CHAPTERV

FRANKGRESHAM'SFIRSTSPEECH

Wehavesaid，thatoverandabovethoseassembledinthehouse，therecametotheGreshamsburydinneronFrank'sbirthdaytheJacksonsoftheGrange，consistingofMrandMrsJackson；theBatesonsfromAnnesgrove，viz。，MrandMrsBateson，andMissBateson，theirdaughter——anunmarriedladyofaboutfifty；theBakersofMillHill，fatherandson；andMrCalebOriel，therector，withhisbeautifulsister，Patience。DrThorne，andhisnieceMary，wecountamongthosealreadyassembledatGreshamsbury。

TherewasnothingverymagnificentinthenumberofthegueststhusbroughttogethertodohonourtoyoungFrank；buthe，perhaps，wascalledontotakeamoreprominentpartintheproceedings，tobemademoreofaherothanwouldhavebeenthecasehadhalfthecountybeenthere。InthatcasetheimportanceoftheguestswouldhavebeensogreatthatFrankwouldhavegotoffwithahalf-mutteredspeechortwo；

butnowhehadtomakeaseparateorationtoeveryone，andverywearyworkhefoundit。

TheBatesons，Bakers，andJacksonswereverycivil；nodoubtthemoresofromanunconsciousfeelingontheirpart，thatasthesquirewasknowntoalittleoutatelbowsasregardsmoney，anydeficiencyontheirpartmightbeconsideredasowingtothepresentstateofaffairsatGreshamsbury。Fourteenthousandayearwillreceivehonour；inthatcasethereisnodoubt，andthemanalreadypossessingitisnotapttobesuspiciousastothetreatmenthemayreceive；buttheghostoffourteenthousandayearisnotalwayssoself-assured。MrBaker，withhismoderateincome，wasaverymuchrichermanthanthesquire；

and，therefore，hewaspeculiarlyforwardincongratulatingFrankonthebrilliancyofhisprospects。

PoorFrankhadhardlyanticipatedwhattherewouldbetodo，andbeforedinnerwasannouncedhewasverytiredofit。Hehadnowarmerfeelingforanyofthegrandcousinsthanaveryordinarycousinlylove；andhehadresolved，forgetfulofbirthandblood，andallthosegiganticconsiderationswhichnowthatmanhoodhadcomeuponhim，hewasboundalwaystobearinmind，——hehadresolvedtosneakouttodinnercomfortablywithMaryThorneifpossible；andifnotwithMary，thenwithhisotherlove，PatienceOriel。

Great，therefore，washisconsternationatfindingthat，afterbeingkeptcontinuallyintheforegroundforhalfanhourbeforedinner，hehadtowalkouttothedining-roomwithhisauntthecountess，andtakehisfather'splaceforthedayatthebottomofthetable。

'Itwillnowdependaltogetheruponyourself，Frank，whetheryoumaintainorlosethathighpositioninthecountywhichhasbeenheldbytheGreshamsforsomanyyears，'saidthecountess，asshewalkedthroughthespacioushall，resolvingtolosenotimeinteachingtohernephewthatgreatlessonwhichitwassoimperativethatheshouldlearn。

Franktookthisasanordinarylecture，meanttoinculcategeneralgoodconduct，suchasoldboresofauntsareapttoinflictonyouthfulvictimsintheshapeofnephewsandnieces。

'Yes，'saidFrank；'Isupposeso；andImeantogoalongallsquare，aunt，andnomistake。WhenIgetbacktoCambridge，I'llreadlikebricks。'

Hisauntdidnotcaretwostrawsabouthisreading。ItwasnotbyreadingthattheGreshamsofGreshamsburyhadheldtheirheadsupinthecounty，butbyhavinghighbloodandplentyofmoney。Thebloodhadcomenaturallytothisyoungman；butitbehovedhimtolookforthemoneyinagreatmeasurehimself。She，LadydeCourcy，coulddoubtlesshelphim；shemightprobablybeabletofithimwithawifewhowouldbringhermoneyontohisbirth。Hisreadingwasamatterinwhichshecouldinnowayassisthim；whetherhistastemightleadhimtopreferbooksorpictures，ordogsandhorses，orturnipsindrills，oroldItalianplatesanddishes，wasamatterwhichdidnotmuchsignify；

withwhichitwasnotatallnecessarythathisnobleauntshouldtroubleherself。

'Oh！youaregoingtoCambridgeagain，areyou？Well，ifyourfatherwishesit；——thoughverylittleisevergainednowbyauniversityconnexion。'

'IamtotakemydegreeinOctober，aunt；andIamdetermined，atanyrate，thatIwon'tbeplucked。'

'Plucked！'

'No；Iwon'tbeplucked。Bakerwaspluckedlastyear，andallbecausehegotintothewrongsetatJohn's。He'sanexcellentfellowifyouknewhim。Hegotamongasetofmenwhodidnothingbutsmokeanddrinkbeer。Malthusians，wecallthem。'

'Malthusians！'

'“Malt“，youknow，aunt，and“use“；meaningthattheydrinkbeer。SopoorHarryBakergotplucked。Idon'tknowthatafellow'sanytheworse；however，Iwon'tgetplucked。'

Bythistimethepartyhadtakentheirplaceroundthelongboard，MrGreshamsittingatthetop，intheplaceusuallyoccupiedbyLadyArabella。She，onthepresentoccasion，satnexttohersonontheoneside，asthecountessdidontheother。If，therefore，Franknowwentastray，itwouldnotbefromwantofproperleading。

'Aunt，willyouhavesomebeef？'saidhe，assoonasthesoupandfishhadbeendisposedof，anxioustoperformtheritesofhospitalitynowforthefirsttimecommittedtohischarge。

'Donotbeinahurry，Frank，'saidhismother；'theservantswill——'

'Oh！ah！Iforgot；therearecutletsandthosesortofthings。Myhandisnotyetinforthiswork，aunt。Well，asIwassayingaboutCambridge——'

'IsFranktogobacktoCambridge，Arabella？'saidthecountesstohersister-in-law，speakingacrosshernephew。

'Sohisfatherseemstosay。'

'Isitnotawasteoftime？'askedthecountess。

'YouknowIneverinterfere，'saidtheLadyArabella；'IneverlikedtheideaofCambridgemyselfatall。AlltheDeCourcyswereChristchurchmen；buttheGreshams，itseems，werealwaysatCambridge。'

'Woulditnotbebettertosendhimabroadatonce？'

'Muchbetter，Iwouldthink，'saidtheLadyArabella；'butyouknow，I

neverinterfere：perhapsyouwouldspeaktoMrGresham。'

Thecountesssmiledgrimly，andshookherheadwithadecidedlynegativeshake。Hadshesaidoutloudtotheyoungman，'Yourfatherissuchanobstinate，pig-headed，ignorantfool，thatitisnousespeakingtohim；itwouldbewastingfragranceonthedesertair，'shecouldnothavespokenmoreplainly。TheeffectonFrankwasthis：thathesaidtohimself，speakingquiteasplainlyasLadyDeCourcyhadspokenbyhershakeoftheface，'Mymotherandauntarealwaysdownonthegovernor，always；butthemoretheyaredownonhimthemoreI'llsticktohim。Icertainlywilltakemydegree：Iwillreadlikebricks；andI'llbegintomorrow。'

'Nowwillyoutakesomebeef，aunt？'Thiswassaidoutloud。

TheCountessdeCourcywasveryanxioustogoonwithherlessonwithoutlossoftime；butshecouldnot，whilesurroundedbyguestsandservants，enunciatethegreatsecret：'Youmustmarrymoney，Frank；

thatisyouronegreatduty；thatisthemattertobebornesteadfastlyinyourmind。'Shecouldnotnow，withsufficientweightandimpressofemphasis，pourthiswisdomintohisears；themoreespeciallyashewasstandinguptohisworkofcarving，andwasdeeptohiselbowsinhorse-radish，fatandgravy。Sothecountesssatsilentwhilethebanquetproceeded。

'Beef，Harry？'shoutedtheyoungheirtohisfriendBaker。'Oh！butI

seeitisn'tyourturnyet。Ibegyourpardon，MissBateson，'andhesenttothatladyapoundandahalfofexcellentmeat，cutoutwithgreatenergyinoneslice，abouthalfaninchthick。

Andsothebanquetwenton。

BeforedinnerFrankhadfoundhimselfobligedtomakenumeroussmallspeechesinanswertothenumerousindividualcongratulationsofhisfriends；butthesewereasnothingtotheonegreataccumulatedonusofanorationwhichhehadlongknownthatheshouldhavetosustainaftertheclothwastakenaway。Someoneofcoursewouldproposehishealth，andthentherewouldbeaclatterofvoices，ladiesandgentlemen，menandgirls；andwhenthatwasdonehewouldfindhimselfstandingonhislegs，withtheroomabouthim，goingroundandroundandround。

