Andyethecouldnotbringhimselftoencourageitthen。Theideaof\'lookingafterdeadman\'sshoes\'wasabhorrenttohismind，especiallywhenthemanwhosedeathhecontemplatedhadbeensotrustedtohimashadbeenSirLouisScatcherd。Hecouldnotspeakoftheevent，eventothesquire，asbeingpossible。Sohekepthispeacefromdaytoday，andgavenocounseltoMaryinthematter。
Andthenhehadhisownindividualannoyances，andveryaggravatingannoyancestheywere。Thecarriage——orratherthepost-chaise——ofDrFillgravewasnowfrequentinGreshamsbury，passinghimconstantlyinthestreet，amongthelanes，andonthehighroads。ItseemedasthoughDrFillgravecouldnevergettohispatientsatthebighousewithoutshowinghimselftohisbeatenrival，eitheroniswaythitheroronhisreturn。Thisalonewould，perhaps，nothavehurtthedoctormuch；butitdidhurthimtoknowthatDrFillgravewasattendingthesquireforalittleincipientgout，andthatdearNinawasinmeaslesunderthoseunlovinghands。
Andthen，also，theold-fashionedphaeton，ofold-fashionedoldDrCenturywasseentorumbleuptothebighouse，anditbecameknownthatLadyArabellawasnotverywell。\'Notverywell，\'whenpronouncedinalow，gravevoiceaboutLadyArabella，alwaysmeantsomethingserious。And，inthiscase，somethingseriouswasmeant。LadyArabellawasnotonlyill，butfrightened。Itappearedeventoher，thatDrFillgravehardlyknewwhathewasabout，thathewasnotsosureinhisopinion，soconfidentinhimselfasDrThorneusedtobe。
howshouldhebe，seeingthatDrThornehadmedicallyhadLadyArabellainhishandsforthelasttenyears？
Ifsittingwithdignityinhishiredcarriage，andsteppingwithauthorityupthebigfrontsteps，wouldhavedoneanything，DrFillgravemighthavedonemuch。LadyArabellawasgreatlytakenwithhislookswhenhefirstcametoher，anditwasonlywhenshebydegreesthatthesymptoms，whichsheknewsowell，didnotyieldtohimthatshebegantodoubtthoselooks。
AfterawhileDrFillgravehimselfsuggestedDrCentury。\'NotthatI
fearanything，LadyArabella，\'saidhe，——lyinghugely，forhedidfear；
fearbothforhimselfandforher。\'ButDrCenturyhasgreatexperience，andinsuchamatter，whentheinterestsaresoimportant，onecannotbetoosafe。\'
SoDrCenturycameandtoddledslowlyintoherladyship\'sroom。Hedidnotsaymuch；heleftthetalkingtohislearnedbrother，whocertainlywasabletodothatpartofthebusiness。ButDrCentury，thoughhesaidverylittle，lookedverygrave，andbynomeansquietedLadyArabella\'smind。She，asshesawthetwoputtingtheirheadstogether，alreadyhadmisgivingsthatshehaddonewrong。SheknewthatshecouldnotbesafewithoutDrThorneatherbedside，andshealreadyfeltthatshehadexercisedamostinjudiciouscourageindrivinghimaway。
\'Well，doctor？\'saidshe，assoonasDrCenturyhadtoddleddownstairstoseethesquire。
\'Oh！weshallbeallright，LadyArabella；allright，verysoon。Butwemustbecareful，verycareful；IamgladI\'vehadDrCenturyhere，very；butthere\'snothingtoalter；littleornothing。\'
TherewasbutfewwordsspokenbetweenDrCenturyandthesquire；butfewastheywere，theyfrightenedMrGresham。WhenDrFillgravecamedownthegrandstairs，aservantwaitedatthebottomtoaskhimalsotogotothesquire。NowthereneverhadbeenmuchcordialitybetweenthesquireandDrFillgrave，thoughMrGreshamhadconsentedtotakeapreventativepillfromhishands，andthelittlemanthereforeswelledhimselfoutsomewhatmorethanordinarilyashefollowedtheservant。
\'DrFillgrave，\'saidthesquire，atoncebeginningtheconversation，\'LadyArabella，isIfear，indanger？\'
\'Well，no；Ihopenotindanger，MrGresham。IcertainlybelieveImaybejustifiedinexpressingahopethatsheisnotindanger。Herstateis，nodoubt，ratherserious；——ratherserious——asDrCenturyhasprobablytoldyou；\'andDrFillgravemadeabowtotheoldman，whosatquietinoneofthedining-roomarm-chairs。
\'Well，doctor，\'saidthesquire，\'Ihavenotanygroundsonwhichtodoubtyourjudgement。\'
DrFillgravebowed，butwiththestiffest，slightestinclinationwhichaheadcouldpossiblymake。HeratherthoughtthatMrGreshamhadnogroundfordoubtinghisjudgement。
\'NordoI。\'
Thedoctorbowed，andalittle，averylittlelessstiffly。
\'But，doctor，Ithinkthatsomethingoughttobedone。\'
Thedoctorthistimedidhisbowingmerelywithhiseyesandmouth。Theformerheclosedforamoment，thelatterhepressed；andthendecorouslyrubbedhishandsoneovertheother。
\'Iamafraid，DrFillgrave，thatyouandmyfriendThornearenotthebestfriendsintheworld。\'
\'No，MrGresham，no；Imaygosofarastosaywearenot。\'
\'Well，Iamsorryforit——\'
\'Perhaps，MrGresham，weneedhardlydiscussit；buttherehavebeencircumstances——\'
\'Iamnotgoingtodiscussanything，DrFillgrave；IsayIamsorryforit，becauseIbelievethatprudencewillimperativelyrequireLadyArabellatohaveDoctorThornebackagain。Now，ifyouwouldnotobjecttomeethim——\'
\'MrGresham，Ibegpardon；Ibegpardon，indeed；butyoumustreallyexcuseme。DoctorThornehas，inmyestimation——\'
\'But，DoctorFillgrave——\'
\'MrGresham，youreallymustexcuseme；youreallymust，indeed。
AnythingelsethatIcoulddoforLadyArabella，Ishouldbemosthappytodo；butafterwhathaspassed，IcannotmeetDoctorThorne；Ireallycannot。Youmustnotaskmetodoso；MrGresham。And，MrGresham，\'
continuedthedoctor，\'IdidunderstandfromLadyArabellathathis——thatis，DrThorne\'s——conducttoherladyshiphadbeensuch——soveryoutrageous，Imaysay，that——that——that——ofcourse，MrGresham，youknowbest；butIdidthinkthatLadyArabellaherselfwasquiteunwillingtoseeDoctorThorneagain；\'andDrFillgravelookedverybig，andverydignified，andveryexclusive。
Thesquiredidnotaskagain。HehadnowarrantforsupposingthatLadyArabellawouldreceiveDrThorneifhedidcome；andhesawthatitwasuselesstoattempttoovercometherancourofthemansopig-headedasthelittleGalennowbeforehim。Otherpropositionswerethenbroached，anditwasatlastdecidedthatassistanceshouldbesoughtforfromLondon，inthepersonofthegreatSirOmicronPie。
SirOmicroncame，andDrsFillgraveandCenturyweretheretomeethim。WhentheyallassembledinLadyArabella\'sroom，thepoorwoman\'sheartalmostsandwithinher，——aswellitmight，atsuchasight。Ifshecouldonlyreconcileitwithherhonour，herconsistency，withherhighDeCourcyprinciples，tosendoncemoreforDrThorne。Oh，Frank！Frank！towhatmiseryyourdisobediencebroughtyourmother！
SirOmicronandthelesserprovinciallightshadtheirconsultation，andthelesserlightswenttheirwaytoBarchesterandSilverbridge，leavingSirOmicrontoenjoythehospitalityofGreshamsbury。
\'YoushouldhaveThornebackhere，MrGresham，\'saidSirOmicron，almostinawhisper，whentheywerequitealone。\'DoctorFillgraveisaverygoodman，andsoisDrCentury；verygood，I\'msure。ButThornehasknownherladyshipsolong。\'Andthen，onthefollowingmorning，SirOmicronalsowenthisway。
