Butwhenhetookhertohimself，hadhenotrescuedherfromtheverydepthsofthelowestmisery：fromthedegradationoftheworkhouse；
fromthescornofhonest-borncharity-children；fromthelowestoftheworld\'slowconditions？Wasshenotnowtheappleofhiseye，hisonegreatsovereigncomfort——hispride，hishappiness，hisglory？Washetomakeherover，tomakeanyportionofherovertoothers，if，bydoingso，shemightbeabletosharethewealth，aswellasthecoarsemannersanduncouthsocietyofheratpresentunknownconnexions？He，whohadneverworshippedwealthonhisownbehalf；he，whohadscornedtheidolofthegold，andhadeverbeenteachinghertoscornit；washenowtoshowthathisphilosophyhadallbeenfalseassoonasthetemptationtodosowasputinhisway？
Butyet，whatmanwouldmarrythisbastardchild，withoutasixpence，andbringnotonlypoverty，butillbloodalsoonhisownchildren？Itmightbeverywellforhim，DrThorne；forhimwhosecareerwasmade，whosename，atanyrate，washisown；forhimwhohadafixedstanding-groundintheworld；itmightbewellforhimtoindulgeinlargeviewsofaphilosophyantagonistictotheworld\'spractice；buthadhearighttodoitforhisniece？Whatmanwouldmarryagirlsoplaced？Forthoseamongwhomshemighthavelegitimatelyfoundalevel，educationhadnowutterlyunfittedher。Andthen，hewellknewthatshewouldneverputoutherhandintokenoflovetoanyonewithouttellingallsheknewandallshesurmisedastoherownbirth。
Andthatquestionofthisevening；haditnotbeeninstigatedbysomeappealonherpart？Wastherenotalreadywithinherbreastsomecausefordisquietudewhichhadmadehersopertinacious？Whyelsehadshetoldhimthen，forthefirsttime，thatshedidnotknowwheretorankherself？Ifsuchanappealhadbeenmadetoher，itmusthavecomefromyoungFrankGresham。What，insuchcase，woulditbehovehimtodo？Shouldhepackuphisall，hislancet-case，pestleandmortar，andseekanewfreshgroundinanewworld，leavingbehindahugetriumphtothoselearnedenemiesofhis，Fillgrave，Century，andRerechild？BetterthatthanremainatGreshamsburyatthecostofthechild\'sheartandpride。
Andsohewalkedslowlybackwardsandforwardsthroughhisgarden，meditatingthesethingspainfullyenough。
CHAPTERVIII
MATRIMONIALPROSPECTS
ItwillofcourseberememberedthatMary\'sinterviewwiththeothergirlsatGreshamsburytookplacesometwoorthreedayssubsequentlytoFrank\'sgenerousofferofhishandandheart。Maryhadquitemadeuphermindthatthewholethingwastoberegardedasafolly，andthatitwasnottobespokenoftoanyone；butyetherheartwassoreenough。Shewasfullofpride，andyetsheknewshemustbowhernecktotheprideofothers。Being，asshewasherself，nameless，shecouldnotbutfeelastern，unflinchingantagonism，theantagonismofademocrat，tothepretensionsofotherswhowereblessedwiththatofwhichshehadbeendeprived。Shehadthisfeeling；andyet，ofallthethingsthatshecoveted，shemostcovetedthat，forgloryinginwhich，shewasdeterminedtoheapscornonothers。Shesaidtoherself，proudly，thatGod\'shandiworkwastheinnerman，theinnerwoman，thenakedcreatureanimatedbyalivingsoul；thatallotheradjunctswerebutman\'sclothingforthecreature；allothers，whetherstitchedbytailorsorcontrivedbykings。Wasitnotwithinhercapacitytodoasnobly，toloveastruly，toworshipherGodinheavenwithasperfectafaith，andhergodonearthwithaslealatroth，asthoughbloodhaddescendedtoherpurelythroughscoresofpurelybornprogenitors？Sotoherselfshespoke；andyet，asshesaidit，sheknewthatweresheaman，suchamanastheheirofGreshamsburyshouldbe，nothingwouldtempthertosullyherchildren\'sbloodbymatingherselfwithanyonethatwasbaseborn。ShefeltthatweresheAugustaGresham，noMrMoffat，lethiswealthbewhatitmight，shouldwinherhandunlesshetoocouldtelloffamilyhonoursandalineofancestors。
Andso，withamindatwarwithitself，shecamefortharmedtodobattleagainsttheworld\'sprejudices，thoseprejudicessheherselflovedsowell。
Andwasshethustogiveupheroldaffections，herfeminineloves，becauseshefoundthatshewasacousintonobody？WasshenolongertopouroutherhearttoBeatriceGreshamwithallthegirlishvolubilityofanequal？WasshetobeseveredfromPatienceOriel，andbanished——orratherwasshetobanishherself——fromthefreeplaceshehadmaintainedinthevariousyouthfulfemaleconclaveswithinthatparishofGreshamsbury？
Hitherto，whatMaryThornewouldsay，whatMissThornesuggestedinsuchandsuchamatter，wasquiteasfrequentlyaskedasanyopinionfromAugustaGresham——quiteasfrequently，unlesswhenitchancedthatanyoftheDeCourcygirlswereatthehouse。Wasthistobegivenup？Thesefeelingshadgrownupamongthemsincetheywerechildren，andhadnothithertobeenquestionedamongthem。NowtheywerequestionedbyMaryThorne。Wassheinfacttofindthatherpositionhadbeenafalseone，andmustbechanged？
SuchhadbeenherfeelingswhensheprotestedthatshewouldnotbeAugustaGresham\'sbridesmaid，andofferedtoputherneckbeneathBeatrice\'sfoot；whenshedrovetheLadyMargarettaoutoftheroom，andgaveherownopinionastothepropergrammaticalconstructionofthewordhumble；suchalsohadbeenherfeelingswhenshekeptherhandsorigidlytoherselfwhileFrankheldthedining-roomdooropenforhertopassthrough。
\'PatienceOriel，\'saidshetoherself，\'cantalktohimofherfatherandmother：letPatiencetakehishand；lethertalktohim；\'andthen，notlongafterwards，shesawthatPatiencedidtalktohim；andseeingit，shewalkedalongsilent，amongsomeoftheoldpeople，andwithmucheffortdidpreventatearfromfallingdownhercheek。
Butwhywasthetearinhereye？HadshenotproudlytoldFrankthathislove-makingwasnothingbutaboy\'ssillyrhapsody？Hadshenotsaidsowhileshehadyetreasontohopethatherbloodwasasgoodashisown？Hadshenotseenataglancethathislovetiradewasworthyofridicule，andofnoothernotice？Andyettherewasatearnowinhereyebecausethisboy，whomshehadscoldedfromher，whosehand，offeredinpurefriendship，shehadjustrefused，becausehe，sorebuffedbyher，hadcarriedhisfunandgallantrytoonewhowouldbelesscrosstohim！
Shecouldhearasshewaswalking，thatwhileLadyMargarettawaswiththem，theirvoiceswereloudandmerry；andhersharpearcouldalsohear，whenLadyMargarettaleftthem，thatFrank\'svoicebecamelowandtender。Soshewalkedon，sayingnothing，lookingstraightbeforeher，andbydegreesseparatingherselffromalltheothers。
TheGreshamsburygroundswereononesidesomewhattoocloselyhemmedinbythevillage。Onthissidewasapathrunningthelengthofoneofthestreetsofthevillage；andfardownthepath，neartheextremityofthegardens，andnearalsotoawicket-gatewhichledoutintothevillage，andwhichcouldbeopenedfromtheinside，wasaseat，underabigyew-tree，fromwhich，throughabreachinthehouses，mightbeseentheparishchurch，standingintheparkontheotherside。HitherMarywalkedalone，andheresheseatedherself，determinedtogetridofhertearsandtheirtracesbeforesheagainshowedherselftotheworld。
\'Ishallneverbehappyhereagain，\'saidshetoherself；\'never。Iamnolongeroneofthem，andIcannotliveamongthemunlessIamso。\'
AndthenanideacameacrosshermindthatshehatedPatienceOriel；
