Askyourfather：Ineednotsaythathewouldagreewithyouabouteverythinghecould。IwillnotsaytheDeCourcys。\'
\'Oh，theDeCourcys！\'
\'Yes，theyaremyrelations，Iknowthat。\'LadyArabellacouldnotquitedropthetoneofbitternesswhichwasnaturaltoherinsayingthis。
\'Butaskyoursisters；askMrOriel，whomyouesteemsomuch；askyourfriendHarryBaker。\'
Franksatsilentforamomentortwowhilehismother，withalookalmostofagony，gazedintohisface。\'Iwillasknoone，\'atlasthesaid。
\'Oh，myboy！myboy！\'
\'Noonebutmyselfcanknowmyheart。\'
\'Andyouwillsacrificealltosuchaloveasthat，all；her，also，whomyousaythatyousolove？Whathappinesscanyougiveherasyourwife？
Oh，Frank！isthattheonlyansweryouwillmaketoyourmotheronherknees？
\'Oh，mother！mother！\'
\'No，Frank，Iwillnotletyouruinyourself；Iwillnotletyoudestroyyourself。Promisethis，atleast，thatyouwillthinkofwhatIhavesaid。\'
\'Thinkofit！Idothinkofit。\'
\'Ah，butthinkofitinearnest。YouwillbeabsentnowinLondon；youwillhavethebusinessoftheestatetomanage；youwillhaveheavycaresuponyourhands。Thinkofitasaman，andnotasaboy。\'
\'Iwillseeherto-morrowbeforeIgo。\'
\'No，Frank，no；grantmethattrifle，atanyrate。Thinkuponthiswithoutseeingher。Donotproclaimyourselfsoweakthatyoucannottrustyourselftothinkoverwhatyourmothersaystoyouwithoutaskingherleave。Thoughyoubeinlove，donotbechildishwithit。WhatI
havetoldyouascomingfromheristrue，wordforword；ifitwerenot，youwouldsoonlearnso。ThinknowofwhatIhavesaid，andofwhatshesays，andwhenyoucomebackfromLondon，thenyoucandecide。\'
TosomuchFrankconsentedaftersomefurtherparley；namely，thathewouldproceedtoLondononthefollowingMondaymorningwithoutagainseeingMary。Andinthemeantime，shewaswaitingwithsoreheartforhisanswertothatletterthatwaslying，andwasstilltolieforsomanyhours，inthesafeprotectionofSilverbridgepostmistress。
Itmayseemstrange；but，intruth，hismother\'seloquencehadmoreeffectonFrankthanthatofhisfather：andyet，withhisfatherhehadalwayssympathized。Buthismotherhadbeenenergetic；whereas，hisfather，ifnotlukewarm，had，atanyrate，beentimid。\'Iwillasknoone，\'Frankhadsaidinthestrongdeterminationofhisheart；andyetthewordswerehardlyoutofhismouthbeforehebethoughthimselfthathewouldtalkthethingoverwithHarryBaker。\'Not，\'saidhetohimself，\'thatIhaveanydoubt：Ihavenodoubt；butIhatetohavealltheworldagainstme。MymotherwishesmetoaskHarryBaker。Harryisagoodfellow，andIwillaskhim。\'Andwiththisresolvehebetookhimselftobed。
ThefollowingdaywasSunday。AfterbreakfastFrankwentwiththefamilytochurch，aswasusual；andthere，asusual，hesawMaryinDrThorne\'spew。She，asshelookedathim，couldnotbutwonderwhyhehadnotansweredtheletterwhichwasstillatSilverbridge；andheendeavouredtoreadintoherfacewhetheritwastrue，ashismothertoldhim，thatshewasquitereadytogivehimup。Theprayersofbothofthemweredisturbed，asissooftenthecasewiththeprayersofotheranxiouspeople。
TherewasaseparatedooropeningfromtheGreshamsburypewoutintotheGreshamsburygrounds，sothatthefamilywerenotforcedintounseemlycommunitywiththevillagemultitudeingoingtoandfromtheirprayers；
forthefrontdoorofthechurchledoutintoaroadwhichhadnoconnexionwiththeprivatepath。ItwasnotunusualwithFrankandhisfathertogoround，aftertheservice，tothechiefentrance，sothattheymightspeaktotheirneighbours，andgetridofsomeoftheexclusivenesswhichwasintendedforthem。Onthismorningthesquiredidso；butFrankwalkedhomewithhismotherandsisters，sothatMarysawnomoreofhim。
Ihavesaidthathewalkedhomewithhismotherandsisters；butheratherfollowedintheirpath。Hewasnotinclinedtotalkmuch，atleast，nottothem；andhecontinuedaskinghimselfthequestion——whetheritcouldbepossiblethathewaswronginremainingtruetohispromise？Coulditbethatheowedmoretohisfatherandhismother，andwhattheychosetocallhisposition，thanhedidtoMary？
Afterchurch，MrGazebeetriedtogetholdofhim，fortherewasstillmuchtobesaid，andmanyhintstobegiven，astohowFrankshouldspeak，and，moreespecially，astohowtoholdhistongueamongthelearnedpunditsinandaboutChanceryLane。\'YoumustbeverywideawakewithMessrsSlowandBideawhile，\'saidMrGazebee。ButFrankwouldnothearkentohimjustatthatmoment。HewasgoingtorideovertoHarryBaker，soheputMrGazebeeofftillthehalf-hourbeforedinner，——orelsethehalf-houraftertea。
OnthepreviousdayhehadreceivedaletterfromMissDunstable，whichhehadhithertoreadbutonce。Hismotherhadinterruptedhimashewasabouttorefertoit；andnow，ashisfather\'snagwasbeingsaddled——hewasstillprudentinsavingtheblackhorse——heagaintookitout。
MissDunstablehadwritteninexcellenthumour。ShewasingreatdistressabouttheoilofLebanon，shesaid。\'Ihavebeentryingtogetapurchaserforthelasttwoyears；butmylawyerwon\'tletmesellit，becausethewould-bepurchasersofferathousandpoundsorsolessthanthevalue。Iwouldgivetentogetridofthebore；butIamaslittleabletoactmyselfasSanchowasinhisgovernment。TheoilofLebanon！
Didyouhearanythingofitwhenyouwereinthoseparts？Ithoughtofchangingthenameto“Londonparticular“；butmylawyerssaysthebrewerswouldbringanactionagainstme。\'
\'Iwasgoingdowntoyourneighbourhood——toyourfriendtheduke\'s，atleast。ButIampreventedbymypoordoctor，whoissoweakthatImusttakehimtoMalvern。Itisagreatbore；butIhavethesatisfactionthatIdomydutybyhim！
\'YourcousinGeorgeistobemarriedatlast。SoIhear，atleast。Heloveswisely，ifnotwell；forhiswidowhasthenameofbeingprudentandfairlywelltodointheworld。Shehasgotoverthecapricesofheryouth。DearAuntDeCourcywillbesodelighted。ImightperhapshavemetheratGatherumCastle。Idosoregretit。
\'MrMoffathasturnedupagain。Weallthoughtyouhadfinallyextinguishedhim。Heleftacardtheotherday，andIhavetoldtheservantalwaystosaythatIamathome，andthatyouarewithme。HeisgoingtostandforsomeboroughinthewestofIreland。He\'susedtoshillelaghsbythistime。
\'Bytheby，Ihaveacadeauforafriendofyours。Iwon\'ttellyouwhatitis，norpermityoutocommunicatethefact。ButwhenyoutellmethatinsendingitImayfairlycongratulateheronhavingsodevotedaslaveasyou，itshallbesent。
\'Ifyouhavenothingbettertodoatpresent，docomeandseemyinvalidatMalvern。PerhapsyoumighthaveamindtotreatfortheoilofLebanon。I\'llgiveyoualltheassistanceIcanincheatingmylawyers。\'
TherewasnotmuchaboutMaryinthis；butstill，thelittlethatwassaidmadehimagaindeclarethatneitherfathernormothershouldmovehimfromhisresolution。\'Iwillwritetoherandsaythatshemaysendherpresentwhenshepleases。OrIwillrundowntoMalvernforaday。
Itwilldomegoodtoseeher。\'Andsoheresolved，herodeawaytoMillHill，thinking，ashewent，howhewouldputthemattertoHarryBaker。
Harrywasathome；butweneednotdescribethewholeinterview。HadFrankbeenaskedbeforehand，hewouldhavedeclared，thatonnopossiblesubjectcouldhehavehadtheslightesthesitationinaskingHarryanyquestion，orcommunicatingtohimanytidings。Butwhenthetimecame，hefoundthathedidhesitatemuch。HedidnotwanttoaskhisfriendifheshouldbewisetomarryMaryThorne。Wiseornot，hewasdeterminedtodothat。Buthewishedtobequitesurethathismotherwaswronginsayingthatalltheworldwoulddissuadehimfromit。MissDunstable，atanyrate，didnotdoso。
Atlast，seatedonastileatthebackoftheMillHillstables，whileHarrystoodclosebeforehimwithbothhishandsinhispockets，hedidgethisstorytold。ItwasbynomeansthefirsttimethatHarryBakerhadheardaboutMaryThorne，andhewasnot，therefore，sosurprisedashemighthavebeen，hadtheaffairbeennewtohim。Andthus，standingthereinthepositionwehavedescribed，didMrBaker，junior，giveutterancetosuchwisdomaswasinhimonthissubject。
\'Yousee，Frank，therearetwosidestoeveryquestion；and，asItakeit，fellowsaresoapttogowrongbecausetheyaresofondofoneside，theywon\'tlookattheother。There\'snodoubtaboutit，LadyArabellaisaverycleverwoman，andknowswhat\'swhat；andthere\'snodoubtaboutthiseither，thatyouhaveaveryticklishhandofcardstoplay。\'
\'I\'llplayitstraightforward；andthat\'smygame\'saidFrank。
\'Wellandgood，mydearfellow。That\'sthebestgamealways。Butwhatisstraightforward？Betweenyouandme，Ifearthere\'snodoubtthatyourfather\'spropertyhasgotintoadeuceofamess。\'
\'Idon\'tseethatthathasanythingtodowithit。\'
\'Yes，butithas。Iftheestatewasallright，andyourfathercouldgiveyouathousandayeartoliveonwithoutfeelingit，andifyoureldestchildwouldbecock-sureofGreshamsbury，itmightbeverywellthatyoushouldpleaseyourselfastomarryingatonce。Butthat\'snotthecase；andyetGreshamsburyistoogoodacardtobeflungaway。\'
\'Icouldflingitawayto-morrow，\'saidFrank。
\'Ah！youthinkso，\'saidHarrytheWise。\'Butifyouweretohearto-morrowthatSirLouisScatcherdweremasterofthewholeplace，andbed——dtohim，youwouldfeelveryuncomfortable。\'HadHarryknownhownearSirLouiswastohislaststruggle，hewouldnothavespokenofhiminthismanner。\'That\'sallveryfinetalk，butitwon\'tbearwearandtear。YoudocareforGreshamsburyifyouarethefellowItakeyoutobe：careforitverymuch；andyoucaretoomuchforyourfatherbeingGreshamofGreshamsbury。\'
\'Thiswon\'taffectmyfatheratall。\'
\'Ah，butitwillaffecthimverymuch。IfyouweretomarryMissThorneto-morrow，therewouldatoncebeanendtoanyhopetosaveyourproperty。\'
\'AnddoyoumeantosayI\'mtobealiartoherforsuchreasonsasthat？Why，Harry，IshouldbeasbadasMoffat。Onlyitwouldbetentimesmorecowardly，asshehasnobrother。\'
\'Imustdifferfromyoutherealtogether；butmind，Idon\'tmeantosayanything。Tellmethatyouhavemadeupyourmindtomarryher，andI\'llsticktoyouthroughthickandthin。Butifyouaskmyadvice，why，I
mustgiveit。ItisquiteadifferentaffairtothatofMoffat\'s。Hehadlotsoftin，everythinghecouldwant，andtherecouldbenoreasonwhyheshouldnotmarry，——exceptthathewasasnob，ofwhomyoursisterwaswellquit。Butthisisverydifferent。IfI，asyourfriend，weretoputittoMissThorne，whatdoyouthinkshewouldsayherself？\'
\'Shewouldsaywhateverwasbestforme。\'
\'Exactly：becausesheisatrump。AndIsaythesame。Therecanbenodoubtaboutit，Frank，myboy：suchamarriagewouldbeveryfoolishforyouboth；veryfoolish。NobodycanadmireMissThornemorethanIdo；