Andthentherewasascenebetweenthesquireandherladyship。LadyArabellahadgivenherselfcreditforgreatgoodgeneralshipwhenshefoundthatthesquirehadbeeninducedtotakethatpill。Wehaveallheardofthelittleendofthewedge，andwehavemostofusanideathatthelittleendisthedifficulty。ThatpillhadbeenthelittleendofLadyArabella\'swedge。Uptothatperiodshehadbeenstrugglinginvaintomakeaseverancebetweenherhusbandandherenemy。Thatpillshoulddothebusiness。Shewellknewhowtomakethemostofit；tohaveitpublishedinGreshamsburythatthesquirehadputhisgoutytoeintoDrFillgrave\'shands；howtoletitbeknown——especiallyatthathumblehouseinthecornerofthestreet——thatFillgrave\'sprescriptionsnowrancurrentthroughthewholeestablishment。DrThornedidhearofit，anddidsuffer。Hehadbeenatruefriendtothesquire，andhethoughtthesquireshouldhavestoodtohimmorestaunchly。
\'Afterall，\'saidhehimself，\'perhapsit\'saswell——perhapsitwillbebestthatIshouldleavethisplacealtogether。\'AndthenhethoughtofSirRogerandhiswill，andofMaryandherlover。AndthenofMary\'sbirth，andofhisowntheoreticaldoctrinesastopureblood。
Andsohistroublesmultiplied，andhesawnopresentdaylightthroughthem。
SuchhadbeenthewayinwhichLadyArabellahadgotinthelittleendofthewedge。Andshewouldhavetriumphedjoyfullyhadnotherincreaseddoubtsandfearsastoherselfthencomeintocheckhertriumphanddestroyherjoy。Shehadnotyetconfessedtoanyonehersecretregretforthefriendshehaddrivenaway。Shehardlyyetacknowledgedtoherselfthatshedidregrethim；butshewasuneasy，frightened，andinlowspirits。
\'Mydear，\'saidthesquire，sittingdownbyherbedside，\'IwanttotellyouwhatSirOmicronsaidashewentaway。\'
\'Well？\'saidherladyship，sittingupandlookingfrightened。
\'Idon\'tknowhowyoumaytakeit，Bell；butIthinkitverygoodnews：\'thesquirenevercalledhiswifeBell，exceptwhenhewantedhertobeonparticularlygoodtermswithhim。
\'Well？\'shesaidagain。Shewasnotover-anxioustobegracious，anddidnotreciprocatehisfamiliarity。
\'SirOmicronsaysthatyoushouldhaveThornebackagain，anduponmyhonour，Icannotbutagreewithhim。Now，Thorneisacleverman，averycleverman；nobodydeniesthat；andthen，youknow——\'
\'WhydidnotSirOmicronsaythattome？\'saidherladyship，sharply，allherdispositioninDrThorne\'sfavourbecomingwonderfullydampedbyherhusband\'sadvocacy。
\'Isupposehethoughtitbettertosayittome，\'saidthesquire。
\'Heshouldhavespokentomyself，\'saidLadyArabella，who，thoughshedidnotabsolutelydoubtherhusband\'sword，gavehimcreditforhavinginducedandledonSirOmicrontotheutteringoftheopinion。\'DoctorThornehasbehavedtomeinsogross，soindecentamanner！Andthen，asIunderstand，heisabsolutelyencouragingthatgirl——\'
\'Now，Bell，youarequitewrong——\'
\'OfcourseIam；Ialwaysamquitewrong。\'
\'Quitewronginmixinguptwothings；DoctorThorneasanacquaintance，andDrThorneasadoctor。\'
\'Itisdreadfultohavehimhere，evenstandingintheroomwithme。
Howcanonetalktoone\'sdoctoropenlyandconfidentiallywhenonelooksuponhimasone\'sworstenemy？\'AndLadyArabella，softening，almostmeltedwithtears。
\'Mydear，youcannotwonderthatIshouldbeanxiousforyou。\'
LadyArabellagavealittlesnuffle，whichmightbetakenasanotveryeloquentexpressionofthanksforthesquire\'ssolicitude，orasanironicaljeerathiswantofsincerity。
\'And，therefore，IhavenotlostamomentintellingyouwhatSirOmicronsaid。“YoushouldhaveThornebackhere；“thosewerehisverywords。Youcanthinkitover，mydear。Andrememberthis，Bell；ifheistodoanygoodnotimeistobelost。\'
Andthenthesquirelefttheroom，andLadyArabellaremainedalone，perplexedbymanydoubts。
CHAPTERXXXII
MRORIEL
Imustnow，shortly——asshortlyasitisinmypowertodoit——introduceanewcharactertomyreader。MentionhasbeenmadeoftherectoryofGreshamsbury；but，hitherto，noopportunityhasoffereditselffortheRevCalebOrieltocomeupontheboards。
MrOrielwasamanoffamilyandfortune，who，havinggonetoOxfordwiththeusualviewsofsuchmen，hadbecomeinoculatedtherewithveryHigh-Churchprinciples，andhadgoneintoordersinfluencedbyafeelingofenthusiasticloveforthepriesthood。Hewasbynomeansanascetic——suchmen，indeed，seldomare——norwasheadevotee。Hewasamanwellable，andcertainlywillingtodotheworkofaparishclergyman；andwhenhebecameone，hewasefficaciousinhisprofession。Butitmayperhapsbesaidofhim，withoutspeakingslanderously，thathisoriginalcalling，asayoungman，wasrathertotheoutwardandvisiblesignsofreligionthantoitsinwardandspiritualgraces。
Hedelightedinlecternsandcredence-tables，inservicesatdarkhoursofwintermorningswhennoonewouldattend，inhighwaistcoatsandnarrowwhiteneckties，inchantedservicesandintonedprayers，andinalltheparaphernaliaofAnglicanformalitieswhichhavegivensuchoffencetothoseofourbrethrenwholiveindailyfearofthescarletlady。ManyofhisfriendsdeclaredthatMrOrielwouldsoonerorlaterdeliverhimselfoverbodyandsoultothatlady；buttherewasnoneedtofearforhim：forthoughsufficientlyenthusiastictogetoutofbedatfiveamonwintermornings——hedidso，atleast，allthroughhisfirstwinteratGreshamsbury——hewasnotmadeofthatstuffwhichisnecessaryforastaunch，burning，self-denyingconvert。ItwasnotinhimtochangehisverysleekblackcoatforaCapuchin\'sfilthycassock，norhispleasantparsonageforsomedirtyholeinRome。Anditwasbettersobothforhimandothers。Therearebutfew，veryfew，towhomitisgiventobeaHuss，aWickliffe，oraLuther；andamangainsbutlittlebybeingafalseHuss，orafalseLuther，——andhisneighboursgainless。
Butcertainlengthsinself-privationMrOrieldidgo；atanyrate，forsometime。Heeschewedmatrimony，imaginingthatitbecamehimasapriesttodoso。HefastedrigorouslyonFridays；andtheneighboursdeclaredthathescourgedhimself。
MrOrielwas，ithasbeensaid，amanoffortune；thatistosay，whenhecameofagehewasmasterofthirtythousandpounds。WhenhetookitintohisheadtogointotheChurch，hisfriendsboughtforhimthenextpresentationtothelivingatGreshamsbury；and，ayearafterhisordination，thelivingfallingin，MrOrielbroughthimselfandhissistertotherectory。
MrOrielsoonbecamepopular。Hewasadark-haired，good-lookingman，ofpolishedmanners，agreeableinsociety，notgiventomonkishausterities——exceptinthematterofFridays——noryettotheLow-Churchseverityofdemeanour。Hewasthoroughlyagentleman，good-humoured，inoffensive，andsociable。Buthehadonefault：hewasnotamarryingman。
Onthisgroundtherewasafeelingagainsthimsostrongasalmostatonetimetothrowhimintoseriousdanger。Itwasnotonlythatheshouldbeswornagainstmatrimonyinhisindividualself——hewhomfatehadmadesoabletosustaintheweightofawifeandfamily；butwhatanexamplehewassetting！Ifotherclergymenallaroundshoulddeclareagainstwivesandfamilies，whatwastobecomeofthecountry？
