Beatricedidnotquiteseeitall；butshesawenoughofittoknowthatMarywastobepitied；so，insteadofscoldingherfriendforbeingcross，shethrewherarmsroundherandkissedheraffectionately。
Butthedoctorallthistimesufferedmuchmorethanhisniecedid。Hecouldnotcomplainoutloudly；hecouldnotaverthathispetlambhadbeenilltreated；hecouldnotevenhavethepleasureofopenlyquarrellingwithLadyArabella；butnotthelessdidhefeelittobemostcruelthatMaryshouldhavetolivebeforetheworldasanoutcast，becauseithadpleasedFrankGreshamtofallinlovewithher。
ButhisbitternesswasnotchieflyagainstFrank。ThatFrankhadbeenveryfoolishhecouldnotbutacknowledge；butitwasakindoffollyforwhichthedoctorwasabletofindexcuse。ForLadyArabella\'scoldproprietyhecouldfindnoexcuse。
Withthesquirehehadspokennowordonthesubjectuptothisperiodofwhichwearenowwriting。WithherladyshiphehadneverspokenonitsincethatdaywhenshehadtoldhimthatMarywastocomenomoretoGreshamsbury。HenevernowdinedorspenthiseveningsatGreshamsbury，andseldomwastobeseenatthehouse，exceptwhencalledinprofessionally。Thesquire，indeed，hefrequentlymet；butheeitherdidsointhevillage，oroutonhorseback，orathisownhouse。
WhenthedoctorfirstheardthatSirRogerhadlosthisseat，andhadreturnedtoBoxallHill，heresolvedtogooverandseehim。Butthevisitwaspostponedfromdaytoday，asvisitsarepostponedwhichmaybemadeanyday，andhedidnotinfactgotillsummonedtheresomewhatperemptorily。AmessagewasbroughttohimoneeveningtosaythatSirRogerhadbeenstruckbyparalysis，andthatnotamomentwastobelost。
\'Italwayshappensatnight，\'saidMary，whohadmoresympathyforthelivingunclewhomshedidknow，thanfortheotherdyingunclewhomshedidnotknow。
\'Whatmatters？——there——justgivememyscarf。InallprobabilityImaynotbehometo-night——perhapsnottilllateto-morrow。Godblessyou，Mary！\'andawaythedoctorwentonhiscoldbleakridetoBoxallHill。
\'Whoistobehisheir？\'Asthedoctorrodealong，hecouldnotquiteridhismindofthequestion。Thepoormannowabouttodiehadwealthenoughtomakemanyheirs。Whatifhisheartshouldhavesoftenedtowardshissister\'schild！WhatifMaryshouldbefoundtobepossessedofsuchwealththattheGreshamsshouldbeagainbehappytowelcomeheratGreshamsbury！
Thedoctorwasnotaloverofmoney——andhedidhisbesttogetridofsuchperniciousthoughts。Buthislongings，perhaps，werenotsomuchthatMaryshouldberich，asthatsheshouldhavethepowerofheapingcoalsoffireupontheheadsofthosepeoplewhohadsoinjuredher。
CHAPTERXXIV
LOUISSCATCHERD
WhenDrThornereachedBoxallHillhefoundMrRerechildfromBarchestertherebeforehim。PoorLadyScatcherd，whenherhusbandwasstrickenbythefit，hardlyknewinherdismaywhatadequatestepstotake。Shehad，asamatterofcourse，sentforDrThorne；butshehadthoughtitsograveaperilthatthemedicalskillofnoonemancouldsuffice。Itwas，sheknew，quiteoutofthequestionforhertoinvoketheaidofDrFillgrave，whomnoearthlypersuasioncouldhavebroughttoBoxallHill；andasMrRerechildwassupposedintheBarchesterworldtobesecond——thoughatalonginterval——tothatgreatman，shehadappliedforhisassistance。