butyououghtn\'ttobeamarryingmanforthenexttenyears，unlessyougetafortune。Ifyoutellherthetruth，andifshe\'sthegirlItakehertobe，she\'llnotaccuseyouofbeingfalse。She\'llpeakforawhile；andsowillyou，oldchap。Butothershavehadtodothatbeforeyou。Theyhavegotoveritandsowillyou。\'
SuchwasthespokenwisdomofHarryBaker，andwhocansaythathewaswrong？Franksatawhileonhisrustleseat，paringhisnailswithhispenknife，andthenlookingup，hethusthankedhisfriend：-
\'I\'msureyoumeanwell，Harry；andI\'mmuchobligedtoyou。Idaresayyou\'rerighttoo。But，somehow，itdoesn\'tcomehometome。Andwhatismore，afterwhathaspassed，IcouldnottellherthatIwishtopartfromher。Icouldnotdoit。Andbesides，Ihavethatsortoffeeling，thatifIheardshewastomarryanyoneelse，IamsureIwouldblowhisbrainsout。Eitherhisormyown。\'
\'Well，Frank，youmaycountonmeforanything，exceptthelastproposition：\'andsotheyshookhands，andFrankrodebacktoGreshamsbury。
CHAPTERXLV
LAWBUSINESSINLONDON
OntheMondaymorningatsixo\'clock，MrOrielandFrankstartedtogether；butearlyasitwas，Beatricewasuptogivethemacupofcoffee，MrOrielhavingsleptthatnightinthehouse。WhetherFrankwouldhavereceivedthecoffeefromhissister\'sfairhandshadnotMrOrielbeenthere，maybedoubted。He，however，loudlyassertedthatheshouldnothavedoneso，whenshelaidclaimtogreatmeritforrisingonhisbehalf。
MrOrielhadbeenspeciallyinstigatedbyLadyArabellatousetheopportunityoftheirjointjourney，forpointingouttoFranktheiniquityaswellasmadnessofthecoursehewaspursuing；andhehadpromisedtoobeyherladyship\'srequest。ButMrOrielwasperhapsnotanenterprisingman，andwascertainlynotapresumptuousone。Hedidintendtodoashewasbid；butwhenhebegan，withtheobjectofleadinguptothesubjectofFrank\'sengagement，healwayssofteneddownintosomemucheasierenthusiasminthematterofhisownengagementwithBeatrice。Hehadnotthatperspicuous，butnotover-sensitivestrengthofmindwhichhadenabledHarryBakertoexpresshisopinionoutatonce；andboldlyashedidit，yettodosowithoutoffence。
FourtimesbeforethetrainarrivedinLondon，hemadesomelittleattempt；butfourtimeshefailed。Asthesubjectwasmatrimony，itwashiseasiestcoursetobeginabouthimself；butnevercouldhegetanyfurther。
\'NomanwasevermorefortunateinawifethanIshallbe，\'hesaid，withasoft，euphuisticself-complacency，whichwouldhavebeensillyhaditbeenadoptedtoanyotherpersonthanthebride\'sbrother。Hisintention，however，wasverygood，forhemeanttoshow，thatinhiscasemarriagewasprudentandwise，becausehiscasedifferedsowidelyfromthatofFrank。
\'Yes，\'saidFrank。\'Sheisanexcellentgoodgirl：\'hehadsaiditthreetimesbefore，andwasnotveryenergetic。
\'Yes，andsoexactlysuitedtome；indeed，allthatIcouldhavedreamedof。Howverywellshelookedthismorning！Somegirlsonlylookwellatnight。Ishouldnotlikethatatall。\'
\'Youmustn\'texpecthertolooklikethatalwaysatsixo\'clocka。m。，\'
saidFrank，laughing。\'Youngladiesonlytakethattroubleonveryparticularoccasions。Shewouldn\'thavecomedownlikethatifmyfatherorIhadbeengoingalone。No，andshewon\'tdothatforyouinacoupleofyears\'time。\'
\'Oh，butshe\'salwaysnice。Ihaveseenherathomeasmuchalmostasyoucoulddo；andthenshe\'ssosincerelyreligious。\'
\'Oh，yes，ofcourse；thatis，Iamsuresheis，\'saidFrank，lookingsolemnasbecamehim。
\'She\'smadetobeaclergyman\'swife。\'
\'Well，soitseems，\'saidFrank。
\'Amarriedlife，I\'msure，thehappiestintheworld——ifpeopleareonlyinapositiontomarry，\'saidMrOriel，graduallydrawingneartotheaccomplishmentofhisdesign。
\'Yes；quiteso。Doyouknow，Oriel，Ineverwassosleepyinmylife。
WhatwithallthatfussofGazebee\'s，andonethingandanother，Icouldnotgettobedtilloneo\'clock；andthenIcouldn\'tsleep。I\'lltakeasnoozenow，ifyouwon\'tthinkituncivil。\'Andthen，puttinghisfeetontheoppositeseat，hesettledhimselfcomfortablytohisrest。AndsoMrOriel\'slastattemptforlecturingFrankintherailway-carriagefadedawayandwasannihilated。
Bytwelveo\'clockFrankwaswithMessrsSlow&Bideawhile。MrBideawhilewasengagedatthemoment，buthefoundthemanagingChanceryclerktobeaverychattygentleman。Judgingfromwhathesaw，hewouldhavesaidthattheworktobedoneatMessrsSlow&Bideawhile\'swasnotveryheavy。
\'AsingularmanthatSirLouis，\'saidtheChanceryclerk。
\'Yes；verysingular，\'saidFrank。
\'Excellentsecurity；nobetter；andyethewillforeclose；butyouseehehasnopowerhimself。Butthequestionis，canthetrusteerefuse？
Then，again，trusteesaresocircumscribednowadaysthattheyareafraidtodoanything。Therehasbeensomuchsaidlately，MrGresham，thatamandoesn\'tknowwhereheis，orwhatheisdoing。Nobodytrustsanybody。Therehavebeensuchterriblethingsthatwecan\'twonderatit。OnlythinkofthecaseofthoseHills！Howcananyoneexpectthatanyoneelsewillevertrustalawyeragainafterthat？Butthat\'sMrBideawhile\'sbell。Howcanoneexpectit？Hewillseeyounow，Idaresay，MrGresham。\'
Soitturnedout，andFrankwasusheredintothepresenceofMrBideawhile。Hehadgothislessonbyheart，andwasgoingtorushintothemiddleofhissubject；suchacourse，however，wasnotinaccordancewithMrBideawhile\'susualpractice。MrBideawhilegotupfromhislargewooden-seatedWindsorchair，and，withasoftsmile，inwhich，however，wasmingledsomeslightdashoftheattorney\'sacuteness，putouthishandtohisyoungclient；not，indeed，asthoughheweregoingtoshakehandswithhim，butasthoughthehandweresomeripefruitallbutfalling，whichhisvisitormighttakeandpluckifhethoughtproper。
Franktookholdofthehand，whichreturnednopressure，andthenletitgoagain，notmakinganyattempttogatherthefruit。
\'Ihavecomeuptotown，MrBideawhile，aboutthismortgage。\'
\'Mortgage——ah，sitdown，MrGresham；sitdown。Ihopeyourfatherisquitewell？\'
\'Quitewell，thankyou。\'
\'Ihaveagreatregardforyourfather。SoIhadforyourgrandfather；
averygoodmanindeed。You，perhaps，don\'trememberhim，MrGresham？\'
\'HediedwhenIwasonlyayearold。\'
\'Oh，yes；no，youofcourse，can\'trememberhim；butIdowell：heusedtobeveryfondofsomeportwineIhad。Ithinkitwas“11“；andifI
don\'tmistake，Ihaveabottleortwoofityet；butitisnotworthdrinkingnow。Portwine，youknow，won\'tkeepbeyondacertaintime。
Thatwasverygoodwine。Idon\'texactlyrememberwhatitstoodmeadozenthen；butsuchwinecan\'tbehadnow。AsfortheMadeira，youknowthere\'sanendofthat。DoyoudrinkMadeira，MrGresham？\'
\'No，\'saidFrank，\'notveryoften。\'
\'I\'msorryforthat，forit\'safinewine；butthenthere\'snoneofitleft，youknow。Ihaveafewdozen，I\'mtoldthey\'regrowingpumpkinswherethevineyardswere。IwonderwhattheydowithallthepumpkinstheygrowinSwitzerland！You\'vebeentoSwitzerland，MrGresham？\'
FranksaidhehadbeninSwitzerland。
\'It\'sabeautifulcountry；mygirlsmademegotherelastyear。Theysaiditwoulddomegood；butthenyouknow，theywantedtoseeitthemselves；ha！ha！ha！However，IbelieveIshallgoagainthisautumn。
ThatistoAix，orsomeofthoseplaces；justforthreeweeks。Ican\'tspareanymoretime，MrGresham。Doyoulikethatdiningatthetablesd\'hote？\'
\'Prettywell，sometimes。\'
\'Onewouldgettiredofit——eh！ButtheygaveuscapitaldinnersatZurich。Idon\'tthinkmuchoftheirsoup。Buttheyhadfish，andaboutsevenkindsofmeatsandpoultry，andthreeorfourpuddings，andthingsofthatsort。Uponmyword，Ithoughtwedidverywell，andsodidmygirls，too。Youseeagreatmanyladiestravellingnow。\'
\'Yes，\'saidFrank；\'agreatmany。\'
\'Uponmyword，Ithinktheyareright；thatis，iftheycanaffordtime。
Ican\'taffordtime。I\'mhereeverydaytillfive，MrGresham；thenIgooutanddineinFleetStreet，andthenbacktoworktillnine。\'
\'Dearme！that\'sveryhard。\'
\'Well，yesitishardwork。Myboysdon\'tlikeit；butImanagesomehow。IgetdowntomylittleplaceinthecountryonSaturday。I
shallbemosthappytoseeyoutherenextSaturday。\'
Frank，thinkingitwouldbeoutrageousonhisparttotakeupmuchofthetimeofthegentlemanwhowasconstrainedtoworksounreasonablyhard，beganagaintotalkabouthismortgages，and，insodoing，hadtomentionthenameofMrYatesUmblelby。
\'Ah，poorUmblelby！\'saidMrBideawhile；\'whatishedoingnow？Iamquitesureyourfatherwasright，orhewouldn\'thavedoneit；butI
usedtothinkthatUmblebywasadecentsortofmanenough。Notsogrand，youknow，asyourGazebeesandGumptions——eh，MrGresham？TheydosayyoungGazebeeisthinkingofgettingintoParliament。Letmesee：
Umblebymarried——whowasithemarried？Thatwasthewayyourfathergotholdofhim；notyourfather，butyourgrandfather。Iusedtoknowallaboutit。Well，IwassorryforUmbleby。Hehasgotsomething，I
suppose——eh？\'
FranksaidthathebelievedMrYatesUmblebyhadsomethingwherewithtokeepthewolffromthedoor。
\'SoyouhavegotGazebeedowntherenow？Gumption，Gazebee&Gazebee：
verygoodpeople，I\'msure；only，perhaps，theyhavealittletoomuchonhandtodoyourfatherjustice。\'
\'ButaboutSirLouisScatcherd，MrBideawhile。\'
\'Well，aboutSirLouis；averybadsortoffellow，isn\'the？Drinks——eh？
Iknewhisfatheralittle。Hewasaroughdiamond，too。IwasoncedowninNorthamptonshire，aboutsomerailwaybusiness；letmesee；IalmostforgetwhetherIwaswithhim，oragainsthim。ButIknowhemadesixtythousandpoundsbyonehour\'swork；sixtythousandpounds！Andthenhegotsomadwithdrinkingthatweallthought——\'
AndsoMrBideawhilewentonfortwohours，andFrankfoundnoopportunityofsayingonewordaboutthebusinesswhichhadbroughthimuptotown。Whatwonderthatsuchamanasthisshouldbeobligedtostayathisofficeeverynighttillnineo\'clock？
Duringthesetwohours，aclerkhadcomeinthreeorfourtimes，whisperingsomethingtothelawyer，who，onthelastofsuchoccasions，turnedtoFrank，saying，\'Well，perhapsthatwilldoforto-day。Ifyou\'llmanagetocallto-morrow，sayabouttwo，Iwillhavethewholethinglookedup；or，perhapsWednesdayorThursdaywouldsuityoubetter。\'Frank，declaringthatthemorrowwouldsuithimverywell，tookhisdeparture，wonderingmuchatthemannerinwhichbusinesswasdoneatthehouseofMessrsSlowandBideawhile。
Whenhecalledthenextday，theofficeseemedtoberatherdisturbed，andhewasshownquicklyintoMrBideawhile\'sroom。\'Haveyouheardthis？\'saidthatgentleman，puttingatelegramintohishands。ItcontainedtidingsofthedeathofSirLouisScatcherd。Frankimmediatelyknewthatthesetidingsmustbeofimportancetohisfather；buthehadnoideahowvitallytheyconcernedhisownmoreimmediateinterests。
\'DrThornewillbeupintownonThursdayeveningafterthefuneral，\'