Whatwastobedoneintheruraldistricts？Thereligiousobservances，asregardswomen，ofaBrighamYoungwerehardlysobadasthis！
TherewerearoundGreshamsburyverymanyunmarriedladies——Ibelievetheregenerallyaresoroundmustsuchvillages。Fromthegreathousehedidnotreceivemuchannoyance。Beatricewasthenonlyjustonthevergeofbeingbroughtout，andwasnotperhapsinclinedtothinkverymuchofayoungclergyman；andAugustacertainlyintendedtoflyathighergame。ButthereweretheMissAthelings，thedaughtersofaneighbouringclergyman，whowerereadytogoalllengthswithhiminHigh-Churchmatters，exceptasthatonetremendouslypapalstepofcelibacy；andthetwoMissHesterwells，ofHesterwellPark，theyoungerofwhomboldlydeclaredherpurposeofcivilizingthesavage；andMrsOpieGreen，averyprettywidow，withaveryprettyjointure，wholivedinaveryprettyhouseaboutamilefromGreshamsbury，andwhodeclaredheropinionthatMrOrielwasquiterightinhisviewofaclergyman\'sposition。Howcouldawoman，situatedasshewas，havethecomfortofaclergyman\'sattentionifheweretoberegardedjustasanyotherman？ShecouldnowknowinwhatlighttoregardMrOriel，andwouldbeablewithoutscrupletoavailherselfofhiszeal。Soshedidavailherselfofhiszeal，——andthatwithoutanyscruple。
AndthentherewasMissGushing，——ayoungthing。MissGushinghadagreatadvantageovertheothercompetitorsforthecivilizationofMrOriel，namely，inthis——thatshewasabletoattendhismorningservices。IfMrOrielwastobereachedinanyway，itwasprobablethathemightbereachedinthisway。Ifanythingcouldcivilizehim，thiswoulddoit。Therefore，theyoungthing，throughallonelong，tediouswinter，toreherselffromherwarmbed，andwastobeseen——no，notseen，butheard——enteringMrOriel\'schurchatsixo\'clock。Withindefatigableassiduitytheresponsesweremade，utteredfromunderaclosebonnet，andoutofadarkcorner，inanenthusiasticallyfemininevoice，throughthewholewinter。
NordidMissGushingaltogetherfailinherobject。Whenaclergyman\'sdailyaudienceconsistsofbutoneperson，andthatpersonisayounglady，itishardlypossiblethatheshouldnotbecomepersonallyintimatewithher；hardlypossiblethatheshouldnotbeinsomemeasuregrateful。MissGushing\'sresponsescamefromherwithsuchfervour，andshebeggedforghostlyadvicewithsucheagerlongingtohaveherscruplessatisfied，thatMrOrielhadnothingforitbuttogivewaytoacertainamountofcivilization。
BydegreesitcametopassthatMissGushingcouldnevergetherfinalprayersaid，hershawlandboaadjusted，andstowawayhernicenewPrayerBookwiththeredlettersinside，andthecrossontheback，tillMrOrielhadbeenintohisvestryandgotridofhissurplice。Andthentheymetatthechurch-porch，andnaturallywalkedtogethertillMrOriel\'scruelgatewayseparatedthem。Theyoungthingdidsometimesthinkthat，astheparson\'scivilizationprogressed，hemighthavetakenthetroubletowalkwithherasfarasMrsYatesUmbleby\'shalldoor；butshehadhopetosustainher，andafirmresolvetomeritsuccess，eventhoughshemightnotattainit。
\'Itisnottenthousandpities，\'sheoncesaidtohim，\'thatnonehereshouldavailthemselvesoftheinestimableprivilegewhichyourcominghasconferreduponus？Oh，MrOriel，Idosowonderatit！Tomeitissodelightful！Themorningserviceinthedarkchurchissobeautiful，sotouching！\'
\'Isupposetheythinkitaboregettingupsoearly，\'saidMrOriel。
\'Ah，abore！\'saidMissGushing，inanenthusiastictoneofdepreciation。\'Howinsensatetheymustbe！Tomeitgivesanewcharmtolife。Itquietsonefortheday；makesonesofitterforone\'sdailytrialsanddailytroubles。Doesitnot，MrOriel？\'
\'Ilookuponmorningprayerasanimperativeduty，certainly。\'
\'Oh，certainly，amostimperativeduty；butsodeliciousatthesametime。IspoketoMrsUmblebyaboutit，butshesaidshecouldnotleavethechildren。\'
\'No：Idaresaynot，\'saidMrOriel。
\'AndMrUmblebysaidbusinesskepthimupsolateatnight。\'
\'Veryprobably。Ihardlyexpecttheattendanceofmenofbusiness。\'
\'Buttheservantsmightcome，mightn\'tthey，MrOriel？\'
\'Ifearthatservantsseldomcanhavetimefordailyprayersinchurch。\'
\'Oh，ah，no；perhapsnot。\'AndthenMissGushingbegantobethinkherselfofwhomshouldbecomposedthecongregationwhichitmustbepresumedthatMrOrielwishedtoseearoundhim。Butonthismatterhedidnotenlightenher。
ThenMissGushingtooktofastingonFridays，andmadesomefutileattemptstoinduceherpriesttogiveherthecomfortofconfessionalabsolution。But，unfortunately，thezealofthemasterwaxedcoolasthatofthepupilwaxedhot；and，atlast，whentheyoungthingreturnedtoGreshamsburyfromanautumnexcursionwhichshemadewithMrsUmblebytoWeston-super-Mare，shefoundthatthedeliciousmorningserviceshaddiedanaturaldeath。MissGushingdidnotonthataccountgiveupthegame，butshewasboundtofightwithnoparticularadvantageinherfavour。
MissOriel，thoughagoodChurchwoman，wasbynomeansaconverttoherbrother\'sextremistviews，andperhapsgavebutscantycredittotheGushings，Athelings，andOpieGreensforthesincerityoftheirreligion。But，nevertheless，sheandherbrotherwerestaunchfriends；
andshestillhopedtoseethedaywhenhemightbeinducedtothinkthatanEnglishparsonmightgetthroughhisparishworkwiththeassistanceofawifebetterthanhecoulddowithoutsuchfeminineencumbrance。Thegirlwhomsheselectedforhisbridewasnottheyoungthing，butBeatriceGresham。
AndatlastitseemedprobabletoMrOriel\'snearestfriendsthathewasinafairwaytobeovercome。NotthathehadbeguntomakelovetoBeatrice，orcommittedhimselfbytheutteranceofanyopinionastotheproprietyofclericalmarriages；buthedailybecamelooserabouthispeculiartenets，ravedlessimmoderatelythanheretoforeastotheatrocityoftheGreshamsburychurchpews，andwasobservedtotakesomeopportunitiesofconversingalonewithBeatrice。Beatricehadalwaysdeniedtheimputation——thishadusuallybeenmadebyMaryintheirhappydays——withthevehementasseverationsofanger；andMissGushinghadtittered，andexpressedherselfassupposingthatgreatpeople\'sdaughtersmightbeasbarefacedastheypleased。
AllthishadhappenedprevioustothegreatGreshamsburyfeud。MrOrielgraduallygothimselfintoawayofsaunteringuptothegreathouse，saunteringintothedrawing-roomforthepurpose，asIamsurehethought，oftalkingwithLadyArabella，andthenofsaunteringhomeagain，havingusuallyfoundanopportunityforsayingafewwordstoBeatriceduringthevisit。ThiswentonallthroughthefeuduptotheperiodofLadyArabella\'sillness；andthenonemorning，aboutamonthbeforethedatefixedforFrank\'sreturn，MrOrielfoundhimselfengagedtoMissBeatriceGresham。
FromthedaythatMissGushingheardofit——whichwasnothoweverforsomeconsiderabletimeafterthis——shebecameanIndependentMethodist。
Shecouldnolonger，shesaidatfirst，haveanyfaithinanyreligion；