andthen，instantlyanotherideafollowed——quickassuchthoughtsarequick——thatshedidnothatePatienceOrielatall；thatshelikedher，nay，lovedher；thatPatienceOrielwasasweetgirl；andthatshehopedthetimewouldcomewhenshemightseehertheladyofGreshamsbury。Andthenthetear，whichhadbeennowhitcontrolled，whichindeedhadnowmadeitselfmasterofher，cametoahead，and，burstingthroughthefloodgatesoftheeye，camerollingdown，andinitsfall，wettedherhandasitlayonherlap。\'Whatafool！whatanidiot！whatanempty-headedcowardlyfoolIam！\'saidshe，springingupfromthebenchonherfeet。
Asshedidso，sheheardvoicesclosetoher，atthelittlegate。TheywerethoseofheruncleandFrankGresham。
\'Godblessyou，Frank！\'saidthedoctor，ashepassedoutofthegrounds。\'Youwillexcusealecture，won\'tyou，fromsooldafriend？——thoughyouareamannow，anddiscreetofcourse，byActofParliament。\'
\'IndeedIwill，doctor，\'saidFrank。\'Iwillexcusealongerlecturethanthatfromyou。\'
\'Atanyrateitwon\'tbetonight，\'saidthedoctor，ashedisappeared。
\'AndifyouseeMary，tellherthatIamobligedtogo；andthatIwillsendJanetdowntofetchher。\'
NowJanetwasthedoctor\'sancientmaid-servant。
Marycouldnotmoveon，withoutbeingperceived；shethereforestoodstilltillsheheardtheclickofthedoor，andthenbeganwalkingrapidlybacktothehousebythepathwhichhadbroughtherthither。
Themoment，however，thatshedidso，shefoundthatshewasfollowed；
andinaveryfewmomentsFrankwasalongsideofher。
\'Oh，Mary！\'saidhe，callingtoher，butnotloudly，beforehequiteovertookher，\'howoddthatIshouldcomeacrossyoujustwhenIhaveamessageforyou！andwhyareyouallalone？\'
Mary\'sfirstimpulsewastoreiteratehercommandtohimtocallhernomorebyherChristianname；buthersecondimpulsetoldherthatsuchaninjunctionatthepresentmomentwouldnotbeprudentonherpart。
Thetracesofhertearswerestillthere；andshewellknewthataverylittle，theslightestshowoftendernessonhispart，theslightesteffortonherowntoappearindifferent，wouldbringdownmorethanoneothersuchintruder。Itwould，moreover，bebetterforhertodropalloutwardsignthatsherememberedwhathadtakenplace。Solong，then，asheandshewereatGreshamsburytogether，heshouldcallherMaryifhepleased。Hewouldsoonbegone；andwhileheremained，shewouldkeepoutofhisway。
\'YourunclehasbeenobligedtogoawaytoseeanoldwomanatSilverbridge。\'
\'AtSilverbridge！why，hewon\'tbebackallnight。WhycouldnottheoldwomansendforDrCentury？\'
\'Isupposeshethoughttwooldwomencouldnotgetonwelltogether。\'
Marycouldnothelpsmiling。Shedidnotlikeherunclegoingoffsolateonsuchajourney；butitwasalwaysfeltatriumphwhenhewasinvitedintothestrongholdsoftheenemies。
\'AndJanetistocomeoverforyou。However，Itoldhimitwasquiteunnecessarytodisturbanotheroldwoman，forthatIshouldseeyouhome。\'
\'Oh，no，MrGresham；indeedyou\'llnotdothat。\'
\'Indeed，andindeed，Ishall。\'
\'What！onthisgreatday，wheneveryladyislookingforyou，andtalkingofyou。Isupposeyouwanttosetthecountessagainstmeforever。Think，too，howangryLadyArabellawillbeifyouareabsentonsuchanderrandasthis。\'
\'Tohearyoutalk，Mary，onewouldthinkthatyouweregoingtoSilverbridgeyourself。\'
\'PerhapsIam。\'
\'IfIdidnotgowithyou，someoftheotherfellowswould。John，orGeorge——\'
\'Goodgracious，Frank！FancyeitheroftheMrDeCourceyswalkinghomewithme！\'
Shehadforgottenherself，andthestrictproprietyonwhichshehadresolved，intheimpossibilityofforgoingherlittlejokeagainsttheDeCourcygrandeur；shehadforgottenherself，andhadcalledhimFrankinherold，former，eager，freetoneofvoice；andthen，rememberingshehaddoneso，shedrewherselfup，butherlips，anddeterminedtobedoublyonherguardinthefuture。
\'Well，itshallbeeitheroneofthem，orI，\'saidFrank：\'perhapsyouwouldprefermycousinGeorgetome？\'
\'IshouldpreferJanettoeither，seeingthatwithherIshouldnotsuffertheextremenuisanceofknowingthatIwasabore。\'
\'Abore！Mary，tome？\'
\'Yes，MrGresham，aboretoyou。Havingtowalkhomethroughthemudwithvillageyoungladiesisboring。Allgentlemenfeelitso。\'
\'Thereisnomud；iftherewereyouwouldnotbeallowedtowalkatall。\'
\'Oh！villageyoungladiesnevercareforsuchthings，thoughfashionablegentlemendo。\'
\'Iwouldcarryyouhome，Mary，ifitwoulddoyouaservice，\'saidFrank，withconsiderablepathosinhisvoice。
\'Oh，dearme！praydonot，MrGresham。Ishouldnotlikeitatall，\'
saidshe：\'awheelbarrowwouldbepreferabletothat。\'
\'Ofcourse。Anythingwouldbepreferabletomyarm，Iknow。\'
\'Certainly；anythinginthewayofaconveyance。IfIweretoactbaby；andyouweretoactnurse，itreallywouldnotbecomfortableforeitherofus。\'
FrankGreshamfeltdisconcerted，thoughhehardlyknewwhy。Hewasstrivingtosaysomethingtendertohislady-love；buteverywordthathespokesheturnedintojoke。Marydidnotanswerhimcoldlyorunkindly；but，nevertheless，hewasdispleased。Onedoesnotliketohaveone\'slittleofferingsofsentimentalserviceturnedintoburlesquewhenoneisinloveinearnest。Mary\'sjokeshadappearedsoeasytoo；theyseemedtocomefromaheartsolittletroubled。This，also，wascauseofvexationtoFrank。Ifhecouldbuthaveknownitall，hewould，perhaps，havebeenbetterpleased。
Hedeterminednottobeabsolutelylaughedoutofhistenderness。When，threedaysago，hehadbeenrepulsed，hehadgoneawayowningtohimselfthathehadbeenbeaten；owningsomuch，butowningitwithgreatsorrowandmuchshame。Sincethathehadcomeofage；sincethathehadmadespeeches，andspeecheshadbeenmadetohim；sincethathehadgainedcouragebyflirtingwithPatienceOriel。Nofainthearteverwonafairlady，ashewaswellaware；heresolved，therefore，thathisheartshouldnotbefaint，andthathewouldseewhetherthefairladymightnotbewonbybecomingaudacity。
\'Mary，\'saidhe，stoppinginthepath——fortheywerenownearthespotwhereitbrokeoutuponthelawn，andtheycouldalreadyhearthevoicesoftheguests——\'Mary，youareunkindtome。\'
\'Iamnotawareofit，MrGresham；butifIam，donotyouretaliate。I
amweakerthanyou，andinyourpower；donotyou，therefore，beunkindtome。\'
\'Yourefusedmyhandjustnow，\'continuedhe。\'OfallthepeoplehereatGreshamsbury，youaretheonlyonethathasnotwishedmejoy；theonlyone——\'
\'Idowishyoujoy；Iwillwishyoujoy：thereismyhand，\'andshefranklyputoutherunglovedhand。\'Youarequitemanenoughtounderstandme：thereismyhand；Itrustyouuseitonlyasitismeanttobeused。\'
Hetookitinhishandandpresseditcordially，ashemighthavedonethatofanyotherfriendinsuchacase；andthen——didnotdropitasheshouldhavedone。HewasnotaStAnthony，anditwasmostimprudentinMissThornetosubjecthimtosuchatemptation。
\'Mary，\'saidhe；\'dearMary！dearestMary！ifyoudidbutknowhowI
loveyou！\'
Ashesaidthis，holdingMissThorne\'shandhestoodonthepathwaywithhisbacktowardsthelawnandhouse，and，therefore，didnotatfirstseehissisterAugusta，whohadjustatthatmomentcomeuponthem。Maryblusheduptoherstrawhat，and，withaquickjerk，recoveredherhand。Augustasawthemotion，andMarysawthatAugustahadseenit。