saidthetalkativeclerk。\'Andnothingofcoursecanbedonetillhecomes，\'saidMrBideawhile。AndsoFrank，ponderingonthemutabilityofhumanaffairs，againtookhisdeparture。
HecoulddonothingnowbutwaitforDrThorne\'sarrival，andsoheamusedhimselfintheintervalbyrunningdowntoMalvern，andtreatingwithMissDunstableinpersonfortheoilofLebanon。HewentdownontheWednesday，andthus，failedtoreceive，ontheThursdaymorning，Mary\'sletter，whichreachedLondononthatday。Hereturned，however，ontheFriday，andthengotit；andperhapsitwaswellforMary\'shappinessthathehadseenMissDunstableintheinterval。\'Idon\'tcarewhatyourmothersays，\'saidshe，withemphasis。\'Idon\'tcareforanyHarry，whetheritbeHarryBakeroroldHarryhimself。Youmadeherapromise，andyouareboundtokeepit；ifnotononeday，thenonanother。What！becauseyoucannotdrawbackyourself，getoutofitbyinducinghertodoso！AuntdeCourcyherselfcouldnotimproveuponthat。\'Fortifiedinthismanner，hereturnedtotownontheFridaymorning，andthengotMary\'sletter。FrankalsogotanotefromDrThorne，statingthathehadtakenuphistemporarydomicileattheGray\'sInnCoffee-house，soastobenearthelawyers。
IthasbeensuggestedthatthemodernEnglishwritersoffictionshouldamongthemkeepabarrister，inorderthattheymaybesetrightonsuchlegalpointsaswillariseintheirlittlenarratives，andthusavoidtheexposureoftheirownignoranceofthelaws，which，now，alas！theytoooftenmake。Theideaasworthyofconsideration，andIcanonlysay，thatifsuchanarrangementcanbemade，andifacounselloradequatelyskilfulcanbefoundtoaccepttheoffice，Ishallbehappytosubscribemyquota；itwouldbebutamodesttributetowardsthecost。
Butasthesuggestionhasnotyetbeencarriedout，andasthereisatpresentnolearnedgentlemanwhosedutywouldinducehimtosetmeright，IcanonlypleadformercyifIbewrongallottingallSirRoger\'svastpossessionsinperpetuitytoMissThorne，allegingalso，inexcuse，thatthecourseofmynarrativeabsolutelydemandsthatsheshallbeultimatelyrecognizedasSirRoger\'sundoubtedheiress。
Such，afteranotimmoderatedelay，wastheopinionexpressedtoDrThornebyhislawadvisers；andsuch，infact，turnedouttobethecase。Iwillleavethematterso，hopingthatmyveryabsenceofdefencemayservetoprotectmefromsevereattack。IfundersuchawillasthatdescribedashavingbeenmadebySirRoger，Marywouldnothavebeentheheiress，thatwillmusthavebeendescribedwrongly。
ButitwasnotquiteatoncethatthosetidingsmadethemselvesabsolutelycertaintoDrThorne\'smind；norwasheabletoexpressanysuchopinionwhenhefirstmetFrankinLondon。AtthattimeMary\'sletterwasinFrank\'spocket；andFrank，thoughhisrealbusinessappertainedmuchmoretothefactofSirLouis\'sdeath，andtheeffectthatwouldimmediatelyhaveonhisfather\'saffairs，wasmuchmorefullofwhatsomuchmorenearlyconcernedhimself。\'IwillshowitDrThornehimself，\'saidhe，\'andaskhimwhathethinks。\'
DrThornewasstretchedfastasleeponthecomfortlesshorse-hairsofainthedingysitting-roomattheGray\'sInnCoffee-housewhenFrankfoundhim。Thefuneral，andhisjourneytoLondon，andthelawyershadtogetherconqueredhisenergies，andhelayandsnored，withnoseupright，whileheavyLondonsummerfliessettledonhisheadandface，androbbedhisslumbersofhalftheircharms。
\'Ibegyourpardon，\'saidhe，jumpingupasthoughhehadbeendetectedinsomedisgracefulact。\'Uponmyword，Frank，Ibegyourpardon；
but——well，mydearfellow，allwellatGreshamsbury——eh？\'andasheshookhimself，hemadealungeatoneuncommonlydisagreeableflythathadbeenathimforthelasttenminutes。Itishardlynecessarytosaythathemissedhisenemy。
\'Ishouldhavebeenwithyoubefore，doctor，butIwasdownatMalvern。\'
\'AtMalvern，eh？Ah！soOrieltoldme。ThedeathofpoorSirLouiswasverysudden——wasitnot？\'
\'Very。\'
\'Poorfellow——poorfellow！Hisfatehasforsometimebeenpasthope。
Itisamadness，Frank；theworstofmadness。Onlythinkofit——fatherandson！Andsuchacareerasthefatherhad——suchacareerasthesonmighthavehad！\'
\'Ithasbeenveryquicklyrun，\'saidFrank。
\'Mayitbeallforgivenhim！IsometimescannotbutbelieveinaspecialProvidence。Thatpoorfellowwasnotable，neverwouldhavebeenable，tomakeproperuseofthemeanswhichfortunehadgivenhim。I
hopetheymayfallintobetterhands。Thereisnouseindenyingit，hisdeathwillbeanimmenserelieftome，andareliefalsotoyourfather。
Allthislawbusinesswillnow，ofcourse，bestopped。Asforme，IhopeImayneverbetrusteeagain。\'
Frankhadputhishandfourorfivetimesintohisbreast-pocket，andhadasoftentakenoutandputbackagainMary\'sletterbeforehecouldfindhimselfabletobringDrThornetothesubject。Atlasttherewasalullinthepurelylegaldiscussion，causedbythedoctorintimatingthathesupposedFrankwouldnowsoonreturntoGreshamsbury。
\'Yes；Ishallgoto-morrowmorning。\'
\'What！sosoonasthat？IcountedonhavingyouonedayinLondonwithme。\'
\'No，Ishallgoto-morrow。I\'mnotfitforcompanyforanyone。NoramIfitforanything。Readthat，doctor。It\'snouseputtingitoffanylonger。Imustgetyoutotalkthisoverwithme。Justreadthat，andtellmewhatyouthinkaboutit。Itwaswrittenaweekago，butsomehowIhaveonlygotitto-day。\'Andputtingtheletterintothedoctor\'shands，heturnedawaytothewindow，andlookedoutamongtheHolbornomnibuses。DrThornetooktheletterandreadit。Mary，aftershehadwrittenit，hadbewailedtoherselfthattheletterwascold；butithadnotseemedcoldtoherlover，nordiditappearsotoheruncle。WhenFrankturnedroundfromthewindow，thedoctor\'shandkerchiefwasuptohiseyes；who，inordertohidethetearsthatwerethere，wasobligedtogothrougharatherviolentprocessofblowinghisnose。
\'Well，\'hesaid，ashegavebackthelettertoFrank。
Well！whatdidwellmean？Wasitwell？orwoulditbewellwerehe，Frank，tocomplywiththesuggestionmadetohimbyMary？
\'Itisimpossible，\'hesaid，\'thatmattersshouldgoonlikethat。Thinkwhathersufferingsmusthavebeenbeforeshewrotethat。Iamsureshelovesme。\'
\'Ithinkshedoes，\'saidthedoctor。
\'Anditisoutofthequestionthatsheshouldbesacrificed；norwillI
consenttosacrificemyownhappiness。Iamquitewillingtoworkformybread，andIamsurethatIamable。Iwillnotsubmitto——Doctor，whatanswerdoyouthinkIoughttogivetothatletter？Therecanbenopersonsoanxiousforherhappinessasyouare——exceptmyself。\'Andasheaskedthequestion，heagainputintothedoctor\'shands，almostunconsciously，theletterwhichhehadstillbeenholdinginhisown。
Thedoctorturneditoverandover，andthenopeneditagain。
\'WhatansweroughtItomaketoit？\'demandedFrank，withenergy。
\'Yousee，Frank，Ihaveneverinterferedinthismatter，otherwisethantotellyouthewholetruthaboutMary\'sbirth。\'
\'Oh，butyoumustinterfere：youshouldsaywhatyouthink。\'
\'Circumstancedasyouarenow——thatis，justatthepresentmoment——youcouldhardlymarryimmediately。\'
\'Whynotletmetakeafarm？Myfathercould，atanyrate，manageacoupleofthousandpoundsorsoformetostockit。Thatwouldnotbeaskingmuch。Ifhecouldnotgiveitme，Iwouldnotscrupletoborrowsomuchelsewhere。\'AndFrankbethoughthimofallMissDunstable\'soffers。
\'Oh，yes；thatcouldbemanaged。\'
\'Thenwhynotmarryimmediately；sayinsixmonthsorso？Iamnotunreasonable；though，Heavenknows，Ihavebeenkeptinsuspenselongenough。Asforher，Iamsureshemustbesufferingfrightfully。Youknowherbest，and，therefore，IaskyouwhatanswerIoughttomake：asformyself，Ihavemadeupmyownmind；Iamnotachild，norwillIletthemtreatmeassuch。\'
Frank，ashespoke，waswalkingrapidlyabouttheroom；andhbroughtouthisdifferentpositions，oneaftertheother，withalittlepause，whilewaitingforthedoctor\'sanswer。Thedoctorwassitting，withtheletterstillinhishands，ontheheadofthesofa，turningoverinhismindtheapparentabsurdityofFrank\'sdesiretoborrowtwothousandpoundsforafarm，when，inallhumanprobability，hemightinafewmonthsbeinpossessionofalmostanysumheshouldchoosetoname。AndyethewouldnottellhimofSirRoger\'swill。\'Ifitshouldturnouttobeallwrong？\'saidhetohimself。
\'Doyouwishmetogiveherup？\'saidFrank，atlast。
\'No。HowcanIwishit？HowcanIexpectabettermatchforher？
Besides，Frank，IlovenomanintheworldsowellasIdoyou。\'
\'Thenwillyouhelpme？\'
\'What！againstyourfather？\'
\'Against！no，notagainstanybody。ButwillyoutellMaryshehasyourconsent？\'
\'Ithinksheknowsthat。\'
\'Butyouhaveneversaidanythingtoher？\'
\'Lookhere，Frank；youaskmeformyadvice，andIwillgiveityou：gohome，though，indeed，Iwouldratheryouwentanywhereelse。\'
\'No，Imustgohome；andImustseeher。\'
\'Verywell，gohome：asforseeingMary，Ithinkyouhadbetterputitoffforafortnight。\'
\'Quiteimpossible。\'
\'Well，that\'smyadvice。But，atanyrate，makeupyourmindtonothingforafortnight。Waitforonefortnight，andIthenwilltellyouplainly——youandhertoo——whatIthinkyououghttodo。Attheendofafortnightcometome，andtellthesquirethatIwilltakeitasagreatkindnessifhewillcomewithyou。Shehassufferedterribly，terribly；
anditisnecessarythatsomethingshouldbesettled。Butafortnightcanmakenogreatdifference。\'
\'Andtheletter？\'
\'Oh！there\'stheletter。\'
\'ButwhatshallIsay？OfcourseIshallwritetoherto-night。\'
\'Tellhertowaitafortnight。And，Frank，mindyoubringyourfatherwithyou。\'
Frankcoulddrawnothingfurtherfromhisfriendsaveconstantrepetitionsofthischargetohimtowaitafortnight，——justoneotherfortnight。
\'Well，Iwillcometoyouatanyrate，\'saidFrank；\'and，ifpossible，I
willbringmyfather。ButIshallwritetoMaryto-night。\'
OntheSaturdaymorning，Mary，whowasthennearlybroken-heartedatherlover\'ssilence，receivedashortnote：——
\'MYOWNMARY
\'Ishallbehometo-morrow。Iwillbynomeansreleaseyoufromyourpromise。OfcourseyouwillperceivethatIonlygotyourletterto-day。\'
Yourowndearest，FRANK。\'
Shortasitwas，thissufficedMary。Itisonethingforayoungladytomakeprudent，heart-breakingsuggestions，butquiteanothertohavethemaccepted。ShedidcallhimdearestFrank，evenonthatoneday，almostasoftenashehaddesiredher。
CHAPTERXLVI
OURPETFOXFINDSATAIL
Frankreturnedhome，andhisimmediatebusinesswasofcoursewithhisfather，andwithMrGazebee，whowasstillatGreshamsbury。
\'Butwhoistheheir？\'askedMrGazebee，whenFrankhadexplainedthatthedeathofSirLouisrenderedunnecessaryanyimmediatelegalsteps。
\'Uponmyword，Idon\'tknow，\'saidFrank。
\'YousawDrThorne，\'saidthesquire。\'Hemusthaveknown。\'
\'Ineverthoughtofaskinghim，\'saidFrank，naively。
