ifthisbeso，willyoubeashamedtostayhereastheguestofMaryThorne？Shehasnotbeenashamedtobeyourguest。\'
ButLadyScatcherdwasnowtoomuchinterestedinthegeneraltenorofthenewswhichshehadheardtocaremuchaboutthehousewhichshewastoinhabitinfuture。MaryThorne，theheiressofBoxallHill！MaryThorne，thestilllivingchildofthatpoorcreaturewhohadsonearlydiedwhentheywereallafflictedwiththeirearlygrief！Well；therewasconsolation，therewascomfortinthis。Therewerebutthreepeopleleftintheworldthatshecouldlove：herfoster-child，FrankGresham——MaryThorne，andthedoctor。IfthemoneywenttoMary，itwouldofcoursegotoFrank，forshenowknewthattheylovedeachother；andifitwenttothem，wouldnotthedoctorhavehissharealso；
suchshareashemightwant？Couldshehavegovernedthematter，shewouldhavegivenalltoFrank；andnowitwouldbeaswellbestowed。
Yes；therewasconsolationinthis。Theybothsatupmorethanhalfthenighttalkingoverit，andgivingandreceivingexplanations。Ifonlythecounciloflawyerswouldnotbeadverse！Thatwasnowthepointofsuspense。
Thedoctor，beforehelefther，badeherholdherpeace，andsaynothingofMary\'sfortunetoanyonetillherrightshavebeenabsolutelyacknowledged。\'Itwillbenothingnottohaveit，\'saidthedoctor；\'butitwouldbeverybadtohearitwashers，andthentoloseit。\'
Onthenextmorning，DrThornedepositedtheremainsofSirLouisinthevaultpreparedforthefamilyintheparishchurch。Helaidthesonwhereafewmonthsagohehadlaidthefather，——andsothetitleofScatcherdbecameextinct。Theirraceofhonourhadnotbeenlong。
Afterthefuneral，thedoctorhurrieduptoLondon，andtherewewillleavehim。
CHAPTERXLIV
SATURDAYEVENINGANDSUNDAYMORNING
WemustnowgobackalittleanddescribehowFrankhadbeensentoffonspecialbusinesstoLondon。ThehouseholdatGreshamsburywasatthistimeinbutadolefulstate。Itseemedtobepervaded，fromthesquiredowntothescullery-maid，withafeelingthatthingswerenotgoingwell；andmenandwomen，inspiteofBeatrice\'scomingmarriage，weregrim-visaged，anddolorous。MrMortimerGazebee，rejectedthoughhehadbeen，still，wentandcame，talkingmuchtothesquire，muchalsotoherladyship，astotheill-doingswhichwereinthecourseofprojectionbySirLouis；andFrankwentaboutthehousewithcloudedbrow，asthoughfinallyresolvedtoneglecthisonegreatduty。
PoorBeatricewasrobbedofhalfherjoy；overandoveragainherbrotheraskedherwhethershehadyetseenMary，andshewasobligedasoftentoanswerthatshehadnot。Indeed，shedidnotdaretovisitherfriend，foritwashardlypossiblethattheyshouldsympathizewitheachother。Marywas，tosaytheleast，stubborninherpride；andBeatrice，thoughshecouldforgiveherfriendforlovingherbrother，couldnotforgivetheobstinacywithwhichMarypersistedinacoursewhich，asBeatricethought，sheherselfknewtobewrong。
AndthenMrGazebeecamedownfromtown，withanintimationthatitbehovedthesquirehimselftogoupthathemightseecertainlearnedpundits，andbebadgeredinhisownpersonatvariousdingy，dismalchambersinLincoln\'sInnFields，theTemple，andGray\'sInnLane。Itwasaninvitationexactlyofthatsortwhichagoodmanyyearsagowasgiventoacertainduck。
\'Willyou，willyou——willyou，willyou——comeandbekilled？\'AlthoughMrGazebeeurgedthematterwithsucheloquence，thesquireremainedsteadytohisobjection，andswamobstinatelyabouthisGreshamsburypondinanydirectionsavethatwhichseemedtoleadtowardsLondon。