andforanhourorsoshewasalmosttemptedtoswearthatshecouldnolongerhaveanyfaithinanyman。Shehadnearlycompletedaworkedcoverforacredence-tablewhenthenewsreachedher，astowhich，intheyoungenthusiasmofherheart，shehadnotbeenabletoremainsilent；ithadalreadybeenpromisedtoMrOriel；thatpromiseshesworeshouldnotbekept。Hewasanapostate，shesaid，fromhisprinciples；anutterpervert；afalse，designingman，withwhomshewouldneverhavetrustedherselfaloneondarkmorningshadsheknownthathehadsuchgrovelling，worldlyinclinations。SoMissGushingbecameanIndependentMethodist；thecredence-tablecoveringwascutupintoslippersforthepreacher\'sfeet；andtheyoungthingherself，morehappyinthisdirectionthanshehadbeenintheother，becamethearbiterofthatpreacher\'sdomestichappiness。
ButthislittlehistoryofMissGushing\'sfuturelifeispremature。MrOrielbecameengageddemurely，nay，almostsilently，toBeatrice，andnooneoutoftheirownimmediatefamilieswasatthetimeinformedofthematter。Itwasarrangedverydifferentlyfromthoseothertwomatches——embryo，ornotembryo，those，namely，ofAugustawithMrMoffat，andFrankwithMaryThorne。AllBarsetshirehadheardofthem；
butthatofBeatriceandMrOrielwasmanagedinamuchmoreprivatemanner。
\'Idothinkyouareahappygirl，\'saidPatiencetoheronemorning。
\'IndeedIam。\'
\'Heissogood。Youdon\'tknowhowgoodheisasyet；heneverthinksofhimself，andthinkssomuchofthoseheloves。\'
Beatricetookherfriend\'shandinherownandkissedit。Shewasfullofjoy。Whenagirlisabouttobemarried，whenshemaylawfullytalkoflove，thereisnomusicinherearssosweetasthepraisesofherlover。
\'Imadeupmymindfromthefirstthatheshouldmarryyou。\'
\'Nonsense，Patience。\'
\'Idid，indeed。Imadeupmymindthatheshouldmarry；andtherewereonlytwotochoosefrom。\'
\'MeandMissGushing，\'saidBeatrice，laughing。
\'No；notexactlyMissGushing。IhadnotmanyfearsforCalebthere。\'
\'Ideclaresheisverypretty，\'saidBeatrice，whocouldaffordtobegood-natured。NowMissGushingcertainlywaspretty；andwouldhavebeenveryprettyhadhernosenotturnedupsomuch，andcouldshehavepartedherhairinthecentre。
\'Well，Iamverygladyouchoseme；——ifitwasyouwhochose，\'saidBeatrice，modestly；having，however，inherownmindastrongopinionthatMrOrielhadchosenforhimself，andhadneveranydoubtinthematter。\'Andwhowastheother？\'
\'Can\'tyouguess？\'
\'Iwon\'tguessanymore；perhapsMrsGreen。\'
\'Oh，no；certainlynotawidow。Idon\'tlikewidowsmarrying。Butofcourseyoucouldguessifyouwould；ofcourseitwasMaryThorne。ButIsoonsawMarywouldnotdo，fortworeasons；Calebwouldneverhavelikedherwellenoughnorwouldshehaveeverlikedhim。\'
\'Notlikehim！ohIhopeshewill；IdosoloveMaryThorne。\'
\'SodoIdearly；andsodoesCaleb；buthecouldneverhavelovedherashelovesyou。\'
\'But，Patience，haveyoutoldMary？\'
\'No，Ihavetoldnoone，andshallnotwithoutyourleave。\'
\'Ah，youmusttellher。Tellitherwithmybest，andkindest，warmestlove。TellherhowhappyIam，andhowIlongtotalktoher。TellthatIwillhaveherformybridesmaid。Oh！Idohopethatbeforethatallthishorridquarrelwillbesettled。
Patienceundertookthecommission，anddidtellMary；didgiveheralsothemessagewhichBeatricehadsent。AndMarywasrejoicedtohearit；
forthough，asPatiencehadsaidofher，shehadneverherselffeltanyinclinationtofallinlovewithMrOriel，shebelievedhimtobeoneinwhosehandsherfriend\'shappinesswouldbesecure。Then，bydegrees，theconversationchangedfromthelovesofMrOrielandBeatricetothetroublesofFrankGreshamandherself。
\'Shesaysthatletwhatwillhappenyoushallbeoneofherbridesmaids。\'
\'Ah，yes，dearTrichy！thatwassettledbetweenusinauldlangsyne；
butthosesettlementsareallunsettlednow，andmustbebroken。No，I
cannotbeherbridesmaid；butIshallyethopetoseeheroncebeforehermarriage。\'
\'Andwhynotbeherbridesmaid？LadyArabellawillhardlyobjecttothat。\'
\'LadyArabella！\'saidMary，curlingupherlipwithdeepscorn。\'IdonotcarethatforLadyArabella，\'andshelethersilverthimblefallfromherfingersontothetable。\'IfBeatriceinvitedmetoherwedding，shemightmanageastothat；IshouldasknoquestionastoLadyArabella。\'
\'Thenwhynotcometoit？\'
Sheremainedsilentforawhile，andthenboldlyanswered。\'ThoughI
donotcareforLadyArabella，IdocareforMrGresham：——andIdocareforhisson。\'
\'Butthesquirealwayslovedyou。\'
\'Yes，andthereforeIwillnotbetheretovexhissight。Iwilltellyouthetruth，Patience。IcanneverbeinthathouseagaintillFrankGreshamisamarriedman，ortillIamabouttobeamarriedwoman。I
donotthinktheyhavetreatedmewell，butIwillnottreatthemill。\'
\'Iamsureyouwillnotdothat，\'saidMissOriel。
\'Iwillendeavournottodoso；and，therefore，willgotononeoftheirfetes！No，Patience。\'Andthensheturnedherheadtothearmofthesofa，andsilently，withoutaudiblesobs，hidingherface，sheendeavouredtogetridofthetearsunseen。Foronemomentshehadallbutresolvedtopouroutthewholetruthofherloveintoherfriend\'sears；butsuddenlyshechangedhermind。Whyshouldshetalkofherownunhappiness？WhyshouldshespeakofherownlovewhenshewasfullydeterminednottospeakofFrank\'spromises。
\'Mary，dearMary。\'
\'Anything，butpity，Patience；anythingbutthat，\'saidshe，convulsively，swallowinghersobs，andrubbingawayhertears。\'I
cannotbearthat。TellBeatricefromme，thatIwishhereveryhappiness；and，withsuchahusband，Iamsureshewillbehappy。I
wishhereveryjoy；givehermykindestlove；buttellherthatI
cannotbeathermarriage。Oh，Ishouldliketoseeher；notthere，youknow，buthere，inmyownroom，whereIstillhavelibertytospeak。\'
\'Butwhyshouldyoudecidenow？Sheisnottobemarriedyet，youknow。\'
\'Now，orthisdaytwelvemonth，canmakenodifference。Iwillnotgointothathouseagain，unless——butnevermind；Iwillnotgointoitall；never，neveragain。IfIcouldforgiveherformyself，Icouldnotforgiveherformyuncle。Buttellme，Patience，mightnotBeatricenowcomehere？ItissodreadfultoseehereverySundayinchurchandnevertospeaktoher，nevertokissher。Sheseemstolookawayfrommeasthoughshetoohadchosentoquarrelwithme。\'
MissOrielpromisedtodoherbest。Shecouldnotimagine，shesaid，thatsuchavisitcouldbeobjectedtoonsuchanoccasion。ShewouldnotadviseBeatricetocomewithouttellinghermother；butshecouldnotthinkthatLadyArabellawouldbesocruelastomakeanyobjection，knowing，asshecouldnotbutknow，thatherdaughter，whenmarried，wouldbeatlibertytochooseherownfriends。
\'Good-bye，Mary，\'saidPatience。\'IwishIknewhowtosaymoretocomfortyou。\'
\'Oh，comfort！Idon\'twantcomfort。Iwanttobeletalone。\'
\'That\'sjustit：youaresoferociousinyourscorn，sounbending，sodeterminedtotakeallthepunishmentthatcomesinyourway。\'
\'WhatIdotake，I\'lltakewithoutcomplaint，\'saidMary；andthentheykissedeachotherandparted。
CHAPTERXXXIII