MrGazebeelookedrathersolemn。\'Iwonderatthat，\'saidhe；\'foreverythingdependsonthehandsthepropertywillgointo。Letmesee；I
thinkSirRogerhadamarriedsister。Wasnotthatso，MrGresham？\'Andthenitoccurredforthefirsttime，bothtothesquireandtohisson，thatMaryThornewastheeldestchildofthissister。ButitneveroccurredtoeitherofthemthatMarycouldbethebaronet\'sheir。
DrThornecamedownforacoupleofdaysbeforethefortnightwasovertoseehispatients，andthenreturnedagaintoLondon。Butduringthisshortvisithewasutterlydumbonthesubjectoftheheir。HecalledatGreshamsburytoseeLadyArabella，andwasevenquestionedbythesquireonthesubject。Butheobstinatelyrefusedtosayanythingmorethannothingcertaincouldbeknownforafewdays。
Immediatelyafterhisreturn，FranksawMary，andtoldherallthathadhappened。\'Icannotunderstandmyuncle，\'saidshe，almosttremblingasshestoodclosetohiminherowndrawing-room。\'Heusuallyhatesmysteries，andyetnowheissomysterious。Hetoldme，Frank——thatwasafterIhadwrittenthatunfortunateletter——\'
\'Unfortunateindeed！Iwonderwhatyoureallythoughtofmewhenyouwerewritingit？\'
\'Ifyouhadheardwhatyourmothersaid，youwouldnotbesurprised。
But，afterthat，unclesaid——\'
\'Saidwhat？\'
\'Heseemedtothink——Idon\'trememberwhatitwashesaid。Buthesaid，hehopedthatthingsmightyetturnoutwell；andthenIwasalmostsorrythatIhadwrittentheletter。\'
\'Ofcourseyouweresorry，andsoyououghttohavebeen。TosaythatyouwouldnevercallmeFrankagain！\'
\'Ididn\'texactlysaythat。\'
\'IhavetoldhimthatIwillwaitafortnight，andsoIwill。Afterthat，Ishalltakethematterintomyownhands。\'
ItmaybesupposedthatLadyArabellawasnotwellpleasedtolearnthatFrankandMaryhadbeenagaintogether；and，intheagonyofherspirit，shedidsaysomeill-naturedthingsbeforeAugusta，whohadnowreturnedhomefromCourcyCastle，astothegrossimproprietyofMary\'sconduct。
ButtoFrankshesaidnothing。
NorwastheremuchsaidbetweenFrankandBeatrice。Ifeverythingcouldreallybesettledattheendofthatfortnightwhichwastowitnessthedisclosureofthedoctor\'smystery，therewouldstillbetimetoarrangethatMaryshouldbeatthewedding。\'Itshallbesettledthen，\'hesaidtohimself；\'andifitbesettled，mymotherwillhardlyventuretoexcludemyaffiancedbridefromthehouse。\'ItwasnowthebeginningofAugust，anditwantedyetamonthtotheOrielwedding。
ButthoughhesaidnothingtohismotherortoBeatrice，hedidsaymuchtohisfather。Inthefirstplace，heshowedhimMary\'sletter。\'Ifyourheartbenotmadeofstoneitwillbesoftenedbythat，\'hesaid。MrGresham\'sheartwasnotofstone，andhedidacknowledgethattheletterwasaverysweetletter。Butweknowhowthedropofwaterhollowsstone。ItwasnotbytheviolenceofhisappealthatFranksucceededinobtainingfromhisfatherasortofhalf-consentthathewouldnolongeropposethematch；butbytheassiduitywithwhichtheappealwasrepeated。Frank，aswehavesaid，hadmorestubbornnessofwillthanhisfather；andso，beforethefortnightwasover，thesquirehadbeentalkedover，andpromisedtoattendatthedoctor\'sbidding。
\'IsupposeyouhadbettertaketheHazlehurstfarm，\'saidhetohisson，withasigh。\'Itjoinstheparkandthehome-fields，andIwillgiveyouthemupalso。Godknows，Idon\'tcareaboutfarminganymore——oraboutanythingelseeither。\'
\'Don\'tsaythat，father。\'
\'Well，well！But，Frank，wherewillyoulive？Theoldhouseisbigenoughforusall。ButhowwouldMarygetonwithyourmother？\'
Attheendofthisfortnight，truetohistime，thedoctorreturnedtothevillage。Hewasabadcorrespondent；andthoughhehadwrittensomeshortnotestoMary，hehadsaidnowordtoherabouthisbusiness。Itwaslateintheeveningwhenhegothome，anditwasunderstoodbyFrankandthesquirethattheyweretobewithhimonthefollowingmorning。
NotawordhadbeensaidtoLadyArabellaonthesubject。
Itwaslateintheeveningwhenhegothome，andMarywaitedforhimwithaheartalmostsickwithexpectation。Assoonastheflyhadstoppedatthelittlegatesheheardhisvoice，andheardatoncethatitwasquick，joyful，andtellingmuchofinwardsatisfaction。Hehadagood-naturedwordforJanet，andcalledThomasanoldblunder-headinamannerthatmadeBridgetlaughoutright。
\'He\'llhavehisnoseputoutofjointsomeday；won\'the？\'saidthedoctor。Bridgetblushedandlaughedagain，andmadeasigntoThomasthathehadbetterlooktohisface。
Marywasinhisarmsbeforehewasyetwithinthedoor。\'Mydarling，\'
saidhe，tenderlykissingher。\'Youaremyowndarlingyetawhile。\'
\'OfcourseIam。AmInotalwaystobeso？\'
\'Well，well；letmehavesometea，atanyrate，forI\'minafeverofthirst。TheymaycallthatteaattheJunctioniftheywill；butifChinaweresunkundertheseaitwouldmakenodifferencetothem。\'
DrThornealwayswasinafeverofthirstwhenhegothomefromtherailway，andalwaysmadecomplaintastoteaattheJunction。Marywentaboutherusualworkwithalmostmorethanherusualalacrity，andsotheyweresoonseatedinthedrawing-roomtogether。
Shesoonfoundthathismannerwasmorethanordinarilykindtoher；andtherewasmoreoversomethingabouthimwhichseemedtomakehimsparklewithcontentment，buthesaidnowordaboutFrank，nordidhemakeanyallusiontothebusinesswhichhadtakenhimuptotown。
\'Haveyougotthroughallyourwork？\'shesaidtohimonce。
\'Yes，yes；Ithinkall。\'
\'Andthoroughly？\'
\'Yes；thoroughly，Ithink。ButIamverytired，andsoareyoutoo，darling，withwaitingforme。\'
\'Oh，no，Iamnottired，\'saidshe，asshewentoncontinuallyfillinghiscup；\'butIamsohappytohaveyouhomeagain。Youhavebeenawaysomuchlately。\'
\'Ah，yes；wellIsupposeIshallnotgoawayanymorenow。Itwillbesomebodyelse\'sturnnow。\'
\'Uncle，Ithinkyouaregoingtotakeupwritingmysteryromances，likeMrsRadciffe\'s。\'
\'Yes；andI\'llbeginto-morrow，certainlywith——But，Mary，Iwillnotsayanotherwordto-night。Givemeakiss，dearest，andI\'llgo。\'
Marydidkisshim，andhedidgo。Butasshewasstilllingeringintheroom，puttingawayabook，orareelofthread，andthensittingdowntothinkwhatthemorrowwouldbringforth，thedoctoragaincameintotheroominhisdressing-gown，andwiththeslipperson。
\'What，notgoneyet？\'saidhe。
\'No，notyet；I\'mgoingnow。\'
\'YouandI，Mary，havealwaysaffectedagooddealofindifferenceastomoney，andallthatsortofthing。\'
\'Iwon\'tacknowledgethatithasbeenanaffectationatall，\'sheanswered。
\'Perhapsnot；butwehaveoftenexpressedit，havewenot？\'
\'Isuppose，uncle，youthinkthatwearelikethefoxthatlosthistail，orrathersomeunfortunatefoxthatmightbebornwithoutone。\'
\'Iwonderhowweshouldeitherofusbearitifwefoundourselvessuddenlyrich。Itwouldbeagreattemptation——asoretemptation。I
fear，Mary，thatwhenpoorpeopletalkdisdainfullyofmoney，theyoftenarelikeyourfox，bornwithoutatail。Ifnaturesuddenlyshouldgivethatbeastatail，wouldhenotbeprouderofitthanalltheotherfoxesinthewood？\'
\'Well，Isupposehewould。That\'stheverymeaningofthestory。Buthowmoralyou\'vebecomeallofasudden，attwelveo\'clockatnight！
InsteadofbeingMrsRadcliffe，Ishallthinkyou\'reMrAesop。\'
Hetookupthearticlewhichhehadcometoseek，andkissingheragainontheforehead，wentawaytohisbed-roomwithoutfurtherspeech。\'Whatcanhemeanbyallthisaboutmoney？\'saidMarytoherself。\'ItcannotbethatbySirLouis\'sdeathhewillgetanyofallthisproperty；\'andthenshebegantobethinkherselfwhether，afterall，shewouldwishhimtobearichman。\'Ifhewereveryrich，hemightdosomethingtoassistFrank；andthen——\'
Thereneverwasafoxyetwithoutatailwhowouldnotbedelightedtofindhimselfsuddenlypossessedofthatappendage。Never；lettheuntailedfoxhavebeeneversosincereinhisadvicetohisfriends！Weareallofus，thegoodandthebad，lookingfortails——foronetail，orformorethanone；wedosotoooftenbywaysthataremeanenough：butperhapsthereisnotail-seekermoremean，moresneakinglymeanthanhewholooksouttoadornhisbarebackbyatailbymarriage。
Thedoctorwasupveryearlythenextmorning，longbeforeMarywasreadywithherteacups。Hewasup，andinhisownstudybehindtheshop，arrangingdingypapers，pullingabouttinboxeswhichhehadbroughtdownwithhimfromLondon，andpilingonhiswriting-tableonesetofdocumentsinoneplace，andoneinanother。\'IthinkIunderstanditall，\'saidhe；\'butyetIknowIshallbebothered。Well，Ineverwillbeanyone\'strusteeagain。Letmesee！\'andthenhesatdown，andwithbewilderedlookrecapitulatedtohimselfsundryheavyitems。\'WhatthosesharesarereallyworthIcannotunderstand，andnobodyseemstobeabletotellone。Theymustmakeitoutamongthemasbesttheycan。Letmesee；that\'sBoxallHill，andthisisGreshamsbury。I\'llputanewspaperoverGreshamsbury，orthesquirewillknowit！\'andthen，havingmadehisarrangements，hewenttohisbreakfast。
IknowIamwrong，mymuchandtrulyhonouredcritic，aboutthesetitle-deedsanddocuments。Butwhenwe\'vegotabarristerinhand，thenifIgowrongafterthat，lettheblamebeonmyownshoulders——oronhis。
Thedoctoratehisbreakfastquickly；anddidnottalkmuchtohisniece。Butwhathedidsaywasofanaturetomakeherfeelstrangelyhappy。Shecouldnotanalyseherownfeelings，orgiveareasonforherownconfidence；butshecertainlydidfeel，andeventrust，thatsomethingwasgoingtohappenafterbreakfastwhichwouldmakehermorehappythanshehadbeenformanymonths。
\'Janet，\'saidhe，lookingathiswatch，\'ifMrGreshamandMrFrankcall，showthemintomystudy。Whatareyougoingtodowithyourself，mydear？\'
\'Idon\'tknow，uncle；youaresomysterious，andIaminsuchatwitter，thatIdon\'tknowwhattodo。WhyisMrGreshamcominghere——thatis，thesquire？\'
\'BecauseIhavebusinesswithhimabouttheScatcherdproperty。YouknowthatheowedSirLouismoney。Butdon\'tgoout，Mary。IwantyoutobeinthewayifIshouldhavetocallforyou。Youcanstayinthedrawing-room，can\'tyou？\'
\'Oh，yes，uncle；orhere。\'
\'No，dearest；gointothedrawing-room。\'Maryobedientlydidasshewasbid；andthereshesat，forthenextthreehours，wondering，wondering，wondering。Duringthegreaterpartofthattime，however，shewellknewthatMrGresham，senior，andMrGresham，junior，werebothwithheruncle，below。
Ateleventhedoctor\'svisitorscame。hehadexpectedthemsomewhatearlier，andwasbeginningtobecomefidgety。Hehadsomuchonhishandsthathecouldnotsitstillforamomenttillhehad，atanyrate，commencedit。Theexpectedfootstepswereatlastheardonthegravel-path，andmomentortwoafterwardsJanetusheredthefatherandsonintotheroom。