NowMrRerechildwasafollowerandhumblefriendofDrFillgrave；andwaswonttoregardanythingthatcamefromtheBarchesterdoctorassureaslightfromthelampofAesculapius。HecouldnotthereforebeotherthananenemyofDrThorne。Buthewasaprudent，discreetman，withalongfamily，aversetoprofessionalhostilities，asknowingthathecouldmakemorebymedicalfriendsthanmedicalfoes，andnotatallinclinedtotakeupanyman\'scudgeltohisowndetriment。Hehad，ofcourse，heardofthatdreadfulaffrontwhichhadbeenputuponhisfriend，ashadallthe\'medicalworld\'——andallthemedicalworldatleastofBarsetshire；andhehadoftenexpressedsympathywithDrFillgraveandhisabhorrenceofDrThorne\'santi-professionalpractices。ButnowthathefoundhimselfabouttobebroughtincontactwithDrThorne，hereflectedthattheGalenofGreshamsburywasatanyrateequalinreputationtohimofBarchester；thattheonewasprobablyontherise，whereastheotherwasalreadyconsideredbysomeasratherantiquated；andhethereforewiselyresolvedthatthepresentwouldbeanexcellentopportunityforhimtomakeafriendofDrThorne。
PoorLadyScatcherdhadaninklingthatDrFillgraveandMrRerechildwereaccustomedtorowinthesameboat，andshewasnotaltogetherfreefromfearthattheremightbeanoutbreak。ShethereforetookanopportunitybeforeDrThorne\'sarrivaltodeprecateanywrathfultendency。
\'Oh，LadyScatcherd！IhavethegreatestrespectforDrThorne，\'saidhe；\'thegreatestpossiblerespect；amostskilfulpractitioner——somethingbrusque，certainly，andperhapsalittleobstinate。Butwhatthen？wehaveallourfaults，LadyScatcherd。\'
\'Oh——yes；weallhave，MrRerechild；that\'sacertain。\'
\'There\'smyfriendFillgrave——LadyScatcherd。Hecannotbearanythingofthatsort。NowIthinkhe\'swrong；andsoItellhim。\'MrRerechildwasinerrorhere；forhehadneveryetventuredtotellDrFillgravethathewaswronginanything。\'Wemustbearandforbear，youknow。DrThorneisanexcellentman——inhiswayveryexcellent，LadyScatcherd。\'
ThislittleconversationtookplaceafterMrRerechild\'sfirstvisittohispatient：whatstepswereimmediatelytakenforthereliefofthesuffererweneednotdescribe。Theyweredoubtlesswellintended，andwere，perhaps，aswelladaptedtostaveoffthecomingevildayasanythatDrFillgrave，oreventhegreatSirOmicronPiemighthaveused。
AndthenDrThornearrived。
\'Oh，doctor！doctor！\'exclaimedLadyScatcherd，almosthangingroundhisneckinthehall。\'Whatarewetodo？Whatarewetodo？He\'sverybad。\'
\'Hashespoken？\'
\'No；nothinglikeaword：hehasmadeoneortwomutteredsounds；but，poorsoul，youcouldmakenothingofit——oh，doctor！doctor！hehasneverbeenlikethisbefore。
ItwaseasytoseewhereLadyScatcherdplacedanysuchfaithasshemightstillhaveinthehealingart。\'MrRerechildishereandhasseenhim，\'shecontinued。\'Ithoughtitbesttosendfortwo，forfearofaccidents。Hehasdonesomething——Idon\'tknowwhat。But，doctor，dotellthetruthnow；Ilooktoyoutotellmethetruth。\'
DrThornewentupandsawhispatient；andhadheliterallycompliedwithLadyScatcherd\'srequest，hemighthavetoldheratoncethattherewasnohope。As，however，hehadnotthehearttodothis，hemystifiedthecaseasdoctorssowellknowhowtodo，andtoldherthat\'therewascausetofear，greatcauseforfear；hewassorrytosay，verygreatcauseformuchfear。\'
DrThornepromisedtostaythenightthere，and，ifpossible，thefollowingnightalso；andthenLadyScatcherdbecametroubledinhermindastowhatsheshoulddowithMrRerechild。Healsodeclared，withmuchmedicalhumanity，that，lettheinconveniencebewhatitmight，hetoowouldstaythenight。\'Theloss，\'hesaid，\'ofsuchamanasSirRogerScatcherdwasofsuchparamountimportanceastomakeothermatterstrivial。HewouldcertainlynotallowthewholeweighttofallontheshouldersofhisfriendDrThorne：healsowouldstayatanyratethatnightbythesickman\'sbedside。Bythefollowingmorningsomechangemightbeexcpected。\'