ThisoccurredontheveryeveningofthatFridaywhichhadwitnessedtheLadyArabella\'slastvisittoDrThorne\'shouse。Thequestionofthesquire\'snecessaryjourneytothegreatfountainsofjusticewas，ofcourse，discussedbetweenLadyArabellaandMrGazebee；anditoccurredtotheformer，fullasshewasofFrank\'siniquityandofMary\'sobstinacy，thatifFrankweresentupinlieuofhisfather，itwouldseparatethematleastforawhile。IfshecouldonlygetFrankawaywithoutseeinghislove，shemightyetsoworkuponhim，bymeansofthemessagewhichMaryhadsent，astopostpone，ifnotbreakoff，thishatefulmatch。Itwasinconceivablethatayouthoftwenty-three，andsuchayouthasFrank，shouldbeobstinatelyconstanttoagirlpossessedofnogreatbeauty——soarguedLadyArabellatoherself——andwhohadneitherwealth，birth，norfashiontorecommendher。
Andthisitwasatlastsettled——thesquirebeingawillingpartnertotheagreement——thatFrankshouldgoupandbebadgeredinlieuofhisfather。Athisageitwaspossibletomakeathingdesirable，ifnotnecessary——onaccountoftheimportanceconveyed——tositdayafterdayinthechambersofMessrsSlow&Bideawhile，andhearmustylawtalk，andfingerdustylawparchments。ThesquirehadmademanyvisitstoMessrsSlow&Bideawhile，andheknewbetter。Frankhadnothithertobeenthereonhisownbottom，andthushefelleasilyintothetrap。
MrOrielwasalsogoingtoLondon，andthiswasanotherreasonforsendingFrank。MrOrielhadbusinessofgreatimportance，whichitwasquitenecessarythatheshouldexecutebeforehismarriage。Howmuchofthisbusinessconsistedingoingtohistailor，buyingawedding-ring，andpurchasingsomeothermorecostlypresentforBeatrice，weneednothereinquire。ButMrOrielwasquiteonLadyArabella\'ssidewithreferencetothismadengagement，andasFrankandhewerenowfastfriends，somegoodmightbedoneinthatway。\'Ifweallcautionhimagainstit，hecanhardlywithstandusall！\'saidLadyArabellatoherself。
ThematterwasbroachedtoFrankontheSaturdayevening，andsettledbetweenthemallonthesamenight。Nothing，ofcourse，wasatthatmomentsaidaboutMary；butLadyArabellawastoofullofthesubjecttolethimgotoLondonwithouttellinghimthatMarywasreadytorecedeifonlyhewouldallowhertodoso。Abouteleveno\'clock，Frankwassittinginhisownroom，comingoverthedifficultiesofthesituation——thinkingofhisfather\'stroubles，hisownposition——whenhewasrousedfromhisreveriebyaslighttapatthedoor。
\'Comein，\'hesaidsomewhatloudly。Hethoughtitwasoneofhissisters，whowereapttovisithimatallhoursandforallmannerofreasons；andhe，thoughhewasusuallygentletothem，wasnotatpresentexactlyinahumourtobedisturbed。
Thedoorgentlyopened，andhesawhismotherstandinghesitatinginthepassage。
\'CanIcomein，Frank？\'saidshe。
\'Oh，yes，mother；byallmeans：\'andthen，withsomesurprisemarkedinhiscountenance，hepreparedaseatforher。SuchavisitasthisfromLadyArabellawasveryunusual；somuchso，thathehadprobablynotseenherinhisownroomsincethedaywhenhefirstleftschool。Hehadnothing，however，tobeashamedof；nothingtoconcealunlessitwereanopenletterfromMissDunstablewhichhehadinhishandwhensheentered，andwhichhesomewhathurriedlythrustintohispocket。
\'Iwantedtosayafewwordstoyou，Frank，beforeyoustartforLondonaboutthisbusiness。\'Franksignifiedbyagesture，thathewasquitereadytolistentoher。
\'Iamsogladtoseeyourfatherputtingthematterintoyourhands。Youareyoungerthanheis；andthen——Idon\'tknowwhy，butsomehowyourfatherhasneverbeenagoodmanofbusiness——everythinghasgonewrongwithhim。\'
\'Oh，mother！donotsayanythingagainsthim。\'
\'No，Frank，Iwillnot；Idonotwishit。Thingshavebeenunfortunate，certainly。Ahme！IlittlethoughtwhenImarried——butIdon\'tmeantocomplain——Ihaveexcellentchildren，andIoughttobethankfulforthat。\'
Frankbegantofearthatnogoodwouldbecomingwhenhismotherspokeinthatstrain。\'IwilldothebestIcan，\'saidhe，\'upintown。I
can\'thelpthinkingmyselfthatMrGazebeemighthavedoneaswell，but——\'