Havinghadaprevioushintofthis，hehadsoughtadvicefromhiscousin，theHonourableGeorge，whomheregardedasadabatspeaking；

atleast，sohehadheardtheHonourableGeorgesayofhimself。

'Whatthedeuceisafellowtosay，George，whenhestandsupaftertheclatterisdone？'

'Oh，it'stheeasiestthinginlife，'saidthecousin。'Onlyrememberthis：youmustn'tgetastray；thatiswhattheycallpresenceofmind，youknow。I'lltellyouwhatIdo，andI'moftencalledup，youknow；

atouragriculturalsIalwaysproposethefarmers'daughters：well，whatIdoisthis——Ikeepmyeyesteadfastlyfixedononeofthebottles，andnevermoveit。'

'Ononeofthebottles！'saidFrank；'wouldn'titbebetterifImadeamarkofsomeoldcovey'shead？Idon'tlikelookingatthetable。'

'Theoldcovey'dmove，andthenyou'dbedone；besidestheeisn'ttheleastuseintheworldinlookingup。I'veheardpeoplesay，whogotothosesortofdinnerseverydayoftheirlives，thatwheneveranythingwittyissaid；thefellowwhosaysitissuretobelookingatthemahogany。'

'Oh，youknowIshan'tsayanythingwitty；I'llbequitetheotherway。'

'Butthere'snoreasonyoushouldn'tlearnthemanner。That'sthewayIsucceed。Fixyoureyeononeofthebottles；putyourthumbsinyourwaist-coatpockets；stickoutyourelbows，bendyourkneesalittle，andthengoahead。'

'Oh，ah！goahead；that'sallverywell；butyoucan'tgoaheadifyouhaven'tgotanysteam。'

'Averylittledoesit。Therecanbenothingsoeasyasyourspeech。

Whenonehastosayanythingneweveryyearaboutthefarmers'

daughters，whyonehastouseone'sbrainsabit。Let'ssee：howwillyoubegin？Ofcourse，you'llsaythatyouarenotaccustomedtothissortofthing；thatthehonourconferreduponyouistoomuchforyourfeelings；thatthebrightarrayofbeautyandtalentaroundyouquiteoverpowersyourtongue，andallthatsortofthing。Thendeclareyou'reaGreshamtothebackbone。'

'Oh，theyknowthat。'

'Well，tellthemagain。Thenofcourseyoumustsaysomethingaboutus；oryou'llhavethecountessasblackasoldNick。'

'Abutmyaunt，George？WhatonearthcanIsayaboutherwhenshe'sthereherselfbeforeme？'

'Beforeyou！ofcourse；that'sjustthereason。Oh，sayanylieyoucanthinkof；youmustsaysomethingaboutus。Youknowwe'vecomedownfromLondononpurpose。'

Frank，inspiteofthebenefitofreceivingfromhiscousin'serudition，couldnothelpwishinginhisheartthattheyhadalremainedinLondon；butthishekepttohimself。Hethankedhiscousinforhishints，andthoughhedidnotfeelthatthetroubleofhismindwascompletelycured，hebegantohopethathemightgothroughtheordealwithoutdisgracinghimself。

Nevertheless，hefeltrathersickatheartwhenMrBakergotuptoproposethetoastassoonastheservantsweregone。Theservants，thatis，weregoneofficially；buttheywerethereinabody，menandwomen，nurses，cooks，andladies'maids，coachmen，grooms，andfootmen，standingintwodoorwaystohearwhatMasterFrankwouldsay。Theoldhousekeeperheadedthemaidsatonedoor，standingboldlyinsidetheroom；andthebutlercontrolledthemenattheother，marshallingthembackwithadrawncorkscrew。

MrBakerdidnotsaymuch；butwhathedidsay，hesaidwell。TheyhadallseenFrankGreshamgrowupfromachild；andwerenowrequiredtowelcomeasamanamongstthemonewhowaswellqualifiedtocarryonthehonourofthatlovedandrespectedfamily。Hisyoungfriend，Frank，waseveryinchaGresham。MrBakeromittedtomakementionoftheinfusionofDeCourcyblood，andthecountess，therefore，drewherselfuponherchairandlookedasthoughshewereextremelybored。

Hethenalludedtenderlytohisownlongfriendshipwiththepresentsquire，FrancisNewboldGreshamtheelder；andsatdown，beggingthemtodrinkhealth，prosperity，longlife，andexcellentwifetotheirdearfriendFrancisNewboldGreshamtheyounger。

Therewasagreatjinglingofglasses，ofcourse；madethemerrierandthelouderbythefactthattheladieswerestillthereaswellasthegentlemen。Ladiesdon'tdrinktoastsfrequently；and，therefore，theoccasioncomingrarelywasthemoreenjoyed。'Godblessyou，Frank！'

'Yourgoodhealth，Frank！''Andespeciallyagoodwife，Frank！''Twoorthreeofthem，Frank！''Goodhealthandprosperitytoyou，MrGresham！''Morepowertoyou，Frank，myboy！''MayGodblessyouandpreserveyou，mydearboy！'andthenamerry，sweet，eagervoicefromthefarendofthetable，'Frank！Frank！Dolookatme，praydoFrank；Iamdrinkingyourhealthinrealwine；ain'tI，papa？'SuchweretheaddresseswhichgreetedMrFrancisNewboldGreshamtheyoungerasheessayedtoriseuponhisfeetforthefirsttimesincehehadcometoman'sestate。

Whentheclatterwasatanend，andhewasfairlyonhislegs，hecastaglancebeforehimonthetable，tolookforadecanter。Hehadnotmuchlikedhiscousin'stheoryofstickingtothebottle；nevertheless，inthedifficultyofthemoment，itwaswelltohaveanysystemtogoby。But，asmisfortunewouldhaveit，thoughthetablewascoveredwithbottles，hiseyecouldnotcatchone。Indeed，hiseyefirstcouldcatchnothing，forthethingsswambeforehim，andtheguestsallseemedtodanceintheirchairs。

Uphegot，however，andcommencedhisspeech。Ashecouldnotfollowhispreceptor'sadvice，astouchingthebottle，headoptedhisowncrudeplanof'makingamarkonsomeoldcovey'shead，'andthereforelookeddeadatthedoctor。

'Uponmyword，Iamverymuchobligedtoyou，gentlemenandladies，ladiesandgentlemen，Ishouldsay，fordrinkingmyhealth，anddoingmesomuchhonour，andallthatsortofthing。UponmywordIam。

Especiallytoyou，MrBaker。Idon'tmeanyou，Harry，you'renotMrBaker。'

'Asmuchasyou'reMrGresham，MasterFrank。'

'ButIamnotMrGresham；andIdon'tmeantobeformanyalongyearifIcanhelpit；notatanyratetillwehavehadanothercomingofagehere。'

'Bravo，Frank；andwhosewillthatbe？'

'Thatwillbemyson，andaveryfineladhewillbe；andIhopehe'llmakeabetterspeechthanhisfather。MrBakersaidIwaseveryinchaGresham。Well，IhopeIam。'Herethecountessbegantolookcoldandangry。'Ihopethedaywillnevercomewhenmyfatherwon'townmeforone。'

'There'snofear，nofear，'saidthedoctor，whowasalmostputoutofcountenancebytheorator'sintensegaze。Thecountesslookedcolderandmoreangry，andmutteredsomethingtoherselfaboutabear-garden。

'GardezGresham；eh？Harry！mindthatwhenyou'restickinginagapI'mcomingafteryou。Well，IamsureIamveryobligedtoyouforthehonouryouhavealldoneme，especiallytheladieswhodon'tdothissortofthingsonordinaryoccasions。Iwishtheydid；don'tyou，doctor？Andtalkingoftheladies，myauntyandcousinshavecomeallthewayfromLondontohearmetakethisspeechwhichcertainlyisnotworththetrouble；but，allthesameIamverymuchobligedtothem。'

Andhelookedroundandmadealittlebowatthecountess。'AndsoI

amtoMrandMrsJackson，andMrandMrsandMissBateson，andMrBaker——I'mnotatallobligedtoyou，Harry——andtoMrOrielandMissOriel，andtoMrUmbleby，andtoDrThorne，andtoMary——Ibegherpardon，ImeanMissThorne。'Andthenhesatdown，amidtheloudplauditsofthecompany，andastringofblessingswhichcamefromtheservantsbehindhim。

Afterthistheladiesroseanddeparted。Asshewent，LadyArabella，kissedherson'sforehead，andthenhissisterskissedhim，andoneortwoofhislady-cousins；andthenMissBatesonshookhimbythehand。

'Oh，MissBateson，'saidhe，'Ithoughthekissingwastogoallround。'

SoMissBatesonlaughedandwentherway；andPatienceOrielnoddedathim，butMaryThorne，asshequietlylefttheroom，almosthiddenamongtheextensivedraperiesofthegranderladies，hardlyallowedhereyestomeethis。