\'Isay，DrThorne，\'saidherladyship，callingthedoctorintothehousekeeping-room，inwhichsheandHannahspentanytimethattheywerenotrequiredupstairs；\'justcomein，doctor：youwouldn\'ttellhimwedon\'twanthimnomore，couldyou？\'
\'Tellwhom？\'saidthedoctor。
\'Why——MrRerechild：mightn\'thegoaway，doyouthink？\'
DrThorneexplainedthatMrRerechildmightgoawayifhepleased；butthatitwouldbynomeansbeproperforonedoctortotellanothertoleavethehouse。AndsoMrRerechildwasallowedtosharethegloriesofthenight。
Inthemeantimethepatientremainedspeechless；butitsoonbecameevidentthatNaturewasusingallhereffortstomakeonefinalrally。
Fromtimetotimehemoanedandmutteredasthoughhewasconscious，anditseemedasthoughhestrovetospeak。Hegraduallybecameawake，atanyratetosuffering，andDrThornebegantothinkthatthelastscenewouldbepostponedforyetawhilelonger。
\'Wonderfulconstitution——eh，DrThorne？wonderful！\'saidMrRerechild。
\'Yes；hehasbeenastrongman。\'
\'Strongasahorse，DrThorne。Lord，whatthatmanwouldhavebeenifhehadgivenhimselfachance！Youknowhisconstitutionofcourse。\'
\'Yes；prettywell。I\'veattendedhimformanyyears。\'
\'Alwaysdrinking，Isuppose；alwaysatit——eh？\'
\'Hehasnotbeenatemperateman，certainly。\'
\'Thebrain，yousee，cleangone——andnotaparticleofcoatinglefttothestomach；andyetwhatastrugglehemakes——aninterestingcase，isn\'tit？\'
\'It\'sverysadtoseesuchanintellectsodestroyed。\'
\'Verysad，verysadindeed。HowFillgravewouldhavelikedtohaveseenthiscase。Heisaverycleverman，isFillgrave——inhisway，youknow。\'
\'I\'msureheis，\'saidDrThorne。
\'Notthathe\'dmakeanythingofacaselikethisnow——he\'snot，youknow，quite——quite——perhapsnotquiteuptothenewtimeofday，onemightsayso。\'
\'Hehashadaveryextensiveprovincialpractice，\'saidDrThorne。
\'Oh，very——very；andmadeatidylotofmoneytoo，hasFillgrave。He\'sworthsixthousandpounds，Isuppose；nowthat\'sagooddealofmoneytoputbyinalittletownlikeBarchester。\'
\'Yes，indeed。\'
\'WhatIsaytoFillgraveis——keepyoureyesopen；oneshouldneverbetoooldtolearn——there\'salwayssomethingnewworthpickingup。Butno——hewon\'tbelievethat。Hecan\'tbelievethatanynewideascanbeworthanything。Youknowamanmustgotothewallinthatway——eh，doctor？\'
Andthenagaintheywerecalledtotheirpatient。\'He\'sdoingfinely，finely，\'saidMrRerechildtoLadyScatcherd。\'There\'sfairgroundtohopehe\'llrally；fairground，istherenot，doctor？\'
\'Yes；he\'llrally；buthowlongthatmaylast，thatwecanhardlysay。\'
\'Oh，no，certainlynot，certainlynot——thatisnotwithanycertainty；
butstillhe\'sdoingfinely，LadyScatcherd，consideringeverything。\'
\'Howlongwillyougivehim，doctor？\'saidMrRerechildtohisnewfriend，whentheywereagainalone。\'Tendays？Idaresaytendays，orfromthattoafortnight。\'
\'Perhapsso，\'saidthedoctor。\'Ishouldnotliketosayexactlytoaday。\'
\'No，certainlynot。Wecannotsayexactlytoaday；butIsaytendays；asforanythinglikearecovery，thatyouknow——\'
\'Isoutofthequestion，\'saidDrThorne，gravely。
\'Quiteso；quiteso；coatingofthestomachcleangone，youknow；braindestroyed：didyouobservetheperiporollida？Ineversawthemsoswelledbefore：nowwhentheperiporollidaareswollenlikethat——\'