Frommytediouswayoftellingit，thereaderwillbeledtoimaginethatthehand-squeezinghadbeenprotractedtoadurationquiteincompatiblewithanyobjectiontosuchanarrangementonthepartofthelady；butthefaultismine：innoparthers。WereIpossessedofaquickspasmodicstyleofnarrative，Ishouldhavebeenabletoincludeitall——Frank\'smisbehaviour，Mary\'simmediateanger，Augusta\'sarrival，andkeen，Argus-eyedinspection，andthenMary\'ssubsequentmisery——infivewordsandhalfadozendashesandinvertedcommas。Thethingwouldhavebeensotold；for，todoMaryjustice，shedidnotleaveherhandinFrank\'samomentlongerthanshecouldhelpherself。
Frank，feelingthehandwithdrawn，andhearing，whenitwastoolate，thesteponthegravel，turnedsharplyround。\'Oh，it\'syou，isit，Augusta？Well，whatdoyouwant？\'
Augustawasnotnaturallyveryill-natured，seeingthatinherveinsthehighDeCourcybloodwassomewhattemperedbyanadmixtureoftheGreshamattributes；norwasshepredisposedtomakeherbrotherherenemybypublishingtotheworldanyofhislittletenderpeccadilloes；
butshecouldnotbutbethinkherselfofwhatheraunthadbeensayingastothedangerofanysuchencountersasthatshejustnowhadbeheld；shecouldnotbutstartatseeingherbrotherthus，ontheverybrinkoftheprecipiceofwhichthecountesshadspeciallyforewarnedhermother。She，Augusta，was，asshewellknew，doingherdutybyherfamilybymarryingatailor\'ssonforwhomshedidnotcareachip，seeingthatthetailor\'ssonwaspossessedofuntoldwealth。Nowwhenonememberofahouseholdismakingastruggleforafamily，itispainfultoseethebenefitofthatstrugglenegativedbythefollyofanothermember。ThefutureMrsMoffatdidfeelaggrievedbythefatuityoftheyoungheir，and，consequently，tookuponherselftolookasmuchlikeherAuntDeCourcyasshecoulddo。
\'Well，whatisit？\'saidFrank，lookingratherdisgusted。\'Whatmakesyoustickyourchinupandlookinthatway？\'Frankhadhithertobeenratheradespotamonghissisters，andforgotthattheeldestofthemwasnowpassingaltogetherfromunderhisswaytothatofthetailor\'sson。
\'Frank，\'saidAugusta，inatoneofvoicewhichdidhonourtothegreatlessonsshehadlatelyreceived。\'AuntDeCourcywantstoseeyouimmediatelyinthesmalldrawing-room；\'and，asshesaidso，sheresolvedtosayafewwordsofadvicetoMissThorneassoonasherbrothershouldhaveleftthem。
\'Inthesmalldrawing-room，doesshe？Well，Mary，wemayaswellgotogether，forIsupposeitistea-timenow。\'
\'Youhadbettergoatonce，Frank，\'saidAugusta；\'thecountesswillbeangryifyoukeepherwaiting。Shehasbeenexpectingyouthesetwentyminutes。MaryThorneandIcanreturntogether。\'
Therewassomethinginthetoneinwhichtheword，\'MaryThorne\'，wereuttered，whichmadeMaryatoncedrawherselfup。\'Ihope，\'saidshe，\'thatMaryThornewillneverbeahindrancetoeitherofyou。\'
Frank\'searhadalsoperceivedthattherewassomethinginthetoneofhissister\'svoicenotbodingcomforttoMary；heperceivedthattheDeCourcybloodinAugusta\'sveinswasalreadyrebellingagainstthedoctor\'snieceonhispart，thoughithadcondescendedtosubmititselftothetailor\'ssononherownpart。
\'Well，Iamgoing，\'saidhe；\'butlookhereAugusta，ifyousayonewordofMary——\'
Oh，Frank！Frank！youboy，youveryboy！yougoose，yousillygoose！
Isthatthewayyoumakelove，desiringonegirlnottotellanother，asthoughyouwerethreechildren，tearingyourfrocksandtrousersingettingthroughthesamehedgetogether？Oh，Frank！Frank！you，thefull-blownheirofGreshamsbury？You，amanalreadyendowedwithaman\'sdiscretion？You，theforwardrider，thatdidbutnowthreatenyoungHarryBakerandtheHonourableJohntoeclipsethembyprowessinthefield？You，ofage？Why，thoucanstnotasyethaveleftthymother\'sapron-string。
\'IfyousayonewordofMary——\'
Sofarhadhegotinhisinjunctiontohissister，butfurtherthanthat，insuchacase，washeneverdestinedtoproceed。Mary\'sindignationflasheduponhim，strikinghimdumblongbeforethesoundofhervoicereachedhisears；andyetshespokeasquickasthewordswouldcometohercall，andsomewhatloudlytoo。
\'SayonewordofMary，MrGresham！AndwhyshouldshenotsayasmanywordsofMaryasshemayplease？Imusttellyouallnow，Augusta！andImustalsobegyounottobesilentformysake。AsfarasIamconcerned，tellittowhomyouplease。Thiswasthesecondtimeyourbrother——\'
\'Mary，Mary，\'saidFrank，deprecatingherloquacity。
\'Ibegyourpardon，MrGresham；youhavemadeitnecessarythatI
shouldtellyoursisterall。Hehasnowtwicethoughtitwelltoamusehimselfbysayingtomewordswhichitwasill-naturedinhimtospeak，and——\'
\'Ill-natured，Mary！\'
\'Ill-naturedinhimtospeak，\'continuedMary，\'andtowhichitwouldbeabsurdformetolisten。Heprobablydoesthesametoothers，\'sheadded，beingunableinhearttoforgetthatsharpestofherwounds，thatflirtationofhiswithPatienceOriel；\'buttomeitisalmostcruel。Anothergirlmightlaughathim，orlistentohim，ashewouldchoose；butIcandoneither。IshallnowkeepawayfromGreshamsbury，atanyratetillhehasleftit；and，Augusta，Icanonlybegyoutounderstand，that，asfarasIamconcerned，thereisnothingwhichmaynotbetoldtoalltheworld。\'
And，sosaying，shewalkedonalittleinadvanceofthem，asproudasaqueen。HadLadydeCourcyherselfmetheratthismoment，shewouldalmosthavefeltherselfforcedtoshrinkoutofthepathway。\'Notsayawordofme！\'sherepeatedtoherself，butstilloutloud。\'Nowordneedbeleftunsaidonmyaccount；none，none。\'
Augustafollowedher，dumfoundedatherindignation；andFrankalsofollowed，butnotinsilence。WhenhisfirstsurpriseatMary\'sgreatangerwasover，hefelthimselfcalledupontosaysomewordthatmightexoneratehislady-love；andsomewordalsoofprotestationastohisownpurpose。
\'Thereisnothingtobetold，atleastofMary，\'hesaid，speakingtohissister；\'butofme，youmaytellthis，ifyouchoosetodisobligeyourbrother——thatIloveMaryThornewithallmyheart；andthatIwillneverloveanyoneelse。\'
Bythistimetheyhadreachedthelawn，andMarywasabletoturnawayfromthepathwhichleduptothehouse。Assheleftthemshesaidinavoice，nowlowenough，\'Icannotpreventhimfromtalkingnonsense，Augusta；butyouwillbearmewitness，thatIdonotwillinglyhearit。\'And，sosaying，shestartedoffalmostinaruntowardsthedistantpartofthegardens，inwhichshesawBeatrice。
Frank，ashewalkeduptothehousewithhissister，endeavouredtoinducehertogivehimapromisethatshewouldtellnotalesastowhatshehadheardandseen。
\'Ofcourse，Frank，itmustbeallnonsense，\'shehadsaid；\'andyoushouldn\'tamuseyourselfinsuchaway。\'
\'Well，but，Guss，come，wehavealwaysbeenfriends；don\'tletusquarreljustwhenyouaregoingtobemarried。\'ButAugustawouldmakenopromise。
Frank，whenhereachedthehouse，foundthecountesswaitingforhim，sittinginthelittledrawing-roombyherself，——somewhatimpatiently。
Asheenteredhebecameawarethattherewassomepeculiargravityattachedtothecominginterview。Threepersons，hismother，oneofhisyoungersisters，andtheLadyAmelia，eachstoppedhimtolethimknowthatthecountesswaswaiting；andheperceivedthatasortofguardwaskeptuponthedoortosaveherladyshipfromanyundesirableintrusion。