AMORNINGVISIT
ItmustberememberedthatMary，amonghermiseries，hadtosufferthis：thatsinceFrank\'sdeparture，nownearlytwelvemonthsago，shehadnotheardawordabouthim；orrather，shehadonlyheardthathewasverymuchinlovewithsomeladyinLondon。Thisnewsreachedherinamannersocircuitous，andfromsuchadoubtfulsource；itseemedtohertosavoursostronglyofLadyArabella\'sprecautions，thatsheattributeditatoncetomalice，andblewittothewinds。ItmightnotimprobablybethecasethatFrankwasuntruetoher；butshewouldnottakeitforgrantedbecauseshewasnowtoldso。Itwasmorethanprobablethatheshouldamusehimselfwithsomeone；flirtingwashisprevailingsin；andifhedidflirt，themostwouldofcoursebemadeofit。
Butshefoundittobeverydesolatetobethusleftalonewithoutawordofcomfortorawordoflove；withoutbeingabletospeaktoanyoneofwhatfilledherheart；doubting，nay，morethandoubting，beingallbutsurethatherpassionmustterminateinmisery。Whyhadshenotobeyedherconscienceandherbetterinstinctinthatmomentwhenthenecessityfordecidinghadcomeuponher？Whyhadsheallowedhimtounderstandthathewasmasterofherheart？Didshenotknowthattherewaseverythingagainstsuchamarriageasthatwhichwasproposed？Hadshenotdonewrong，verywrong，eventothinkofit？Hadshenotsinneddeeply，againstMrGresham，whohadeverbeensokindtoher？Couldshehope，wasitpossible，thataboylikeFrankshouldbetruetohisfirstlove？And，ifheweretrue，ifhewerereadytogotothealtarwithherto-morrow，oughtshetoallowhimtodegradehimselfbysuchamarriage？
Therewas，alas！sometruthabouttheLondonlady。Frankhadtakenhisdegree，asarranged，andhadthengoneabroadforthewinter，doingthefashionablethings，goinguptheNile，crossingovertoMountSinai，thenceoverthelongdeserttoJerusalem，andhomebyDamascus，Beyrout，andConstantinople，bringingbackalongbeard，aredcap，andachibook，justasourfathersusedtogothroughItalyandSwitzerland，andourgrandfatherstospendaseasoninParis。HehadthenremainedforacoupleofmonthsinLondon，goingthroughallthesocietywhichtheDeCourcyswereabletoopentohim。Anditwastruethatacertainbelleoftheseason，ofthatseasonandsomeothers，hadbeencaptivated——forthetenthtime——bythesilkensheensofhislongbeard。Frankhadprobablybeenmoredemonstrative，perhaps，evermoresusceptible，thanheshouldhavebeen；andhencetherumour，whichhadalltoowillinglybeenforwardedtoGreshamsbury。
ButyoungGreshamhadalsometanotherladyinLondon，namelyMissDunstable。MarywouldindeedhavebeengratefultoMissDunstable，couldshehaveknowallthatladydidforher。Frank\'slovewasneverallowedtoflag。Whenhespokeofthedifficultiesinhisway，shetwittedhimbybeingovercomebystraws；andtoldhimthatnoonewaseverworthhavingwhowasafraidofeverylionhemetinhispath。
Whenhespokeofmoney，shebadehimearnit；andalwaysendedbyofferingtosmoothforhimanyrealdifficultywhichwantofmeansmightputinhisway。
\'No，\'Frankusedtosaytohimself，whentheseoffersweremade，\'I
neverintendedtotakeherandhermoneytogether；and，therefore，I
certainlywillnevertakethemoneyalone。\'
AdayortwoafterMissOriel\'svisit，MaryreceivedthefollowingnotefromBeatrice。
\'DEAREST，DEARESTMARY，\'Ishallbesohappytoseeyou，andwillcometo-morrowattwelve。Ihaveaskedmamma，andshesaysthat，foronce，shehasnoobjection。YouknowitisnotmyfaultthatIhaveneverbeenwithyou；don\'tyou？Frankcomeshomeonthetwelfth。MrOrielwantstheweddingtobeonthefirstofSeptember；butthatseemstobesovery，verysoon；doesn\'tit？However，mammaandpapaareallonhisside。Iwon\'twriteaboutthis，though，forweshallhavesuchadelicioustalk。
Oh，Mary！Ihavebeensounhappywithoutyou。
\'Everyourownaffectionate，TRICHY\'
ThoughMarywasdelightedattheideaofoncemorehavingherfriendinherarms，therewas，nevertheless，somethingintheletterwhichoppressedher。ShecouldnotputupwiththeideathatBeatriceshouldhavepermissiongiventocometoher——justforonce。Shehardlywishedtobeseenbypermission。Nevertheless，shedidnotrefusetheprofferedvisit，andthefirstsightofBeatrice\'sface，thefirsttouchofthefirstembrace，dissipatedforthemomentheranger。
AndthenBeatricefullyenjoyedthedelicioustalkwhichshehadpromisedherself。Maryletherhaveherway，andfortwohoursallthedelightsandalltheduties，allthecomfortsandalltheresponsibilitiesofaparson\'swifewerediscussedwithalmostequalardouronbothsides。ThedutiesandresponsibilitieswerenotexactlythosewhichtoooftenfalltothelotofthemistressofanEnglishvicarage。Beatricewasnotdoomedtomakeherhusbandcomfortable，toeducateherchildren，dressherselflikealady，andexerciseopen-handedcharityonanincomeoftwohundredpoundsayear。Herdutiesandresponsibilitieswouldhavetospreadthemselvesoversevenoreighttimesthatamountofworldlyburden。LivingalsoclosetoGreshamsbury，andnotfarfromCourcyCastle，shewouldhavethefulladvantageandalltheprivilegesofcountysociety。Infact，itwasallcouleurderose，andsoshechatteddeliciouslywithherfriend。
ButitwasimpossiblethattheyshouldseparatewithoutsomethinghavingbeensaidastoMary\'sownlot。Itwould，perhaps，havebeenbetterthattheyshoulddoso；butthiswashardlywithinthecompassofhumannature。
\'AndMary，youknow，IshallbeabletoseeyouasoftenasIlike；——youandDrThorne，too，whenIhaveahouseofmyown。\'
Marysaidnothing，butessayedtosmile。Itwasbutaghastlyattempt。
\'Youknowhowhappythatwillmakeme，\'continuedBeatrice。\'Ofcoursemammawon\'texpectmetobeledbyherthen；ifhelikesit，therecanbenoobjection；andhewilllikeit，youmaybesureofthat。\'
\'Youareverykind，Trichy，\'saidMary；butshespokeinatoneverydifferentfromthatshewouldhaveusedeighteenmonthsago。
\'Why，whatisthematter，Mary？Shan\'tyoubegladtocomeandseeus？\'
\'Idonotknow，dearest；thatmustdependoncircumstances。Toseeyou，youyourself，yourowndear，sweet，lovingfacemustalwaysbepleasanttome。\'
\'Andshan\'tyoubegladtoseehim？\'
\'Yes，certainly，ifhelovesyou。\'
\'Ofcoursehelovesme。\'
\'Allthatalonewouldbepleasantenough，Trichy。Butwhatifthereshouldbecircumstanceswhichshouldstillmakeusenemies；shouldmakeyourfriendsandmyfriends——friend，Ishouldsay，forIhaveonlyone——shouldmakethemopposedtoeachother？\'
\'Circumstances！Whatcircumstances？\'
\'Youaregoingtobemarried，Trichy，tothemanyoulove；areyounot？\'
\'IndeedIam！\'
\'Anditisnotpleasant？isitnotahappyfeeling？\'
\'Pleasant！happy！yes，verypleasant；veryhappy。But，Mary，Iamnotatallinsuchahurryasheis，\'saidBeatrice，naturallythinkingofherownlittleaffairs。
\'And，supposeIshouldwishtobemarriedtothemanthatIlove？\'Marysaidthisslowlyandgravely，andasshespokeshelookedherfriendfullintheface。
Beatricewassomewhatastonished，andforthemomenthardlyunderstood。
\'IamsureIhopeyouwillsomeday。\'