\'Yes，verymuch；it\'salwaysthecasewhenparalysishasbeenbroughtaboutbyintemperance。\'
\'Always，always；Ihaveremarkedthatalways；theperiporollidainsuchcasesarealwaysextended；mostinterestingcase，isn\'tit？IdowishFillgravecouldhaveseenit。But，IbelieveyouandDrFillgravedon\'tquite——eh？\'
\'No，notquite，\'saidDrThorne；who，ashethoughtofhislastinterviewwithDrFillgrave，andofthatgentleman\'sexceedingangerashestoodinthehallbelow，couldnotkeephimselffromsmiling，sadastheoccasionwas。
NothingwouldinducedLadyScatcherdtogotobed；butthetwodoctorsagreedtoliedown，eachinaroomononesideofthepatient。Howwasitpossiblethatanythingbutgoodshouldcometohim，beingsoguarded？\'He\'sgoingonfinely，LadyScatcherd，quitefinely，\'werethelastwordsMrRerechildsaidashelefttheroom。
AndthenDrThorne，takingLadyScatcherd\'shandandleadingheroutintoanotherchamber，toldherthetruth。
\'LadyScatcherd，\'saidhe，inhistenderestvoice——andhisvoicecouldbeverytenderwhenoccasionrequiredit——\'LadyScatcherd，donothope；
youmustnothope；itwouldbecrueltobidyoutodoso。\'
\'Oh，doctor！oh，doctor！\'
\'Mydearfriend，thereisnohope。\'
\'Oh，DrThorne！\'saidthewife，lookingwildlyupintohercompanion\'sface，thoughshehardlyyetrealizedthemeaningofwhathesaid，althoughhersenseswerehalfstunnedbytheblow。
\'DearLadyScatcherd，isitnotbetterthatIshouldtellyouthetruth？\'
\'Oh，Isupposeso；ohyes，ohyes；ahme！ahme！ahme！\'Andthenshebeganrockingherselfbackwardsandforwardsonherchair，withherapronuptohereyes。
\'LooktoHim，LadyScatcherd，whoonlycanmakesuchgriefendurable。\'
\'Yes，yes，yes；Isupposeso。Ahme！ahme！But，DrThorne，theremustbesomechance——isn\'tthereanychance？Thatmansayshe\'sgoingonsowell。\'
\'Ifearthereisnochance——asfarasmyknowledgegoesthereisnochance。\'
\'Thenwhydoesthatchatteringmagpietellsuchliestoawoman？Ahme！ahme！oh，doctor！doctor！whatshallIdo？whatshallIdo？\'andpoorLadyScatcherd，fairlyovercomebyhersorrow，burstoutcryinglikeagreatschool-girl。
Andyetwhathadherhusbanddoneforherthatsheshouldthusweepforhim？Wouldnotherlifebemuchmoreblessedwhenthiscauseofallhertroublesshouldberemovedfromher？Wouldshenotthenbeafreewomaninsteadofaslave？Mightshenotthenexpecttobegintotastethecomfortsoflife？Whathadthatharshtyrantofhersdonethatwasgoodorserviceableforher？Whyshouldshethusweepforhiminparoxysmsoftruestgrief？
Wehearagooddealofjollywidows；andtheslanderousrailleryoftheworldtellmuchofconjugaldisturbancesasacureforwhichwomenwilllookforwardtoastateofwidowhoodwithnotunwillingeyes。Therailleryoftheworldisveryslanderous。Inourdailyjestsweattributetoeachothervicesofwhichneitherwe，norourneighbours，norourfriends，norevenourenemiesareeverguilty。ItisourfavouriteparlancetotalkofthefamilytroublesofMrsGreenonourright，andtotellnowMrsYoungonourleftisstronglysuspectedofhavingraisedherhandtoherlordandmaster。Whatrighthavewetomakethesecharges？Whathaveweseeninourownpersonalwalksthroughlifetomakeusbelievethatwomenaredevils？TheremaypossiblyhavebeenXantippehereandthere，butImogenesaretobefoundineverybush。LadyScatcherd，inspiteofthelifeshehadled，wasoneofthem。
\'YoushouldsendamessageuptoLondonforLouis，\'saidthedoctor。
