OnhisfirstarrivalatGreshamsburyhehadbeenputbythesquireintoahouse，whichhestilloccupiedwhenthatsquire'sgrandsoncameofage。Thereweretwodecent，commodious，privatehousesinthevillage——alwaysexceptingtherectory，whichstoodgrandlyinitsowngrounds，and，therefore，wasconsideredasrankingabovethevillageresidences——ofthesetwoDrThornehadthesmaller。Theystoodexactlyattheanglebeforedescribed，ontheoutersideofit，andatrightanglestoeachother。Theypossessedgoodstablesandamplegardens；

anditmaybeaswelltospecify，thatMrUmbleby，theagentandlawyertotheestate，occupiedthelargerone。

HereDrThornelivedforelevenortwelveyears，allalone；andthenfortenorelevenmorewithhisniece，MaryThorne。Marywasthirteenwhenshecametotakeuppermanentabodeasmistressoftheestablishment——or，atanyrate，toactastheonlymistresswhichtheestablishmentpossessed。Thisadventgreatlychangedthetenorofthedoctor'sways。Hehadbeenbeforepurebachelor；notaroominhishousehadbeencomfortablyfurnished；heatfirstcommencedinamakeshiftsortofway，becausehehadnotathiscommandthemeansofcommencingotherwise；andhehadgoneoninthesamefashion，becausetheexacttimehadnevercomeatwhichitwasimperativeinhimtosethishouseinorder。Hehadhadnofixedhourforhismeals，nofixedplaceforhisbooks，nofixedwardrobeforhisclothes。Hehadafewbottlesofgoodwineinhiscellar，andoccasionallyaskedabrotherbachelortotakeachopwithhim；butbeyondthishehadtouchedverylittleonthecaresofhousekeeping。Aslop-bowlfullofstrongtea，togetherwithbread，andbutter，andeggs，wasproducedforhiminthemorning，andheexpectedthatatwhateverhourhemightarriveintheevening，somefoodshouldbepresentedtohimwherewithtosatisfythecravingsofnature；if，inadditiontothis，hehadanotherslop-bowlofteaintheevening，hegotallthatheeverrequired，orall，atleast，thatheeverdemanded。

ButwhenMarycame，orrather，whenshewasabouttocome，thingswerealtogetherchangedatthedoctor's。Peoplehadhithertowondered——andespeciallyMrsUmbleby——howagentlemanlikeDrThornecouldcontinuetoliveinsoslovenlyamanner；andhowpeopleagainwondered，andagainespeciallyMrsUmbleby，howthedoctorcouldpossiblythinkitnecessarytoputsuchalotoffurnitureintoahousebecausealittlechitofagirloftwelveyearswascomingtolivewithhim。

MrsUmblebyhadgreatscopeforherwonder。Thedoctormadeathoroughrevolutioninhishousehold，andfurnishedhishousefromthegroundtotheroofcompletely。Hepainted——forthefirsttimesincethecommencementofhistenancy——hepapered，hecarpeted，asthoughaMrsThornewithagoodfortunewerecominghometo-morrow；andallforagirloftwelveyearsold。'Andnow，'saidMrsUmbleby，toherfriendMissGushing，'howdidhefindoutwhattobuy？'asthoughthedoctorhadbeenbroughtuplikeawildbeast，ignorantofthenatureoftablesandchairs，andwithnomoredevelopedideasofdrawing-roomdraperythananhippopotamus。

TotheutteramazementofMrsUmblebyandMissGushing，thedoctordiditverywell。Hesaidnothingaboutittoanyone——heneverdidsaymuchaboutsuchthings——buthefurnishedhishousewellanddiscreetly；

andwhenMaryThornecamehomefromherschoolatBath，towhichshehadbeentakensomesixyearspreviously，shefoundherselfcalledupontobethepresidinggeniusofaperfectparadise。

Ithasbeensaidthatthedoctorhadmanagedtoendearhimselftothenewsquirebeforetheoldsquire'sdeath，andthat，therefore，thechangeatGreshamsburyhadhadnoprofessionalilleffectsuponhim。

Suchwasthecaseatthetime；but，nevertheless，alldidnotgosmoothlyintheGreshamsburymedicaldepartment。Therewassixorsevenyears'differenceinagebetweenMrGreshamandthedoctor，andmoreover，MrGreshamwasyoungforhisage，andthedoctorold；but，nevertheless，therewasaverycloseattachmentbetweenthemearlyinlife。Thiswasneverthoroughlysundered，and，backedbythisthedoctordidmaintainhimselfforsomeyearsbeforetheartilleryofLadyArabella'sartillery。Butdropsfalling，iftheyfallconstantly，willborethroughastone。

DrThorne'spretensions，mixedwithhissubversiveprofessionaldemocratictendencies，hisseven-and-sixpennyvisits，addedtohisutterdisregardofLadyArabella'sairs，weretoomuchforherspirit。HebroughtFrankthroughhisfirsttroubles，andthatatfirstingratiatedher；hewasequallysuccessfulwiththeearlydietaryofAugustaandBeatrice；but，ashissuccesswasobtainedindirectoppositiontotheCourcyCastlenurseryprinciples，thishardlydidmuchinhisfavour。

Whenthethirddaughterwasborn，heatoncedeclaredthatshewasaveryweaklyflower，andsternlyforbadethemothertogotoLondon。Themother，lovingherbabe，obeyed；butdidnotthelesshatethedoctorfortheorder，whichshefirmlybelievedwasgivenattheinstanceandexpressdictationofMrGresham。Thenanotherlittlegirlcameintotheworld，andthedoctorwasmoreimperativethaneverastothenurseryrulesandtheexcellenceofcountryair。Quarrelswerethusengendered，andLadyArabellawastaughttobelievethatthisdoctorofherhusband'swasafterallnoSolomon。Inherhusband'sabsenceshesentforDrFillgrave，givingveryexpressintimationthathewouldnothavetowoundeitherhiseyesordignitybyencounteringhisenemy；andshefoundDrFillgraveagreatcomforttoher。

ThenDrThornegaveMrGreshamtounderstandthat，undersuchcircumstances，hecouldnotvisitprofessionallyatGreshamsburyanylonger。Thepoorsquiresawtherewasnohelpforit，andthoughhemaintainedhisfriendlyconnexionwithhisneighbour，theseven-and-sixpennyvisitswereatanend。DrFillgravefromBarchester，andthegentlemanatSilverbridge，dividedtheresponsibilitybetweenthem，andthenurseryprinciplesofCourcyCastlewereagaininvogueatGreshamsbury。

Sothingswentonforyears，andthoseyearswereyearsofsorrow。Wemustnotascribetoourdoctor'senemiesthesufferingsandsickness，anddeathsthatoccurred。ThefourfraillittleonesthatdiedwouldprobablyhavebeentakenhadLadyArabellabeenmoretolerantofDrThorne。Butthefactwas，thattheydiddie；andthatthemother'sheartthengotthebetterofthewoman'spride，andLadyArabellahumbledherselfbeforeDrThorne。Shehumbledherself，orwouldhavedoneso，hadthedoctorpermittedher。Buthe，withhiseyesfulloftears，stoppedtheutteranceofherapology，tookhertwohandsinhis，pressedthemwarmly，andassuredherthathisjoyinreturningwouldbegreat，forthelovethatheboretoallthatbelongedtoGreshamsbury。

Andsotheseven-and-sixpennyvisitswererecommenced；andthegreattriumphofDrFillgravecametoanend。

GreatwasthejoyintheGreshamsburynurserywhenthesecondchangetookplace。Amongthedoctor'sattributes，nothithertomentioned，wasanaptitudeforthesocietyofchildren。Hedelightedtotalktochildren，andtoplaywiththem。Hewouldcarrythemonhisback，threeorfouratatime，rollwiththemontheground，racewiththeminthegarden，inventgamesforthem，contriveamusementsincircumstanceswhichseemedquiteadversetoallmannerofdelight；and，aboveall，hisphysicwasnotnearlysonastyasthatwhichcamefromSilverbridge。

Hehadagreattheoryastothehappinessofchildren；andthoughhewasnotdisposedaltogethertothrowoverthepreceptsofSolomon——alwaysbargainingthatheshould，undernocircumstances，behimselftheexecutioner——hearguedthattheprincipaldutywhichaparentowedtoachildwastomakehimhappy。Notonlywasthemantobemadehappy——thefutureman，ifthatmightbepossible——buttheexistingboywastobetreatedwithequalfavour；andhishappiness，sosaidthedoctor，wasofmucheasierattainment。