Thesquiredidnotlookverywell。Hewaswornandsorrowful，andratherpale。Thedeathofhisyoungcreditormightbesupposedtohavegivenhimsomerelieffromhismorepressingcares，butthenecessityofyieldingtoFrank\'swisheshadalmostmorethanbalancedthis。Whenamanhasdailytoreflectthatheispoorerthanhewasthedaybefore，hesoonbecomeswornandsorrowful。
ButFrankwaswell；bothinhealthandspirits。HealsofeltasMarydid，thatthedaywastobringforthsomethingwhichshouldendhispresenttroubles；andhecouldnotbutbehappytothinkthathecouldnowtellDrThornethathisfather\'sconsenttohismarriagehadbeengiven。
Thedoctorshookhandswiththemboth，andthentheysatdown。Theywereallratherconstrainedintheirmanner；andatfirstitseemedthatnothingbutlittlespeechesofcomplimentweretobemade。Atlast，thesquireremarkedthatFrankhadbeentalkingtohimaboutMissThorne。
\'AboutMary？\'saidthedoctor。
\'Yes；aboutMary，\'saidthesquire，correctinghimself。Itwasquiteunnecessarythatheshouldusesocoldanameastheother，nowthathehadagreedtothematch。
\'Well！\'saidDrThorne。
\'Isupposeitmustbeso，doctor。Hehassethisheartuponit，andGodknows，Ihavenothingtosayagainsther——againstherpersonally。Noonecouldsayawordagainsther。Sheisasweet，goodgirl，excellentlybroughtup；and，asformyself，Ihavealwayslovedher。\'Frankdrewneartohisfather，andpressedhishandagainstthesquire\'sarm，bywayofgivinghim，insomesort，afilialembraceforhiskindness。
\'Thankyou，squire，thankyou，\'saidthedoctor。\'Itisverygoodofyoutosaythat。Sheisagoodgirl，andifFrankchoosestotakeher，hewill，inmyestimation，havemadeagoodchoice。\'
\'Chooses！\'saidFrank，withalltheenthusiasmofalover。
Thesquirefelthimselfperhapsalittleruffledatthewayinwhichthedoctorreceivedhisgraciousintimation；buthedidnowshowitashewenton。\'Theycannot，youknow，doctor，looktoberichpeople——\'
\'Ah！well，well，\'interruptedthedoctor。
\'IhavetoldFrankso，andIthinkthatyoushouldtellMary。Frankmeanstotakesomelandintohishand，andhemustfarmitasafarmer。
Iwillendeavourtogivehimthree，orperhapsfourhundredayear。Butyouknowbetter——\'
\'Stop，squire；stopaminute。Wewilltalkaboutthatpresently。ThisdeathofpoorSirLouiswillmakeadifference。\'
\'Notpermanently，\'saidthesquiremournfully。
\'Andnow，Frank，\'saidthedoctor，notattendingtothesquire\'slastwords，\'whatdoyousay？\'
\'WhatdoIsay？IsaywhatIsaidtoyouinLondontheotherday。I
believeMarylovesme；indeed，Iwon\'tbeaffected——Iknowshedoes。I
havelovedher——Iwasgoingtosayalways；and，indeed，Ialmostmightsayso。Myfatherknowsthatthisisnolightfancyofmine。Astowhathesaysaboutourbeingpoor，why——\'
Thedoctorwasveryarbitrary，andwouldhearneitherofthemonthesubject。
\'MrGresham，\'saidhe，interruptingFrank，\'ofcourseIamwellawarehowverylittlesuitedMaryisbybirthtomarryyouronlyson。\'
\'Itistoolatetothinkaboutthatnow，\'saidthesquire。
\'Itisnottoolateformetojustifymyself，\'repliedthedoctor。\'Wehavelongknowneachother，MrGresham，andyousaidheretheotherday，thatthisisasubjectastowhichwehavebeenofonemind。Birthandbloodareveryvaluablegifts。\'
\'Icertainlythinkso，\'saidthesquire；\'butonecan\'thaveeverything。\'
\'No；onecan\'thaveeverything。\'
\'IfIamsatisfiedinthatmatter——\'beganFrank。
\'Stopamoment，mydearboy，\'saidthedoctor。\'Asyourfathersays，onecan\'thaveeverything。Mydearfriend——\'andhegavehishandtothesquire——\'donotbeangryifIalludedforamomenttotheestate。Ithasgrievedmetoseeitmeltingaway——theoldfamilyacresthathavesolongbeentheheritageoftheGreshams。\'
\'Weneednottalkaboutthatnow，DrThorne，\'saidFrank，inanalmostangrytone。
\'ButImust，Frank，foronemoment，tojustifymyself。IcouldnothaveexcusedmyselfinlettingMarythinkthatshecouldbecomeyourwifeifIhadnothopedthatgoodmightcomeofit。\'
\'Well；goodwillcomeofit，\'saidFrank，whodidnotquiteunderstandatwhatthedoctorwasdriving。
\'Ihopeso。Ihavehadmuchdoubtaboutthis，andhavebeensorelyperplexed；butnowIdohopeso。Frank——MrGresham——\'andthenDrThornerosefromhischair；butwas，foramoment，unabletogoonwithhistale。
\'Wewillhopethatitisallforthebest，\'saidthesquire。
\'Iamsureitis，\'saidFrank。
\'Yes；Ihopeitis。Idothinkitis；Iamsureitis，Frank。Marywillnotcometoyouempty-handed。Iwishforyoursake——yes，andforherstoo——thatherbirthwereequaltoherfortune，asherworthissuperiortoboth。MrGresham，thismarriagewill，atanyrate，putanendtoyourpecuniaryembarrassments——unless，indeed，Frankshouldproveahardcreditor。MynieceisSirRogerScatcherd\'sheir。\'
Thedoctor，assoonashemadetheannouncement，begantoemployhimselfsedulouslyaboutthepapersonthetable；which，intheconfusioncausedbyhisownemotion，hetransferredhitherandthitherinsuchamannerastoupsetallhispreviousarrangements。\'Andnow，\'hesaid，\'Imightaswellexplain，aswellasIcan，ofwhatthatfortuneconsists。Here，thisis——no——\'
\'But，DrThorne，\'saidthesquire，nowperfectlypale，andalmostgaspingforbreath，\'whatisityoumean？\'
\'There\'snotashadowofdoubt，\'saidthedoctor。\'I\'vehadSirAbrahamHaphazard，andSirRicketyGiggs，andoldNeversayeDis，andMrSnilam；
andtheyareallofthesameopinion。Thereisnotthesmallestdoubtaboutit。Ofcourse，shemustadminister，andallthat；andI\'mafraidthere\'llbeaveryheavysumtopayforthetax；forshecannotinheritasaniece，youknow。MrSnilampointedoutthatparticularly。But，afterallthat，there\'llbe——I\'vegotitdownonapieceofpaper，somewhere——threegrainsofbluepill。I\'mreallysobothered，squire，withallthesepapers，andallthoselawyers，thatIdon\'tknowwhetherI\'msittingorstanding。There\'sreadymoneyenoughtopayallthetaxandallthedebts。Iknowthat，atanyrate。\'
\'Youdon\'tmeantosaythatMaryThorneisnowpossessedofallSirRogerScatcherd\'swealth？\'atlastejaculatedthesquire。
\'Butthat\'sexactlywhatIdomeantosay，\'saidthedoctor，lookingupfromhispaperswithatearinhiseye，andasmileonhismouth；\'andwhatismore，squire，youoweheratthepresentmomentexactly——I\'vegotthatdowntoo，somewhere，onlyIamsobotheredwithallthesepapers。Come，squire，whendoyoumeantopayher？She\'sinagreathurry，asyoungladiesarewhentheywanttogetmarried。\'
Thedoctorwasinclinedtojokeifpossible，soastocarryoff，asitwere，someofthegreatweightofobligationwhichitmightseemthathewasthrowingonthefatherandson；butthesquirewasbynomeansinastatetounderstandajoke：hardlyasyetinastatetocomprehendwhatwassoveryseriousinthismatter。
\'DoyoumeanthatMaryistheownerofBoxallHill？\'saidhe。
\'IndeedIdo，\'saidthedoctor；andhewasjustgoingtoadd，\'andofGreshamsburyalso，\'buthestoppedhimself。
\'What，thewholepropertythere？\'
\'That\'sonlyasmallportion，\'saidthedoctor。\'Ialmostwishitwereall，forthenIwouldnotbesobothered。Lookhere；thesearetheBoxallHilltitle-deeds；that\'sthesimplestpartofthewholeaffair；
andFrankmaygoandsettlehimselfthereto-morrowifhepleases。\'
\'Stopamoment，DrThorne，\'saidFrank。Theseweretheonlywordswhichhehadyetutteredsincethetidingshadbeenconveyedtohim。
\'Andthese，squire，aretheGreshamsburypapers：\'andthedoctor，withconsiderableceremony，withdrewthecoveringnewspapers。\'Lookatthem；
theretheyallareonceagain。WhenIsuggestedtoMrSnilamthatI
supposedtheymightnowallgobacktotheGreshamsburymunimentroom，I
thoughthewouldhavefainted。AsIcannotreturnthemtoyou，youwillhavetowaittillFrankshallgivethemup。\'
\'But，DrThorne，\'saidFrank。
\'Well，myboy。\'
\'DoesMaryknowallaboutthis？\'
\'Notawordofit。Imeanthatyoushalltellher。\'
\'Perhaps，undersuchveryalteredcircumstances——\'
\'Eh？\'
\'Thechangeissogreatandsosudden，soimmenseinitseffects，thatMarymaywishperhaps——\'
\'Wish！wishwhat？Wishnottobetoldofitatall？\'
\'Ishallnotthinkofholdinghertoherengagement——thatis，if——Imeantosay，sheshouldhavetimeatanyrateforconsideration。\'
\'Oh，Iunderstand，\'saidthedoctor。\'Sheshallhavetimeforconsideration。Howmuchshallwegiveher，squire，threeminutes？GouptoherFrank：sheisinthedrawing-room。\'
Frankwenttothedoor，andthenhesitated，andreturned。\'Icouldnotdoit，\'saidhe。\'Idon\'tthinkthatIunderstanditallyet。IamsobewilderedthatIcouldnottellher；\'andhesatdownatthetable，andbegantosobwithemotion。
\'Andsheknowsnothingofit？\'saidthesquire。
\'Notaword。IthoughtthatIwouldkeepthepleasureoftellingherforFrank。\'
\'Sheshouldnotbeleftinsuspense，\'saidthesquire。
\'Come，Frank，gouptoher，\'againurgedthedoctor。\'You\'vebeenreadyenoughwithyourvisitswhenyouknewthatyououghttostayaway。\'
\'Icannotdoit，\'saidFrank，afterapauseofsomemoments；\'norisitrightthatIshould。Itwouldbetakingadvantageofher。\'
\'Gotoheryourself，doctor；itisyouthatshoulddoit，\'saidthesquire。
Aftersomefurtherslightdelay，thedoctorgotup，anddidgoupstairs。
He，even，washalfafraidofthetask。\'Itmustbedone，\'hesaidtohimself，ashisheavystepsmountedthestairs。\'Buthowtotellit？\'
Whenheentered，Marywasstandinghalf-wayuptheroom，asthoughshehadrisentomeethim。Herfacewastroubled，andhereyeswerealmostwild。Theemotion，thehopes，thefearsofthemorninghadalmostbeentoomuchforher。Shehadheardthemurmuringofthevoicesintheroombelow，andhadknownthatoneofthemwasthatofherlover。Whetherthatdiscussionwastobeforhergoodorillshedidnotknow；butshefeltthatfurthersuspensewouldalmostkillher。\'Icouldwaitforyears，\'shesaidtoherself，\'ifIdidbutknow。IfIlosthim，I
supposeIshouldbearit，ifIdidbutknow。\'——Well；shewasgoingtoknow。
Herunclemetherinthemiddleoftheroom。Hisfacewasserious，thoughnotsad；tooserioustoconfirmherhopesatthatmomentofdoubt。\'Whatisit，uncle？\'shesaid，takingoneofhishandsbetweenbothofherown。\'Whatisit？Tellme。\'Andasshelookedupintohisfacewithherwildeyes，shealmostfrightenedhim。
\'Mary，\'hesaidgravely，\'youhaveheardmuch，IknowofSirRogerScatcherd\'sgreatfortune。\'
\'Yes，yes，yes！\'
\'NowthatpoorSirLouisisdead——\'
\'Well，uncle，well？\'
\'Ithasbeenleft——\'
\'ToFrank！toMrGresham，tothesquire！\'exclaimedMary，whefelt，withanagonyofdoubt，thatthissuddenaccessionofimmensewealthmightseparateherstillfurtherfromherlover。
\'No，Mary，nottotheGreshams；buttoyourself。\'
\'Tome！\'shecried，andputtingbothherhandstoherforehead，sheseemedtobeholdinghertemplestogether。\'Tome！\'
\'Yes，Mary；itisallyourownnow。Todoasyoulikebestwithitall——all。MayGod，inHismercy，enableyoutobeartheburden，andlightenforyouthetemptation！\'