Hegotuptoholdthedoorforthemasthepassed；andastheywent，hemanagedtotakePatiencebythehand；hetookherhandandpresseditforamoment，butdroppeditquickly，inorderthathemightgothroughthesameceremonywithMary，butMarywastooquickforhim。

'Frank，'saidMrGresham，assoonasthedoorwasclosed，'bringyourglasshere，myboy；'andthefathermaderoomforhissonclosebesidehimself。'Theceremonyisnowover，soyoumayhaveyourplaceofdignity。'Franksathimselfdownwherehewastold，andMrGreshamputhishandonhisson'sshoulderandhalfcaressedhim，whilethetearsstoodinhiseyes。'Ithinkthedoctorisright，Baker，Ithinkhe'llnevermakeusashamedofhim。'

'Iamsureheneverwill，'saidBaker。

'Idon'tthinkheeverwill，'saidDrThorne。

Thetonesofthemen'svoiceswereverydifferent。MrBakerdidnotcareastrawaboutit；whyshouldhe？Hehadanheirofhisownaswellasthesquire；onealsowhowastheappleofhiseye。Butthedoctor，——hedidcare；hehadaniece，tobesure，whomheloved，perhapsaswellasthesemenlovedtheirsons；buttherewasroominhisheartalsoforyoungFrankGresham。

Afterthissmallexposeoffeelingtheysatsilentforamomentortwo。ButsilencewasnotdeartotheheartoftheHonourableJohn，andsohetookuptherunning。

'That'saniceishnagyougaveFrankthismorning，'hesaidtohisuncle。'Iwaslookingathimbeforedinner。HeisaMonsoon，isn'the？'

'WellIcan'tsayIknowhowhewasbred，'saidthesquire。'Heshouldagooddealofbreeding。'

'He'saMonsoon，I'msure，'saidtheHonourableJohn。'They'veallthoseears，andthatpeculiardipintheback。Isupposeyougaveagoodishfigureforhim？'

'Notsoverymuch，'saidthesquire。

'He'satrainedhunter，Isuppose？'

'Ifnot，hesoonwillbe，'saidthesquire。

'LetFrankaloneforthat，'saidHarryBaker。

'Hejumpsbeautifully，sir，'saidFrank。'Ihaven'ttriedhimmyself，butPetermadehimgooverthebartwoorthreetimesthismorning。'

TheHonourableJohnwasdeterminedtogivehiscousinahelpinghand，asheconsideredit。HethoughtthatFrankwasveryillusedinbeingputoffwithsoincompletestud，andthinkingalsothatthesonhadnotspiritenoughtoattackhisfatherhimselfonthesubject，theHonourableJohndeterminedtodoitforhim。

'He'sthemakingofaverynicehorse，Idon'tdoubt。Iwishyouhadastringlikehim，Frank。'

Frankfeltthebloodrushtohisface。Hewouldnotforworldshavehisfatherthinkthathewasdiscontented，orotherwisethanpleasedwiththepresenthehadreceivedthatmorning。Hewasheartilyashamedofhimselfinthathehadlistenedwithacertaindegreeofcomplacencytohiscousin'stempting；buthehadnoideathatthesubjectwouldberepeated——andthenrepeated，too，beforehisfather，inamannertovexhimonsuchadayasthis，beforesuchpeopleaswereassembledhere。

Hewasveryangrywithhiscousin，andforamomentforgotallhishereditaryrespectforaDeCourcy。

'Itellyouwhat，John，'saidhe，'doyouchooseyourday，somedayearlyintheseason，andcomeoutonthebestthingyouhave，andI'llbring，nottheblackhorse，butmyoldmare；andthendoyoutrytokeepnearme。IfIdon'tleaveyouatthebackofGod-speedbeforelong，I'llgiveyouthemareandthehorsetoo。'

TheHonourableJohnwasnotknowninBarsetshireasoneofthemostforwardofitsriders。Hewasamanmuchaddictedtohunting，asfarastheget-upofthethingwasconcerned；hewasgreatinbootsandbreeches；wondrouslyconversantwithbitsandbridles；hehadquiteacollectionofsaddles；andpatronizedeverynewestinventionforcarryingspareshoes，sandwiches，andflasksofsherry。Hewasprominentatthecoverside；——somepeople，includingthemasterofhounds，thoughthimperhapsalittletooloudlyprominent；heaffectedafamiliaritywiththedogs，andwasonspeakingacquaintancewitheveryman'shorse。Butwhentheworkwascutout，whenthepacebegantobesharp，whenitbehovedamaneithertorideorvisiblytodeclinetoride，then——soatleastsaidtheywhohadnottheDeCourcyinterestquitecloselyatheart——then，inthoseheart-stirringmoments，theHonourableJohnwastoooftenfounddeficient。

Therewas，therefore，aconsiderablelaughathisexpensewhenFrank，instigatedtothisinnocentboastbyadesiretosavehisfather，challengedhiscousintoatrialofprowess。TheHonourableJohnwasnot，perhaps，asmuchaccustomedtothereadyuseofhistongueaswashishonourablebrother，seeingthatitwasnothisannualbusinesstodepictthegloriesofthefarmers'daughters；atanyrate，onthisoccasionheseemedtobeatsomelossforwords；heshutup，astheslangphrasegoes，andmadenofurtherallusiontothenecessityofsupplyingyoungGreshamwithaproperstreamofhunters。

Buttheoldsquirehadunderstooditall；hadunderstoodthemeaningofhisnephew'sattack；hadthoroughlyunderstoodthemeaningofhisson'sdefence，andthefeelingwhichactuatedit。Healsohadthoughtofthestablefulofhorseswhichhadbelongedtohimselfwhenhebecameofage；andofthemuchmorehumblepositionwhichhissonwouldhavetofillthanthatwhichhisfatherhadpreparedforhim。Hethoughtofthis，andwassadenough，thoughhehadsufficientspirittohidefromhisfriendsaroundhimthefact，thattheHonourableJohn'sarrowhadnotbeendischargedinvain。

'HeshallhaveChampion，'saidthefathertohimself。'Itistimeformetogiveup。'

NowChampionwasoneofthetwofineoldhunterswhichthesquirekeptforhisownuse。Anditmighthavebeensaidofhimnow，attheperiodofwhichwearespeaking，thattheonlyreallyhappymomentsofhislifewerethosewhichhespentinthefield。Somuchastoitsbeingtimeforhimtogiveup。

CHAPTERVI

FRANKGRESHAM'SEARLYLOVES

Itwas，wehavesaid，thefirstofJuly，andsuchbeingthetimeoftheyear，theladies，aftersittinginthedrawing-roomforhalfanhourorso，begantothinkthattheymightaswellgothroughthedrawing-roomwindowsontothelawn。Firstoneslippedoutalittleway，andthenanother；andthentheygotontothelawn；andthentheytalkedoftheirhats；till，bydegrees，theyoungeronesoftheparty，andthelastoftheelderalso，foundthemselvesdressedforwalking。

Thewindows，bothofthedrawing-room，andthedining-room，lookedoutontothelawn；anditwasonlynaturalthatthegirlsshouldwalkfromtheformertothelatter。Itwasonlynaturalthatthey，beingthere，shouldtempttheirswainstocometothembythesightoftheirbroad-brimmedhatsandeveningdresses；andnatural，also，thatthetemptationshouldnotberesisted。Thesquire，therefore，andtheeldermaleguestssoonfoundthemselvesaloneroundtheirwine。

'Uponmyword，wewereenchantedbyyoureloquence，MrGresham，werewenot？'saidMissOriel，turningtooneoftheDeCourcygirlswhowaswithher。

MissOrielwasaveryprettygirl；alittleolderthanFrankGresham，——perhapsayearorso。Shehaddarkhair，largerounddarkeyes，anosealittletoobroad，aprettymouth，abeautifulchin，and，aswehavesaidbefore，alargefortune；——thatis，moderatelylarge——letussaytwentythousandpounds，thereorthereabouts。SheandherbrotherhadbeenlivingatGreshamsburyforthelasttwoyears，thelivinghavingbeenpurchasedforhim——suchwereMrGresham'snecessities——duringthelifetimeofthelastoldincumbent。MissOrielwasineveryrespectaniceneighbour；shewasgood-humoured，lady-like，lively，neithertooclevernortoostupid，belongingtoagoodfamily，sufficientlyfondofthisworld'sgoodthings，asbecameaprettyyoungladysoendowed，andsufficientlyfond，also，oftheotherworld'sgoodthings，asbecamethemistressofaclergyman'shouse。

'Indeed，yes；'saidtheLadyMargaretta。'Frankisveryeloquent。WhenhedescribedourrapidjourneyfromLondon，henearlymovedmetotears。Butwellashetalks，Ithinkhecarvesbetter。'

'Iwishyou'dhadtodoit，Margaretta；boththecarvingandthetalking。'