\'No，Trichy；no，youhopetheotherway。Iloveyourbrother；IloveFrankGresham；Ilovehimquiteaswell，quiteaswarmly，asyouloveCalebOriel。\'
\'Doyou？\'saidBeatrice，staringwithallhereyes，andgivingonelongsigh，asthisnewsubjectforsorrowwassodistinctlyputbeforeher。
\'Itthatsoodd？\'saidMary。\'YouloveMrOriel，thoughyouhavebeenintimatewithhimhardlymorethantwoyears。IsitsooddthatIshouldloveyourbrother，whomIhaveknownalmostallmylife？\'
\'But，Mary，Ithoughtitwasalwaysunderstoodbetweenusthat——that——I
meanthatyouwerenottocareabouthim；notinthewayoflovinghim，youknow——Ithoughtyoualwayssaidso——Ihavealwaystoldmammasoasifitcamefromyourself。\'
\'Beatrice，donottellanythingtoLadyArabellaasthoughitcamefromme；Idonotwantanythingtobetoldtoher，eitherofmeorfromme。
Saywhatyouliketomeyourself；whateveryousaywillnotangerme。
Indeed，Iknowwhatyouwouldsay——andyetIloveyou。Oh，Iloveyou，Trichy——Trichy，Idoloveyousomuch！Don\'tturnawayfromme！\'
TherewassuchamixtureinMary\'smanneroftendernessandalmostferocity，thatpoorBeatricecouldhardlyfollowher。\'Turnawayfromyou，Mary！nonever；butthisdoesmakemeunhappy。\'
\'Itisbetterthatyoushouldknowitall，andthenyouwillnotbeledintofightingmybattlesagain。YoucannotfightthemsothatIshouldwin；Idoloveyourbrother；lovehimtruly，fondly，tenderly。IwouldwishtohavehimformyhusbandasyouwishtohaveMrOriel。\'
\'But，Mary，youcannotmarryhim！\'
\'Whynot？\'saidshe，inaloudvoice。\'WhycanInotmarryhim？Ifthepriestsaysablessingoverus，shallwenotbemarriedaswellasyouandyourhusband？\'
\'Butyouknowhecannotmarryunlesshiswifeshallhavemoney。\'
\'Money——money；andheistosellhimselfformoney？Oh，Trichy！donotyoutalkaboutmoney。Itishorrible。But，Trichy，Iwillgrantit——I
cannotmarryhim；butstill，Ilovehim。Hehasaname，aplaceintheworld，andfortune，family，highblood，position，everything。Hehasallthis，andIhavenothing。OfcourseIcannotmarryhim。ButyetIdolovehim。\'
\'Areyouengagedtohim，Mary？\'
\'Heisnotengagedtome；butIamtohim。\'
\'Oh，Mary，thatisimpossible！\'
\'Itisnotimpossible：itisthecast——Iampledgedtohim；butheisnotpledgedtome。\'
\'But，Mary，don\'tlookatmeinthatway。Idonotquiteunderstandyou。Whatisthegoodofyourbeingengagedifyoucannotmarryhim？\'
\'Good！thereisnogood。ButcanIhelpit，ifIlovehim？CanImakemyselfnotlovehimbyjustwishingit？Oh，IwoulddoitifIcould。
ButnowyouwillunderstandwhyIshakemyheadwhenyoutalkofcomingtoyourhouse。Yourwaysandmywaysmustbedifferent。\'
Beatricewasstartled，and，foratime，silenced。WhatMarysaidofthedifferenceoftheirwayswasquitetrue。Beatricehaddearlylovedherfriend，andhadthoughtofherwithaffectionthroughallthislongperiodinwhichtheyhadbeenseparated；butshehadgivenherloveandherthoughtsontheunderstanding，asitwere，thattheywereinunisonastotheimproprietyofFrank\'sconduct。
Shehadalwaysspoken，withagraveface，ofFrankandhisloveasofagreatmisfortune，eventoMaryherself；andherpityforMaryhadbeenfoundedontheconvictionofherinnocence。Nowallthoseideashadtobealtered。Maryownedherfault，confessedherselftobeguiltyofallthatLadyArabellasofrequentlylaidtohercharge，andconfessedherselfanxioustocommiteverycrimeastowhichBeatricehadbeeneversoreadytodefendher。
HadBeatriceuptothisdreamedthatMarywasinlovewithFrank，shewoulddoubtlesshavesympathizedwithhermoreorlesssoonerorlater。
Asitwas，iswasbeyondalldoubtthatshewouldsoonsympathizewithher。But，atthemoment，thesuddennessofthedeclarationseemedtohardenherheart，andsheforgot，asitwere，tospeaktenderlytoherfriend。
Shewassilent，therefore，anddismayed；andlookedasthoughshethoughtthatherwaysandMary\'swaysmustbedifferent。
Marysawallthatwaspassingintheother\'smind：no，notall；allthehostility，thedisappointment，thedisapproval，theunhappiness，shedidsee；butnottheunder-currentoflove，whichwasstrongenoughtowellupanddrownallthese，ifonlytimecouldbeallowedforittodoso。
\'Iamsogladtohavetoldyou，\'saidMary，curbingherself，\'fordeceitandhypocrisyaredetestable。\'
\'Itwasamisunderstanding，notdeceit，\'saidBeatrice。
\'Well，nowweunderstandeachother；nowyouknowthatIhaveaheartwithinme，whichlikethoseofsomeothershasnotalwaysbeenundermyowncontrol。LadyArabellabelievesthatIamintriguingtobethemistressofGreshamsbury。You，atanyrate，willnotthinkthatofme。
Ifitcouldbediscoveredto-morrowthatFrankwerenottheheir，I
mighthavesomechanceofhappiness。\'
\'But，Mary——\'
\'Well？\'
\'Yousayyoulovehim。\'
\'Yes；Idosayso。\'
\'Butifhedoesnotloveyou，willyouceasetodoso？\'
\'IfIhaveafever，IwillgetridofitifIcan；insuchacaseImustdoso，ordie。\'
\'Ifear，\'continuedBeatrice，\'youhardlyknow，perhapsdonotthink，whatisFrank\'srealcharacter。Heisnotmadetosettledownearlyinlife；evennow，IbelieveheisattachedtosomeladyinLondon，whom，ofcourse，hecannotmarry。\'
Beatricehadsaidthisinperfecttruenessofheart。ShehadheardofFrank\'snewlove-affair，andbelievingwhatshehadheard，thoughtitbesttotellthetruth。ButtheinformationwasnotofakindtoquietMary\'sspirit。
\'Verywell，\'saidshe，\'letitbeso。Ihavenothingtosayagainstit。\'
\'Butareyounotpreparingwretchednessandunhappinessforyourself？\'
\'Verylikely。\'
\'Oh，Mary，donotbesocoldwithme！youknowhowdelightedIshouldbetohaveyouforasister-in-law，ifonlyitwerepossible。\'
\'Yes，Trichy；butitisimpossible，isitnot？ImpossiblethatFrancisGreshamofGreshamsburyshoulddisgracehimselfbymarryingsuchapoorcreatureasIam。OfcourseIknowit；ofcourse，Iampreparedforunhappinessandmisery。Hecanamusehimselfashelikeswithmeorothers——withanybody。Itishisprivilege。Itisquiteenoughtosaythatheisnotmadeforsettlingdown。Iknowmyownposition；——andyetIlovehim。\'
\'But，Mary，hasheaskedyoutobehiswife？Ifso——\'
\'Youaskhome-questions，Beatrice。Letmeaskyouone；hasheevertoldyouthathehasdoneso？\'
AtthismomentBeatricewasnotdisposedtorepeatallthatFrankhadsaid。Ayearago，beforehewentaway，hehadtoldhissisterascoreoftimesthathemeanttomarryMaryThorneifshewouldhavehim；butBeatricenowlookedonallthatasidle，boyishvapouring。Thepitywas，thatMaryshouldhavelookedonitdifferently。
\'Wewilleachkeepoursecret，\'saidMary。\'Onlyrememberthis：shouldFrankmarryto-morrow，Ishallhavenogroundforblaminghim。HeisfreeasfarIasamconcerned。HecantaketheLondonladyifhelikes。
Youmaytellhimsofromme。But，Trichy，whatelseIhavetoldyou，I
havetoldyouonly。\'
\'Oh，yes！\'saidBeatrice，sadly；\'Ishallsaynothingofittoanybody。
Itisverysad，very，very；IwassohappywhenIcamehere，andnowI
amsowretched。\'Thiswastheendofthatdelicioustalktowhichshehadlookedforwardwithsomucheagerness。
\'Don\'tbewretchedaboutme，dearest；Ishallgetthroughit。I