'Whystruggleafterfutureadvantageattheexpenseofthepresentpain，seeingthattheresultsweresoverydoubtful？'

Manyanopponentofthedoctorhadthoughttocatchhimonthehipwhensosingularadoctrinewasbroached；buttheywerenotalwayssuccessful。'What！'saidhissensibleenemies，'isJohnnynottobetaughttoreadbecausehedoesnotlikeit？''Johnnymustreadbyallmeans，'wouldthedoctoranswer；'butisitnecessarythatheshouldnotlikeit？Ifthepreceptorhaveitinhim，maynotJohnnylearnnotonlytoread，buttoliketolearntoread？'

'But，'wouldsayhisenemies，'childrenmustbecontrolled。'

'Andsomustmenalso，'wouldsaythedoctor。'Imustnotstealyourpeaches，normakelovetoyourwife，norlibelyourcharacter。MuchasImightwishthroughmynaturaldepravitytoindulgeinsuchvices，I

amdebarredfromthemwithoutpain，andImayalmostsaywithoutunhappiness。'

Andsotheargumentwenton，neitherpartyconvincingtheother。But，inthemeantime，thechildrenoftheneighbourhoodbecameveryfondofDrThorne。

DrThorneandthesquirewerestillfastfriends，butcircumstanceshadoccurred，spreadingthemselvesnowoveraperiodofmanyyears，whichalmostmadethepoorsquireuneasyinthedoctor'scompany。MrGreshamowedalargesumofmoney，andhehad，moreover，alreadysoldaportionofhisproperty。UnfortunatelyithadbeentheprideoftheGreshamsthattheiracreshaddescendedfromoneanotherwithoutanentail，sothateachpossessorofGreshamsburyhadhadthefullpowertodisposeofthepropertyashepleased。Anydoubtastoitsgoingtothemaleheirhadneverhithertobeenfelt。Ithadoccasionallybeenencumberedbychargesforyoungerchildren；butthesechargeshadbeenliquidated，andthepropertyhadcomedownwithoutanyburdentothepresentsquire。Nowaportionofthislandhadbeensold，andithadbeensoldtoacertaindegreethroughtheagencyofDrThorne。

Thismadethesquireanunhappyman。Nomanlovedhisfamilynameandhonour，hisoldfamilyblazonandstandingmorethoroughlythanhedid；

hewaseverywhitaGreshamatheart；buthisspirithadbeenweakerthanthatofhisforefathers；and，inhisdays，forthefirsttime，theGreshamsweregoingtothewall！Tenyearsbeforethebeginningofourstoryithadbeennecessarytoraisealargesumofmoneytomeetandpayoffpressingliabilities，anditwasfoundthatthiscouldbedonewithmorematerialadvantagebysellingaportionofthepropertythaninanyotherway。Aportionofit，aboutathirdofthewholeinvalue，wasaccordinglysold。

BoxallHilllayhalfbetweenGreshamsburyandBarchester，andwasknownashavingthebestpartridgeshootinginthecounty；ashavingonitalsoacelebratedfoxcover，BoxallGorse，heldinveryhighreputebyBarsetshiresportsmen。Therewasnoresidenceontheimmediateestate，anditwasaltogetherdividedfromtheremainedoftheGreshamsburyproperty。This，withmanyinwardandoutwardgroans，MrGreshampermittedtobesold。

Itwassold，andsoldwell，byprivatecontracttoanativeofBarchester，who，havingrisenfromtheworld'sranks，hadmadeforhimselfgreatwealth。Somewhatofthisman'scharactermusthereafterbetold；itwillsufficetosaythathereliedforadviceinmoneymattersuponDrThorne，andthatatDrThorne'ssuggestionhehadpurchasedBoxallHill，partridge-shootingandgorsecoverallincluded。HehadnotonlyboughtBoxallHill，buthadsubsequentlylentthesquirelargesumsofmoneyonmortgage，inallwhichtransactionsthedoctorhadtakenpart。IthadthereforecometopassthatMrGreshamwasnotinfrequentlycalledupontodiscusshismoneyaffairswithDrThorne，andoccasionallytosubmittolecturesandadvicewhichmightperhapsaswellhavebeenomitted。

SomuchforDrThorne。AfewwordsmuststillbesaidaboutMissMaryThornebeforewerushintoourstory；thecrustwillthenhavebeenbroken，andthepiewillbeopentotheguests。LittleMissMarywaskeptatafarm-housetillshewassix；shewasthensenttoschoolatBath，andtransplantedtothedoctor'snewlyfurnishedhouse，alittlemorethansixyearsafterthat。Itmustnotbesupposedthathehadlostsightofhischargeduringherearlieryears。Hewasmuchtoowellawareofthenatureofthepromisewhichhehadmadetothedepartingmothertodothat。Hehadconstantlyvisitedhislittleniece，andlongbeforethefirsttwelveyearsofherlifewereoverhadlostconsciousnessofhispromise，andofhisdutytothemother，inthestrongertiesofdownrightpersonallovefortheonlycreaturethatbelongedtohim。

WhenMarycamehomethedoctorwaslikeachildinhisglee。Hepreparedsurprisesforherwithasmuchforethoughtandtroubleasthoughhewerecontrivingminestoblowupanenemy。Hetookherfirstintotheshop，andthenintothekitchen，thencetothedining-rooms，afterthattohisandherbedrooms，andsoontillhecametothefullgloryofthenewdrawing-room，enhancingthepleasurebylittlejokes，andtellingherthatheshouldneverdaretocomeintothelastparadisewithoutherpermission，andnotthentillhehadtakenoffhisboots。Childasshewas，sheunderstoodthejoke，andcarrieditonlikealittlequeen；andsotheysoonbecamethefirmestoffriends。

ButthoughMarywasqueen，itwasstillnecessarythatsheshouldbeeducated。ThoseweretheearlierdaysinwhichLadyArabellahadhumbledherself，andtoshowherhumilitysheinvitedMarytosharethemusic-lessonsofAugustaandBeatriceatthegreathouse。A

music-masterfromBarchestercameoverthreetimesaweek，andremainedforthreehours，andifthedoctorchosetosendhisgirlover，shecouldpickupwhatwasgoingonwithoutdoinganyharm。SosaidtheLadyArabella。Thedoctorwithmanythanksandwithnohesitation，acceptedtheoffer，merelyadding，thathehadperhapsbettersettleseparatelywithSignorCantabili，themusic-master。HewasverymuchobligedtoLadyArabellaforgivinghislittlegirlpermissiontojoinherlessonstothoseoftheMissGreshams。

ItneedhardlybesaidthattheLadyArabellawasonfireatonce。

SettlewithSignorCantabili！No，indeed；shewoulddothat；theremustbenoexpensewhateverincurredinsuchanarrangementonMissThorne'saccount！Buthere，asinmostthings，thedoctorcarriedhispoint。Itbeingthetimeofthelady'shumility，shecouldnotmakeasgoodafightasshewouldotherwisehavedone；andthusshefound，tohergreatdisgust，thatMaryThornewaslearningmusicinherschoolroomonequalterms，asregardedpayment，withherowndaughters。Thearrangementhavingbeenmadecouldnotbebroken，especiallyastheyoungladyinnowisemadeherselfdisagreeable；andmoreespeciallyastheMissGreshamsthemselveswereveryfondofher。

AndsoMaryThornelearntmusicatGreshamsbury，andwithhermusicshelearntotherthingsalso；howtobehaveherselfamonggirlsofherownage；howtospeakandtalkasotheryoungladiesdo；howtodressherself，andhowtomoveandwalk。Allwhich，shebeingquicktolearnwithouttroubleatthegreathouse。SomethingalsoshelearntofFrench，seeingthattheGreshamsburyFrenchgovernesswasalwaysintheroom。

Andthensomefewyearslater，therecamearector，andarector'ssister；andwiththelatterMarystudiedGermanandFrenchalso。Fromthedoctorhimselfshelearntmuch；thechoice，namely，ofEnglishbooksforherownreading，andhabitsofthoughtsomewhatakintohisown，thoughmodifiedbythefemininesoftnessofherindividualmind。