Thecountessfrownedatthemomentofhisentrance，butsoonsmoothedherbrow，andinvitedhimtotakeachairreadypreparedforhimoppositetotheelbowofthesofaonwhichshewasleaning。Shehadasmalltablebeforeher，onwhichwasherteacup，sothatshewasabletopreachathimnearlyaswellasthoughshehadbeenensconcedinapulpit。
\'MydearFrank，\'saidshe，inavoicethoroughlysuitabletotheimportanceofthecommunication，\'youhaveto-daycomeofage。\'
Frankremarkedthatheunderstoodthatsuchwasthecase，andaddedthat\'thatwasthereasonforallthefuss。\'
\'Yes；youhaveto-daycomeofage。PerhapsIshouldhavebeengladtoseesuchanoccasionnoticedatGreshamsburywithsomemoresuitablesignsofrejoicing。\'
\'Oh，aunt！Ithinkwediditallverywell。\'
\'Greshamsbury，Frank，is，oratanyrateoughttobe，theseatofthefirstcommonerinBarsetshire。
\'Well；soitis。Iamquitesurethereisn\'tabetterfellowthanfatheranywhereinthecounty。\'
Thecountesssighed。HeropinionofthepoorsquirewasverydifferentfromFrank\'s。\'Itisnousenow，\'saidshe，\'lookingbacktothatwhichcannotbecured。ThefirstcommonerinBarsetshireshouldholdaposition——Iwillnotofcoursesayequaltothatofapeer。\'
\'Ohdearno；ofcoursenot，\'saidFrank；andabystandermighthavethoughtthattherewasatouchofsatireinhistone。
\'No，notequaltothatofapeer；butstillofveryparamountimportance。OfcoursemyfirstambitionisboundupinPorlock。\'
\'Ofcourse，\'saidFrank，thinkinghowveryweakwasthestaffonwhichhisaunt\'sambitionrested；forLordPorlock\'syouthfulcareerhadnotbeensuchastogiveunmitigatedsatisfactiontohisparents。
\'IsboundupinPorlock：\'andthenthecountessplumedherself；butthemothersighed。\'AndnexttoPorlock，myanxietyisaboutyou。\'
\'Uponmyhonour，aunt，Iamverymuchobliged。Ishallbeallright，youknow。\'
\'Greshamsbury，mydearboy，isnotnowwhatitusedtobe。\'
\'Isn\'tit？\'askedFrank。
\'No，Frank；bynomeans。Idonotwishtosayawordagainstyourfather。Itmay，perhapshavebeenhismisfortune，ratherthanhisfault——\'
\'Sheisalwaysdownonthegovernor；always，\'saidFranktohimself；
resolvingtostickbravelytothesideofthehousetowhichhehadelectedtobelong。
\'Butthereisthefact，Frank，tooplaintousall；Greshamsburyisnotwhatitwas。Itisyourdutytorestoreittoitsformerimportance。\'
\'Myduty！\'saidFrank，ratherpuzzled。
\'Yes，Frank，yourduty。Italldependsonyounow。Ofcourseyouknowthatyourfatherowesagreatdealofmoney。\'
Frankmutteredsomething。Tidingshadinsomeshapereachedhisearthathisfatherwasnotcomfortablycircumstancesasregardsmoney。
\'Andthen，hehassoldBoxallHill。ItcannotbeexpectedthatBoxallHillshallbepurchased，assomehorridman，arailway-maker，I
believe——\'
\'Yes；that\'sScatcherd。\'
\'Well，hehasbuiltahousethere，I\'mtold；soIpresumethatitcannotbeboughtback：butitwillbeyourduty，Frank，topayallthedebtsthatthereareontheproperty，andtopurchasewhat，atanyrate，willbeequaltoBoxallHill。\'
Frankopenedhiseyeswideandstaredathisaunt，asthoughdoubtingmuchwhetherornoshewereinherrightmind。Hepayoffthefamilydebts！Hebuyuppropertyoffourthousandpoundsayear！Heremained，however，quitequiet，waitingtheelucidationofthemystery。
\'Frank，ofcourseyouunderstandme。\'
Frankwasobligedtodeclare，thatjustatthepresentmomenthedidnotfindhisauntsoclearasusual。
\'Youhavebutonelineofconductleftyou，Frank：yourposition，asheirtoGreshamsbury，isagoodone；butyourfatherhasunfortunatelysohamperedyouwithregardtomoney，thatunlessyousetthematterrightyourself，youcanneverenjoythatposition。Ofcourseyoumustmarrymoney。\'
\'Marrymoney！\'saidhe，consideringforthefirsttimethatinallprobabilityMaryThorne\'sfortunewouldnotbeextensive。\'Marrymoney！\'
\'Yes，Frank。Iknownomanwhosepositionsoimperativelydemandsit；
andluckilyforyou，nomancanhavemorefacilityfordoingso。Inthefirstplaceyouareveryhandsome。\'
Frankblushedlikeagirlofsixteen。
\'Andthen，asthematterismadeplaintoyouatsoearlyanage，youarenotofcoursehamperedbyanyindiscreettie；byanyabsurdengagement。\'
Frankblushedagain；andthensayingtohimself，\'Howmuchtheoldgirlknowsaboutit！\'feltalittleproudofhispassionforMaryThorne，andofthedeclarationhehadmadetoher。
\'AndyourconnexionwithCourcyCastle，\'continuedthecountess，nowcarryingupthelistofFrank\'sadvantagestoitsgreatestclimax，\'willmakethemattersoeasyforyou，thatreally，youwillhardlyhaveanydifficulty。\'
FrankcouldnotbutsayhowmuchobligedhefelttoCourcyCastleanditsinmates。
\'OfcourseIwouldnotwishtointerferewithyouinanyunderhandway，Frank；butIwilltellyouwhathasoccurredtome。Youhaveheard，probably，ofMissDunstable？\'
\'ThedaughteroftheointmentofLebanonman？\'
\'Andofcourseyouknowthatherfortuneisimmense，\'continuedthecountess，notdeigningtonoticehernephew\'sallusiontotheointment。\'Quiteimmensewhencomparedwiththewantsandanypositionofanycommoner。NowsheiscomingtoCourcyCastle，andIwishyoutocomeandmeether。\'
\'But，aunt，justatthismomentIhavetoreadformydegreelikeanything。Igoup，youknow，toOxford。\'
\'Degree！\'saidthecountess。\'Why，Frank，Iamtalkingtoyouofyourprospectsinlife，ofyourfutureposition，ofthatonwhicheverythinghangs，andyoutellmeofyourdegree！\'
Frank，however，obstinatelypersistedthathemusttakehisdegree，andthatheshouldcommencereadinghardatsixa。m。tomorrowmorning。
\'YoucanreadjustaswellatCourcyCastle。MissDunstablewillnotinterferewiththat，\'saidhisaunt，whoknewtheexpediencyofyieldingoccasionally；\'butImustbegyouwillcomeoverandmeether。Youwillfindheramostcharmingyoungwoman，remarkablywelleducatedIamtold，and——\'
\'Howoldisshe？\'askedFrank。
\'Ireallycannotsayexactly，\'saidthecountess；\'butitisnot，I
imagine，amatterofmuchmoment。\'
\'Isshethirty？\'askedFrank，wholookeduponanunmarriedwomanofthatageasquiteanoldmaid。
\'Idaresayshemaybeaboutthatage，\'saidthecountess，whoregardedthesubjectfromaverydifferentpointofview。
\'Thirty！\'saidFrankoutloud，butspeaking，neverthelessasthoughtohimself。
\'Itisamatterofnomoment，\'saidhisaunt，almostangrily。\'Whenasubjectitselfisofsuchvitalimportance，objectionsofnorealweightshouldnotbebroughtintoview。Ifyouwishtoholdupyourheadinthecountry；ifyouwishtorepresentyourcountyinParliament，ashasbeendonebyyourfather，yourgrandfather，andyourgreat-grandfathers；ifyouwishtokeepahouseoveryourhead，andtoleaveGreshamsburytoyoursonafteryou，youmustmarrymoney。WhatdoesitsignifywhetherMissDunstablebetwenty-eightorthirty？Shehasgotmoney；andifyoumarryher，youmaythenconsiderthatyourpositioninlifeismade。\'
Frankwasastonishedathisaunt\'seloquence；but，inspiteofthateloquence，hemadeuphismindthathewouldnotmarryMissDunstable。
Howcouldhe，indeed，seeingthathistrothwasalreadyplightedtoMaryThorneinthepresenceofhissister？Thiscircumstance，however，hedidnotchoosetopleadtohisaunt，soherecapitulatedanyotherobjectionsthatpresentedthemselvestohismind。