'Thankyou，Frank；you'reverycivil。'

'Butthere'sonecomfort，MissOriel；it'sovernow，anddone。Afellowcan'tbemadetocomeofagetwice。'

'Butyou'lltakeyourdegree，MrGresham；andthen，ofcourse，there'llbeanotherspeech；andthenyou'llgetmarried，andtherewillbetwoorthreemore。'

'I'llspeakatyourwedding，MissOriel，beforeIdoatmyown。'

'Ishallnothavetheslightestobjection。Itwillbesokindofyoutopatronizemyhusband。'

'But，byJove，willhepatronizeme？Iknowyou'llmarrysomeawfulbigwig，orsometerriblycleverfellow；won'tshe，Margaretta？'

'MissOrielwassayingsomuchinpraiseofyoubeforeyoucameout，'

saidMargaretta，'thatIbegantothinkthathermindwasintentatremainingatGreshamsburyallherlife。'

Frankblushed，andPatiencelaughed。Therewasbutayear'sdifferenceintheirage；butFrank，however，wasstillaboy，thoughPatiencewasfullyawoman。

'Iamambitious，LadyMargaretta，'saidshe。'Iownit；butIammoderateinmyambition。IdoloveGreshamsbury，andifMrGreshamhadayoungerbrother，perhaps，youknow——'

'Anotherjustlikemyself，Isuppose，'saidFrank。

'Oh，yes。Icouldnotpossiblywishforanychange。'

'Justaseloquentasyouare，Frank，'saidtheLadyMargaretta。

'Andasgoodacarver，'saidPatience。

'MissBatesonhaslostherhearttohimforever，becauseofhiscarving，'saidtheLadyMargaretta。

'Butperfectionneverrepeatsitself，'saidPatience。

'Well，yousee，Ihavenotgotanybrothers，'saidFrank；'soallIcandoistosacrificemyself。'

'Uponmyword，MrGresham，Iamundermorethanordinaryobligationstoyou；Iamindeed，'saidMissOriel，stoodstillinthepath，andmadeaverygracefulcurtsy。'Dearme！onlythink，LadyMargaretta，thatI

shouldbehonouredwithanofferfromtheheirtheverymomentheislegallyentitledtomakeone。'

'Anddonewithsomuchtruegallantry，too，'saidtheother；

'expressinghimselfquitewillingtopostponeanyviewsofhisownforyouradvantage。'

'Yes；'saidPatience；'that'swhatIvaluesomuch：hadhelovedmenow，therewouldhavebeennomeritonhispart；butasacrificeyouknow——'

'Yes，ladiesaresofondofsuchsacrifices，Frank，uponmyword，Ihadnoideayouweresoveryexcellentatmakingspeeches。'

'Well，'saidFrank，'Ishouldn'thavesaidsacrifice，thatwasaslip；

whatImeantwas——'

'Oh，dearme，'saidPatience，'waitaminute；nowwearegoingtohavearegulardeclaration。LadyMargaretta，youhaven'tascent-bottle，haveyou？AndifIshouldfaint，where'sthegarden-chair？'

'Oh，butI'mnotgoingtomakeadeclarationatall，'saidFrank。

'Areyounot？Oh！Now，LadyMargaretta，Iappealtoyou；didyounotunderstandhimtosaysomethingveryparticular？'

'Certainly，Ithoughtnothingcouldbeplainer，'saidtheLadyMargaretta。

'Andso，MrGresham，Iamtobetold，thatafterallitmeansnothing，'

saidPatience，puttingherhandkerchiefuptohereyes。

'Itmeansthatyouareanexcellenthandatquizzingafellowlikeme。'

'Quizzing！No；butyouareanexcellenthandatdeceivingapoorgirllikeme。Well，remember，Ihavegotawitness；hereisLadyMargaretta，whohearditall。Whatapityitisthatmybrotherisaclergyman。Youcalculatedonthat，Iknow；oryouwouldneverhadservedmeso。'

Shesaidsojustasherbrotherjoinedthem，orratherjustashehadjoinedLadyMargarettadeCourcy；forherladyshipandMrOrielwalkedoninadvancebythemselves。LadyMargarettahadfounditratherdullwork，makingathirdinMissOriel'sflirtationwithhercousin；themoresoasshewasquiteaccustomedtotakeaprincipalpartherselfinallsuchtransactions。ShethereforenotunwillinglywalkedonwithMrOriel。MrOriel，itmustbeconceived，wasnotacommon，everydayparson，buthadpointsabouthimwhichmadehimquitefittoassociatewithanearl'sdaughter。Andasitwasknownthathewasnotamarryingman，havingveryexaltedideasonthatpointconnectedwithhisprofession，theLadyMargaretta，ofcourse，hadthelessobjectiontotrustherselfalonewithhim。

Butdirectlyshewasgone，MissOriel'stoneofbanterceased。Itwasverywellmakingafoolofaladoftwenty-onewhenotherswereby；buttheremightbedangerinitwhentheywerealonetogether。

'Idon'tknowanypositiononearthmoreenviablethanyours，MrGresham，'saidshe，quitesoberlyandearnestly；'howhappyyououghttobe。'

'What，inbeinglaughedatbyyou，MissOriel，forpretendingtobeaman，whenyouchoosetomakeoutthatIamonlyaboy？Icanbeartobelaughedatprettywellgenerally，butIcan'tsaythatyourlaughingatmemakesmefeelsohappyasyousayIoughttobe。'

FrankwasevidentlyofanopiniontotallydifferentfromthatofMissOriel。MissOriel，whenshefoundherselftete-a-tetewithhim，thoughtitwastimetogiveoverflirting；Frank，however，imaginedthatitwasjustthemomentforhimtobegin。Sohespokeandlookedverylanguishing，andputonhimquitetheairsofanOrlando。

'Oh，MrGresham，suchgoodfriendsasyouandImaylaughateachother，maywenot？'

'Youmaydowhatyoulike，MissOriel：beautifulwomenIbelievealwaysmay；butyourememberwhatthespidersaidtothefly，“Thatwhichissporttoyou，maybedeathtome。“'AnyonelookingatFrank'sfaceashesaidthat，mightwellhaveimaginedthathewasbreakinghisveryheartforloveofMissOriel。Oh，MasterFrank！MasterFrank！ifyouactthusinthegreenleaf，whatwillyoudointhedry？

WhileFrankGreshamwasthusmisbehavinghimself，andgoingonasthoughtohimbelongedtheprivilegeoffallinginlovewithprettyfaces，asitdoestoploughboysandotherordinarypeople，hisgreatinterestswerenotforgottenbythoseguardiansaintswhoweresoanxioustoshowerdownonhisheadallmanneroftemporalblessings。

AnotherconversationhadtakenplaceintheGreshamsburygardens，inwhichnothinglighthadbeenallowedtopresentitself；nothingfrivoloushadbeenspoken。Thecountess，theLadyArabella，andMissGreshamhadbeentalkingoverGreshamsburyaffairs，andtheyhadlatterlybeenassistedbytheLadyAmelia，thanwhomnoDeCourcyeverbornwasmorewise，moresolemn，moreprudent，moreproud。Theponderosityofherqualificationsfornobilitywassometimestoomuchevenforhermother，andherdevotionforthepeeragewassuch，thatshewouldcertainlyhavedeclinedaseatinheavenifofferedtoherwithoutthepromisethatitshouldbeintheupperhouse。

ThesubjectfirstdiscussedhadbeenAugusta'sprospects。MrMoffathadbeeninvitedtoCourcyCastle，andAugustahadbeentakenthithertomeethim，withtheexpressintentiononthepartofthecountess，thattheyshouldbemanandwife。Thecountesshadbeencarefultomakeitintelligibletohersister-in-lawandniece，thatthoughMrMoffatwoulddoexcellentlywellforadaughterofGreshamsbury，hecouldnotbeallowedtoraisehiseyestoafemalescionofCourcyCastle。

'Notthatwepersonallydislikehim，'saidtheLadyAmelia；'butrankhasitsdrawbacks，Augusta。'AstheLadyAmeliawasnowsomewhatnearerfortythanthirty，andwasstillallowedtowalk，'Inmaidenmeditation，fancyfree，'

itmaybepresumedthatinhercaserankhadbeenfoundtohaveseriousdrawbacks。

TothisAugustasaidnothinginobjection。WhetherdesirablebyaDeCourcyornot，thematchwastobehers，andtherewasnodoubtwhateverastothewealthofthemanwhosenameshewastotake；theofferhadbeenmade，nottoher，buttoheraunt；theacceptancehadbeenexpressed，notbyher，butbyheraunt。HadshethoughtofrecapitulatinginhermemoryallthathadeverpassedbetweenMrMoffatandherself，shewouldhavefoundthatitdidnotamounttomorethanthemostordinaryconversationbetweenchancepartnersinaball-room。