AndsoMaryThornegrewupandwaseducated。Ofherpersonalappearanceitcertainlyismybusinessasanauthortosaysomething。

Sheismyheroine，and，assuch，mustnecessarilybeverybeautiful；

but，intruth，hermindandinnerqualitiesaremoreclearlydistincttomybrainthanheroutwardformandfeatures。Iknowthatshewasfarfrombeingtall，andfarfrombeingshowy；thatherfeetandhandsweresmallanddelicate；thathereyeswerebrightwhenlookedat，butnotbrilliantsoastomaketheirbrilliancypalpablyvisibletoallaroundher；herhairwasdarkbrown，andwornveryplainlybrushedfromherforehead；herlipswerethin，andhermouth，perhaps，ingeneralinexpressive，butwhenshewaseagerinconversationitwouldshowitselftobeanimatedwithcurvesofwondrousenergy；and，quietasshewasinmanner，soberanddemureaswasherusualsettledappearance，shecouldtalk，whenthefitcameonher，withanenergywhichintruthsurprisedthosewhodidnotknowher；aye，andsometimesthosewhodid。Energy！nay，itwasoccasionallyaconcentrationofpassion，whichleftherforthemomentperfectlyunconsciousofallothercaresbutsolicitudeforthatsubjectwhichshemightthenbeadvocating。

Allherfriends，includingthedoctor，hadattimesbeenmadeunhappybythisvehemenceofcharacter；butyetitwastothatveryvehemencethatsheoweditthatallherfriendslovedher。IthadoncenearlybanishedherinearlyyearsfromtheGreshamsburyschoolroom；andyetitendedinmakingherclaimtoremaintheresostrong，thatLadyArabellacouldnolongeropposeit，evenwhenshehadthewishtodoso。

AnewFrenchgovernesshadlatelycometoGreshamsbury，andwas，orwastobe，agreatpetwithLadyArabella，havingallthegreatgiftswithwhichagovernesscanbeendowed，andbeingalsoaprotegefromthecastle。Thecastle，inGreshamsburyparlance，alwaysmeantthatofCourcy。SoonafterthisavaluedlittlelocketbelongingtoAugustaGreshamwasmissing。TheFrenchgovernesshadobjectedtoitsbeingwornintheschoolroom，andithadbeensentuptothebedroombyayoungservant-girl，thedaughterofasmallfarmerontheestate。Thelocketwasmissing，andafterawhile，aconsiderablenoiseinthematterhavingbeenmade，wasfound，bythediligenceofthegoverness，somewhereamongthebelongingsoftheEnglishservant。GreatwastheangerofLadyArabella，loudweretheprotestationsofthegirl，mutethewoeofherfather，piteousthetearsofhermother，inexorablethejudgmentoftheGreshamsburyworld。Butsomethingoccurred，itmattersnownotwhat，toseparateMaryThorneinopinionfromthatworldatlarge。Outshethenspoke，andtoherfaceaccusedthegovernessoftherobbery。FortwodaysMarywasindisgracealmostasdeepasthatofthefarmer'sdaughter。Butshewasneitherquietordumbinherdisgrace。WhenLadyArabellawouldnothearher，shewenttoMrGresham。Sheforcedheruncletomoveinthematter。Shegainedovertoherside，onebyone，thepotentatesoftheparish，andendedbybringingMam'selleLarrondownonherkneeswithaconfessionofthefacts。FromthattimeMaryThornewasdeartothetenantryofGreshamsbury；andspeciallydeartoonesmallhousehold，wherearough-spokenfatherofafamilywasoftenheardtodeclare，thatforMissMaryThornehe'dfacemanormagistrate，dukeordevil。

AndsoMaryThornegrewupunderthedoctor'seye，andatthebeginningofourtaleshewasoneoftheguestsassembledatGreshamsburyonthecomingofageoftheheir，sheherselfhavingthenarrivedatthesameperiodofherlife。

CHAPTERIV

LESSONSFROMCOURCYCASTLE

ItwasthefirstofJuly，youngFrankGresham'sbirthday，andtheLondonseasonwasnotyetover；nevertheless，LadydeCourcyhadmanagedtogetdownintothecountrytogracethecomingofageoftheheir，bringingwithheralltheLadiesAmelia，Rosina，Margaretta，andAlexandrina，togetherwithsuchoftheHonourableJohnsandGeorgesascouldbecollectedfortheoccasion。

TheLadyArabellahadcontrivedthisyeartospendtenweeksintown，which，byalittlestretching，shemadetopassfortheseason；andhadmanaged，moreover，atlasttorefurnish，notingloriously，thePortmanSquaredrawing-room。ShehadgoneuptoLondonunderthepretext，imperativelyurged，ofAugusta'steeth——youngladies'teetharenotinfrequentlyofvalueinthisway；——andhavingreceivedauthorityforanewcarpet，whichwasreallymuchwanted，hadmadesuchdexteroususeofthatsanctionastorunupanupholsterer'sbillofsixorsevenhundredpounds。Shehadofcoursehadhercarriageandhorses；thegirlsofcoursehadgoneout；ithadbeenpositivelynecessarytohaveafewfriendsinPortmanSquare；and，altogether，thetenweekshadnotbeenunpleasant，andnotinexpensive。

Forafewconfidentialminutesbeforedinner，LadydeCourcyandhersister-in-lawsatetogetherinthelatter'sdressing-room，discussingtheunreasonablenessofthesquire，whohadexpressedhimselfwithmorethanordinarybitternessastothefolly——hehadprobablyusedsomestrongerword——oftheseLondonproceedings。

'Heavens！，'saidthecountess，withmucheageranimation；'whatcanthemanexpect？Whatdoeshewishyoutodo？'

'HewouldliketosellthehouseinLondon，andburyusallhereforever。Mind，Iwasthereonlyfortenweeks。'

'Barelytimeforthegirlstogettheirteethproperlylookedat！ButArabella，whatdoeshesay？'LadydeCourcywasveryanxioustolearntheexacttruthofthematter，andascertain，ifshecould，whetherMrGreshamwasreallyaspoorashepretendedtobe。

'Why，hesaidyesterdaythathewouldhavenomoregoingtotownatall；thathewasbarelyabletopaytheclaimsmadeonhim，andkeepupthehousehere，andthathewouldnot——'

'Wouldnotwhat？'askedthecountess。

'Why，hesaidthathewouldnotutterlyruinpoorFrank。'

'RuinFrank！'

'That'swhathesaid。'

'But，surely，Arabella，itisnotsobadasthat？Whatpossiblereasoncantherebeforhimtobeindebt？'

'Heisalwaystalkingofthoseelections。'

'But，mydear，BoxallHillpaidallthatoff。OfcourseFrankwillnothavesuchanincomeastherewaswhenyoumarriedintothefamily；weallknowthat。Andwhomwillhehavetothankbuthisfather？ButBoxallHillpaidallthosedebts，andwhyshouldtherebeanydifficultynow？'

'Itwasthosenastydogs，Rosina，'saidtheLadyArabella。

'Well，IforoneneverapprovedofthehoundscomingtoGreshamsbury。

Whenamanhasonceinvolvedhispropertyheshouldnotincuranyexpensesthatarenotabsolutelynecessary。ThatisagoldenrulewhichMrGreshamoughttohaveremembered。Indeed，Iputittohimnearlyinthoseverywords；butMrGreshamneverdid，andneverwillreceivewithcommoncivilityanythingthatcomesfromme。'

'Iknow，Rosina，heneverdid；andyetwherewouldhehavebeenbutfortheDeCourcys？'Soexclaimed，inhergratitude，theLadyArabella；tospeakthetruth，however，butfortheDeCourcys，MrGreshammighthavebeenatthismomentonthetopofBoxallHill，monarchofallhesurveyed。

'AsIwassaying，'continuedthecountess，'IneverapprovedofthehoundscomingtoGreshamsbury；butyet，mydear，thehoundscan'thaveeatenupeverything。Amanwithtenthousandayearoughttobeabletokeephounds；particularlyashehadasubscription。'

'Hesaysthesubscriptionwaslittleornothing。'

'That'snonsense，mydear。Now，Arabella，whatdoeshedowithhismoney？That'sthequestion。Doeshegamble？'