Inthefirstplace，hewassoanxiousabouthisdegreethathecouldnotthinkofmarryingatpresent；thenhesuggestedthatitmightbebettertopostponethequestiontilltheseason\'shuntingshouldbeover；hedeclaredthathecouldnotvisitCourcyCastletillhegotanewsuitofclotheshomefromthetailor；andultimatelyrememberedthathehadaparticularengagementtogofly-fishingwithMrOrielonthatdayweek。
None，however，ofthesevalidreasonsweresufficientlypotenttoturnthecountessfromherpoint。
\'Nonsense，Frank，\'saidshe，\'Iwonderthatyoucantalkoffly-fishingwhenthepropertyofGreshamsburyisatstake。YouwillgowithAugustaandmyselftoCourcyCastleto-morrow。\'
\'To-morrow，aunt！\'hesaid，inthetonewhichacondemnedcriminalmightmakehisejaculationonhearingthataveryneardayhadbeennamedforhisexecution。\'To-morrow！\'
\'Yes，wereturnto-morrow，andshallbehappytohaveyourcompany。Myfriends，includingMissDunstable，comeonThursday。IamquitesureyouwilllikeMissDunstable。Ihavesettledallthatwithyourmother，soweneedsaynothingfurtheraboutit。Andnow，good-night，Frank。\'
Frank，findingthattherewasnothingmoretobesaid，tookhisdeparture，andwentouttolookforMary。ButMaryhadgonehomewithJanethalfanhoursince，sohebetookhimselftohissisterBeatrice。
\'Beatrice，\'saidhe，\'IamtogotoCourcyCastleto-morrow。\'
\'SoIheardmammasay。\'
\'Well；Ionlycameofageto-day，andIwillnotbeginbyrunningcountertothem。ButItellyouwhat，Iwon\'tstayaboveaweekatCourcyCastleforalltheDeCourcysinBarsetshire。Tellme，Beatrice，didyoueverhearofaMissDunstable？\'
CHAPTERIX
SIRROGERSCATCHERD
EnoughhasbeensaidinthisnarrativetoexplaintothereaderthatRogerScatcherd，whowaswhilomadrunkenstone-masoninBarchester，andwhohadbeensoprompttoavengetheinjurydonetohissister，hadbecomeagreatmanintheworld。Hehadbecomeacontractor，firstforlittlethings，suchashalfamileorsoofarailwayembankment，orthreeorfourcanalbridges，andthenacontractorforgreatthings，suchasGovernmenthospitals，locks，docks，andquays，andhadlatterlyhadinhishandsthemakingofwholelinesofrailway。
Hehadbeenoccasionallyinpartnershipwithonemanforonething，andthenwithanotherforanother；buthad，onthewhole，kepthisintereststohimself，andnowatthetimeofourstory，hewasaveryrichman。
Andhehadacquiredmorethanwealth。TherehadbeenatimewhentheGovernmentwantedtheimmediateperformanceofsomeextraordinarypieceofwork，andRogerScatcherdhadbeenthemantodoit。Therehadbeensomeextremelynecessarybitofarailwaytobemadeinhalfthetimethatsuchworkwouldproperlydemand，somespeculationtobeincurredrequiringgreatmeansandcourageaswell，andRogerScatcherdhadbeenfoundtobethemanforthetime。Hewasthenelevatedforthemomenttothedizzypinnacleofanewspaperhero，andbecameoneofthose\'whomthekingdelightethtohonour\'。HewentuponedaytokissHerMajesty\'shand，andcomedowntohisnewgrandhouseatBoxallHill，SirRogerScatcherd，Bart。
\'Andnow，mylady，\'saidhe，whenheexplainedtohiswifethehighstatetowhichshehadbeencalledbyhisexertionsandtheQueen\'sprerogative，\'let\'shaveabitofdinner，andadropofsom\'athot。\'
Nowthedropofsom\'athotsignifiedadoseofalcoholsufficienttosendthreeordinarymenverydrunktobed。
WhileconqueringtheworldRogerScatcherdhadnotconqueredhisoldbadhabits。Indeed，hewasthesamemanatallpointsthathehadbeenwhenformerlyseenaboutthestreetsofBarchesterwithhisstone-mason\'saprontuckeduproundhiswaist。Theapronhehadabandoned，butnottheheavyprominentthoughtfulbrow，withthewildlyflashingeyebeneathit。Hewasstillthesamegoodcompanion，andstillalsothesamehard-workinghero。Inthisonlyhadhechanged，thatnowhewouldwork，andsomesaidequallywell，whetherheweredrunkorsober。Thosewhoweremostlyinclinedtomakeamiracleofhim——andtherewasaschoolofworshippersreadytoadorehimastheirideaofadivine，superhuman，miracle-moving，inspiredprophet——declaredthathiswondrousworkwasbestdone，hiscalculationsmostquicklyandmosttrulymade，thathesawwithmostaccurateeyeintothefar-distantbalanceofprofitandloss，whenhewasundertheinfluenceoftherosygod。Totheseworshippershisbreakings-out，ashisperiodsofintemperancewerecalledinhisownset，werehismomentsofpeculiarinspiration——hisdivinefrenzies，inwhichhecommunicatedmostcloselywiththosedeitieswhopresideovertradetransactions；hisEleusinianmysteries，toapproachhiminwhichwaspermittedonlyafewofthemostfavoured。
\'Scatcherdhasbeendrunkthisweekpast，\'theywouldsayonetoanother，whenthemomentcameatwhichitwastobedecidedwhoseoffershouldbeacceptedforconstructingaharbourtoholdallthecommerceofLancashire，ortomakearailwayfromBombaytoCanton。\'Scatcherdhasbeendrunkthisweekpast；Iamtoldthathehastakenoverthreegallonsofbrandy。\'AndthentheyfeltsurethatnonebutScatcherdwouldbecalledupontoconstructthedockormaketherailway。
Butbethisasitmay，beittrueorfalsethatSirRogerwasmostefficaciouswheninhiscups，therecanbenodoubtthathecouldnotwallowforaweekinbrandy，sixorseventimeseveryyear，withoutinagreatmeasureinjuring，andpermanentlyinjuring，theoutwardman。
Whateverimmediateeffectsuchsymposiumsmighthaveontheinnermind-
symposiumsindeedtheywerenot；posiumsIwillcallthem，ifImaybeallowed；forinlatterlife，whenhedrankheavily，hedrankalone——howeverlittleforevil，orhowevermuchforgoodtheworkingofhisbrainmightbeaffected，hisbodysufferedgreatly。Itwasnotthathebecamefeebleoremaciated，old-lookingorinactive，thathishandshook，orthathiseyewaswatery；butthatinthemomentsofhisintemperancehislifewasoftenworthaday\'spurchase。TheframewhichGodhadgiventohimwaspowerfulbeyondthepowerofordinarymen；powerfultoactinspiteoftheseviolentperturbations；powerfultorepressandconquerthequalmsandheadachesandinwardsicknessestowhichthevotariesofBacchusareordinarilysubject；butthispowerwasnotwithoutitslimit。Ifencroachedontoofar，itwouldbreakandfallandcomeasunder，andthenthestrongmanwouldatoncebecomeacorpse。
Scatcherdhadbutonefriendintheworld。And，indeed，thisfriendwasnotfriendintheordinaryacceptanceoftheword。Heneitheratewithhimnordrankwithhim，norevenfrequentlytalkedwithhim。Theirpursuitsinlifewerewideasunder。Theirtasteswerealldifferent。
Thesocietyinwhichtheymovedveryseldomcametogether。Scatcherdhadnothinginunisonwiththissolitaryfriend；buthetrustedhim，andhetrustednootherlivingcreatureinGod\'searth。
Hetrustedthisman；butevenhimhedidnottrustthoroughly；notatleastasonefriendshouldtrustanother。Hebelievedthatthismanwouldnotrobhim；wouldprobablynotlietohim；wouldnotendeavourtomakemoneyofhim；wouldnotcounthimuporspeculateonhim，andmakeoutabalanceofprofitandloss；and，therefore，hedeterminedtousehim。Butheputnotrustwhateverinhisfriend\'scounsel，inhismodesofthought；noneinhistheory，andnoneinhispractice。Hedislikedhisfriend\'scounsel，and，infact，dislikedhissociety，forhisfriendwassomewhatapttospeaktohiminamannerapproachingtoseverity。NowRogerScatcherdhaddonemanythingsintheworld，andmademuchmoney；whereashisfriendhaddonebutfewthings，andmadenomoney。Itwasnottobeenduredthatthepractical，efficientmanshouldbetakentotaskbythemanwhoprovedhimselftobeneitherpracticalnorefficient；nottobeendured，certainly，byRogerScatcherd，wholookedonmenofhisownclassasthemenoftheday，andonhimselfasbynomeanstheleastamongthem。