Nevertheless，shewastobeMrsMoffat。AllthatMrGreshamknewofhimwas，thatwhenhemettheyoungmanforthefirstandonlytimeinhislife，hefoundhimextremelyhardtodealwithinthematterofmoney。Hehadinsistedonhavingtenthousandpoundswithhiswife，andatlastrefusedtogoonwiththematchunlesshegotsixthousandpounds。Thislattersumthepoorsquirehadundertakentopayhim。

MrMoffathadbeenforayearortwoMPforBarchester；havingbeenassistedinhisviewsonthatancientcitybyalltheDeCourcyinterest。HewasaWhig，ofcourse。NotonlyhadBarchester，departingfromthelightofotherdays，returnedaWhigmemberofParliament，butitwasdeclared，thatatthenextelection，nownearathand，aRadicalwouldbesentup，anmanpledgedtotheballot，toeconomiesofallsorts，onewhowouldcarryoutBarchesterpoliticsinalltheirabrupt，obnoxious，pestilentvirulence。ThiswasoneScatcherd，agreatrailwaycontractor，amanwhowasanativeofBarchester，whohadboughtpropertyintheneighbourhood，andwhohadachievedasortofpopularitythereandelsewherebytheviolenceofhisdemocraticoppositiontothearistocracy。Accordingtothisman'spoliticaltenets，theConservativesshouldbelaughedatasfools，buttheWhigsshouldbehatedasknaves。

MrMoffatwasnowcomingdowntoCourcyCastletolookafterhiselectioneeringinterests，andMissGreshamwastoreturnwithheraunttomeethim。ThecountesswasveryanxiousthatFrankshouldalsoaccompanythem。Hergreatdoctrine，thathemustmarrymoney，hadbeenlaiddownwithauthority，andreceivedwithoutdoubt。Shenowpusheditfurther，andsaidthatnotimeshouldbelost；thatheshouldnotonlymarrymoney，butdosoveryearlyinlife；therewasalwaysadangerindelay。TheGreshams——ofcourseshealludedonlytothemalesofthefamily——werefoolishlysoft-hearted；noonecouldsaywhatmighthappen。TherewasthatMissThornealwaysatGreshamsbury。

ThiswasmorethanLadyArabellacouldstand。SheprotestedthattherewasatleastnogroundforsupposingthatFrankwouldabsolutelydisgracehisfamily。

Stillthecountesscontinued：'Perhapsnot，'shesaid；'butwhenyoungpeopleofperfectlydifferentrankswereallowedtoassociatetogether，therewasnosayingwhatdangermightarise。TheyallknowthatoldMrBateson——thepresentMrBateson'sfather——hadgoneoffwiththegoverness；andyoungMrEverbeery，nearTaunton，hadonlytheotherdaymarriedacook-maid。'

'ButMrEverbeerywasalwaysdrunk，aunt，'saidAugusta，feelingcalledupontosaysomethingforherbrother。

'Nevermind，mydear；thesethingsdohappen，andtheyareverydreadful。'

'Horrible！'saidtheLadyAmelia；'dilutingthebestbloodofthecountry，andpavingthewayforrevolution。'Thiswasverygrand；but，nevertheless，Augustacouldnotbutfeelthatsheperhapsmightbeabouttodilutethebloodofhercomingchildreninmarryingthetailor'sson。Sheconsoledherselfbytrustingthat，atanyrate，shepavedthewayfornorevolution。

'Whenathingissonecessary，'saidthecountess，'itcannotbedonetoosoon。Now，Arabella，Idon'tsaythatanythingwillcomeofit；

butitmay；MissDunstableiscomingdowntousnextweek。Now，weallknowthatwhenoldDunstablediedlastyear，heleftovertwohundredthousandtohisdaughter。'

'Itisagreatdealofmoney，certainly，'saidLadyArabella。

'Itwoldpayoffeverything，andagreatdealmore，'saidthecountess。

'Itwasointment，wasitnot，aunt？'saidAugusta。

'Ibelieveso，mydear；somethingcalledtheointmentofLebanon，orsomethingofthatsort：butthere'snodoubtaboutthemoney。'

'Buthowoldisshe，Robina？'askedtheanxiousmother。

'Aboutthirty，Isuppose；butIdon'tthinkthatmuchsignifies。'

'Thirty，'saidLadyArabella，ratherdolefully。'Andwhatisshelike？IthinkthatFrankalreadybeginstolikegirlsthatareyoungandpretty。'

'Butsurely，aunt，'saidtheLadyAmelia，'nowthathehascometoman'sdiscretion，hewillnotrefusetoconsiderallthatheowestohisfamily。AMrGreshamofGreshamsburyhasapositiontosupport。'

TheDeCourcyscionspoketheselastwordsinthesortoftonethataparishclergymanwoulduse，inwarningsomeyoungfarmer'ssonthatheshouldnotputhimselfonanequalfootingwiththeploughboys。

ItwasatlastdecidedthatthecountessshouldherselfconveytoFrankaspecialinvitationtoCourcyCastle，andthatwhenshegothimthere，sheshoulddoallthatlayinherpowertopreventhisreturntoCambridge，andtofurthertheDunstablemarriage。

'WedidthinkofMissDunstableforPorlock，once，'shesaid，naively；

'butwhenwefoundthatitwasn'tmuchovertwohundredthousand，whythatideafelltotheground。'ThetermsonwhichtheDeCourcybloodmightbeallowedtodiluteitselfwere，itmustbepresumed，veryhighindeed。

Augustawassentofftofindherbrother，andtosendhimtothecountessinthesmalldrawing-room。Herethecountesswastohavehertea，apartfromtheoutercommonworld，andher，withoutinterruption，shewastoteachhergreatlessontohernephew。

Augustadidfindherbrother，andfoundhimintheworstofbadsociety——soatleastthesternDeCourcyswouldhavethought。OldMrBatesonandthegoverness，MrEverbeeryandhiscook'sdilutedblood，andwayspavedforrevolutions，allpresentedthemselvestoAugusta'smindwhenshefoundherbrotherwalkingwithnoothercompanythanMaryThorne，andwalkingwithher，too，inmuchtoocloseproximity。

Howhehadcontrivedtobeoffwiththeoldloveandsosoononwiththenew，orrather，tobeoffwiththenewloveandagainonwiththeold，wewillnotstoptoinquire。HadLadyArabella，intruth，knownallherson'sdoingsinthisway，couldshehaveguessedhowverynighhehadapproachedtheiniquityofoldMrBateson，andtothefollyofyoungMrEverbeery，shewouldintruthhavebeeninahurrytosendhimofftoCourcyCastleandMissDunstable。Somedaysbeforethecommencementofourstory，youngFrankhadsworninsoberearnest——inwhatheintendedforhismostsoberearnest，hismostearnestsobriety——thathelovedMaryThornewithaloveforwhichwordscouldfindnosufficientexpression——withalovethatcouldneverdie，nevergrowdim，neverbecomeless，whichnooppositiononthepartofotherscouldextinguish，whichnooppositiononherpartcouldrepel；thathemight，could，would，andshouldhaveherforhiswife，andthatifshetoldhimshedidn'tlovehim，hewould——

'Oh，oh！Mary；doyouloveme？Don'tyouloveme？Won'tyouloveme？Sayyouwill。Oh，Mary，dearestMary，willyou？won'tyou？doyou？don'tyou？Comenow，youhavearighttogiveafellowananswer。'

WithsucheloquencehadtheheirofGreshamsbury，whennotyettwenty-oneyearsofage，attemptedtopossesshimselfoftheaffectionsofthedoctor'sniece。AndyetthreedaysafterwardshewasquitereadytoflirtwithMissOriel。

Ifsuchthingsaredoneinthegreenwood，whatwillbedoneinthedry？

AndwhathadMarysaidwhenthoseferventprotestationsofanundyinglovehadbeenthrownatherfeet？Mary，itmustberemembered，wasverynearlyofthesameageasFrank；but，asIanothershavesooftensaidbefore，'Womengrowonthesunnysideofthewall。'ThoughFrankwasonlyaboy，itbehovedMarytobesomethingmorethanagirl。Frankmightbeallowed，withoutlayinghimselfopentomuchreproach，tothrowallofwhathebelievedtobehisheartintoaprotestationofwhathebelievedtobelove；butMarywasindutyboundtobemorethoughtful，morereticent，moreawareofthefactsoftheirposition，morecarefulofherownfeelings，andmorecarefulalsoofhis。

Andyetshecouldnotputhimdownasanotheryoungladymightputdownanotheryounggentleman。Itisveryseldomthatayoungman，unlesshebetipsy，assumesanunwelcomefamiliarityinhisearlyacquaintancewithanygirl；butwhenacquaintancehasbeenlongandintimate，familiaritiesmustfollowasamatterofcourse。FrankandMaryhadbeensomuchtogetherinhisholidays，hadsoconstantlyconsortedtogetherasboysandgirls，that，asregardedher，hehadnotthatinnatefearofawomanwhichrepressesayoungman'stongue；andshewassousedtohisgood-humour，hisfun，andhighjovialspirits，andwas，withal，sofondofthemandhim，thatitwasverydifficultforhertomarkwithaccuratefeeling，andstopwithreservedbrow，theshadeofchangefromaboy'slikingtoaman'slove。