sometimesthinkIwasborntobeunhappy，andthatunhappinessagreeswithmebest。Kissmenow，Trichy，anddon\'tbewretchedanymore。YouoweittoMrOrieltobeashappyasthedayislong。\'
Andthentheyparted。
Beatrice，asshewentout，sawDrThorneinhislittleshopontheright-handsideofthepassagedeeplyengagedinsomederogatorybranchofanapothecary\'smechanicaltrade；mixingadose，perhaps，foralittlechild。Shewouldhavepassedhimwithoutspeaking，ifshecouldhavebeensureofdoingsowithoutnotice，forherheartwasfull，andhereyeswereredwithtears；butitwassolongsinceshehadbeeninhishousethatshewasmorethanordinarilyanxiousnottoappearuncourteousorunkindtohim。
\'Goodmorning，doctor，\'shesaid，changinghercountenanceasbestshemight，andattemptingasmile。
\'Ah，myfairy！\'saidhe，leavinghisvillainouscompounds，andcomingouttoher；\'andyou，too，areabouttobecomeasteadyoldlady。\'
\'Indeed，Iamnot，doctor；Idon\'tmeantobeeithersteadyorold，forthenexttenyears。Butwhohastoldyou？IsupposeMaryhasbeenatraitor。\'
\'Well，IwillconfessMarywasthetraitor。Buthadn\'tIarighttobetold，seeinghowoftenIhavebroughtyousugar-plumsinmypocket？ButIwishyoujoywithallmyheart——withallmyheart。Orielisanexcellent，goodfellow。\'
\'Ishenot，doctor？\'
\'Anexcellent，goodfellow。Ineverheardbutofonefaultthathehad。\'
\'Whatwasthatonefault，DoctorThorne？\'
\'Hethoughtthatclergymenshouldnotmarry。Butyouhavecuredthat，andnowhe\'sperfect。\'
\'Thankyou，doctor。Ideclarethatyousaytheprettiestthingsofallmyfriends。\'
\'Andnoneofyourfriendswishprettierthingsforyou。Idocongratulateyou，Beatrice，andhopeyoumaybehappywiththemanyouhavechosen；\'andtakingbothherhandsinhis，hepressedthemwarmly，andbadeGodblessher。
\'Oh，doctor！Idosohopethetimewillcomewhenweshallallbefriendsagain。\'
\'Ihopeitaswell，mydear。Butletitcome，orletitnotcome，myregardforyouwillbethesame：\'andthenshepartedfromhimalso，andwentherway。
NothingwasspokenofthateveningbetweenDrThorneandhisnieceexceptingBeatrice\'sfuturehappiness；nothing，atleast，havingreferencetowhathadpassedthatmorning。Butonthefollowingmorning，circumstancesledtoFrankGresham\'snamebeingmentioned。
Attheusualbreakfast-hourthedoctorenteredtheparlourwithaharassedface。Hehadanopenletterinhishand，anditwasatoncecleartoMarythathewasgoingtospeakonsomesubjectthatvexedhim。
\'Thatunfortunatefellowisagainintrouble。HereisaletterfromGreyson。\'GreysonwasaLondonapothecary，whohadbeenappointedasmedicalattendanttoSirLouisScatcherd，andwhoserealbusinessconsistedinkeepingawatchonthebaronet，andreportingtoDrThornewhenanythingwasverymuchamiss。\'HereisaletterfromGreyson；hehasbeendrunkforthelastthreedays，andisnowlaidupinaterriblynervousstate。\'
\'Youwon\'tgouptotownagain；willyou，uncle？\'
\'Ihardlyknowwhattodo。No，Ithinknot。HetalksofcomingdownheretoGreshamsbury。\'
\'Who，SirLouis？\'
\'Yes，SirLouis。Greysonsaysthathewillbedownassoonashecangetoutofhisroom。\'
\'What！tothishouse？\'
\'Whatotherhomecanhecometo？\'
\'Oh，uncle！Ihopenot。Pray，praydonotlethimcomehere。\'
\'Icannotpreventit，dear。Icannotshutmydooronhim。\'
Theysatdowntobreakfast，andMarygavehimhisteainsilence。\'IamgoingovertoBoxallHillbeforedinner，\'saidhe。\'HaveyouanymessagetosendtoLadyScatcherd？\'
\'Message！no，Ihavenomessage；notespecially：givehermylove，ofcourse，\'shesaidlistlessly。Andthen，asthoughathoughthadsuddenlystruckher，shespokewithmoreenergy。\'But，couldn\'tIgotoBoxallHillagain？Ishouldbesodelighted。\'
\'What！torunawayfromSirLouis？No，dearest，wewillhavenomorerunningaway。HewillprobablyalsogotoBoxallHill，andhecouldannoyyoumuchmoretherethanhecanhere。\'
\'But，uncle，MrGreshamwillbehomeonthetwelfth，\'shesaid，blushing。
\'What！Frank？\'
\'Yes。Beatricesaidhewastobehereonthetwelfth。\'
\'Andwouldyourunawayfromhimtoo，Mary？\'
\'Idonotknow：Idonotknowwhattodo。\'
\'No；wewillhavenomorerunningaway：Iamsorrythatyoueverdidso。
Itwasmyfault，altogethermyfault；butitwasfoolish。\'
\'Uncle，Iamnothappyhere。\'Asshesaidthis，sheputdownthecupwhichshehadheld，and，leaningherelbowsonthetable，restedherforeheadonherhands。
\'AndwouldyoubehappieratBoxallHill？Itisnottheplacethatmakesthehappiness。\'
\'No，Iknowthat；itisnottheplace。Idonotlooktobehappyinanyplace；butIshouldbequieter，moretranquilelsewherethanhere。\'
\'IalsosometimesthinkthatitwouldbebetterforustotakeupourstavesandwalkawayfromGreshamsbury；——leaveitaltogether，andsettleelsewhere；miles，miles，milesawayfromhere。Shouldyoulikethat，dearest？\'
Miles，miles，milesawayfromGreshamsbury！TherewassomethinginthesoundthatfellverycoldonMary\'sears，unhappyasshewas。
Greshamsburyhadbeensodeartoher；inspiteofallthathadpassed，wasstillsodeartoher！Wasshepreparedtotakeupherstaff，asherunclesaid，andwalkforthfromtheplacewiththefullunderstandingthatshewastoreturntoitnomore；withamindresolvedthatthereshouldbeaninseparablegulfbetweenheranditsinhabitants？Suchsheknewwastheproposednatureofthewalkingawayofwhichherunclespoke。Soshesatthere，restingonherarms，andgavenoanswertothequestionthathadbeenputtoher。
\'No，wewillstayhereawhileyet，\'saidheruncle。\'Itmaycometothat，butthisisnotthetime。Foroneseasonlongerletusface——I
willnotsayourenemies；IcannotcallanybodymyenemywhobearsthenameofGresham。\'Andthenhewentonforamomentwithhisbreakfast。
\'SoFrankwillbehereonthetwelfth？\'
\'Yes，uncle。\'
\'Well，dearest，Ihavenoquestionstoaskyou；nodirectionstogive。I
knowhowgoodyouare，andhowprudent；Iamanxiousonlyforyourhappiness；notatall——\'
\'Happiness，uncle，isoutofthequestion。\'
\'Ihopenot。Itisneveroutofthequestion，nevercanbeoutofthequestion。But，asIwassaying，Iamquitesatisfiedyourconductwillbegood，and，therefore，Ihavenoquestionstoask。Wewillremainhere；and，whethergoodorevilcome，wewillnotbeashamedtoshowourfaces。\'
Shesatforawhileagainsilent；collectinghercourageonthesubjectthatwasnearestherheart。Shewouldhavegiventheworldthatheshouldaskherquestions；butshecouldnotbidhimtodoso；andshefounditimpossibletotalkopenlytohimaboutFrankunlesshedidso。
\'Willhecomehere？\'atlastshesaid，inalow-tonedvoice。
\'Who？He，Louis？Yes，Ithinkthatinallprobabilityhewill。\'
\'No；butFrank，\'shesaid，inastilllowervoice。
\'Ah！mydarling，thatIcannottell；butwillitbewellthatheshouldcomehere？\'
\'Idonotknow，\'shesaid。\'No，Isupposenot。But，uncle，Idon\'tthinkhewillcome。\'
Shewasnowsittingonasofa，awayfromthetable，andhegotupsatdownbesideher，andtookherhandsinhis。\'Mary，\'saidhe，\'youmustbestrongnow；strongtoendure，nottoattack。Ithinkthatyouhavethatstrength；but，ifnot，perhapsitwillbebetterthatweshouldgoaway。\'