\'Oh，dearno；bynomeans。Insuchcasestheprincipalmustshowhimself。Besides，itisrightyoushouldknowhowmattersstand。Whoissomuchinterestedinitasyouare？PoorFrank！IdosooftenfeelforyouwhenIthinkhowthepropertyhasdwindled。\'
\'Praydonotmindme，mother。Whyshouldyoutalkofitasmymatterwhilemyfatherisnotyetforty-five？Hislife，sotospeak，isasgoodasmine。Icandoverywellwithoutit；allIwantistobeallowedtosettletosomething。\'
\'Youmeanaprofession。\'
\'Yes；somethingofthatsort。\'
\'Theyareallsoslow，dearFrank。You，whospeakFrenchsowell——I
shouldthinkmybrothermightgetyouinasanattachetosomeembassy。\'
\'Thatwouldn\'tsuitmeatall，\'saidFrank。
\'Well，we\'lltalkaboutthatsomeothertime。ButIcameaboutsomethingelse，andIdohopeyouwillhearme。\'
Frank\'sbrowagaingrewblack，forheknewthathismotherwasabouttosaysomethingwhichitwouldbedisagreeableforhimtohear。
\'IwaswithMary，yesterday。\'
\'Well，mother？\'
\'Don\'tbeangrywithme，Frank；youcan\'tbutknowthatthefateofanonlysonmustbeasubjectofanxietytoamother。\'Ah！howsingularlyalteredwasLadyArabella\'stonesincefirstshehadtakenuponherselftodiscussthemarriageprospectsofherson！Thenhowautocratichadshebeenasshewenthimaway，biddinghim，withfullcommand，tothrowhimselfintothegoldenembracesofMissDunstable！Butnow，howhumble，asshecamesuppliantlytohisroom，cravingthatshemighthaveleavetowhisperintohisearamother\'sanxiousfears！Frankhadlaughedathersternbehests，thoughhehadhalfobeyedthem；buthewastouchedtotheheartbyherhumility。
Hedrewhischairnearertoher，andtookherbythehand。Butshe，disengaginghers，partedthehairfromoffhisforehead，andkissedhisbrow。\'Oh，Frank，\'shesaid，\'Ihavebeensoproudofyou，amstillsoproudofyou。ItwillsendmetomygraveifIseeyousinkbelowyourproperposition。Notthatitwillbeyourfault。Iamsureitwillnotbeyourfault。Onlycircumstancedasyouare，youshouldbedoubly，trebly，careful。Ifyourfatherhadnot——\'
\'Donotspeakagainstmyfather。\'
\'No，Frank；Iwillnot——no，Iwillnot；notanotherword。Andnow，Frank——\'
BeforewegoonwemustsayonewordfurtherastoLadyArabella\'scharacter。Itwillprobablybesaidthatshewasaconsummatehypocrite；
butatthepresentmomentshewasnothypocritical。Shedidloveherson；wasanxious——very，veryanxiousforhim；wasproudofhim，andalmostadmiredtheobstinacywhichsovexedherinmostsoul。Nogriefwouldbetohersogreatasthatofseeinghimsinkbelowwhatsheconceivedtobehisposition。Shewasasgenuinelymotherly，inwishingthatheshouldmarrymoney，asanotherwomanmightbeinwishingtoseehersonabishop；orastheSpartanmatron，whopreferredthatheroffspringshouldreturnonhisshield，tohearingthathehadcomebackwholeinlimbbuttaintedinhonour。WhenFrankspokeofaprofession，sheinstantlythoughtofwhatLorddeCourcymightdoforhim。Ifhewouldnotmarrymoney，hemight，atanyrate，beattacheatanembassy。
Aprofession——hardwork，asadoctor，orasanengineer——would，accordingtoherideas，degradehim；causehimtosinkbelowhisproperposition；buttodangleataforeigncourt，tomakesmalltalkateveningpartiesofaladyambassadress，andoccasionally，perhaps，towritedemi-officialnotescontainingdemi-officialtittle-tattle；thiswouldbeinproperaccordancewiththehighhonourofaGreshamofGreshamsbury。
WemaynotadmirethedirectiontakenbyLadyArabella\'senergyonbehalfofherson，butthatenergywasnothypocritical。
\'Andnow，Frank——\'Shelookedwistfullyintohisfaceassheaddressedhim，asthoughhalfafraidtogoon，andbeggingthathewouldreceivewithcomplaisancewhatevershefoundherselfforcedtosay。
\'Well，mother？\'
\'IwaswithMaryyesterday。\'