AndBeatrice，too，haddoneharminthismatter。Withaspiritpainfullyunequaltothatofhergrandrelatives，shehadquizzedMaryandFrankabouttheirearlyflirtations。Thisshehaddone；buthadinstinctivelyavoideddoingsobeforehermotherandsister，andhadthusmadeasecretofit，asitwere，betweenherself，Mary，andherbrother；——hadgivencurrency，asitwere，totheideathattheremightbesomethingseriousbetweenthetwo。NotthatBeatricehadeverwishedtopromoteamarriagebetweenthem，orhadeventhoughtofsuchathing。Shewasgirlish，thoughtless，imprudent，inartistic，andveryunlikeaDeCourcy。VeryunlikeaDeCourcyshewasinallthat；but，nevertheless，shehadtheDeCourcyvenerationforblood，and，morethanthat，shehadtheGreshamfeelingjoinedtothatoftheDeCourcys。TheLadyAmeliawouldnotforworldshavehadtheDeCourcyblooddefiled；butgoldshethoughtcouldnotdefile。NowBeatricewasashamedofhersister'smarriage，andhadoftendeclared，withinherownheart，thatnothingcouldhavemadehermarryaMrMoffat。

ShehadsaidsoalsotoMary，andMaryhadtoldherthatshewasright。Marywasalsoproudofblood，wasproudofheruncle'sblood，andthetwogirlstalkedtogetherinallthewarmthofgirlishconfidence，ofthegreatgloriesoffamilytraditionsandfamilyhonours。Beatricehadtalkedinutterignoranceastoherfriend'sbirth；andMary，poorMary，shehadtalked，beingasignorant；butnotwithoutastrongsuspicionthat，atsomefuturetime，adayofsorrowwouldtellhersomefearfultruth。

OnonepointMary'smindwasstronglymadeup。Nowealth，nomereworldlyadvantagecouldmakeanyonehersuperior。Ifshewerebornagentlewoman，thenwasshefittomatchwithanygentleman。LetthemostwealthymaninEuropepourallhiswealthatherfeet，shecould，ifsoinclined，givehimbackatanyratemorethanthat。Thatofferedatherfeetsheknewshewouldnevertempthertoyieldupthefortressofherheart，theguardianshipofhersoul，thepossessionofhermind；

notthatalone，northat，even，asanypossibleslightestfractionofamake-weight。

Ifshewerebornagentlewoman！Andthencametohermindthosecuriousquestions；whatmakesagentleman？whatmakesagentlewoman？

Whatistheinnerreality，thespiritualisedquintessenceofthatprivilegeintheworldwhichmencallrank，whichforcesthethousandsandhundredsofthousandstobowdownbeforethefewelect？Whatgives，orcangiveit，orshouldgiveit？'

Andsheansweredthequestion。Absolute，intrinsic，acknowledged，individualmeritmustgiveittoitspossessor，lethimbewhom，andwhat，andwhencehemight。Sofarthespiritofdemocracywasstrongwithher。Beyondthisitcouldbehadbutbyinheritance，receivedasitweresecond-hand，ortwenty-secondhand。Andsofarthespiritofaristocracywasstrongwithinher。Allthisshehad，asmaybeimagined，learntinearlyyearsfromheruncle；andallthisshewasatgreatpainstoteachBeatriceGresham，thechosenofherheart。

WhenFrankdeclaredthatMaryhadarighttogivehimananswer，hemeantthathehadarighttoexpectone。Maryacknowledgedthisright，andgaveittohim。

'MrGresham，'shesaid。

'Oh，Mary；MrGresham！'

'Yes，MrGresham。ItmustbeMrGresham，afterthat。And，moreover，itmustbeMissThorneaswell。'

'I'llbeshotifitshall，Mary。'

'Well；Ican'tsaythatIshallbeshotifitbenotso；butifitbenotso，ifyoudonotagreethatitshallbeso，IshallbeturnedoutofGreshamsbury。'

'What！youmeanmymother？'saidFrank。

'Indeed！Imeannosuchthing，'saidMary，withaflashfromhereyethatmadeFrankalmoststart。'Imeannosuchthing。Imeanyou，notyourmother。IamnotintheleastafraidofLadyArabella；butIamafraidofyou。'

'Afraidofme，Mary！'

'MissThorne；pray，pray，remember。ItmustbeMissThorne。DonotturnmeoutofGreshamsbury。DonotseparatemefromBeatrice。Itisyouthatwilldrivemeout；nooneelse。Icouldstandmygroundagainstyourmother——IfeelIcould；butIcannotstandagainstyouifyoutreatmeotherwisethan——than——'

'Otherwisethanwhat？IwanttotreatyouasthegirlIhavechosenfromalltheworldasmywife。'

'Iamsorryyoushouldsosoonhavefounditnecessarytomakeachoice。But，MrGresham，wemustnotjokeaboutthisatpresent。Iamsureyouwouldnotwillinglyinjureme；butifyouspeaktome，orofme，againinthatway，youwillinjureme，injuremesomuchthatI

shallbeforcedtoleaveGreshamsbury，inmyowndefence。Iknowyouaretoogeneroustodrivemetothat。'

Andsotheinterviewhadended。Frank，ofcourse，wentupstairstoseeifhisnewpocket-pistolswereallready，properlycleaned，loaded，andcapped，shouldhefind，afterafewdays'experience，thatprolongedexistencewasunendurable。

However，hemanagedtolivethroughthesubsequentperiod；doubtlesswithaviewofpreventinganyappointmenttohisfather'sguests。

CHAPTERVII

THEDOCTOR'SGARDEN

Maryhadcontrivedtoquietherloverwithconsiderableproprietyofdemeanour。Thencameonherthesomewhathardertaskofquietingherself。Youngladies，onthewhole，areperhapsquiteassusceptibleoftheafterfeelingsasyounggentlemenare。NowFrankGresham，washandsome，amiable，bynomeansafoolinintellect，excellentinheart；

andhewas，moreover，agentleman，beingthesonofMrGreshamofGreshamsbury。Maryhadbeen，asitwere，broughtuptolovehim。Hadaughtbutgoodhappenedtohim，shewouldhavecriedasforabrother。

ItmustnotthereforebesupposedthatwhenFrankGreshamtoldherthathelovedher，shehadhearditaltogetherunconcerned。

Hehadnot，perhaps，madehisdeclarationwiththatproprietyoflanguageinwhichsuchscenesaregenerallydescribedasbeingcarriedon。LadiesmayperhapsthinkthatMaryshouldhavebeendeterred，bytheveryboyishnessofhismanner，fromthinkingatallseriouslyonthesubject。His'willyou，won'tyou——doyou，don'tyou？'doesnotsoundlikethepoeticrapturesofahighlyinspiredlover。But，nevertheless，therehadbeenwarmth，andarealityinitnotinitselfrepulsive；andMary'sanger——anger？no，notanger——herobjectionstothedeclarationswereprobablynotbasedontheabsurdityofherlover'slanguage。

Weareinclinedtothinkthatthesemattersarenotalwaysdiscussedbymortalloversinthepoeticallypassionatephraseologywhichisgenerallythoughttobeappropriatefortheirdescription。Amancannotwelldescribethatwhichhehasneverseenorheard；buttheabsolutewordsandactsofonesuchscenedidoncecometotheauthor'sknowledge。Thecouplewerebynomeansplebeian，orbelowtheproperstandardofhighbearingandhighbreeding；theywereahandsomepair，livingamongeducatedpeople，sufficientlygiventomentalpursuits，andineverywaywhatapairofpoliteloversoughttobe。Theall-importantconversationpassedinthiswise。Thesiteofthepassionatescenewasthesea-shore，onwhichtheywerewalking，inautumn。

Gentleman。'Well，Miss——，thelongandshortofitisthis：hereIam；

youcantakemeorleaveme。'

Lady-scratchingagutteronthesandwithherparasol，soastoallowalittlesaltwatertorunoutofoneholeintoanother。'Ofcourse，I

knowthat'sallnonsense。'

Gentleman。'Nonsense！ByJove，itisn'tnonsenseatall：come，Jane；

hereIam：come，atanyrateyoucansaysomething。'

Lady。'Yes，IsupposeIcansaysomething。'

Gentleman。'Well，whichisittobe；takemeorleaveme？'

Lady——veryslowly，andwithavoiceperhapshardlyarticulate，carryingon，atthesametime，herengineeringworksonawiderscale。'Well，I

don'texactlywanttoleaveyou。'