'Well，'saidLadyArabella，veryslowly，'Idon'tthinkhedoes。'Ifthesquiredidgamblehemusthavedoneitveryslyly，forherarelywentawayfromGreshamsbury，andcertainlyveryfewmenlookinglikegamblerswereinthehabitofcomingthitherasguests。'Idon'tthinkhedoesgamble。'LadyArabellaputheremphasisonthewordgamble，asthoughherhusband，ifhemightperhapsbecharitablyacquittedofthatvice，wascertainlyguiltyofeveryotherknowninthecivilizedworld。

'Iknowheused，'saidLadydeCourcy，lookingverywise，andrathersuspicious。Shecertainlyhadsufficientdomesticreasonsfordislikingthepropensity；'Iknowheused；andwhenamanbegins，heishardlyevercured。'

'Well，ifhedoes，Idon'tknowit，'saidtheLadyArabella。

'Themoney，mydear，mustgosomewhere。Whatexcusedoeshegivewhenyoutellhimyouwantthisandthat——allthecommonnecessariesoflife，thatyouhavealwaysbeenusedto？'

'Hegivesnoexcuse；sometimeshesaysthefamilyissolarge。'

'Nonsense！Girlscostnothing；there'sonlyFrank，andhecan'thavecostanythingyet。CanhebesavingmoneytobuybackBoxallHill？'

'Ohno！'saidtheLadyArabella，quickly。'Heisnotsavinganything；

heneverdid，andneverwillsave，thoughheissostingytome。Heishardpushedformoney，Iknowthat。'

'Thenwherehasitgone？'saidtheCountessdeCourcy，withalookofsterndecision。

'Heavenonlyknows！Now，Augustaistobemarried。Imustofcoursehaveafewhundredpounds。YoushouldhaveheardhowhegroanedwhenI

askedhimforit。Heavenonlyknowswherethemoneygoes！'Andtheinjuredwifewipedapiteoustearfromhereyewithherfinedresscambrichandkerchief。'Ihaveallthesufferingsandprivationsofapoorman'swife，butIhavenoneoftheconsolations。Hehasnoconfidenceinme；henevertellsmeanything；henevertalkstomeabouthisaffairs。Ifhetalkstoanyoneitistothathorriddoctor。'

'What，DrThorne？'NowtheCountessdeCourcyhatedDrThornewithaholyhatred。

'Yes；DrThorne。Ibelievethatheknowseverything；andadviseseverything，too。WhateverdifficultiespoorGreshammayhave，IdobelieveDrThornehasbroughtthemabout。Idobelieveit，Rosina。'

'Well，thatissurprising。MrGreshamwithallhisfaultsisagentleman；andhowhecantalkabouthisaffairswithalowapothecarylikethatI，forone，cannotimagine。LorddeCourcyhasnotalwaysbeentomeallthatheshouldhavebeen；farfromit。'AndLadydeCourcythoughtoverinhermindinjuriesofamuchgraverdescriptionthananythathersister-in-lawhadeversuffered；'butIhaveneverknownanythinglikethatatCourcyCastle。SurelyUmblebyknowsallaboutit，doesn'the？'

'Nothalfsomuchasthedoctor，'saidLadyArabella。

Thecountessshookherheadslowly；theideaofMrGresham，acountrygentlemanofgoodestatelikehim，makingaconfidantofacountrydoctorwastoogreatashockforhernerves；andforawhileshewasconstrainedtositsilentbeforeshecouldrecoverherself。

'Onethingatanyrateiscertain，Arabella，'saidthecountess，assoonasshefoundherselfagainsufficientlycomposedtooffercounselinaproperlydictatorialmanner。'Onethingatanyrateiscertain；

ifMrGreshambeinvolvedsodeeplyasyousay，Frankhasbutonlyonedutybeforehim。Hemustmarrymoney。Theheiroffourteenthousandayearmayindulgehimselfinlookingforblood，asMrGreshamdid，mydear'——itmustbeunderstoodthattherewasverylittlecomplimentinthis，astheLadyArabellahadalwaysconceivedherselftobeabeauty——'orforbeauty，assomemendo，'continuedthecountess，thinkingofthechoicethatthepresentEarldeCourcyhadmade；'butFrankmustmarrymoney。Ihopehewillunderstandthisearly；domakehimunderstandthisbeforehemakesafoolofhimself：whenamanthoroughlyunderstandsthis，whenheknowswhathiscircumstancesrequire，why，thematterbecomeseasytohim。IhopethatFrankunderstandsthathehasnoalternative。Inhispositionhemustmarrymoney。'

But，alas！alas！FrankGreshamhadalreadymadeafoolofhimself。

'Well，myboy，Iwishyoujoywithallmyheart，'saidtheHonourableJohn，slappinghiscousinontheback，ashewalkedroundtothestable-yardwithhimbeforedinner，toinspectasetterpuppyofpeculiarlyfinebreedwhichhadbeensenttoFrankasabirthdaypresent。'IwishIwereanelderson；butwecan'tallhavethatluck。'

'Whowouldn'tsoonerbetheyoungersonofanearlthantheeldestsonofaplainsquire？'saidFrank，wishingtosaysomethingcivilinreturnforhiscousin'scivility。

'Iwouldn'tforone，'saidtheHonourableJohn。'WhatchancehaveI？

There'sPorlockasstrongasahorse；andthenGeorgecomesnext。Andthegovernor'sgoodforthesetwentyyears。'Andtheyoungmansighedashereflectedwhatsmallhopetherewasthatallthosewhowerenearestanddearesttohimshoulddieoutofhisway，andleavehimtothesweetenjoymentofanearl'scoronetandfortune。'Now，you'resureofyourgamesomeday；andasyou'venobrothers，Isupposethesquire'llletyoudoprettywellwhatyoulike。Besides，he'snotsostrongasmygovernor，thoughhe'syounger。'

Frankhadneverlookedathisfortuneinthislightbefore，andwassoslowandgreenthathewasnotmuchdelightedattheprospectnowthatitwasofferedtohim。Hehadalways，however，beentaughttolooktohiscousins，theDeCourcys，asmenwithwhomitwouldbeveryexpedientthatheshouldbeintimate；hethereforeshowednooffence，butchangedtheconversation。

'ShallyouhuntwiththeBarsetshirethisseason，John？Ihopeyouwill；Ishall。'

'Well，Idon'tknow。It'sveryslow。It'salltillagehere，orelsewoodland。IratherfancyIshallgotoLeicestershirewhenthepartridge-shootingisover。Whatsortofalotdoyoumeantocomeoutwith，Frank？'

Frankbecamealittleredasheanswered，'Oh，Ishallhavetwo，'hesaid；'thatis，themareIhavehadthesetwoyears，andthehorsemyfathergavemethismorning。'

'What！onlythosetwo？andthemareisnothingmorethanapony。'

'Sheisfifteenhands，'saidFrank，offended。

'Well，Frank，Icertainlywouldnotstandthat，'saidtheHonourableJohn。'What，gooutbeforethecountywithoneuntrainedhorseandapony；andyoutheheirtoGreshamsbury！'

'I'llhavehimtrainedbeforeNovember，'saidFrank，'thatnothinginBarsetshirewillstophim。Petersays'——PeterwastheGreshamsburystud-groom——'thathetucksuphislegsbeautifully。'

'Butwhothedeucewouldthinkofgoingtoworkwithonehorse；ortwoeither，ifyouinsistoncallingtheoldponyahuntress？I'llputyouuptoatrick，mylad：ifyoustandthatyou'llstandanything；andifyoudon'tmeantogoinleading-stringsallyourlife，nowisthetimetoshowit。There'syoungBaker——HarryBaker，youknow——hecameofagelastyear，andhehasasprettyastringofnagsasanyonewouldwishtoseteyeson；fourhuntersandahack。Now，ifoldBakerhasfourthousandayearit'severyshillinghehasgot。'

Thiswastrue，andFrankGresham，whointhemorninghadbeenmadesohappybyhisfather'spresentofahorse，begantofeelthathardlyenoughhadbeendoneforhim。ItwastruethatMrBakerhadonlyfourthousandayear；butitwasalsotruethathehadnootherchildthanHarryBaker；thathehadnogreatestablishmenttokeepup；thatheowedashillingtonoone；and，also，thathewasagreatfoolinencouragingamereboytoapeallthecapricesofamanofwealth。