Shehadsofarmovedastofindthenearestchair，andthereshewasnowseated，staringatherunclewithfixedeyes。\'Uncle，\'shesaid，\'whatdoesitmean？\'Thenhecame，andsittingbesideher，heexplained，asbesthecould，thestoryofherbirth，andherkinshipwiththeScatcherds。\'Andwhereishe，uncle？\'shesaid。\'Whydoeshenotcometome？\'
\'Iwantedhimtocome，butherrefused。Theyareboththerenow，thefatherandson；shallIfetchthem？\'
\'Fetchthem！whom？Thesquire？No，uncle；butmaywegotothem？\'
\'Surely，Mary。\'
\'But，uncle——\'
\'Yes，dearest。\'
\'Isittrue？areyousure？Forhissake，youknow；notformyown。Thesquire，youknow——Oh，uncle！Icannotgo。\'
\'Theyshallcometoyou。\'
No——no。Ihavegonetohimsuchhundredsoftimes；Iwillneverallowthatheshallbesenttome。But，uncle，isittrue？\'
Thedoctor，ashewentdownstairs，mutteredsomethingaboutSirAbrahamHaphazard，andSirRicketyGiggs；butthesegreatnamesweremuchthrownawayuponpoorMary。Thedoctorenteredtheroomfirst，andtheheiressfollowedhimwithdowncasteyesandtimidsteps。Shewasatfirstafraidtoadvance，butwhenshedidlookup，andsawFrankstandingalonebythewindow，herloverrestoredhercourage，andrushinguptohim，shethrewherselfintohisarms。\'Oh，Frank；myownFrank！myownFrank！weshallneverbeseparatedagain。\'
CHAPTERXLVII
HOWTHEBRIDEWASRECEIVED，ANDWHOWEREASKEDTOTHEWEDDING
AndthusafteralldidFrankperformhisduty；hedidmarrymoney；orrather，astheweddinghasnotyettakenplace，andis，indeed，asyethardlytalkedof，weshouldmoreproperlysaythathehadengagedhimselftomarrymoney。Andthen，suchaquantityofmoney！theScatcherdwealthgreatlyexceededtheDunstablewealth；sothatourheromaybelookedonashavingperformedhisdutiesinamannerdeservingtheveryhighestcommendationfromallclassesoftheDeCourcyconnexion。
Andhereceivedit。Butthatwasnothing。ThatheshouldbefetedbytheDeCourcysandtheGreshams，nowthathewasabouttodohisdutybyhisfamilyinsoexemplaryamanner：thatheshouldbepattedontheback，nowthathenolongermeditatedthatvilecrimewhichhadbeensoabhorrenttohismother\'ssoul；thiswasonlynatural；thisishardlyworthyofremark。Buttherewasanothertobefeted，anotherpersontobemadeapersonage，anotherblessedhumanmortalabouttodoherdutybythefamilyofGreshaminamannerthatdeserved，andshouldreceive，LadyArabella\'swarmestcaresses。
DearMary！Itwas，indeed，notsingularthatsheshouldbepreparedtoactsowell，seeingthatinearlyyouthshehadhadtheadvantageofaneducationintheGreshamsburynursery；butnotonthataccountwasitthelessfittingthathervirtueshouldbeacknowledged，eulogized，nay，allbutworshipped。
Howthepartyatthedoctor\'sgotitselfbrokenup，Iamnotpreparedtosay。Frank，Iknow，stayed，anddinedthere，andhispoormother，whowouldnotretiretoresttillshehadkissedhim，andblessedhim，andthankedhimforallhewasdoingforthefamily，waskeptwaitinginherdressing-roomtillaveryunreasonablehourofthenight。
Itwasthesquirewhobroughtthenewsuptothehouse。\'Arabella，\'hesaid，inalow，butsomewhatsolemnvoice，\'youwillbesurprisedatthenewsIbringyou。MaryThorneistheheiresstoalltheScatcherdproperty！\'
\'Oh，heavens！MrGresham。\'
\'Yes，indeed，\'continuedthesquire。\'Soitis；itisvery，very——\'ButLadyArabellahadfainted。Shewasawomanwhogenerallyhadherfeelingsandheremotionsmuchunderherowncontrol；butwhatshenowheardwastoomuchforher。Whenshecametohersenses，thefirstwordsthatescapedherlipswere，\'DearMary！\'
Butthehouseholdhadtosleeponthenewsbeforeitcouldbefullyrealized。Thesquirewasnotbynatureamercenaryman。IfIhaveatallsucceededinputtinghischaracterbeforethereader，hewillberecognizedasonenotoverattachedtomoneyformoney\'ssake。Butthingshadgonesohardwithhim，theworldhadbecomesorough，soungracious，sofullofthorns，thewantofmeanshadbecomeanevilsokeenlyfeltineveryhour，thatitcannotbewonderedatthathisdreamsthatnightshouldbeofagoldenElysium。Thewealthwasnotcomingtohim。True。Buthischiefsorrowhadbeenforhisson。Nowthatsonwouldbehisonlycreditor。Itwasasthoughmountainsofmarblehadbeentakenoffhisbosom。
ButLadyArabella\'sdreamsflewawayatonceintotheseventhheaven。
Sordidastheycertainlywere，theywerenotabsolutelyselfish。FrankwouldnowcertainlybethefirstcommonerinBarsetshire；ofcoursehewouldrepresentthecounty；ofcoursetherewouldbethehouseintown；
itwouldn\'tbeherhouse，butshewascontentedthatthegrandeurshouldbethatofherchild。Hewouldhaveheavenknowswhattospendperannum。AndthatitshouldcomethroughMaryThorne！WhatablessingshehadallowedMarytobebroughtintotheGreshamsburynursery！DearMary！
\'Shewillofcoursebeonenow，\'saidBeatricetohersister。Withher，atthepresentmoment，\'one\'ofcoursemeantoneofthebevythatwastoattendheratthealtar。\'Ohdear！hownice！Ishan\'tknowwhattosaytoherto-morrow。ButIknowonething。\'
\'Whatisthat？\'askedAugusta。
\'Shewillbeasmildandmeekasalittledove。Ifsheandthedoctorhadlosteveryshillingintheworld，shewouldhavebeenproudasaneagle。\'ItmustbeacknowledgedthatBeatricehadhadthewittoreadMary\'scharacterright。
ButAugustawasnotquitepleasedwiththewholeaffair。Notthatshebegrudgedherbrotherhisluck，orMaryherhappiness。Butherideasofrightandwrong——perhapsweshouldrathersayLadyAmelia\'sideas——wouldnotbefairlycarriedout。
\'Afterall，Beatrice，thisdoesnotalterherbirth。IknowitisuselesssayinganythingtoFrank。\'
\'Why，youwouldn\'tbreakboththeirheartsnow？\'
\'Idon\'twanttobreaktheirhearts，certainly。Buttherearethosewhoputtheirdearestandwarmestfeelingsunderrestraintratherthandeviatefromwhattheyknowtobeproper。\'PoorAugusta！shewasthesternprofessoroftheorderofthisphilosophy；thelastinthefamilywhopractisedwithunflinchingcourageitscruelbehests；thelast，alwaysexceptingtheLadyAmelia。
AndhowsleptFrankthatnight？Withhim，atleast，letushope，nay，letussayboldly，thathishappiestthoughtswerenotwiththewealthwhichhewastoacquire。ButyetitwouldbesomethingtorestoreBoxallHilltoGreshamsbury；somethingtogivebacktohisfatherthoserumpledvellumdocuments，sincethedepartureofwhichthesquirehadneverhadahappyday；nay，somethingtocomeforthagaintohisfriendsasagay，youngcountrysquire，insteadofafarmer，clod-compellingforhisbread。Wewouldnothavehimthoughttobebetterthanhewas，norwouldwewishhimtomakehimofotherstuffthannaturegenerallyuses。HisheartdidexultatMary\'swealth；butitleapedhigherstillwhenhethoughtofpurerjoys。
AndwhatshallwesayofMary\'sdreams？Withher，itwasaltogetherwhatsheshouldgive，notatallwhatsheshouldget。Frankhadlovedhersotrulywhenshewassopoor，suchanuttercastaway；Frank，whowithhisbeauty，andspirit，andhistalentsmighthavewonthesmilesoftherichest，thegrandest，thenoblest！Whatlady\'sheartwouldnothaverejoicedtobeallowedtoloveherFrank？Buthehadbeentruetoherthrougheverything。Ah！howoftenshethoughtofthathour，whensuddenlyappearingbeforeher，hehadstrainedhertohisbreast，justasshehadresolvedhowbesttobearthedeath-likechillofhissupposedestrangements！Shewasalwaysthinkingofthattime。Shefedherlovebyrecurringoverandovertothealteredfeelingofthatmoment。Anynowshecouldpayhimforhisgoodness。Payhim！No，thatwouldbeabaseword，abasethought。Herpaymentmustbemade，ifGodwouldsograntit，inmany，manyyearstocome。Butherstore，suchasitwas，shouldbeemptiedintohislap。Itwassoothingtoherpridethatshewouldnothurthimbyherlove，thatshewouldbringnoinjurytotheoldhouse。\'Dear，dearFrank\'shemurmured，asherwakingdream，conqueredatlastbysleep，gavewaytothoseofthefairyworld。
ButshethoughtnotonlyofFrank；dreamednotonlyofhim。Whathadhenotdoneforher，thatuncleofhers，whohadbeenmorelovingtoherthananyfather！Howwashe，too，tobepaid？Paid，indeed！Lovecanonlybepaidinitsowncoin：itknowsofnootherlegaltender。Well，ifherhomewastobeGreshamsbury，atanyrateshewouldnotbeseparatedfromhim。
Whatthedoctordreamedofthat，neitherheoranyoneeverknew。\'Why，uncle，Ithinkyou\'vebeenasleep，\'saidMarytohimthateveningashemovedforamomentuneasilyonthesofa。Hehadbeenasleepforthelastthree-quartersofanhour；——butFrank，hisguest，hadfeltnooffence。
\'No，I\'venotbeenexactlyasleep，\'saidhe；\'butI\'mverytired。I
wouldn\'tdoitallagain，Frank，todoublethemoney。Youhaven\'tgotanymoretea，haveyou，Mary？\'
Onthefollowingmorning，Beatricewasofcoursewithherfriend。Therewasnoawkwardnessbetweentheminmeeting。Beatricehadlovedherwhenshewaspoor，andthoughtheyhadnotlatelythoughtalikeononeveryimportantsubject，MarywastoogracioustoimputethattoBeatriceasacrime。
\'Youwillbeonenow，Mary；ofcourseyouwill。\'
\'IfLadyArabellawillletmecome。\'
\'Oh，Mary；letyou！Doyourememberwhatyousaidonceaboutcoming，andbeingnearme？Ihavesooftenthoughtofit。Andnow，Mary，ImusttellyouaboutCaleb；\'andtheyoungladysettledherselfonthesofa，soastohaveacomfortablelongtalk。Beatricehadbeenquiteright。
Marywasasmeekwithher，andasmildasadove。
AndthenPatienceOrielcame。\'Myfine，youngdarling，magnificent，overgrownheiress，\'saidPatience，embracingher。\'Mybreathdesertedme，andIwasnearlystunnedwhenIheardofit。Howsmallweshallallbe，mydear！Iamquitepreparedtotoadytoyouimmensely；butpraybealittlegracioustome，forthesakeofauldlangsyne。\'
Marygavealong，longkiss。\'Yes，forauldlangsyne，Patience；whenyoutookmeawayunderyourwingtoRichmond。\'Patiencealsohadlovedherwhenshewasintrouble，andthatlove，too，shouldneverbeforgotten。
ButthegreatdifficultywasLadyArabella\'sfirstmeetingwithher。\'I
thinkI\'llgodowntoherafterbreakfast，\'saidherladyshiptoBeatrice，asthetwoweretalkingoverthematterwhilethemotherwasfinishinghertoilet。
\'Iamsureshewillcomeupifyoulikeit，mamma。\'
\'Sheisentitledtoeverycourtesy——asFrank\'sacceptedbride，youknow，\'saidLadyArabella。\'Iwouldnotforworldsfailinanyrespecttoherforhissake。\'
\'Hewillbegladenoughforhertocome，Iamsure，\'saidBeatrice。\'I
wastalkingtoCalebthismorning，andhesays——\'
Thematterwasofimportance，andLadyArabellagaveithermostmatureconsideration。Themannerofreceivingintoone\'sfamilyanheiresswhosewealthiscureallone\'sdifficulties，disperseallone\'stroubles，giveabalmtoallthewoundsofmisfortune，mustunderanycircumstances，beworthyofmuchcare。ButwhenthatheiresshadbeentreatedasMaryhadbeentreated！