ThefriendwasourfriendDrThorne。
Thedoctor\'sfirstacquaintancewithScatcherdhasbeenalreadyexplained。Hewasnecessarilythrownintocommunicationwiththemanatthetimeofthetrial，andScatcherdthenhadnotonlysufficientsense，butsufficientfeelingalsotoknowthatthedoctorbehavedverywell。Thiscommunicationhadindifferentwaysbeenkeptupbetweenthem。SoonafterthetrialScatcherdhadbeguntorise，andhisfirstsavingshadbeenentrustedtothedoctor\'scare。Thishadbeenthebeginningofapecuniaryconnexionwhichhadneverwhollyceased，andwhichhadledtothepurchaseofBoxallHill，andtotheloanoflargesumsofmoneytothesquire。
Inanotherwayalsotherehadbeenaclosealliancebetweenthem，andonenotalwaysofaverypleasantdescription。Thedoctorwas，andlonghadbeen，SirRoger\'smedicalattendant，and，inhisunceasingattemptstorescuethedrunkardfromthefatewhichwassomuchtobedreaded，henotunfrequentlywasdriventoquarrelwithhispatient。
OnethingfurthermustbetoldofSirRoger。InpoliticshewasasviolentaRadicalasever，andwasveryanxioustoobtainapositioninwhichhecouldbringhisviolencetobear。WiththisviewhewasabouttocontesthisnativeboroughofBarchester，inthehopeofbeingreturnedinoppositiontotheDeCourcycandidate；andwiththisobjecthehadnowcomedowntoBoxallHill。
NorwerehisclaimstositforBarchestersuchascouldbedespised。Ifmoneyweretobeofnoavail，hehadplentyofit，andwaspreparedtospendit；whereas，rumoursaidthatMrMoffatwasequallydeterminedtodonothingsofoolish。Thenagain，SirRogerhadasortofrougheloquence，andwasboldtoaddressthemenofBarchesterinlanguagethatwouldcomehometotheirhearts，inwordsthatwouldendearhimtoonepartywhiletheymadehimoffensivelyodioustotheother；butMrMoffatcouldmakeneitherfriendsnorenemiesbyhiseloquence。TheBarchesterroughscalledhimadumbdogthatcouldnotbark，andsometimessarcasticallyaddedthatneithercouldhebite。TheDeCourcyinterest，however，wasathisback，andhehadalsotheadvantageofpossession。SirRoger，therefore，knewthatthebattlewasnottobewonwithoutastruggle。
DrThornegotsafelybackfromSilverbridgethatevening，andfoundMarywaitingtogivehimhistea。HehadbeencalledtheretoaconsultationwithDrCentury，thatamiableoldgentlemanhavingsofarfallenawayfromthehighFillgravetenetsastoconsenttotheoccasionalenduranceofsuchdegradation。
Thenextmorninghebreakfastedearly，and，havingmountedhisstrongiron-greycob，startedforBoxallHill。Notonlyhadhetheretonegotiatethesquire\'sfurtherloan，butalsotoexercisehismedicalskill。SirRogerhavingbeendeclaredcontractorforcuttingacanalfromseatosea，throughtheisthmusofPanama，hadbeenmakingaweekofit；andtheresultwasthatLadyScatcherdhadwrittenratherperemptorilytoherhusband\'smedicalfriend。
ThedoctorconsequentlytrottedofftoBoxallHillonhisiron-greycob。Amonghisothermeritswasthatofbeingagoodhorseman，andhedidmuchofhisworkonhorseback。ThefactthatheoccasionallytookadaywiththeEastBarsetshires，andthatwhenhedidsohethoroughlyenjoyedit，hadprobablynotfailedtoaddsomethingtothestrengthofthesquire\'sfriendship。
\'Well，mylady，howishe？Notmuchthematter，Ihope？\'saidthedoctor，asheshookhandswiththetitledmistressofBoxallHillinasmallbreakfast-parlourintherearofthehouse。TheshowroomsofBoxallHillwerefurnishedmostmagnificently，buttheyweresetapartforcompany；andasthecompanynevercame——seeingthattheywereneverinvited——thegrandroomsandthegrandfurniturewerenotofmuchmaterialusetoLadyScatcherd。
\'Indeedthen，doctor，he\'sjustbadenough，\'saidherladyship，notinaveryhappytoneofvoice；\'justbadenough。There\'sbeensome\'atthebackofhishead，rapping，andrapping，andrapping；andifyoudon\'tdosomething，I\'mthinkingitwillraphimtoohardyet。\'
\'Isheinbed？\'
\'Why，yes，heisinbed；forwhenhewasfirsttookhecouldn\'tverywellhelphisself，soweputhimtobed。Andthen，hedon\'tseemtobequiterightyetaboutthelegs，sohehasn\'tgotup；buthe\'sgotthatWinterboneswithhimtowriteforhim，andwhenWinterbonesisthere，Scatcherdmightaswellbeupforanygoodthatbed\'lldohim。\'
MrWinterboneswasconfidentialclerktoSirRoger。Thatistosay，hewasawriting-machineofwhichSirRogermadeusetodocertainworkwhichcouldnotwellbeadjustedwithoutsomecontrivance。Hewasalittle，withered，dissipated，broken-downman，whomginandpovertyhadnearlyburnttoacinder，anddriedtoanash。Mindhehadnoneleft，norcareforearthlythings，exceptthesmallestmodicumofsubstantialfood，andthelargestallowanceofliquidsustenance。Allthathehadeverknownhehadforgotten，excepthowtocountupfiguresandtowrite：theresultsofhiscountingandhiswritingneverstayedwithhimfromonehourtoanother；nay，notfromonefoliotoanother。Lethim，however，beadequatelyscrewedupwithgin，andadequatelyscreweddownbythepresenceofhismaster，andthennoamountofcountingandwritingwouldbetoomuchforhim。ThiswasMrWinterbones，confidentialclerktothegreatSirRogerScatcherd。
\'WemustsendWinterbonesaway，Itakeit，\'saidthedoctor。
\'Indeed，doctor，Iwishyouwould。Iwishyou\'dsendhimtoBath，oranywhereelseoutoftheway。ThereisScatcherd，hetakesbrandy；andthereisWinterbones，hetakesgin；andit\'dpuzzleawomantosaywhichisworst，masterorman。\'
Itwillseemfromthis，thatLadyScatcherdandthedoctorwereonveryfamiliartermsasregardedherlittledomesticinconveniences。
\'TellSirRogerIamhere，willyou？\'saidthedoctor。
\'You\'lltakeadropofsherrybeforeyougoup？\'saidthelady。
\'Notadrop，thankyou，\'saidthedoctor。
\'Or，perhapsalittlecordial？\'
\'Notofdropofanything，thankyou；Ineverdo，youknow。\'
\'Justathimblefulofthis？\'saidthelady，producingfromsomerecessunderasideboardabottleofbrandy；\'justathimbleful？It\'swhathetakeshimself。\'
WhenLadyScatcherdfoundthateventhisargumentfailed，sheledthewaytothegreatman\'sbedroom。
\'Welldoctor！welldoctor！，well，doctor！\'wasthegreetingwithwhichoursonofGalenwassalutedsometimebeforeheenteredthesick-room。Hisapproachingstepwasheard，andthustheci-devantBarchesterstone-masonsalutedhiscomingfriend。Thevoicewasloudandpowerful，butnotclearandsonorous。Whatvoicethatisnurturedonbrandycaneverbeclear？Ithadaboutitapeculiarhuskiness，adissipatedgutturaltone，whichThorneimmediatelyrecognized，andrecognizedasbeingmoremarked，moreguttural，andmorehuskythanheretofore。
\'Soyou\'vesmeltmeout，haveyou，andcomeforyourfee？Ha！ha！ha！