\'Wedidthat，doctor；wedidthatto-day——wesentupatelegraph。Ohme！ohme！poorboy，whatwillhedo？Ishallneverknowwhattodowithhim，never！never！\'Andwithsuchsorrowfulwailingsshesatrockingherselfthroughthelongnight，everynowandthencomfortingherselfbytheperformanceofsomemenialserviceinthesickman\'sroom。
SirRogerpassedthenightmuchashehadpassedtheday，exceptthatheappearedgraduallytobegrowingnearertoastateofconsciousness。OnthefollowingmorningtheysucceededatlastinmakingMrRerechildunderstandthattheywerenotdesirousofkeepinghimlongerfromhisBarchesterpractice；andatabouttwelveo\'clockDrThornealsowent，promisingthathewouldreturnintheevening，andagainpassthenightatBoxallHill。
InthecourseoftheafternoonSirRogeroncemoreawoketohissenses，andwhenhedidsohissonwasstandingathisbedside。LouisPhilippeScatcherd——orasitmaybemoreconvenienttocallhim，Louis——wasayoungmanjustoftheageofFrankGresham。Buttherecouldhardlybetwoyouthsmoredifferentintheirappearance。Louis，thoughhisfatherandmotherwerebothrobustpersons，wasshortandslight，andnowofasicklyframe。Frankwasapictureofhealthandstrength；
but，thoughmanlyindisposition，wasbynomeansprecociouseitherinappearanceormanners。LouisScatcherdlookedasthoughhewasfouryearstheother\'ssenior。HehadbeensenttoEtonwhenhewasfifteen，hisfatherbeingundertheimpressionthatthiswasthemostreadyandbest-recognizedmethodofmakinghimagentleman。Herehedidnotaltogetherfailasregardedthecovetedobjectofhisbecomingthecompanionofgentlemen。Hehadmorepocket-moneythananyotherladintheschool，andwaspossessedofacertaineffronterywhichcarriedhimaheadamongboysofhisownage。Hegained，therefore，adegreeofeclat，evenamongthosewhoknew，andveryfrequentlysaidtoeachother，thatyoungScatcherdwasnotfittobetheircompanionexceptonsuchopenoccasionsasthoseofcricket-matchesandboat-
races。Boys，inthisrespect，areatleastasexclusiveasmen，andunderstandaswellthedifferencebetweenaninnerandoutercircle。
ScatcherdhadmanycompanionsatschoolwhoweregladenoughtogouptoMaidenheadwithhimhisboat；buttherewasnotoneamongthemwhowouldhavetalkedtohimofhissister。
SirRogerwasvastlyproudofhisson\'ssuccess，anddidhisbesttostimulateitbylavishexpenditureattheChristopher，wheneverhecouldmanagetorundowntoEton。Butthispractice，thoughsufficientlyunexceptionabletotheboys，wasnotheldinequaldelightbythemasters。Totellthetruth，neitherSirRogernorhissonwerefavouriteswiththesesterncustodians。Atlastitwasfeltnecessarytogetridofthemboth；andLouiswasnotlongingivingthemanopportunity，bygettingtipsytwiceinoneweek。Onthesecondoccasionhewassentaway，andheandSirRoger，thoughlongtalkedof，wereseennomoreatEton。
ButtheuniversitieswerestillopentoLouisPhilippe，andbeforehewaseighteenhewasenteredasagentleman-commoneratTrinity。Ashewas，moreover，theeldestsonofabaronet，andhadalmostunlimitedcommandofmoney，herealsohewasenabledforawhiletoshine。
Toshine！butveryfitfully；andonemaysayalmostwithaghastlyglare。Theveryladswhohadeatenhisfather\'sdinnersatEton，andsharedhisfour-oaratEton，knewmuchbetterthantoassociatewithhimatCambridgenowthattheyhadputonthetogavirilis。Theywerestillasproneasevertofun，frolic，anddevilry——perhapsmoresothanever，seeingthatmorewasintheirpower；buttheyacquiredanideathatitbehovedthemtobesomewhatcircumspectastothemenwithwhomtheirprankswereperpetrated。So，inthosedays，LouisScatcherdwascoldlylookedonbyhiswhilomEtonfriends。