\'Imustseeher，atanyrate，beforeIgotoCourcy。\'saidLadyArabella。
\'AreyougoingtoCourcy，mamma？\'
\'Oh，certainly；yes，Imustseemysister-in-lawnow。Youdon\'tseemtorealizetheimportance，mydear，ofFrank\'smarriage。Hewillbeinagreathurryaboutit，and，indeed，Icannotblamehim。Iexpecttheywillallcomehere。\'
\'Who，mamma？TheDeCourcys？\'
\'Yes，ofcourse。Ishallbeverymuchsurprisediftheearldoesnotcomenow。AndImustconsultmysister-in-lawastotheaskingoftheDukeofOmnium。\'
PoorMary！
\'AndIthinkitwillperhapsbebetter，\'continuedLadyArabella，\'thatweshouldhavealargerpartythanintendedatyouraffair。Thecountess，I\'msure，wouldcomenow。Wecouldn\'tputitofffortendays；
couldwe，dear？\'
\'Putitofftendays！\'
\'Yes；itwouldbeconvenient。\'
\'Idon\'tthinkMrOrielwouldlikethatatall，mamma。YouknowhehasmadeallhisarrangementsforhisSundays——\'
Pshaw！Theideaoftheparson\'sSundaysbeingallowedtohaveanybearingonsuchamatterasFrank\'sweddingwouldnowbecome！Why，theywouldhave——howmuch？Betweentwelveandfourteenthousandayear！LadyArabella，whohadmadehercalculationsadozentimesduringthenight，hadneverfoundittobemuchlessthanthelargersum。MrOriel\'sSundaysindeed！
Aftermuchdoubt，LadyArabellaaccededtoherdaughter\'ssuggestion，thatMaryshouldbereceivedatGreshamsburyinsteadofbeingcalledonatthedoctor\'shouse。\'Ifyouthinkshewon\'tmindthecomingupfirst，\'saidherladyship。\'Icertainlycouldreceiveherbetterhere。I
shouldbemore——more——moreable，youknow，toexpresswhatIfeel。Wehadbettergointothebigdrawing-roomto-day，Beatrice。WillyouremembertotellMrsRichards？\'
\'Oh，certainly，\'wasMary\'sanswerwhenBeatrice，withavoicealittletrembling，proposedhertowalkuptothehouse。\'CertainlyIwill，ifLadyArabellawillreceiveme；——only，onething，Trichy。\'
\'What\'sthat，dearest？\'
\'FrankwillthinkthatIcomeafterhim。\'
\'Nevermindwhathethinks。Totellyouthetruth，Mary，IoftencallonPatienceforthesakeoffindingCaleb。That\'sallfairnow，youknow。\'
Maryveryquietlygotputonherstrawbonnet，andsaidshewasreadytogouptothehouse。Beatricewasalittlefluttered，andshowedit。Marywas，perhaps，agooddealfluttered，butshedidnotshowit。ShehadthoughtagooddealaboutherfirstinterviewwithLadyArabella，ofherfirstreturntothehouse；butshehadresolvedtocarryherselfasthoughthematterwereeasytoher。ShewouldnotallowittobeseenthatshefeltthatshebroughtwithhertoGreshamsbury，comfort，ease，andrenewedopulence。
SosheputonherstrawbonnetandwalkedupwithBeatrice。Everybodyabouttheplacehadalreadyheardthenews。Theoldwomanatthelodgecurtsiedlowtoher；thegardener，whowasmowingthelawn。Thebutler，whoopenedthefrontdoor——hemusthavebeenwatchingMary\'sapproach——hadmanifestlyputonacleanwhiteneckclothfortheoccasion。
\'Godblessyouoncemore，MissThorne！\'saidtheoldman，inahalf-whisper。Marywassomewhattroubled，foreverythingseemed，inamanner，tobowdownbeforeher。Andwhyshouldnoteverythingbowdownbeforeher，seeingthatshewasintruththeownerofGreshamsbury？
Andthenaservantinliverywouldopenthebigdrawing-roomdoor。ThisratherupsetbothMaryandBeatrice。ItbecamealmostimpossibleforMarytoentertheroomjustasshewouldhavedonetwoyearsago；butshegotthroughthedifficultywithmuchself-control。
\'Mamma，here\'sMary，\'saidBeatrice。
NorwasLadyArabellaquitemistressofherself，althoughshehadstudiedminutelyhowtobearherself。
\'Oh，Mary，dearMary；whatcanIsaytoyou？\'andthen，withahandkerchieftohereyes，sheranforwardandhidherfaceinMissThorne\'sshoulders。\'WhatcanIsay——canyouforgivemyanxietyformyson？\'
\'Howdoyoudo，LadyArabella？\'saidMary。
\'Mydaughter！mychild！myFrank\'sownbride！Oh，Mary！oh，mychild！
IfIhaveseemedunkindtoyou，ithasbeenthroughlovetohim。\'
\'Allthesethingsareovernow，\'saidMary。\'MrGreshamtoldmeyesterdaythatIshouldbereceivedasFrank\'sfuturewife；andso，yousee，Ihavecome。\'AndthensheslippedthroughLadyArabella\'sarms，andsatdown，meeklydown，onachair。InfiveminutesshehadescapedwithBeatriceintotheschool-room，andwaskissingthechildren，andturningoverthenewtrousseau。Theywere，however，sooninterrupted，andtherewas，perhaps，someotherkissingbesidesthatofthechildren。
\'Youhavenobusinesshereatall，Frank，\'saidBeatrice。\'Hashe，Mary？\'
\'Noneintheworld，Ishouldthink。\'
\'Seewhathehasdonetomypoplin；Ihopeyouwon\'thaveyourthingstreatedsocruelly。He\'llbecarefulenoughaboutthem。\'
\'IsOrielagoodhandatpackingupfinery——eh，Beatrice，\'saidFrank。
\'Heis，atanyrate，toowell-behavedtospoilit。\'ThusMarywasagainmadeathomeonthehouseholdofGreshamsbury。
LadyArabelladidnotcarryoutherlittleplanofdelayingtheOrielwedding。Herideahadbeentoaddsomegrandeurtoit，inordertomakeitamorefittingprecursorofthatothergreaterweddingwhichwastofollowsooninitswake。Butthis，withtheassistanceofthecountess，shefoundherselfabletodowithoutinterferingwithpoorMrOriel\'sSundayarrangements。Thecountessherself，withtheLadiesAlexandrinaandMargaretta，nowpromisedtocome，eventothefirstaffair；andfortheother，thewholeDeCourcyfamilywouldturnout，countandcountess，lordsandladies，HonourableGeorgesandHonourableJohns。
Whathonour，indeed，couldbetoogreattoshowtoabridewhohadfourteenthousandayearinherownright，ortoacousin，whohaddonehisdutybysecuringsuchabridetohimself！
\'Ifthedukebeinthecountry，Iamsurehewillbehappytocome，\'
saidthecountess。\'Ofcourse，hewillbetalkingtoFrankaboutpolitics。Isupposethesquirewon\'texpectFranktobelongtotheoldschoolnow。\'
\'Frank，ofcourse，willjudgeforhimself，Rosina；——withhisposition，youknow！\'AndsothingsweresettledatCourcyCastle。
AndthenBeatricewasweddedandcarriedofftotheLakes。Mary，asshehadpromised，didstandnearher；butnotexactlyintheginghamfrockofwhichshehadoncespoken。Sheworeonthatoccasion——Butitwillbetoomuch，perhaps，totellthereaderwhatsheworeasBeatrice\'sbridesmaid，seeingthatacoupleofpages，atleast，mustbedevotedtohermarriage-dress，andseeing，also，thatwehaveonlyafewpagestofinisheverything；thelistofvisitors，themarriagesettlements，thedress，andallincluded。
ItwasinvainthatMaryendeavouredtorepressLadyArabella\'sardourforgranddoings。Afterall，shewastobemarriedfromthedoctor\'shouse，andnotfromGreshamsbury，anditwasthedoctorwhoshouldhaveinvitedtheguests；but，inthismatter，hedidnotchoosetoopposeherladyship\'sspirit，andshehaditallherownway。
\'WhatcanIdo？\'saidhetoMary。\'Ihavebeencontradictingherineverythingforthelasttwoyears。Theleastwecandoistoletherhaveherownwaynowinatriflelikethis。\'
ButtherewasonepointonwhichMarywouldletnobodyhavehisorherownway；onwhichthewaytobetakenwasverymanifestlytobeherown。
Thiswastouchingthemarriagesettlements。Itmustnotbesupposed，thatifBeatriceweremarriedonaTuesday，MarycouldbemarriedontheTuesdayweekfollowing。Ladieswithtwelvethousandayearcannotbedisposedofinthatway：andbridegroomswhodotheirdutybymarryingmoneyoftenhavetobekeptwaiting。Itwasspring，theearlyspring，beforeFrankwasmadealtogetherahappyman。
Butawordaboutthesettlements。Onthissubjectthedoctorthoughthewouldhavebeendrivenmad。MessrsSlowandBideawhile，asthelawyersoftheGreshamsburyfamily——itwillbeunderstoodthatMrGazebee\'slawbusinesswasofquiteadifferentnature，andhiswork，asregardedGreshamsbury，wasnownearlyover——MessrsSlowandBideawhiledeclaredthatitwouldneverdoforthemtoundertakealonetodrawoutthesettlements。Anheiress，suchasMary，musthavelawyersofherown；
halfadozenatleast，accordingtotheapparentopinionofMessrsSlowandBideawhile。Andsothedoctorhadtogotootherlawyers，andtheyagainhadtoconsultSirAbraham，andMrSnilamonadozendifferentheads。
IfFrankbecametenantintail，inrightofhiswife，butunderhisfather，wouldhebeabletograntleasesformorethantwenty-oneyears？
and，ifso，towhomwouldtherightoftroverbelong？Astoflotsamandjetsam——therewasalittleproperty，MrCritic，onthesea-shore——thatwasamatterthathadtobeleftunsettledatthelast。Suchpointsasthesedotakealongtimetoconsider。Allthisbewilderedthedoctorsadly，andFrankhimselfbegantomakeaccusationsthathewastobedoneoutofhiswifealtogether。
But，aswehavesaid，therewasonepointonwhichMarywouldhaveherownway。Thelawyersmighttieupastheywouldonherbehalfallthemoney，andshares，andmortgageswhichhadbelongedtothelateSirRoger，withthisexception，allthathadeverappertainedtoGreshamsburyshouldbelongtoGreshamsburyagain；notinperspective，nottoherchildren，ortoherchildren\'schildren，butatonce。FrankshouldbelordofBoxallHillinhisownright；andastothoseotherliensonGreshamsbury，letFrankmanagethatwithhisfatherashemightthinkfit。Shewouldonlytroubleherselftoseethathewasempoweredtodoashedidthinkfit。
\'But，\'arguedtheancient，respectablefamilyattorneytothedoctor，\'thatamountstotwo-thirdsofthewholeestate。Two-thirds，DrThorne！
Itispreposterous；Ishouldalmostsayimpossible。\'Andthescantyhairsonthepoorman\'sheadalmoststoodonendashethoughtoftheoutrageousmannerinwhichtheheiresspreparedtosacrificeherself。
\'Itwillallbethesameintheend，\'saidthedoctor，tryingtomakethingssmooth。\'Ofcourse，theirjointobjectwillbetoputtheGreshamsburypropertytogetheragain。\'
\'But，mydearsir，\'——andthen，fortwentyminutes，thelawyerwentonprovingthatitwouldbenomeansbethesamething；but，nevertheless，MaryThornedidhaveherownway。
Inthecourseofthewinter，LadydeCourcytriedveryhardtoinducetheheiresstovisitCourcyCastle，andthisrequestwassobackedbyLadyArabella，thatthedoctorsaidhethoughtshemightaswellgothereforthreeorfourdays。Buthere，again，Marywasobstinate。
\'Idon\'tseeitatall，\'shesaid。\'Ifyoumakeapointofit，orFrank，orMrGresham，Iwillgo；butIcan\'tseeanypossiblereason。\'
Thedoctor，whensoappealedto，wouldnotabsolutelysaythathemadeapointofit，andMarywastolerablysafeasregardedFrankorthesquire。Ifshewent，Frankwouldbeexpectedtogo，andFrankdislikedCourcyCastlealmostmorethanever。Hisauntwasnowmorethanciviltohim，and，whentheyweretogether，neverceasedtocomplimenthimonthedesirablewayinwhichhehaddonehisdutybythefamily。