Well，Ihavehadasharpishboutofit，asherladyshiptherenodoubthastoldyou。Letheralonetomaketheworstofit。But，yousee，you\'retoolate，man。I\'vebilkedtheoldgentlemanagainwithouttroublingyou。\'
\'Anyway，I\'mgladyou\'resomethingbetter，Scatcherd。\'
\'Something！Idon\'tknowwhatyoucallsomething。Ineverwasbetterinmylife。AskWinterboneshere。\'
\'Indeed，now，Scatcherd，youain\'t；you\'rebadenoughifyouonlyknewit。AndasforWinterbones，hehasnobusinesshereupinyourbedroom，whichstinksofginso，itdoes。Don\'tyoubelievehim，doctor；heain\'twell，noryetnighwell。\'
Winterbones，whentheaboveill-naturedallusionwasmadetothearomacomingfromhislibations，mightbeseentodepositsurreptitiouslybeneaththelittletableatwhichhesat，thecupwithwhichhehadperformedthem。
Thedoctor，inthemeantime，hadtakenSirRoger\'shandonthepretextoffeelinghispulse，butwasdrawingquiteasmuchinformationfromthetouchofthesickman\'sskin，andthelookofthesickman\'seye。
\'IthinkMrWinterboneshadbettergobacktotheLondonoffice，\'saidhe。\'LadyScatcherdwillbeyourbestclerkforsometime，SirRoger。\'
\'ThenI\'llbed——ifMrWinterbonesdoesanythingofthekind，\'saidhe；\'sothere\'sanendofthat。\'
\'Verywell，\'saidthedoctor。\'Amancandiebutonce。Itismydutytosuggestmeasuresforputtingofftheceremonyaslongaspossible。
Perhaps，however，youmaywishtohastenit。\'
\'Well，Iamnotanxiousaboutit，onewayortheother，\'saidScatcherd。Andashespoketherecameafiercegleamfromhiseye，whichseemedtosay——\'Ifthat\'sthebugbearwithwhichyouwishtofrightenme，youwillbemistaken。\'
\'Now，doctor，don\'tlethimtalkthatway，don\'t，\'saidLadyScatcherd，withherhandkerchieftohereyes。
\'Now，mylady，doyoucutit；cutatonce，\'saidSirRoger，turninghastilyroundtohisbetter-half；andhisbetter-half，knowingthattheprovinceofawomanistoobey，didcutit。Butasshewentshegavethedoctorapullbythecoat\'ssleeve，sothattherebyhishealingfacultiesmightbesharpenedtotheveryutmost。
\'Thebestwomanintheworld，doctor；theverybest，\'saidhe，asthedoorclosedbehindthewifeofhisbosom。
\'I\'msureofit，\'saidthedoctor。
\'Yes，tillyoufindabetterone，\'saidScatcherd。\'Ha！ha！ha！butforgoodorbad，therearesomethingswhichawomancan\'tunderstand，andsomethingswhichsheoughtnottobelettounderstand。\'
\'It\'snaturalsheshouldbeanxiousaboutyourhealth，youknow。\'
\'Idon\'tknowthat，\'saidthecontractor。\'She\'llbeverywelloff。
Allthatwhiningwon\'tkeepamanalive，atanyrate。\'
Therewasapause，duringwhichthedoctorcontinuedhismedicalexamination。Tothisthepatientsubmittedwithabadgrace；butstillhedidsubmit。
\'Wemustturnoveranewleaf，SirRoger；indeedwemust。\'
\'Bother，\'saidSirRoger。
\'Well，Scatcherd；Imustdomydutytoyou，whetheryoulikeitornot。\'
\'Thatistosay，Iamtopayyoufortryingtofrightenme。\'
\'Nohumannaturecanstandsuchshocksasthosemuchlonger。\'
\'Winterbones，\'saidthecontractor，turningtohisclerk，\'godown，godown，Isay；butdon\'tbeoutoftheway。Ifyougotothepublic-house，byG——youmaystaythereforme。WhenItakeadrop，——thatisifIeverdo，itdoesnotstandinthewayofwork。\'SoMrWinterbones，pickinguphiscupagain，andconcealingitinsomewaybeneathhiscoatflap，retreatedoutoftheroom，andthetwofriendswerealone。
\'Scatcherd，\'saidthedoctor，\'youhavebeenasnearyourGod，asanymaneverwaswhoafterwardsateanddrankinthisworld。\'
\'HaveI，now？\'saidtherailwayhere，apparentlysomewhatstartled。
\'Indeedyouhave；indeedyouhave。\'
\'AndnowI\'mallrightagain？\'
\'Allright！Howcanyoubeallright，whenyouknowthatyourlimbsrefusetocarryyou？Allright！whythebloodisstillbeatingroundyoubrainwithaviolencethatwoulddestroyanyotherbrainbutyours。\'
\'Ha！ha！ha！，\'laughedScatcherd。Hewasveryproudofthinkinghimselftobedifferentlyorganizedfromothermen。\'Ha！ha！ha！WellandwhatamItodonow？\'
Thewholeofthedoctor\'sprescriptionwewillnotgiveatlength。TosomeofhisordinancesSirRogerpromisedobedience；toothersheobjectedviolently，andtooneortwoheflatlyrefusedtolisten。Thegreatstumbling-blockwasthis，thattotalabstinencefrombusinessfortwoweekswasenjoined；andthatitwasimpossible，soSirRogersaid，thatheshouldabstainfortwodays。
\'Ifyouwork，\'saidthedoctor，\'inyourpresentstate，youwillcertainlyhaverecoursetothestimulusofdrink；andifyoudrink，mostassuredlywilldie。\'
\'Stimulus！WhydoyouthinkIcan\'tworkwithoutDutchcourage？\'
\'Scatcherd，Iknowthatthereisbrandyinthisroomatthemoment，andthatyouhavebeentakingitwithinthesetwohours。\'
\'Yousmellthatfellow\'sgin，\'saidScatcherd。
\'Ifeelthealcoholworkingwithinyourveins，\'saidthedoctor，whostillhadhishandonhispatient\'sarm。
SirRogerturnedhimselfroughlyinthebedsoastogetawayfromhisMentor，andthenhebegantothreateninhisturn。
\'I\'lltellyouwhatitis，doctor；I\'vemadeupmymind，andI\'lldoit。I\'llsendforFillgrave。\'
\'Verywell，\'saidheofGreshamsbury，\'sendforFillgrave。Yourcaseisoneinwhichevenhecanhardlygowrong。\'
\'Youthinkyoucanhectorme，anddoasyoulikebecauseyouhadmeunderyourthumbinotherdays。You\'reaverygoodfellow，Thorne，butIain\'tsurethatyouarethebestdoctorinallEngland。\'
\'YoumaybesureIamnot；youmaytakemefortheworstifyouwill。
ButwhileIamhereasyourmedicaladviser，Icanonlytellyouthetruthtothebestofmythinking。Nowthetruthis，thatanotherboutofdrinkingwillinallprobabilitykillyou；andanyrecoursetostimulusinyourpresentconditionmaydoso。\'
\'I\'llsendforFillgrave——\'
\'Well，sendforFillgrave，onlydoitatonce。Believemeatanyrateinthis，thatwhateveryoudo，youshoulddoatonce。Obligemeinthis；letLadyScatcherdtakeawaythatbrandybottletillDrFillgravecomes。\'
\'I\'md——ifIdo。DoyouthinkIcan\'thaveabottleofbrandyinmyroomwithoutswigging？\'
\'Ithinkyou\'llbelesslikelytoswigifyoucan\'tgetatit。\'
SirRogermadeanotherangryturninhisbedaswellashishalf-paralysedlimbswouldlethim；andthen，afterafewmoments\'
peace，renewedhisthreatswithincreasedviolence。
\'Yes；I\'llhaveFillgraveoverhere。Ifamanbeill，reallyill，heshouldhavethebestadvicehecanget。I\'llhaveFillgrave，andI\'llhavethatotherfellowfromSilverbridgetomeethim。What\'shisname？——Century。\'
Thedoctorturnedhisheadaway；forthoughtheoccasionwasserious，hecouldnothelpsmilingatthemaliciousvengeancewithwhichhisfriendproposedtogratifyhimself。
\'Iwill；andRerechildtoo。What\'stheexpense？Isupposefiveorsixpoundsapiecewilldoit；eh，Thorne？\'
\'Oh，yes；thatwillbeliberalIshouldsay。But，SirRoger，willyouallowmetosuggestwhatyououghttodo？Idon\'tknowhowfaryoumaybejoking——\'
\'Joking！\'shoutedthebaronet；\'youtellamanhe\'sdyingandjokinginthesamebreath。You\'llfindI\'mnotjoking。\'
\'WellIdaresaynot。Butifyouhavenotfullconfidenceinme——\'
\'Ihavenoconfidenceinyouatall。\'
\'ThenwhynotsendtoLondon？Expenseisnoobjecttoyou。\'
\'Itisanobject；agreatobject。\'
\'Nonsense！SendtoLondonforSirOmicronPie：sendforsomemanwhomyouwillreallytrustwhenyouseehim。