ButyoungScatcherddidnotfailtofindcompanionsatCambridgealso。
Therearefewplacesindeedinwhicharichmancannotbuycompanionship。Butthesetwithwhomhelived，weretheworstoftheplace。Theywerefast，slangmen，whowerefastandslang，andnothingelse——menwhoimitatedgroomsinmorethantheirdress，andwholookedonthecustomaryheroesofrace-coursesasthehighestlordsoftheascendantuponearth。AmongthoseatcollegeyoungScatcherddidshineaslongassuchlustrewaspermittedhim。Here，indeed，hisfather，whohadstrivenonlytoencouragehimatEton，didstrivesomewhattocontrolhim。Butthatwasnotnoweasy。Ifhelimitedhisson\'sallowance，heonlydrovehimtodohisdebaucheryoncredit。Therewereplentytolendmoneytothesonofagreatmillionaire；andso，aftereighteenmonths\'trialofauniversityeducation，SirRogerhadnoalternativebuttowithdrawhissonfromhisalmamater。
Whatwashetodowithhim？Unluckilyitwasconsideredquiteunnecessarytotakeanystepstowardsenablinghimtoearnhisbread。
Nownothingonearthcanbemoredifficultthanbringingupwellayoungmanwhohasnottoearnhisownbread，andwhohasnorecognizedstationamongothermensimilarlycircumstanced。Juveniledukes，andsproutingearls，findtheirdutiesandtheirplacesaseasilyasembryoclergymenandsuckingbarristers。Provisionismadefortheirpeculiarpositions：and，thoughtheymaypossiblygoastray，theyhaveafairchancegiventothemofrunningwithintheposts。ThesamemaybesaidofsuchyouthsasFrankGresham。Thereareenoughoftheminthecommunitytohavemadeitnecessarythattheirwell-beingshouldbeamatterofcareandforethought。ButtherearebutfewmenturnedoutintheworldinthepositionofLouisScatcherd；and，ofthosefew，butveryfewentertherealbattleoflifeundergoodauspices。
PoorSirRogerthoughhehadhardlytimewithallhismultitudinousrailwaystolookintothisthoroughly，hadaglimmeringofit。Whenhesawhisson\'spaleface，andpaidhiswinebills，andheardofhisdoingsinhorse-flesh，hedidknowthatthingswerenotgoingwell；hedidunderstandthattheheirtoabaronetcyandafortuneofsometenthousandayearmightbedoingbetter。Butwhatwashetodo？hecouldnotwatchoverhisboyhimself；sohetookatutorforhimandsenthimabroad。
LouisandthetutorgotasfarasBerlin，withwhatmutualsatisfactiontoeachotherneednotbespeciallydescribed。ButfromBerlinSirRogerreceivedaletterinwhichthetutordeclinedtogoanyfurtherinthetaskwhichhehadundertaken。Hefoundthathehadnoinfluenceoverhispupil，andhecouldnotreconcileittohisconsciencetobethespectatorofsuchalifeasthatwhichMrScatcherdled。HehadnopowerininducingMrScatcherdtoleaveBerlin；buthewouldremaintherehimselftillheshouldhearfromSirRoger。SoSirRogerhadtoleavethehugeGovernmentworkswhichhewasthenerectingonthesoutherncoast，andhurryofftoBerlintoseewhatcouldbedonewithyoungHopeful。
TheyoungHopefulwasbynomeansafool；andinsomematterswasmorethanamatchforhisfather。SirRoger，inhisanger，threatenedtocasthimoffwithoutashilling。Louis，withmixedpenitenceandeffrontery，remindedhimthathecouldnotchangethedescentofthetitle；promisedamendment；declaredthathehaddoneonlyasdootheryoungmenoffortune；andhintedthatthetutorwasastrait-lacedass。ThefatherandthesonreturnedtogethertoBoxallHill，andthreemonthsafterwardsMrScatcherdsetupforhimselfinLondon。