Andsothematterwassettled：settledwithmuchproprietyandsatisfaction；andboththeladyandgentlemanwouldhavethought，hadtheyeverthoughtaboutthematteratall，thatthis，thesweetestmomentoftheirlives，hadbeengracedbyallthepoetrybywhichsuchmomentsoughttobehallowed。

WhenMaryhad，asshethought，properlysubduedyoungFrank，theofferofwhoseloveshe，atanyrate，knewwas，atsuchaperiodofhislife，anutterabsurdity，thenshefounditnecessarytosubdueherself。Whathappinessonearthcouldbegreaterthanthepossessionofsuchalove，hadthetruepossessionbeenjustlyandhonestlywithinherreach？Whatmancouldbemorelovablethansuchamanaswouldgrowfromsuchaboy？Andthen，didshenotlovehim——lovehimalready，withoutwaitingforanychange？Didshenotfeelthattherewasthatabouthim，abouthimandaboutherself，too，whichmightsowellfitthemforeachother？ItwouldbesosweettobethesisterofBeatrice，thedaughterofthesquire，tobelongtoGreshamsburyasapartandparcelofitself。

Butthoughshecouldnotrestrainthesethoughts，itneverforamomentoccurredtohertotakeFrank'sofferinearnest。Thoughshewasagrownwoman，hewasstillaboy。Hewouldhavetoseetheworldbeforehesettledinit，andwouldchangehismindaboutwomanhalfascoreoftimesbeforehemarried。Then，too，thoughshedidnotliketheLadyArabella，shefeltthatsheowedsomething，ifnottoherkindness，atleasttoherforbearance；andsheknew，feltinwardlycertain，thatshewouldbedoingwrong，thattheworldwouldsaythatshewasdoingwrong，thatherunclewouldthinkherwrong，ifsheendeavouredtotakeadvantageofwhathadpassed。

Shehadnotforaninstantdoubted；notforamomenthadshecontemplateditaspossiblethatsheshouldeverbecomeMrsGreshambecauseFrankhadofferedtomakeherso；but，nevertheless，shecouldnothelpthinkingofwhathadoccurred——ofthinkingofit，mostprobablymuchmorethanFrankdidhimself。

Adayortwoafterwards，ontheeveningbeforeFrank'sbirthday，shewasalonewithheruncle，walkinginthegardenbehindtheirhouse，andshethenessayedtoquestionhim，withtheobjectoflearningifshewerefittedbyherbirthtobethewifeofsuchaoneasFrankGresham。Theywereinthehabitofwalkingtheretogetherwhenhehappenedtobeathomeofasummer'sevening。Thiswasnotoftenthecase，forhishoursoflabourextendedmuchbeyondthoseusualtotheupperworkingworld，thehours，namely，betweenbreakfastanddinner；

butthoseminutesthattheydidthuspasstogether，thedoctorregardedasperhapsthepleasantestofhislife。

'Uncle，'saidshe，afterawhile，'whatdoyouthinkofthismarriageofMissGresham's？'

'Well，Minnie'——suchwashisnameofendearmentforher——'Ican'tsayI

havethoughtmuchaboutit，andIdon'tsupposeanybodyelsehaseither。'

'Shemustthinkaboutit，ofcourse；andsomusthe，Isuppose。'

'I'mnotsosureofthat。Somefolkswouldnevergetmarriediftheyhadtotroublethemselveswiththinkingaboutit。'

'Isupposethat'swhyyounevergotmarried，uncle？'

'Eitherthat，orthinkingofittoomuch。Oneisasbadastheother。'

'Well，Ihavebeenthinkingaboutit，atanyrate，uncle。'

'That'sverygoodofyou；thatwillsavemethetrouble；andperhapssaveMissGreshamtoo。Ifyouhavethoughtitoverthoroughly，thatwilldoforall。'

'IbelieveMrMoffatisamanofnofamily。'

'He'llmendinthatpoint，nodoubt，whenhehasgotawife。'

'Uncle，you'reagoose；andwhatisworse，averyprovokinggoose。'

'Niece，you'reagander；andwhatisworse，averysillygander。WhatisMrMoffat'sfamilytoyou，andme？MrMoffathasthatwhichranksabovefamilyhonours。Heisaveryrichman。'

'Yes，'saidMary，'Iknowheisrich；andarichmanIsupposecanbuyanything——exceptawomanthatisworthhaving。'

'Arichmancanbuyanything，'saidthedoctor；'notthatImeanttosaythatMrMoffathasboughtMissGresham。Ihavenodoubtthattheywillsuiteachotherverywell，'headdedwithanairofdecisiveauthority，asthoughhehadfinishedthesubject。

Buthisniecewasdeterminednottolethimpassso。'Now，uncle，'saidshe，'youknowyouarepretendingtoagreatdealofworldlywisdom，which，afterall，isnotwisdomatallinyoureyes。'

'AmI？'

'Youknowyouare：andasfortheimproprietyofdiscussingMissGresham'smarriage——'

'Ididnotsayitwasimproper。'

'Oh，yes，youdid；ofcoursesuchthingsmustbediscussed。Howisonetohaveanopinionifonedoesnotgetitbylookingatthethingsthathappenaroundus？'

'NowIamgoingtobeblownup，'saidDrThorne。

'Dearuncle，dobeseriouswithme。'

'Well，then，seriously，IhopeMissGreshamwillbeveryhappyasMrsMoffat。'

'Ofcourseyoudo：sodoI。IhopeitasmuchasIcanhopewhatI

don'tatallseegroundforexpecting。'

'Peopleconstantlyhopewithoutanysuchground。'

'Well，then，I'llhopeinthiscase。But，uncle——'

'Well，mydear？'

'Iwantyouropinion，trulyandreally。Ifyouwereagirl——'

'Iamperfectlyunabletogiveanyopinionfoundedonsostrangeanhypothesis。'

'Well；butifyouwereamarryingman。'

'Thehypothesisisquiteasmuchoutofmyway。'

'But，uncle，Iamagirl，andperhapsImaymarry；——oratanyratethinkofmarryingsomeday。'

'Thelatteralternativeiscertainlypossibleenough。'

'Therefore，inseeingafriendtakingsuchastep，IcannotbutspeculateonthematterasthoughIweremyselfinherplace。IfIwereMissGresham，shouldIberight？'

'But，Minnie，youarenotMissGresham。'

'No，IamMaryThorne；itisaverydifferentthing，Iknow。IsupposeImightmarryanyonewithoutdegradingmyself。'

Itwasalmostill-naturedofhertosaythis；butshehadnotmeanttosayitinthesensewhichthesoundsseemedtobear。Shehadfailedinbeingabletobringheruncletothepointshewishedbytheroadshehadplanned，andinseekinganotherroad，shehadabruptlyfallenintounpleasantplaces。

'Ishouldbeverysorrythatmynieceshouldthinkso，'saidhe；'andamsorry，too，thatsheshouldsayso。But，Mary，totellthetruth，I

hardlyknowatwhatyouaredriving。Youare，Ithink，notsoclearminded——certainly，notsoclearworded——asisusualwithyou。'

'Iwilltellyou，uncle；'and，insteadoflookingupintohisface，sheturnedhereyesdownontothegreenlawnbeneathherfeet。

'Well，Minnie，whatisit？'andhetookbothherhandsinhis。

'IthinkthatMissGreshamshouldnotmarryMrMoffat。Ithinksobecauseherfamilyishighandnoble，andbecauseheislowandignoble。Whenonehasanopiniononsuchmatters，onecannotbutapplyittothingsandpeoplearoundone；andhavingappliedmyopiniontoher，thenextstepnaturallyistoapplyittomyself。WereIMissGresham，IwouldnotmarryMrMoffatthoughherolledingold。IknowwheretorankMissGresham。WhatIwanttoknowis，whereIoughttorankmyself？'

Theyhadbeenstandingwhenshecommencedhelastspeech；butasshefinishedit，thedoctormovedonagain，andshemovedwithhim。Hewalkedonveryslowlywithoutansweringher；andshe，outofherfullmind，pursuedaloudthetenorofherthoughts。

'Thatdoesnotfollow，'saidthedoctorquickly。'Amanraisesawomantohisownstandard，butawomanmusttakethatofherhusband。'

Againtheyweresilent，andagaintheywalkedon，Maryholdingheruncle'sarmwithbothherhands。Shewasdetermined，however，tocometothepoint，andafterconsideringforawhilehowbestshemightdoit，sheceasedtobeatanylongeraboutthebush，andaskedhimaplainquestion。

'TheThornesareasgoodafamilyastheGreshamsaretheynot？'

'Inabsolutegenealogytheyare，mydear。Thatis，whenIchoosetobeanoldfoolandtalkofsuchmattersinasensedifferentfromthatinwhichtheyarespokenofbytheworldatlarge，ImaysaythattheThornesareasgood，orperhapsbetter，thantheGreshams，butIshouldbesorrytosaysoseriouslytoanyone。TheGreshamsnowstandmuchhigherinthecountythantheThornesdo。'