Nevertheless，foramoment，FrankGreshamdidfeelthat，consideringhisposition，hewasbeingtreatedratherunworthily。

'Takethematterinyourownhands，Frank，'saidtheHonourableJohn，seeingtheimpressionthathehadmade。'Ofcoursethegovernorknowsverywellthatyouwon'tputupwithsuchastableasthat。Lordblessyou！Ihaveheardthatwhenhemarriedmyaunt，andthatwaswhenhewasaboutyourage，hehadthebeststudinthewholecounty；andthenhewasinParliamentbeforehewasthree-and-twenty。'

'Hisfather，youknow，diedwhenhewasveryyoung，'saidFrank。

'Yes；Iknowhehadastrokeofluckthatdoesn'tfalltoeveryone；

but——'

YoungFrank'sfacegrewdarknowinsteadofred。Whenhiscousinsubmittedtohimthenecessityofhavingmorethantwohorsesforhisownusehecouldlistentohim；butwhenthesamemonitortalkedofthechanceofafather'sdeathasastrokeofluck，Frankwastoomuchdisgustedtobeablepassitoverwithindifference。What！washethustothinkofhisfather，whosefacewasalwayslightedupwithpleasurewhenhisboycameneartohim，andsorarelybrightatanyothertime？Frankhadwatchedhisfathercloselyenoughtobeawareofthis；heknewhowhisfatherdelightedinhim；hehadhadcausetoguessthathisfatherhadmanytroubles，andthathestrovehardtobanishthememoryofthemwhenhissonwaswithhim。Helovedhisfathertruly，purely，andthoroughly，likedtobewithhim，andwouldbeproudtobehisconfidant。Couldhelistenquietlywhilehiscousinspokeofthechanceofhisfather'sdeathasastrokeofluck？

'Ishouldn'tthinkitastrokeofluck，John。Ishouldthinkitthegreatestmisfortuneintheworld。'

Itissodifficultforayoungmantoenumeratesententiouslyaprincipleofmorality，orevenanexpressionofordinarygoodfeeling，withoutgivinghimselfsomethingofaridiculousair，withoutassumingsomethingofamockgrandeur！

'Oh，ofcourse，mydearfellow，'saidtheHonourableJohn，laughing；

'that'samatterofcourse。Weallunderstandthatwithoutsayingit。

Porlock，ofcourse，wouldfeelexactlythesameaboutthegovernor；butifthegovernorweretowalk，IthinkPorlockwouldconsolehimselfwiththethirtythousandayear。'

'Idon'tknowwhatPorlockwoulddo；he'salwaysquarrellingwithmyuncle，Iknow。Ionlyspokeofmyself；Ineverquarrelledwithmyfather，andIhopeInevershall。'

'Allright，myladofwax，allright。Idaresayyouwon'tbetried；

butityouare，you'llfindbeforesixmonthsareover，thatit'saverynicethingtomasterofGreshamsbury。'

'I'msureIshouldn'tfindanythingofthekind。'

'Verywell，sobeit。Youwouldn'tdoasyoungHatherlydid，atHatherlyCourt，inGloucestershire，whenhisfatherkickedthebucket。

YouknowHatherly，don'tyou？'

'No；Ineversawhim。'

'He'sSirFredericknow，andhas，orhad，oneofthefinestfortunesinEngland，foracommoner；themostofitisgonenow。Well，whenheheardofhisgovernor'sdeath，hewasinParis，buthewentofftoHatherlyasfastasspecialtrainandpost-horseswouldcarryhim，andgottherejustintimeforthefuneral。AshecamebacktoHatherlyCourtfromthechurch，theywereputtingupthehatchmentoverthedoor，andMasterFredsawthattheundertakershadputatthebottom“Resurgam“。Youknowwhatthatmeans？'

'Oh，yes，'saidFrank。

'“I'llcomebackagain。“'saidtheHonourableJohn，construingtheLatinforthebenefitofhiscousin。'“NO，“saidFredHatherly，lookingupatthehatchment；“I'mblessedifyoudo，oldgentleman。

Thatwouldbetoomuchofajoke；I'lltakecareofthat。“Sohegotupatnight，andhegotsomefellowswithhim，andtheyclimbedupandpaintedout“Resurgam“，andtheypaintedintoitsplace，“Requiescatinpace“；whichmeans，youknow，“you'dagreatdealbetterstaywhereyouare“。NowIcallthatgood。FredHatherlydidthatassureas——assureas——assureasanything。'

Frankcouldnothelplaughingatthestory，especiallyathiscousin'smodeoftranslatingtheundertaker'smottoes；andthentheysaunteredbackfromthestablesintothehousetodressfordinner。

DrThornehadcometothehousesomewhatbeforedinner-time，atMrGresham'srequest，andwasnowsittingwiththesquireinhisownbook-room——socalled——whileMarywastalkingtosomeofthegirlsupstairs。

'Imusthavetenortwelvethousandpounds；tenattheveryleast，'

saidthesquire，whowassittinginhisusualarm-chair，closetohislitteredtable，withhisheadsupportedonhishand，lookingveryunlikethefatherofanheirofanobleproperty，whohadthatdaycomeofage。

ItwasthefirstofJuly，andofcoursetherewasnofireinthegrate；

but，nevertheless，thedoctorwasstandingwithhisbacktothefireplace，withhiscoat-tailsoverhisarms，asthoughhewereengaged，nowinsummerashesooftenwasinwinter，intalking，androastinghishinderpersonatthesametime。

'Twelvethousandpounds！It'saverylargesumofmoney。'

'Isaidten，'saidthesquire。

'Tenthousandpoundsisaverylargesumofmoney。Thereisnodoubthe'llletyouhaveit。Scatcherdwillletyouhaveit；butIknowhe'llexpecttohavethetitledeeds。'

'What！fortenthousandpounds？'saidthesquire。'ThereisnotaregistereddebtagainstthepropertybuthisownandArmstrong's。'

'Buthisownisverylargealready。'

'Armstrong'sisnothing；aboutfour-and-twentythousandpounds。'

'Yes；buthecomesfirst，MrGresham。'

'Well，whatofthat？Tohearyoutalk，onewouldthinkthattherewasnothingleftofGreshamsbury。What'sfour-and-twentythousandpounds？DoesScatcherdknowwhatrent-rollis？'

'Oh，yes，heknowsitwellenough：Iwishhedidnot。'

'Whathemeansis，thathemusthaveamplesecuritytocoverwhathehasalreadyadvancedbeforehegoeson。Iwishtogoodnessyouhadnofurtherneedtoborrow。Ididthinkthatthingsweresettledlastyear。'

'Ohifthere'sanydifficulty，Umblebywillgetitforme。'

'Yes；andwhatwillyouhavetopayforit？'

'I'dsoonerpaydoublethatbetalkedtointhisway，'saidthesquire，angrily，and，ashespoke，hegotuphurriedlyfromhischair，thrusthishandsintohistrousers-pockets，walkedquicklytothewindow，andimmediatelywalkingbackagain，threwhimselfoncemoreintohischair。

'Therearesomethingsamancannotbear，doctor，'saidhe，beatingthedevil'stattooonthefloorwithoneofhisfeet，'thoughGodknowsI

oughttobepatientnow，forIammadetobearagoodmanythings。YouhadbettertellScatcherdthatIamobligedtohimforhisoffer，butthatIwillnottroublehim。'

Thedoctorduringthislittleoutbursthadstoodquitesilentwithhisbacktothefireplaceandhiscoat-tailshangingoverhisarms；butthoughhisvoicesaidnothing，hisfacesaidmuch。Hewasveryunhappy；hewasgreatlygrievedtofindthatthesquirewassosoonagaininwantofmoney，andgreatlygrievedalsotofindthatthiswanthadmadehimsobitterandunjust。MrGreshamhadattackedhim；butashewasdeterminednottoquarrelwithMrGresham，herefrainedfromanswering。

Thesquirealsoremainedsilentforafewminutes；buthewasnotendowedwiththegiftofsilence，andwassoon，asitwere，compelledtospeakagaain。

'PoorFrank！'saidhe。'IcouldyetbeeasyabouteverythingifitwerenotfortheinjuryIhavedonehim。PoorFrank！'