Andnowhislife，ifnotmorevirtuous，wasmorecraftythanithadbeen。Hehadnotutortowatchhisdoingsandcomplainofthem，andhehadsufficientsensetokeephimselffromabsolutepecuniaryruin。Helived，itistrue，wheresharpersandblacklegshadtoooftenopportunitiesofpluckinghim；but，youngashewas，hehadbeensufficientlylongabouttheworldtotakecarehewasnotopenlyrobbed；andashewasnotopenlyrobbed，hisfather，inacertainsense，wasproudofhim。
Tidings，however，came——cameatleastinthoselastdays——whichcutSirRogertothequick；tidingsofviceinthesonwhichthefathercouldnotbutattributetohisownexample。Twicehismotherwascalleduptothesick-bedofheronlychild，whilehelayravinginthathorridmadnessbywhichtheoutragedmindavengesitselfonthebody！Twicehewasfoundragingindeliriumtremens，andtwicethefatherwastoldthatacontinuanceofsuchlifemustendinearlydeath。
ItmayeasilybeconceivedthatSirRogerwasnotahappyman。Lyingtherewiththatbrandybottlebeneathhispillow，reflectinginhismomentsofrestthatthatsonofhishadhisbrandybottlebeneathhispillow，hecouldhardlyhavebeenhappy。Buthewasnotamantosaymuchabouthismisery。Thoughhecouldrestrainneitherhimselfnorhisheir，hecouldendureinsilence；andinsilencehedidendure，till，openinghiseyestotheconsciousnessofdeath，heatlastspokeafewwordstotheonlyfriendheknew。
LouisScatcherdwasnotafool，norwashenaturally，perhaps，ofadepraveddisposition；buthehadtoreapthefruitsoftheworsteducationwhichEnglandwasabletogivehim。Thereweremomentsinhislifewhenhefeltthatabetter，ahigher，nay，amuchhappiercareerwasopentohimthanthatwhichhehadpreparedhimselftolead。Nowandthen，hewouldreflectwhatmoneyandrankmighthavedoneforhim；hewouldlookwithwishfuleyestotheprouddoingsofothersofhisage；woulddreamofquietjoys，ofasweetwife，ahousetowhichmightbeaskedfriendswhowereneitherjockeysnordrunkards；
hewoulddreamofsuchthingsinhisshortintervalsofconstrainedsobriety；butthedreamwouldonlyservetomakehimmoody。
Thiswasthebestsideofhischaracter；theworst，probably，wasthatwhichwasbroughtintoplaybythefactthathewasnotafool。Hewouldhaveabetterchanceofredemptioninthisworld——perhapsalsoinanother——hadhebeenafool。Asitwas，hewasnofool：hewasnottobedone，nothe；heknew，noonebetter，thevalueofashilling；heknew，also，howtokeephisshillings，andhowtospendthem。Heconsortedmuchwithblacklegsandsuch-likebecauseblacklegsweretohistaste。Butheboasteddaily，nay，hourlytohimself，andfrequentlytothosearoundhim，thattheleecheswhowerestuckroundhimcoulddrawbutlittlebloodfromhim。Hecouldspendhismoneyfreely；buthewouldsospenditthathehimselfmightreapthegratificationoftheexpenditure。Hewasacute，crafty，knowing，anduptoeverydamnabledodgepractisedbymenoftheclasswithwhomhelived。Atone-and-twentyhewasthatmostodiousofallodiouscharacters-aclose-fistedreprobate。
Hewasasmallman，notill-madebyNature，butreducedtounnaturaltenuitybydissipation-acorporealattributeofwhichhewasapttoboast，asitenabledhim，ashesaid，toputhimselfupat7st7lbwithoutany\'d——nonsenseofnoteatinganddrinking\'。Thepower，however，wasoneofwhichhedidnotoftenavailhimself，ashisnerveswereseldominafitstateforriding。Hishairwasdarkred，andheworeredmoustaches，andagreatdealofredbeardbeneathhischin，cutinamannertomakehimlooklikeanAmerican。HisvoicealsohadaYankeetwang，beingacrossbetweenthatofanAmericantraderandanEnglishgroom；andhiseyeswerekeenandfixed，andcoldandknowing。