'Buttheyareofthesameclass。'

'Yes，yes；WilfredThorneofUllathorne，andourfriendthesquirehere，areofthesameclass。'

'But，uncle，IandAugustaGresham——areweofthesameclass？'

'Well，Minnie，youwouldhardlyhavemeboastthatIamthesameclasswiththesquire——I，apoorcountrydoctor？'

'Youarenotansweringmefairly，dearuncle；dearestuncle，doyounotknowthatyouarenotansweringmefairly？YouknowwhatImean。HaveIarighttocalltheThornesofUllathornemycousins？'

'Mary，Mary，Mary！'saidheafteraminute'spause，stillallowinghisarmtohangloose，thatshemightholditwithbothherhands。'Mary，Mary，Mary！Iwouldthatyouhadsparedmethis！'

'Icouldnothavesparedittoyouforever，uncle。'

'Iwouldthatyoucouldhavedoneso；Iwouldthatyoucould！'

'Itisovernow，uncle：itistoldnow。Iwillgrieveyounomore。

Dear，dear，dearest！Ishouldloveyoumorethanevernow；Iwould，I

would，Iwouldifthatwerepossible。WhatshouldIbebutforyou？

WhatmustIhavebeenbutforyou？'Andshethrewherselfonhisbreast，andclingingwithherarmsroundhisneck，kissedhisforehead，cheeks，andlips。

Therewasnothingmoresaidthenonthesubjectbetweenthem。Maryaskednofurtherquestion，nordidthedoctorvolunteerfurtherinformation。Shewouldhavebeenmostanxioustoaskabouthermother'shistoryhadshedaredtodoso；butshedidnotdaretoask；

shecouldnotbeartobetoldthathermotherhadbeen，perhapswas，aworthlesswoman。Thatshewastrulyadaughterofabrotherofthedoctor，thatshedidknow。Littleasshehadheardofherrelativesinherearlyyouth，fewashadbeenthewordswhichhadfallenfromheruncleinherhearingastoherparentage，shedidknowthis，thatshewasthedaughterofHenryThorne，abrotherofthedoctor，andasonoftheoldprebendary。Triflinglittlethingsthathadoccurred，accidentswhichcouldnotbeprevented，hadtoldherthis；butnotawordhadeverpassedanyone'slipsastohermother。Thedoctor，whenspeakingofhisyouth，hadspokenofherfather；butnoonehadspokenofhermother。ShehadlongknownthatshewasthechildofaThorne；

nowsheknewalsothatshewasnocousinoftheThornesofUllathorne；

nocousin，atleast，intheworld'sordinarylanguage，nonieceindeedofheruncle，unlessbyhisspecialpermissionthatsheshouldbeso。

Whentheinterviewwasover，shewentupalonetothedrawing-room，andthereshesatthinking。Shehadnotbeentherelongbeforeherunclecameuptoher。Hedidnotsitdown，oreventakeoffthehatwhichhestillwore；butcomingclosetoher，andstillstanding，hespokethus：-

'Mary，afterwhathaspassedIshouldbeveryunjustandverycrueltoyounottotellyouonethingmorethanyouhavenowlearned。Yourmotherwasunfortunateinmuch，notineverything；buttheworld，whichisveryoftensterninsuchmatters，neverjudgedhertohavedisgracedherself。Itellyouthis，mychild，inorderthatyoumayrespecthermemory；'andsosaying，heagainleftherwithoutgivinghertimetospeakaword。

Whathethentoldherhehadtoldinmercy。Hefeltwhatmustbeherfeelingswhenshereflectedthatshehadtoblushforhermother；thatnotonlycouldshenotspeakofhermother，butthatshemighthardlythinkofherwithinnocence；andtomitigatesuchsorrowasthis，andalsotodojusticetothewomanwhomhisbrotherhadsowronged，hehadforcedhimselftorevealsomuchasisstatedabove。

Andthenhewalkedslowlybyhimself，backwardsandforwardsthroughthegarden，thinkingofwhathehaddonewithreferencetothisgirl，anddoubtingwhetherhehaddonewiselyandwell。Hehadresolved，whenfirstthelittleinfantwasgivenovertohischarge，thatnothingshouldbeknownofherorbyherastohermother。Hewaswillingtodevotehimselftothisorphanchildofhisbrother，thislastseedlingofhisfather'shouse；buthewasnotwillingsotodothisastobringhimselfinanymannerintofamiliarcontactwiththeScatcherds。Hehadboastedtohimselfthathe，atanyrate，wasagentleman；andthatshe，ifsheweretoliveinhishouse，sitathistable，andsharehishearth，mustbealady。Hewouldtellnolieabouther；hewouldnottoanyonemakeherouttobeaughtotheroraughtbetterthanshewas；

peoplewouldtalkaboutherofcourse，onlyletthemnottalktohim；

heconceivedofhimself——andtheconceptionwasnotwithoutdueground——thatshouldanydoso，hehadthatwithinhimwhichwouldsilencethem。Hewouldneverclaimforthislittlecreature——thusbroughtintotheworldwithoutalegitimatepositioninwhichtostand——hewouldneverclaimforheranystationthatwouldnotproperlybeherown。Hewouldmakeforherastationasbesthecould。Ashemightsinkorswim，soshouldshe。

Sohehadresolved；butthingshadarrangedthemselves，astheyoftendo，ratherthanbeenarrangedbyhim。DuringtenortwelveyearsnoonehadheardofMaryThorne；thememoryofHenryThorneandhistragicdeathhadpassedaway；theknowledgethataninfanthadbeenbornwhosebirthwasconnectedwiththattragedy，aknowledgeneverwidelyspread，hadfadeddownintoutterignorance。Attheendofthesetwelveyears，DrThornehadannounced，thatayoungniece，achildofabrotherlongsincedead，wascomingtolivewithhim。Ashehadcontemplated，noonespoketohim；butsomepeopledidnodoubttalkamongthemselves。

Whetherornottheexacttruthwassurmisedbyany，itmattersnottosay；withabsoluteexactness，probablynot；withgreatapproachtoit，probablyyes。Byoneperson，atanyrate，noguesswhateverwasmade；

nothoughtrelativetoDrThorne'snieceevertroubledhim；noideathatMaryScatcherdhadleftachildinEnglandeveroccurredtohim；

andthatpersonwasRogerScatcherd，Mary'sbrother。

Toonefriend，andonlyone，didthedoctortellthewholetruth，andthatwastotheoldsquire。'Ihavetoldyou，'saidthedoctor，'partlythatyoumayknowthatthechildhasnorighttomixwithyourchildrenifyouthinkmuchofsuchthings。Doyou，however，seetothis。Iwouldratherthatnooneelseshouldbetold。'

Nooneelsehadbeentold；andthesquirehad'seentoit，'byaccustominghimselftolookatMaryThornerunningaboutthehousewithhisownchildrenasthoughshewereofthesamebrood。Indeed，thesquirehadalwaysbeenfondofMary，hadpersonallynoticedher，and，intheaffairofMam'selleLarron，haddeclaredthathewouldhaveherplacedatonceonthebenchofmagistrates；——muchtothedisgustoftheLadyArabella。

Andsothingshadgoneonandon，andhadnotbeenthoughtofwithmuchdownrightthinking；tillnow，whenshewasone-and-twentyyearsofage，hisniececametohim，askingastoherposition，andinquiringinwhatrankoflifeshewastofindahusband。

Andsothedoctorwalked，backwardsandforwardsthroughthegarden，slowly，thinkingnowwithsomeearnestnesswhatif，afterall，hehadbeenwrongabouthisniece？Whatifbyendeavouringtoplaceherinthepositionofalady，hehadfalselysoplacedher，androbbedherofherlegitimateposition？Whatiftherewasnorankoflifeinwhichshecouldnowproperlyattachherself？

Andthen，howhaditanswered，thatplanofhisofkeepingheralltohimself？He，DrThorne，wasstillapoorman；thegiftofsavingmoneyhadnotbeenhis；hehadeveracomfortablehouseforhertolivein，and，inspiteofDoctorsFillgrave，Century，Rerechild，andothers，hadmadefromhisprofessionanincomesufficientfortheirjointwants；

buthehadnotdoneasothersdo：hehadnothreeorfourthousandpoundsintheThreeperCents。，onwhichMarymightliveinsomecomfortwhenheshoulddie。Lateinlifehehadinsuredhislifeforeighthundredpounds；andtothat，andthatonly，hadhetotrustforMary'sfuturemaintenance。Howhaditanswered，then，thisplanoflettingherbeunknownto，andundreamedof，by，thosewhowereasneartoheronhermother'ssideashewasonthefather's？Onthatside，thoughtherehadbeenutterpoverty，therewasnowabsolutewealth。

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