Thedoctoradvancedafewpacesfromofftherug，andtakinghishandoutofhispocket，helaiditgentlyonthesquire'sshoulder。'Frankwilldoverywellyet，'saidthehe。'Itisnotabsolutelynecessarythatamanshouldhavefourteenthousandpoundsayeartobehappy。'

'Myfatherleftmethepropertyentire，andIshouldleaveitentiretomyson；——butyoudon'tunderstandthis。'

Thedoctordidunderstandthefeelingfully。Thefact，ontheotherhand，wasthat，longashehadknownhim，thesquiredidnotunderstandthedoctor。

'Iwouldyoucould，MrGresham，'saidthedoctor，'sothatyourmindmightbehappier；butthatcannotbe，and，therefore，Isayagain，thatFrankwilldoverywellyet，althoughhewillnotinheritfourteenthousandpoundsayear；andIwouldhaveyousaythesamethingtoyourself。'

'Ah！youdon'tunderstandit，'persistedthesquire。'Youdon'tknowhowamanfeelswhenhe——Ah，well！it'snousemytroublingyouwithwhatcannotbemended。IwonderwhetherUmblebyisabouttheplaceanywhere？'

Thedoctorwasagainstandingwithhisbackagainstthechimney-piece，andwithhishandsinhispockets。

'YoudidnotseeUmblebyasyoucamein？'againaskedthesquire。

'No，Ididnot；andifyouwilltakemyadviceyouwillnotseehimnow；atanyratewithreferencetothismoney。'

'ItellyouImustgetitfromsomeone；yousayScatcherdwon'tletmehaveit。'

'No，MrGresham；Ididnotsaythat。'

'Well，yousaidwhatwasasbad。AugustaistobemarriedinSeptember，andthemoneymustbehad。IhaveagreedtogiveMoffatsixthousandpounds，andheistohavethemoneydowninhardcash。'

'Sixthousandpounds，'saidthedoctor。'Well，Isupposethatisnotmorethanyourdaughtershouldhave。Butthen，fivetimessixarethirty；thirtythousandpoundswillbealargesumtomakeup。'

Thefatherthoughttohimselfthathisyoungergirlswerebutchildren，andthatthetroubleofarrangingtheirmarriageportionsmightwellbepostponedawhile。Sufficientforthedayistheevilthereof。

'ThatMoffatisagripping，hungryfellow，'saidthesquire。'IsupposeAugustalikeshim；and，asregardsmoney，itisagoodmatch。'

'IfMissGreshamloveshim，thatiseverything。Iamnotinlovewithhimmyself；butthen，Iamnotayounglady。'

'TheDeCourcysareveryfondofhim。LadydeCourcysaysthatheisaperfectgentleman，andthoughtverymuchofinLondon。'

'Oh！ifLadydeCourcysaysthat，ofcourse，it'sallright，'saidthedoctor，withaquietsarcasm，thatwasaltogetherthrownawayonthesquire。

ThesquiredidnotlikeanyoftheDeCourcys；especially，hedidnotlikeLadydeCourcy；butstillhewasaccessibletoacertainamountofgratificationinthenearconnexionwhichhehadwiththeearlandcountess；andwhenhewantedtosupporthisfamilygreatness，wouldsometimesweaklyfallbackuponthegrandeurofCourcyCastle。Itwasonlywhentalkingtohiswifethatheinvariablysnubbedthepretensionsofhisnoblerelatives。

Thetwomenafterthisremainedsilentforawhile；andthenthedoctor，renewingthesubjectforwhichhehadbeensummonedintothebook-room，remarkedthatasScatcherdwasnowinthecountry——hedidnotsay，wasnowatBoxallHill，ashedidnotwishtowoundthesquire'sears——perhapshehadbettergoandseehim，andascertaininwhatwaythisaffairofthemoneymightbearranged。Therewasnodoubt，hesaid，thatScatcherdwouldsupplythesumrequiredatalowerrateofinterestthanthatwhichitcouldbeprocuredthroughUmbleby'smeans。

'Verywell，'saidthesquire。'I'llleaveitinyourhands，then。I

thinktenthousandpoundswilldo。AndnowI'lldressfordinner。'Andthenthedoctorlefthim。

Perhapsthereaderwillsupposeafterthisthatthedoctorhadsomepecuniaryinterestofhisowninarrangingthesquire'sloans；or，atanyrate，hewillthinkthatthesquiremusthavesothought。Notintheleast；neitherhadheanysuchinterest，nordidthesquirethinkthathehadany。WhatDrThornedidinthismatterthesquirewellknewwasdoneforlove。ButthesquireofGreshamsburywasagreatmanatGreshamsbury；anditbehovedhimtomaintainthegreatnessofhissquirehoodwhendiscussinghisaffairswiththevillagedoctor。SomuchhehadatanyratelearntfromhiscontactwiththeDeCourcys。

Andthedoctor——proud，arrogant，contradictory，headstrongashewas——whydidhebeartobethussnubbed？BecauseheknewthatthesquireofGreshamsbury，whenstrugglingwithdebtandpoverty，requiredanindulgenceforhisweakness。HadMrGreshambeenineasycircumstances，thedoctorwouldbynomeanshavestoodsoplacidlywithhishandsinhispockets，andhavehadMrUmblebythusthrowninhisteeth。Thedoctorlovedthesquire，lovedhimashisownoldestfriend；buthelovedhimtentimesbetterasbeinginadversitythanhecouldeverdonehadthingsgonewellatGreshamsburyinhistime。

Whilethiswasgoingondownstairs，MarywassittingupstairswithBeatriceGreshamintheschoolroom。Theoldschoolroom，socalled，wasnowasitting-room，devotedtotheuseofthegrown-upladiesofthefamily，whereasoneoftheoldnurserieswasnowthemodernschoolroom。Marywellknewherwaytothesanctum，and，withoutaskinganyquestions，walkeduptoitwhenherunclewenttothesquire。OnenteringtheroomshefoundthatAugustaandtheLadyAlexandrinawerealsothere，andshehesitatedforamomentatthedoor。

'Comein，Mary，'saidBeatrice，'youknowmycousinAlexandrina。'Marycamein，andhavingshakenhandswithhertwofriends，wasbowingtothelady，whentheladycondescended，putouthernoblehand，andtouchedMissThorne'sfingers。

BeatricewasMary'sfriend，andmanyheart-burningsandmuchmentalsolicitudedidthatyoungladygivetohermotherbyindulginginsuchafriendship。ButBeatrice，withsomefaults，wastrueatheart，andshepersistedinlovingMaryThorneinspiteofthehintswhichhermothersofrequentlygaveastotheimproprietyofsuchanaffection。

NorhadAugustaanyobjectiontothesocietyofMissThorne。Augustawasastrong-mindedgirl，withmuchoftheDeCourcyarrogance，butquiteaswellinclinedtoshowitinoppositiontohermotherasinanyotherform。ToheraloneinthehousedidLadyArabellashowmuchdeference。Shewasnowgoingtomakeasuitablematchwithamanoflargefortune，whohadbeenprocuredforherasaneligiblepartibyheraunt，thecountess。Shedidnotpretend，hadneverpretended，thatshelovedMrMoffat，butsheknew，shesaid，thatinthepresentstateofherfather'saffairssuchamatchwasexpedient。MrMoffatwasayoungmanofverylargefortune，inParliament，andinclinedtobusiness，andineverywayrecommendable。Hewasnotamanofbirth，tobesure；thatwastobelamented；——inconfessingthatMrMoffatwasnotamanofbirth，Augustadidnotgosofarastoadmitthathewasthesonofatailor；such，however，wastherigidtruthinthismatter——hewasnotamanofbirth，thatwastobelamented；butinthepresentstateofaffairsatGreshamsbury，sheunderstoodwellthatitwasherdutytopostponeherownfeelingsinsomerespect。MrMoffatwouldbringfortune；shewouldbringbloodandconnexion。Andasshesosaid，herbosomglowedwithstrongpridetothinkthatshewouldbeabletocontributesomuchmoretowardstheproposedfuturepartnershipthanherhusbandwoulddo。