\'Yes，yes；whatthen？Iknowwhatyourfeelingsarewithregardtoher。\'
\'No，Frank；youwrongme。Ihavenofeelingsagainsther——none，indeed；
nonebutthis：thatsheisnotfittobeyourwife。\'
\'Ithinkherfit。\'
\'Ah，yes；buthowfit？Thinkofyourposition，Frank，andwhatmeansyouhaveofkeepingher。Thinkofwhatyouare。Yourfather\'sonlyson；
theheirtoGreshamsbury。IfGreshamsburybeeveragainmorethananame，itisyouthatmustredeemit。OfallmenlivingyouaretheleastabletomarryagirllikeMaryThorne。\'
\'Mother，Iwillnotsellmyselfforwhatyoucallmyposition。\'
\'Whoasksyou？Idonotaskyou；nobodyasksyou。Idonotwantyoutomarryanyone。Ididthinkonce——butletthatpass。Youarenowtwenty-three。Intenyears\'timeyouwillstillbeayoungman。Ionlyaskyoutowait。Ifyoumarrynow，thatis，marrysuchagirlasMaryThorne——\'
\'Suchagirl！WhereshallIfindanother？\'
\'Imeanasregardsmoney，Frank；youknowImeanthat；howareyoutolive？Whereareyoutogo？Andthen，herbirth。Oh，Frank，Frank！\'
\'Birth！Ihatesuchpretence。Whatwas——butIwon\'ttalkaboutit。
Mother，Itellyoumywordispledged，andonnoaccountwillIbeinducedtobreakit。\'
\'Ah，that\'sjustit；that\'sjustthepoint。Now，Frank，listentome。
Praylistentomepatientlyforoneminute。\'
Frankpromisedthathewouldlistenpatiently；buthelookedanythingbutpatientashesaidso。
\'IhaveseenMary，asitwascertainlymydutytodo。Youcannotbeangrywithmeforthat。\'
\'WhosaidthatIwasangry，mother？\'
\'Well，Ihaveseenher，andImustown，thatthoughshewasnotdisposedtobecourteoustome，personally，shesaidmuchthatmarkedherexcellentgoodsense。Butthegistofitwasthis；thatasshehadmadeyouapromise，nothingshouldturnherfromthatpromisebutyourpermission。\'
\'Anddoyouthink——\'
\'Waitamoment，Frank，andlistentome。Sheconfessedthatthismarriagewasonewhichwouldnecessarilybringdistressonallyourfamily；thatitwasonewhichwouldprobablyberuinoustoyourself；
thatitwasamatchwhichcouldnotbeapprovedof：shedid，indeed；sheconfessedallthat。“Ihavenothing“，shesaid——thosewereherownwords——“Ihavenothingtosayinfavourofthisengagement，exceptthathewishesit。“Thatiswhatshethinksofitherself。“Hiswishesarenotareason；butalaw，“shesaid——\'
\'And，mother，wouldyouhavemedesertsuchagirlasthat？\'
\'Itisnotdeserting，Frank：itwouldnotbedeserting：youwouldbedoingthatwhichsheherselfapprovesof。Shefeelstheimproprietyofgoingon；butshecannotdrawbackbecauseofherpromisetoyou。Shethinksthatshecannotdoit，eventhoughshewishesit。\'
\'Wishesit！Oh，mother！\'
\'Idobelieveshedoes，becauseshehassensetofeelthetruthofallthatyourfriendssay。Oh，Frank，Iwillgoonmykneestoyouifyouwilllistentome。\'
\'Oh，mother！mother！mother！\'
\'Youshouldthinktwice，Frank，beforeyourefusetheonlyrequestyourmotherevermadeyou。AndwhydoIaskyou？whydoIcometoyouthus？
Isitformyownsake？Oh，myboy！mydarlingboy！willyouloseeverythinginlife，becauseyoulovethechildwithwhomyouplayedwithasachild？\'
\'Whosefaultisitthatweweretogetheraschildren？Sheisnowmorethanachild。Ilookonheralreadyasmywife。\'
\'Butsheisnotyourwife，Frank；andsheknowsthatsheoughtnottobe。Itisonlybecauseyouholdhertoitthatsheconsentstoit。\'
\'Doyoumeantosaythatshedoesnotloveme？\'
LadyArabellawouldprobablyhavesaidthis，also，hadshedared；butshefeltthatindoingso，shewouldbegoingtoofar。ItwasuselessforhertosayanythingthatwouldbeutterlycontradictedbyanappealtoMaryherself。
\'No，Frank；Idonotmeantosaythatyoudonotloveher。WhatIdomeanisthis：thatitisnotbecominginyoutogiveupeverything——notonlyyourself，butallyourfamily——forsuchaloveasthis；andthatshe，Maryherselfacknowledgesthis。Everyoneisofthesameopinion。