AndsoonafterChristmasavisitorcametoMary，andstayedafortnightwithher：onewhomneithershenorthedoctorhadexpected，andofwhomtheyhadnotmuchmorethanheard。ThiswasthefamousMissDunstable。
\'Birdsofafeatherflocktogether，\'saidMrsRantaway——lateMissGushing——whensheheardofthevisit。\'Therailwayman\'sniece——ifyoucancallheraniece——andthequack\'sdaughterwilldoverywelltogether，nodoubt。\'
\'Atanyrate，theycancounttheirmoney-bags，\'saidMrsUmbleby。
Andinfact，MaryandMissDunstabledidgetonverywelltogether；andMissDunstablemadeherselfquitehappyatGreshamsbury，althoughsomepeople——includingMrsRantaway——contrivedtospreadareport，thatDrThorne，jealousofMary\'smoneywasgoingtomarryher。
\'Ishallcertainlycomeandseeyouturnedoff，\'saidMissDunstable，takingleaveofhernewfriend。MissDunstable，itmustbeacknowledged，wasalittletoofondofslang；butthen，aladywithherfortune，andofherage，maybefondofalmostwhatevershepleases。
Andsobydegreesthewinterworeaway——veryslowlytoFrank，ashedeclaredoftenenough；andslowly，perhaps，toMaryalso，butshedidnotsayso。Thespringcameround。ThecomicalmanacsgiveusdreadfulpicturesofJanuaryandFebruary；but，intruth，themonthswhichshouldbemadetolookgloomyinEnglandareMarchandApril。LetnomanboasthimselfthathehasgotthroughtheperilsofwintertillatleasttheseventhofMay。
ItwasearlyinApril，however，thatthegreatdoingsweretobedoneatGreshamsbury。Notexactlyonthefirst。Itmaybepresumed，thatinspiteofthepractical，common-sensespiritoftheage，veryfewpeopledochoosetohavethemselvesunitedonthatday。Butsomedayinthefirstweekofthatmonthwasfixedfortheceremony，andfromtheendofFebruaryallthroughMarch，LadyArabellaworkedandstroveinamannerthatentitledhertoprofoundadmiration。
Itwasatlastsettledthatthebreakfastshouldbeheldinthelargedining-roomatGreshamsbury。TherewasadifficultyaboutitwhichtaxedLadyArabellatotheutmost，for，inmakingtheproposition，shecouldnotbutseemtobethrowingsomeslightonthehouseinwhichtheheiresshadlived。ButwhentheaffairwasonceopenedtoMary，itwasastonishinghoweasyitbecame。
\'Ofcourse，\'saidMary，\'alltheroomsinourhousewouldnotholdhalfthepeopleyouaretalkingabout——iftheymustcome。\'
LadyArabellalookedsobeseechingly，nay，sopiteously，thatMaryhadnotanotherwordtosay。Itwasevidentthattheymustallcome：theDeCourcystothefifthgeneration；theDukeofOmniumhimself，andothersinconcatenationaccordingly。
\'Butwillyourunclebeangryifwehavethebreakfastupthere？HehasbeensoveryhandsometoFrank，thatIwouldn\'tmakehimangryforalltheworld。\'
\'Ifyoudon\'ttellhimanythingaboutit，LadyArabella，he\'llthinkthatitisalldoneproperly。Hewillneverknow，ifhe\'snottold，thatheoughttogivethebreakfast，notyou。\'
\'Won\'the，mydear？\'AndLadyArabellalookedheradmirationforthisverytalentedsuggestion。Andsothatmatterwasarranged。Thedoctorneverknew，tillMarytoldhimsomeyearorsoafterwards，thathehadbeenremissinanypartofhisduty。
Andwhowasaskedtothewedding？Inthefirstplace，wehavesaidthattheDukeofOmniumwasthere。Thiswas，infact，theonecircumstancethatmadethisweddingsosuperiortoanyotherthathadevertakenplaceinthatneighbourhood。TheDukeofOmniumneverwentanywhere；andyethewenttoMary\'swedding！AndMary，whentheceremonywasover，absolutelyfoundherselfkissedbyaduke。\'DearestMary！\'exclaimedLadyArabella，inherecstasyofjoy，whenshesawthehonourthatwasdonetoherdaughter-in-law。
\'IhopeweshallinduceyoutocometoGatherumCastlesoon，\'saidtheduketoFrank。\'Ishallbehavingafewfriendsthereintheautumn。Letmesee；Ideclare，Ihavenotseenyousinceyouweregoodenoughtocometomycollection。Ha！ha！ha！Itwasn\'tbadfun，wasit？\'Frankwasnotverycordialwithhisanswer。Hehadnotquitereconciledhimselftothedifferenceofhisposition。Whenhewastreatedasoneofthe\'collection\'atGatherumCastle，hehadnotmarriedmoney。
ItwouldbevaintoenumeratealltheDeCourcysthatwerethere。Therewastheearl，lookingverygracious，andtalkingtothesquireaboutthecounty。AndtherewasLordPorlock，lookingveryungracious，andnottalkingtoanybodyaboutanything。Andtherewasthecountess，whoforthelastweekhaddonenothingbutpatFrankonthebackwhenevershecouldcatchhim。AndthereweretheLadiesAlexandrina，Margaretta，andSelina，smilingateverybody。AndtheHonourableGeorge，talkinginwhisperstoFrankabouthiswidow——\'Notsuchacatchasyours，youknow；
butsomethingextremelysnug；——andhaveitallmyownway，too，oldfellow，orIshan\'tcometothescratch。\'AndtheHonourableJohnpreparedtotoadyFrankabouthisstringofhunters；andtheLadyAmelia，byherself，notquitecontentedwiththesedemocraticnuptials——\'Afterall，sheissoabsolutelynobody；absolutely，absolutely，\'shesaidconfidentiallytoAugusta，shakingherhead。ButbeforeLadyAmeliahadleftGreshamsbury，AugustawasquiteatalosstounderstandhowtherecouldbeneedforsomuchconversationbetweenhercousinandMrMortimerGazebee。
AndthereweremanymoreDeCourcys，whomtoenumeratewouldbemuchtoolong。
Andthebishopofthediocese，andMrsProudiewerethere。Ahinthadevenbeengiven，thathislordshipwouldhimselfcondescendtoperformtheceremony，ifthisshouldbewished；butthatworkhadalreadybeenanticipatedbyaveryoldfriendoftheGreshams。ArchdeaconGrantly，therectorofPlumsteadEpiscopi，hadlongsinceundertakenthispartofthebusiness；andtheknotwaseventuallytiedbythejointeffortsofhimselfandMrOriel。MrsGrantlycamewithhim，andsodidMrsGrantly\'ssister，thenewdean\'swife。ThedeanhimselfwasatthetimeunfortunatelyabsentatOxford。
AndalltheBakersandtheJacksonswerethere。Thelasttimetheyhadallmettogetherunderthesquire\'sroof，wasontheoccasionofFrank\'scomingofage。Thepresentgaladoingswerecarriedonaverydifferentspirit。Thathadbeenaverypooraffair，butthiswasworthyofthebestofGreshamsbury。
Occasionalsohadbeentakenofthishappymomenttomakeup，orrathertogetridofthelastshredsofthelastfeudthathadsolongseparatedDrThornefromhisownrelatives。TheThornesofUllathornehadmademanyoverturesinacovertway。Butourdoctorhadcontrivedtorejectthem。\'TheywouldnotreceiveMaryastheircousin，\'saidhe，\'andIwillgonowherethatshecannotgo。\'Butnowallthiswasaltered。MrsGreshamwouldcertainlybereceivedinanyhouseinthecounty。Andthus，MrThorneofUllathorne，anamiable，popularoldbachelor，cametothewedding；andsodidhismaidensisterMissThorne，thanwhosenokinderheartglowedallthroughBarsetshire。
\'Mydear，\'saidshetoMary，kissingher，andofferinghersomelittletribute，\'Iamverygladtomakeyouracquaintance；very。Itwasnotherfault，\'sheadded，speakingtoherself。\'AndnowthatshewillbeaGresham，thatneednotbeanylongerbethoughtof。\'Nevertheless，couldMissThornehavespokenherinwardthoughtsoutloud，shewouldhavedeclared，thatFrankwouldhavedonebettertohavebornehispovertythanmarrywealthwithoutblood。Butthen，therearebutfewsostanchasMissThorne；perhapsnoneinthecounty——alwaysexceptingtheladyAmelia。
AndMissDunstable，also，wasabridesmaid。\'Oh，no\'saidshe，whenasked；\'youshouldhavethemyoungandpretty。\'ButshegavewaywhenshefoundthatMarydidnotflatterherbytellingherthatshewaseithertheoneortheother。\'Thetruthis，\'saidMissDunstable，\'I
havealwaysbeenalittleinlovewithyourFrank，andsoIshalldoitforhissake。\'Therewerebutfour：theothertwoweretheGreshamtwins。LadyArabellaexertedherselfgreatlyinframinghintstoinduceMarytoasksomeoftheDeCourcyladiestodohersomuchhonour；butonthisheadMarywouldpleaseherself。\'Rank，\'shesaidtoBeatrice，withacurlonherlip，\'hasitsdrawbacks——andmustputupwiththem。\'
AndnowIfindthatIhavenotonepage——nothalfapage——forthewedding-dress。Butwhatmatters？WillitnotbeallfoundwritteninthecolumnsoftheMorningPost？
AndthusFrankmarriedmoney，andbecameagreatman。Letushopethathewillbeahappyman。Asthetimeofthestoryhasbeenbroughtdownsoneartothepresentera，itisnotpracticableforthenovelisttotellmuchofhisfuturecareer。WhenIlastheardfromBarsetshire，itseemedtobequitesettledthatheistotaketheplaceofoneoftheoldmembersatthenextelection；andtheysay，also，thatthereisnochanceofanyopposition。Ihaveheard，too，thattherehavebeenmanyveryprivateconsultationsbetweenhimandvariousgentlemenofthecounty，withreferencetothehunt；andthegeneralfeelingissaidtobethatthehoundsshouldgotoBoxallHill。
AtBoxallHilltheyoungpeopleestablishedthemselvesontheirreturnfromthecontinent。AndthatremindsmethatonewordmustbesaidofLadyScatcherd。
\'Youwillalwaysstayherewithus，\'saidMarytoher，caressingherladyship\'sroughhand，andlookingkindlyintothatkindface。
ButLadyScatcherdwouldnotconsenttothis。\'Iwillcomeandseeyousometimes，andthenIshallenjoymyself。Yes，Iwillcomeandseeyou，andmyowndearboy。\'TheaffairwasendedbyhertakingMrsOpieGreen\'scottage，inorderthatshemightbenearthedoctor；MrsOpieGreenhavingmarried——somebody。
Andofwhomelsemustwesayaword？Patience，also，ofcourse，gotahusband——orwilldoso。DearPatience！itwouldbeathousandpitiesthatsogoodawifeshouldbelosttotheworld。WhetherMissDunstablewilleverbemarried，orAugustaGresham，orMrMoffat，oranyofthetribeoftheDeCourcys——exceptLadyAmelia——Icannotsay。Theyhaveallofthemstilltheirfuturebeforethem。ThatBridgetwasmarriedtoThomas——thatIamabletoassert；forIknowthatJanetwasmuchputoutbytheirjointdesertion。
LadyArabellahasnotyetlostheradmirationforMary，andMary，inreturn，behavesadmirably。Anothereventisexpected，andherladyshipisalmostasanxiousaboutthatasshewasaboutthewedding。\'Amatter，youknow，ofmuchimportanceinthecounty！\'shewhisperedtoLadyDeCourcy。
Nothingcanbemorehappythantheintercoursebetweenthesquireandhisson。Whattheirexactarrangementsare，weneednotspeciallyinquire；butthedemonofpecuniaryembarrassmenthasliftedhisblackwingsfromthedemesneofGreshamsbury。
Andnowwehavebutonewordleftforthedoctor。\'Ifyoudon\'tcomeanddinewithme，\'saidthesquiretohim，whentheyfoundthemselvesbothdeserted，\'mindIshallcomeanddinewithyou。\'Andonthisprincipletheyseemtoact。DrThornecontinuestoextendhispractice，tothegreatdisgustofDrFillgrave；andwhenMarysuggestedtohimthatheshouldretire，healmostboxedherears。Heknowstheway，however，toBoxallHillaswellasheeverdid，andiswillingtoacknowledge，thattheteathereisalmostasgoodasiteverwasatGreshamsbury。
End