\'There\'snotoneofthelotI\'dtrustassoonasFillgrave。I\'veknownFillgraveallmylifeandItrusthim。I\'llsendforFillgraveandputmycaseinhishands。Ifanyonecandoanythingforme，Fillgraveistheman。\'
\'TheninGod\'snamesendforFillgrave，\'saidthedoctor。\'Andnow，good-bye，Scatcherd；andasyoudosendforhim，givehimafairchance。Donotdestroyyourselfbymorebrandybeforehecomes。\'
\'That\'smyaffair，andhis；notyours，\'saidthepatient。
\'Sobeit；givemeyourhand，atanyrate，beforeIgo。Iwishyouwellthroughit，andwhenyouarewell，I\'llcomeandseeyou。\'
\'Good-bye——good-bye；andlookhere，Thorne，you\'llbetalkingtoLadyScatcherddownstairsIknow；now，nononsense。Youunderstandme，eh？
nononsense。\'
CHAPTERX
SIRROGER\'SWILL
DrThornelefttheroomandwentdownstairs，beingfullyawarethathecouldnotleavethehousewithouthavingsomecommunicationwithLadyScatcherd。Hewasnotsoonerwithinthepassagethanheheardthesickman\'sbellringviolently；andthentheservant，passinghimonthestaircase，receivedorderstosendamountedmessengerimmediatelytoBarchester。DrFillgravewastobesummonedtocomeasquicklyaspossibletothesickman\'sroom，andMrWinterboneswastobesentuptowritethenote。
SirRogerwasquiterightinsupposingthattherewouldbesomewordsbetweenthedoctorandherladyship。How，indeed，wasthedoctortogetoutofthehousewithoutsuch，lethimwishiteversomuch？Therewerewords；andthesewereprotracted，whilethedoctor\'scobwasbeingorderedround，tillverymanywereutteredwhichthecontractorwouldprobablyhaveregardedasnonsense。
LadyScatcherdwasnofitassociateforthewivesofEnglishbaronets；——wasnodoubtbyeducationandmannersmuchbetterfittedtositintheirservants\'halls；butnotonthataccountwassheabadwifeorabadwoman。Shewaspainfully，fearfully，anxiousforthathusbandofhers，whomshehonouredandworshipped，asitbehovedhertodo，aboveallothermen。Shewasfearfullyanxiousastohislife，andfaithfullybelieved，thatifanymancouldprolongit，itwasthatoldandfaithfulfriendwhomshehadknowntobetruetoherlordsincetheirearlymarriedtroubles。
When，therefore，shefoundthatshehadbeendismissed，andthatastrangerwastobesentforinhisplace，herheartsankbelowwithinher。
\'But，doctor，\'shesaid，withherapronuptohereyes，\'youain\'tgoingtoleavehim，areyou？\'
DrThornedidnotfinditeasytoexplaintoherladyshipthatmedicaletiquettewouldnotpermithimtoremaininattendanceonherhusbandafterhehadbeendismissedandanotherphysiciancalledinhisplace。
\'Etiquette！\'saidshe，crying。\'What\'setiquettetodowithitwhenamanisa-killinghisselfwithbrandy？\'
\'FillgravewillforbidthatquiteasstronglyasIcando。\'
\'Fillgrave！\'saidshe。\'Fiddlesticks！Fillgrave，indeed！\'
DrThornecouldalmosthaveembracedherforthestrongfeelingofthoroughconfidenceontheoneside，andthoroughdistrustontheother，whichshecontrivedtothrowintothosefewwords。
\'I\'lltellyouwhat，doctor；Iwon\'tletthatmessengergo。I\'llbearthebruntofit。Hecan\'tdomuchnowheain\'tup，youknow。I\'llstoptheboy；wewon\'thavenoFillgravehere。\'
This，however，wasasteptowhichDrThornewouldnotassent。Heendeavouredtoexplaintotheanxiouswife，thatafterwhathadpassedhecouldnottenderhismedicalservicestilltheywereagainaskedfor。
\'Butyoucanslipinasafriend，youknow；andthenbydegreesyoucancomeroundhim，eh？can\'tyounow，doctor？Andastopayment——\'
AllthatDrThornesaidonthesubjectmayeasilybeimagined。Andinthisway，andinpartakingofthelunchwhichwasforceduponhim，anhourhadnearlypassedbetweenhisleavingSirRoger\'sbedroomandputtinghisfootinthestirrup。Butnosoonerhadthecobbeguntomoveonthegravel-sweepbeforethehousethanoneoftheupperwindowsopened，andthedoctorwassummonedtoanotherconferencewiththesickman。
\'Hesaysyouaretocomeback，whetherorno，\'saidMrWinterbones，screechingoutofthewindow，andputtingallhisemphasisonthelastwords。
\'Thorne！Thorne！Thorne！\'shoutedthesickmanfromhissick-bed，soloudlythatthedoctorheardhim，seatedashewasonhorsebackoutbeforethehouse。
\'You\'retocomeback，whetherorno，\'repeatedWinterbones，withmoreemphasis，evidentlyconceivingthattherewasastrengthofinjunctioninthat\'whetherorno\'whichwouldbefoundquiteinvincible。
Whetheractuatedbythesemagicwords，orbysomeinternalprocessofthought，wewillnotsay；butthedoctordidslowly，andasthoughunwillingly，dismountagainfromhissteed，andslowlyretracehisstepsintothehouse。
\'Itisnouse，\'hesaidtohimself，\'forthatmessengerhasalreadygonetoBarchester。\'
\'IhavesentforDrFillgrave，\'werethefirstwordswhichthecontractorsaidtohimwhenheagainfoundhimselfbythebedside。
\'Didyoucallmebacktotellmethat？\'saidThorne，whonowfeltreallyangryattheimpertinentpetulanceofthemanbeforehim：\'youshouldconsider，Scatcherd，thatmytimemaybeofvaluetoothers，ifnottoyou。\'
\'Nowdon\'tbeangry，oldfellow，\'saidScatcherd，turningtohim，andlookingathimwithacountenancequitedifferentfromanythathehadshownthatday；acountenanceinwhichtherewasashowofmanhood，——someshowalsoofaffection。\'Youain\'tangrynowbecauseI\'vesentforFillgrave？\'
\'Notintheleast，\'saidthedoctorverycomplacently。\'Notintheleast。FillgravewilldoasmuchgoodasIcando。\'
\'Andthat\'snoneatall，Isuppose；eh，Thorne？\'
\'Thatdependsonyourself。Hewilldoyougoodifyouwilltellhimthetruth，andwillthenbeguidedbyhim。Yourwife，yourservant，anyonecanbeasgoodadoctortoyouaseitherheorI；asgood，thatis，inthemainpoint。ButyouhavesentforFillgravenow；andofcourseyoumustseehim。Ihavemuchtodo，andyoumustletmego。\'
Scatcherd，however，wouldnotlethimgo，butheldhishandfast。
\'Thorne，\'saidhe，\'ifyoulikeit，I\'llmakethemputFillgraveunderthepumpdirectlyhecomeshere。Iwillindeed，andpayallthedamagemyself。\'
Thiswasanotherpropositiontowhichthedoctorcouldnotconsent；buthewasutterlyunabletorefrainfromlaughing。TherewasanearnestlookofentreatyaboutSirRoger\'sfaceashemadethesuggestion；and，joinedtothis，therewasagleamofcomicsatisfactioninhiseyewhichseemedtopromise，thatifhereceivedtheleastencouragementhewouldputhisthreatintoexecution。Nowourdoctorwasnotinclinedtotakinganystepstowardssubjectinghislearnedbrothertopumpdiscipline；buthecouldnotbutadmittohimselfthattheideawasnotabadone。
\'I\'llhaveitdone，Iwill，byheavens！ifyou\'llonlysaytheword，\'
protestedSirRoger。
Butthedoctordidnotsaytheword，andsotheideawaspassedoff。
\'Youshouldn\'tbesotestywithamanwhenheisill，\'saidScatcherd，stillholdingthedoctor\'shand，ofwhichhehadagaingotpossession；
\'speciallynotanoldfriend；andspeciallyagainwhenyou\'rebeena-blowinghimup。\'
Itwasnotworththedoctor\'swhiletoaverthatthetestinesshadallbeenontheotherside，andthathehadneverlosthisgood-humour；sohemerelysmiled，andaskedSirRogerifhecoulddoanythingfurtherforhim。
\'Indeedyoucan，doctor；andthat\'swhyIsentforyou，——whyIsentforyouyesterday。Getoutoftheroom，Winterbones，\'hethensaidgruffly，asthoughheweredismissingfromhischamberadirtydog。