'TwasthusthatMissGreshamspokeofhermatchtoherdearfriends，hercousinstheDeCourcysforinstance，toMissOriel，hersisterBeatrice，andeventoMaryThorne。Shehadnoenthusiasm，sheadmitted，butshethoughtshehadgoodjudgment。ShethoughtshehadshowngoodjudgmentinacceptingMrMoffat'soffer，thoughshedidnotpretendtoanyromanceofaffection。And，havingsosaid，shewenttoworkwithconsiderablementalsatisfaction，choosingfurniture，carriages，andclothes，notextravagantlyashermotherwouldhavedone，notindeferencetosternerdictatesofthelatestfashionasherauntwouldhavedone，withnoneofthegirlishgleeinnewpurchaseswhichBeatricewouldhavefelt，butwithsoundjudgment。Sheboughtthingsthatwererich，forherhusbandwastoberich，andshemeanttoavailherselfofhiswealth；sheboughtthingsthatwerefashionable，forshemeanttoliveinthefashionableworld；butsheboughtwhatwasgood，andstrong，andlasting，andworthitsmoney。

AugustaGreshamhadperceivedearlyinlifethatshecouldnotobtainsuccesseitherasanheiress，orasabeauty，norcouldsheshineasawit；shethereforefellbackonsuchqualitiesasshehad，anddeterminedtowintheworldasastrong-minded，usefulwoman。Thatwhichshehadofherownwasblood；havingthat，shewouldinallwaysdowhatinherlaytoenhanceitsvalue。Hadshenotpossessedit，itwouldtohermindhavebeenthevainestofpretences。

WhenMarycamein，theweddingpreparationswerebeingdiscussed。Thenumberandnamesofthebridesmaidswerebeingsettled，thedresseswereonthetapis，theinvitationstobegivenweretalkedover。

SensibleasAugustawas，shewasnotabovesuchfemininecares；shewas，indeed，ratheranxiousthattheweddingshouldgooffwell。Shewasalittleashamedofhertailor'sson，andthereforeanxiousthatthingsshouldbeasbrilliantaspossible。

Thebridesmaid'snameshadjustbeenwrittenonacardasMaryenteredtheroom。ThereweretheLadiesAmelia，Rosina，Margaretta，andAlexandrinaofcourseattheheadofit；thencameBeatriceandthetwins；thenMissOriel，who，thoughonlyaparson'ssister，wasapersonofnote，birthandfortune。Afterthistherehadbeenhereagreatdiscussionwhetherornotthereshouldbeanymore。Ifthereweretobeonemoretheremustbetwo。NowMissMoffathadexpressedadirectwish，andAugusta，thoughshewouldmuchratherhavedonewithouther，hardlyknewhowtorefuse。Alexandrina——wehopewemaybeallowedtodropthe'lady'forthesakeofbrevity，forthepresentsceneonly——wasdeadagainstsuchanunreasonablerequest。'Wenoneofusknowher，youknow；anditwouldnotbecomfortable。'Beatricestronglyadvocatedthefuturesister-in-law'sacceptanceintothebevy；

shehadherownreasons；shewaspainedthatMaryThorneshouldnotbeamongthenumber，andifMissMoffatwereaccepted，perhapsMarymightbebroughtinashercolleague。

'IfyouhaveMissMoffat，'saidAlexandrina，'youmusthavedearPussytoo；andIreallythinkthatPussyistooyoung；itwillbetroublesome。'PussywastheyoungestMissGresham，whowasnowonlyeightyearsold，andwhoserealnamewasNina。

'Augusta，'saidBeatrice，speakingwithsomeslighthesitation，somesoupconofdoubtbeforethehighestauthorityofhernoblecousin，'ifyoudohaveMissMoffatwouldyoumindaskingMaryThornetojoinher？

IthinkMarywouldlikeit，because，yousee，PatienceOrielistobeone；andwehaveknownMarymuchlongerthanwehaveknownPatience。'

ThenoutandspaketheLadyAlexandrina。

'Beatrice，dear，ifyouthinkofwhatyouareasking，Iamsureyouwillseethatitwouldnotdo；wouldnotdoatall。MissThorneisaverynicegirl，Iamsure；and，indeed，whatlittleIhaveseenofherIhighlyapprove。But，afterall，whoisshe？Mamma，Iknow，thinksthatAuntArabellahasbeenwrongtoletbeheresomuch，but——'

Beatricebecameratherredintheface，and，inspiteofthedignityofhercousin，waspreparingtodefendherfriend。

'Mind，IamnotsayingawordagainstMissThorne。'

'IfIammarriedbeforeher，sheshallbeoneofmybridesmaids，'saidBeatrice。

'Thatwillprobablydependoncircumstances，'saidtheLadyAlexandrina；IfindthatIcannotbringmycourteouspentodropthetitle。'ButAugustaisverypeculiarlysituated。MrMoffat，is，yousee，notoftheveryhighestbirth；and，therefore，sheshouldtakecarethatonhersideeveryoneaboutheriswellborn。'

'ThenyoucannothaveMissMoffat，'saidBeatrice。

'No；IwouldnotifIcouldhelpit，'saidthecousin。

'ButtheThornesareasgoodafamilyastheGreshams，'saidBeatrice。

Shehadnotquitethecouragetosay，asgoodastheDeCourcys。

'Idaresaytheyare；andifthiswasMissThorneofUllathorne，Augustaprobablywouldnotobjecttoher。ButcanyoutellmewhoMissMaryThorneis？'

'SheisDrThorne'sniece。'

'Youmeanthatsheiscalledso；butdoyouknowwhoherfatherwas，orwhohermotherwas？I，forone，mustownthatIdonot。Mamma，I

believe，does，but——'

AtthismomentthedooropenedgentlyandMaryThorneenteredtheroom。

Itmayeasilybeconceived，thatwhileMarywasmakinghersalutationsthethreeotheryoungladieswerealittlecastaback。TheLadyAlexandrina，however，quicklyrecoveredherself，and，byherinimitablepresenceofmindandfacilegraceofmanner，soonputthematteronaproperfooting。

'WewerediscussingMissGresham'smarriage，'saidshe；'IamsureI

maymentiontoanacquaintanceofsolongstandingasMissThorne，thatthefirstofSeptemberhasbeennowfixedforthewedding。'

MissGresham！Acquaintanceofsolongstanding！Why，MaryandAugustaGreshamhadforyears，wewillhardlysayforhowmany，passedtheirmorningstogetherinthesameschoolroom；hadquarrelled，andsquabbled，andcaressedandkissed，andbeenallbutsisterstoeachother。Acquaintanceindeed！Beatricefeltthatherearsweretingling，andevenAugustawasalittleashamed。Mary，however，knewthatthecoldwordshadcomefromaDeCourcy，andnotfromaGresham，anddidnot，therefore，resentthem。

'Soit'ssettled，Augusta，isit？'saidshe；'thefirstofSeptember。I

wishyoujoywithallmyheart，'and，cominground，sheputherarmoverAugusta'sshoulderandkissedher。TheLadyAlexandrinacouldnotbutthinkthatthedoctor'snieceutteredhercongratulationsverymuchasthoughshewerespeakingtoanequal；verymuchasthoughshehadafatherandmotherofherown。

'Youwillhavedeliciousweather，'continuedMary。'September，andthebeginningofOctober，isthenicesttimeoftheyear。IfIweregoinghoneymooningitisjustthetimeofyearIwouldchoose。'

'Iwishyouwere，Mary，'saidBeatrice。

'SodonotI，dear，tillIhavefoundsomedecentsortofabodytohoneymoonalongwithme。Iwon'tstiroutofGreshamsburytillIhavesentyouoffbeforeme，atanyrate。Andwherewillyougo，Augusta？'

'Wehavenotsettledthat，'saidAugusta。'MrMoffattalksofParis。'

'WhoeverheardofgoingtoParisinSeptember？'saidtheLadyAlexandrina。

TheLadyAlexandrinawasnotpleasedtofindhowcompletelythedoctor'sniecetookuponherselftotalk，andsit，andactatGreshamsburyasthoughshewasonaparwiththeyoungladiesofthefamily。ThatBeatriceshouldhaveallowedthiswouldnothavesurprisedher；butitwastobeexpectedthatAugustawouldhaveshownbetterjudgment。

'Thesethingsrequiresometactintheirmanagement；somedelicacywhenhighinterestsareatstake，'saidshe；'IagreewithMissThorneinthinkingthat，inordinarycircumstances，withordinarypeople，perhaps，theladyshouldhaveherway。Rank，however，hasitsdrawbacks，MissThorne，aswellasitsprivileges。'