\'Iwillbestrong，\'saidshe，risingupandgoingtowardsthedoor。
\'Nevermindme，uncle；don\'tfollowme；Iwillbestrong。Itwillbebase，cowardly，meantorunaway；verybaseinmetomakeyoudoso。\'
\'No，dearest，notso；itwillbethesametome。\'
\'No，\'saidshe，\'IwillnotrunawayfromLadyArabella。And，asforhim——ifhelovesthisotherone，heshallhearnoreproachfromme。
Uncle，Iwillbestrong；\'andrunningbacktohim，shethrewherarmsaroundhimandkissedhim。And，stillrestraininghertears，shegotsafelytoherbedroom。Inwhatwayshemaytherehaveshownherstrength，itwouldnotbewellforustoinquire。
CHAPTERXXXIV
ABAROUCHEANDFOURARRIVESATGRESHAMSBURY
DuringthelasttwelvemonthsSirLouisScatcherdhadbeenveryefficaciousinbringingtrouble，turmoil，andvexationuponGreshamsbury。Nowthatitwastoolatetotakestepstosavehimself，DrThornefoundthatthewillleftbySirRogerwassomadeastoentailuponhimdutiesthathewouldfinditalmostimpossibletoperform。SirLouis，thoughhisfatherhadwishedtomakehimstillachildintheeyeofthelaw，wasnochild。Heknewhisownrightsandwasdeterminedtoexactthem；andbeforeSirRogerhadbeendeadthreemonths，thedoctorfoundhimselfincontinuallitigationwithalowBarchesterattorney，whowasactingonbehalfofhis，thedoctor\'s，ownward。
Andifthedoctorsufferedsodidthesquire，andsodidthosewhohadhithertohadthemanagementofthesquire\'saffairs。DrThornesoonperceivedthathewastobedrivenintolitigation，notonlywithMrFinnie，theBarchesterattorney，butwiththesquirehimself。WhileFinnieharassedhim，hewascompelledtoharassMrGresham。Hewasnolawyerhimself；andthoughhehadbeenabletomanageverywellbetweenthesquireandSirRoger，andhadperhapsgivenhimselfsomecreditforhislawyer-likeabilityinsodoing，hewasutterlyunabletomanagebetweenSirLouisandMrGresham。
Hehad，therefore，toemployalawyeronhisownaccount，anditseemedprobablethatthewholeamountofSirRoger\'slegacytohimselfwouldbydegreesbeexpendedinthismanner。Andthenthesquire\'slawyershadtotakeupthematter；andtheydidsogreatlytothedetrimentofpoorMrYatesUmbleby，whowasfoundtohavemadeamessoftheaffairsentrustedtohim。MrUmbleby\'saccountswereincorrect；hismindwasanythingbutclear，andheconfessed，whenputtoitbytheverysharpgentlemanthatcamedownfromLondon，thathewas\'bothered\'；andso，afterawhile，hewassuspendedfromhisduties，andMrGazebee，thesharpgentlemanfromLondon，reignedoverthediminishedrent-rolloftheGreshamsburyestate。
ThuseverythingwasgoingwrongatGreshamsbury——withtheoneexceptionofMrOrielandhislove-suit。MissGushingattributedthedepositionofMrUmblebytothenarrownessofthevictorywhichBeatricehadwonincarryingoffMrOriel。ForMissGushingwasarelationoftheUmblebys，andhadbeenformanyyearsoneoftheirfamily。\'IfshehadonlychosentoexertherselfasMissGreshamhaddone，shecouldhavehadMrOriel，easily；oh，tooeasily！butshehaddespisedsuchwork，\'soshesaid。
\'Butthoughshehaddespisedit，theGreshamshadnotbeenlessirritated，and，therefore，MrUmblebyhadbeendrivenoutofhishouse。\'
Wecanhardlybelievethis，asvictorygenerallymakesmengenerous。
MissGushing，however，stateditasafactsooftenthatitisprobableshewasinducedtobelieveitherself。
ThuseverythingwasgoingwrongatGreshamsbury，andthesquirehimselfwasespeciallyasufferer。Umblebyhadatanyratebeenhisownman，andhecoulddowhathelikedwithhim。Hecouldseehimwhenheliked，andwhereheliked，andnowheliked；couldscoldhimifinanill-humour，andlaughathimwheninagoodhumour。AllthisMrUmblebyknew，andbore。ButMrGazebeewasaverydifferentsortofgentleman；hewasthejuniorpartnerinthefirmofGumption，Gazebee&GazebeeofMountStreet，ahousethatneverdefileditselfwithanyotherbusinessthantheagencybusiness，andthatintheveryhighestline。Theydrewoutleases，andmanagedpropertybothfortheDukeofOmniumandLordDeCourcy；andeversincehermarriage，ithadbeenoneoftheobjectsdearesttoLadyArabella\'sheartthattheGreshamsburyacresshouldbesuperintendedbythepoliteskillandpolishedlegalabilityofthatallbutelegantfirminMountStreet。
Thesquirehadlongstoodfirm，andhaddelightedinhavingeverythingdoneunderhisowneyebypoorMrYatesUmbleby。Butnow，alas！hecouldstanditnolonger。Hehadputofftheevildayaslongashecould；hehaddeferredtheodiousworkofinvestigationtillthingshadseemedresolvedoninvestigatingthemselves；andthen，whenitwasabsolutelynecessarythatMrUmblebyshouldgo，therewasnothingforhimleftbuttofallintothereadyhandsofMessrsGumption，GazebeeandGazebee。
ItmustnotbesupposedthatMessrsGumption，GazebeeandGazebeewereintheleastliketheordinaryrunofattorneys。Theywrotenolettersforsix-and-eightpenceeach：theycollectednodebts，filednobills，madenochargeperfoliofor\'whereases\'and\'asaforesaids\'；theydidnodirtywork，andprobablywereasignorantoftheinteriorofacourtoflawasanyyoungladylivingintheirMayfairvicinity。No；theirbusinesswastomanagethepropertyofgreatpeople，drawupleases，makelegalassignments，getthefamilymarriagesettlementsmade，andlookafterwills。Occasionally，also，theyhadtoraisemoney；butitwasgenerallyunderstoodthatthiswasdonebyproxy。
Thefirmhadbeengoingonforahundredandfiftyyears，andthedesignationhadoftenbeenaltered；butitalwaysconsistedofGumptionsandGazebeesdifferentlyarranged，andnolesshallowednameshadeverbeenpermittedtoappear。IthadbeenGazebee，GazebeeandGumption；
thenGazebeeandGumption；thenGazebee，GumptionandGumption；thenGumption，GumptionandGazebee；andnowitwasGumption，GazebeeandGazebee。
MrGazebee，thejuniormemberofthisfirm，wasaveryelegantyoungman。WhilelookingathimridinginRottenRow，youwouldhardlyhavetakenhimforanattorney；andhadheheardthatyouhadsotakenhim，hewouldhavebeenverymuchsurprisedindeed。Hewasratherbald；notbeing，aspeoplesay，quitesoyoungashewasonce。Hisexactagewasthirty-eight。Buthehadareallyremarkablepairofjet-blackwhiskers，whichfullymadeupforhisdeficiencyastohishead；hehadalsodarkeyes，andabeakednose，whatmaybecalledadistinguishedmouth，andwasalwaysdressedinfashionableattire。Thefactwas，thatMrMortimerGazebee，juniorpartnerinthefirmGumption，Gazebee，andGazebee，bynomeansconsideredhimselftobemadeofthatverydisagreeablematerialwhichmortalscallsmallbeer。
WhenthisgreatfirmwasappliedtogetMrGreshamthroughhisdifficulties，andwhenthestateofhisaffairswasmadeknowntothem，theyatfirstexpressedratheradisinclinationforthework。Butatlast，moveddoubtlessbytheirrespectfortheDeCourcyinterest，theyassented；andMrGazebee，junior，wentdowntoGreshamsbury。Thepoorsquirepassedmanyasaddayafterthatbeforeheagainfelthimselftobemasterevenofhisowndomain。