'Ishouldnotobjecttothedrawbacks，'saidthedoctor'sniece，'presumingthemtobeofsomeuse；butIfearImightfailingettingonsowellwiththeprivileges。'

TheLadyAlexandrinalookedatherasthoughnotfullyawarewhethersheintendedtobepert。Intruth，theLadyAlexandrinawasratherinthedarkonthesubject。Itwasalmostimpossible，itwasincredible，thatafatherless，motherless，doctor'snieceshouldbeperttoanearl'sdaughteratGreshamsbury，seeingthatthatearl'sdaughterwasthecousinofthemissGreshams。AndyettheLadyAlexandrinahardlyknewwhatotherconstructiontoputonthewordsshehadjustheard。

Itwasatanyratecleartoherthatitwasnotbecomingthatsheshouldjustthenstayanylongerinthatroom。Whethersheintendedtobepertornot，MissMaryThornewas，tosaytheleast，veryfree。TheDeCourcyladiesknewwhatwasduetothem——noladiesbetter；and，therefore，theLadyAlexandrinamadeuphermindatoncetogotoherownbedroom。

'Augusta，'shesaid，risingslowlyfromherchairwithmuchstatelycomposure，'itisnearlytimetodress；willyoucomewithme？Wehaveagreatdealtodiscuss，youknow。'

Sosheswamoutoftheroom，andAugusta，tellingMarythatshewouldseeheragainatdinner，swam——no，triedtoswim——afterher。MissGreshamhadhadgreatadvantages；butshehadnotbeenabsolutelybroughtupatCourcyCastle，andcouldnotasyetquiteassumetheCourcystyleofswimming。

'There，'saidMary，asthedoorclosedbehindtherustlingmuslinsoftheladies。'There，Ihavemadeanenemyforever，perhapstwo；that'ssatisfactory。'

'Andwhyhaveyoudoneit，Mary？WhenIamfightingyourbattlesbehindyourback，whydoyoucomeandupsetitallbymakingthewholefamilyoftheDeCourcysdislikeyou？Insuchamatterasthat，they'llallgotogether。'

'Iamsuretheywill，'saidMary；'whethertheywouldbeequallyunanimousinacaseofloveandcharity，that，indeed，isanotherquestion。'

'Butwhyshouldyoutrytomakemycousinangry；youthatoughttohavesomuchsense？Don'tyourememberthatyouweresayingyourselftheotherday，oftheabsurdityofcombattingpretenceswhichtheworldsanctions？'

'Ido，Trichy，Ido；don'tscoldmenow。Itissomucheasiertopreachthantopractise。IdosowishIwasaclergyman。'

'Butyouhavedonesomuchharm，Mary。'

'HaveI？'saidMary，kneelingdownonthegroundatherfriend'sfeet。

'IfIhumblemyselfverylow；ifIkneelthroughthewholeeveninginacorner；ifIputmyneckdownandletallyourcousinstrampleonit，andthenyouraunt，wouldnotthatmakeatonement？Iwouldnotobjecttowearingsackcloth，either；andI'deatalittleashes——or，atanyrate，I'dtry。'

'Iknowyou'reclever，Mary；butstillIthinkyou'reafool。Ido，indeed。'

'Iamafool，Trichy，Idoconfessit；andamnotabitclever；butdon'tscoldme；youseehowhumbleIam；notonlyhumblebutumble，whichIlookupontobethecomparative，or，indeed，superlativedegree。Orperhapstherearefourdegrees；humble，umble，stumble，tumble；andthen，whenoneisabsolutelyinthedirtattheirfeet，perhapsthesebigpeoplewon'twishonetostoopanyfurther。'

'Oh，Mary！'

'And，oh，Trichy！youdon'tmeantosayImayn'tspeakoutbeforeyou。

There，perhapsyou'dliketoputyourfootonmyneck。'AndthensheputherheaddowntothefootstoolandkissedBeatrice'sfeet。

'I'dlike，ifIdared，toputmyhandonyourcheekandgiveyouagoodslapforbeingsuchagoose。'

'Do；do，Trichy：youshalltreadonme，orslapme，orkissme；

whicheveryoulike。'

'Ican'ttellyouhowvexedIam，'saidBeatrice；'Iwantedtoarrangesomething。'

'Arrangesomething！What？arrangewhat？Ilovearranging。Ifancymyselfqualifiedtobeanarranger-generalinfemalematters。Imeanpotsandpans，andsuchlike。OfcourseIdon'talludetoextraordinarypeopleandextraordinarycircumstancesthatrequiretact，anddelicacy，anddrawbacks，andthatsortofthing。'

'Verywell，Mary。'

'Butit'snotverywell；it'sverybadifyoulooklikethat。Well，mypet，thereIwon't。Iwon'talludetothenoblebloodofyournoblerelativeseitherinjokeorinearnest。Whatisityouwanttoarrange，Trichy？'

'IwantyoutobeoneofAugusta'sbridesmaids。'

'Goodheavens，Beatrice！Areyoumad？What！Putme，evenforamorning，intothesamecategoryoffineryasthenoblebloodfromCourcyCastle！'

'Patienceistobeone。'

'ButthatisnoreasonwhyImpatienceshouldbeanother，andIshouldbeveryimpatientundersuchhonours。No，Trichy；jokingapart，donotthinkofit。EvenifAugustawisheditIwouldrefuse。Ishouldbeobligedtorefuse。I，too，sufferfrompride；apridequiteasunpardonableasthatofothers：Icouldnotstandwithyourfourlady-cousinsbehindyoursisteratthealtar。InsuchagalaxytheywouldbethestarsandI——'

'Why，Mary，alltheworldknowsthatyouareprettierthananyofthem！'

'Iamalltheworld'sveryhumbleservant。But，Trichy，IshouldnotobjectifIwereasuglyastheveiledprophetandtheyallasbeautifulasZuleika。Thegloryofthatgalaxywillbeheldtodependnotonitsbeauty；butonitsbirth。Youknowhowtheywouldlookatme；nowtheywouldscornme；andthere，inchurch，atthealtar，withallthatissolemnroundus，IcouldnotreturntheirscornasImightdoelsewhere。InaroomI'mnotabitafraidofthematall。'AndMarywasagainallowingherselftobeabsorbedbythatfeelingofindomitablepride，ofantagonismtotheprideofothers，whichsheherselfinhercoolermomentswasthefirsttoblame。

'Youoftensay，Mary，thatthatsortofarroganceshouldbedespisedandpassedoverwithoutnotice。'

'Soitshould，Trichy。Itellyouthatasaclergymantellsyoutohateriches。Butthoughtheclergymantellsyouso，heisnotthelessanxioustoberichhimself。'

'IparticularlywishyoutobeoneofAugusta'sbridesmaids。'

'AndIparticularlywishtodeclinethehonour；whichhonourhasnotbeen，andwillnotbe，offeredtome。No，Trichy。IwillnotbeAugusta'sbridesmaid，but——but——but——'

'Butwhat，dearest？'

'But，Trichy，whensomeoneelseismarried，whenthenewwinghasbeenbuilttoahousethatyouknowof——'

'Now，Mary，holdyourtongue，oryouknowyou'llmakemeangry。'

'Idosoliketoseeyouangry。Andwhenthattimecomes，whenthatweddingdoestakeplace，thenIwillbeabridesmaid，Trichy。Yes！eventhoughIamnotinvited。Yes！thoughalltheDeCourcysinBarsetshireshouldtreaduponmeandobliterateme。ThoughIshouldbedustamongthestars，thoughIshouldcreepupincalicoamongtheirsatinsandlace，Iwillneverthelessbethere；close，closetothebride；toholdsomethingforher，totouchherdress，tofeelthatIamneartoher，to——to——to——'andshethrewherarmsroundhercompanion，andkissedheroverandoveragain。'No，Trichy；Iwon'tbeAugusta'sbridesmaid；I'llbidemytimeforbridesmaiding。'

WhatprotestationsBeatricemadeagainsttheprobabilityofsuchaneventasforeshadowedinherfriend'spromisewewillnotrepeat。Theafternoonwasadvancing，andtheladiesalsohadtodressfordinner，todohonourtotheyoungheir。

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