SuchwasthesonwhomSirRogersawstandingathisbedsidewhenfirstheawoketohisconsciousness。ItmustnotbesupposedthatSirRogerlookedathimwithoureyes。Tohimhewasanonlychild，theheirofhiswealth，thefuturebearerofhistitle；themostheart-stirringremembrancerofthosedays，whenhehadbeensomuchapoorer，andsomuchahappierman。Letthatboybebadorgood，hewasallSirRogerhad；andthefatherwasstillabletohope，whenothersthoughtthatallgroundforhopewasgone。
Themotheralsolovedhersonwithamother\'snaturallove；butLouishadeverbeenashamedofhismother，andhad，asfaraspossible，estrangedhimselffromher。Herheart，perhaps，fixeditselfalmostwithalmostawarmerloveonFrankGresham，herfoster-son。Frankshesawbutseldom，butwhenshedidseehimheneverrefusedherembrace。
Therewas，too，ajoyous，geniallustreaboutFrank\'sfacewhichalwaysendearedhimtowomen，andmadehisformernurseregardhimasthepetcreationoftheage。Thoughshebutseldominterferedwithanymonetaryarrangementofherhusband\'s，yetonceortwiceshehadventuredtohintthatalegacylefttotheyoungsquirewouldmakeherahappywoman。SirRoger，however，ontheseoccasionshadnotappearedverydesirousofmakinghiswifehappy。
\'Ah，Louis！isthatyou？\'ejaculatedSirRoger，intoneshardlymorethanhalf-formed：afterwardsinadayortwothatis，hefullyrecoveredhisvoice；butjustthenhecouldhardlyopenhisjaws，andspokealmostthroughhisteeth。Hemanaged，however，toputouthishandandlayitonthecounterpane，sothathissoncouldtakeit。
\'Why，that\'swell，governor，\'saidtheson；\'you\'llbeasrightasatrivetinadayortwo——eh，governor？\'
The\'governor\'smiledwithaghastlysmile。Healreadyprettywellknewthathewouldneveragainbe\'right\'ashissoncalledit，onthatsideofthegrave。Itdidnot，moreover，suithimtosaymuchjustatthatmoment，sohecontentedhimselfwithholdinghisson\'shand。Helaystillinthispositionforamoment，andthen，turningroundpainfullyonhisside，endeavouredtoputhishandtotheplacewherehisdireenemyusuallywasconcealed。SirRoger，however，wastooweaknowtobehisownmaster；hewasatlength，thoughtoolate，acaptiveinthehandsofnursesanddoctors，andthebottlehadnowbeenremoved。
ThenLadyScatcherdcamein，andseeingthatherhusbandwasnotlongerunconscious，shecouldnotbutbelievethatDrThornehadbeenwrong；
shecouldnotbutthinkthattheremustbesomegroundforhope。Shethrewherselfonherkneesatthebedsideburstingintotearsasshedidso，andtakingSirRoger\'shandinhersandcovereditwithkisses。
\'Bother！\'saidSirRoger。
Shedidnot，however，longoccupyherselfwiththeindulgenceofherfeelings；butgoingspeedilytowork，producedsuchsustenanceasthedoctorshadorderedtobegivenwhenthepatientmightawake。A
breakfast-cupwasbroughttohim，andafewdropswereputintohismouth；buthesoonmadeitmanifestthathewouldtakenothingmoreofadescriptionsoperfectlyinnocent。
\'Adropofbrandy——justalittledrop，\'saidhe，half-ordering，half-entreating。
\'Ah，Roger，\'saidLadyScatcherd。
\'Justalittledrop，Louis，\'saidthesickman，appealingtohisson。
\'Alittlewillbegoodforhim；bringthebottle，mother，\'saidtheson。
Aftersomealtercationthebrandybottlewasbrought，andLouis，withwhatathoughtaverysparinghand，proceededtopourabouthalfawine——glassintothecup。Ashedidso，SirRoger，weakashewas，contrivedtoshakehisson\'sarm，soasgreatlytoincreasethedose。
\'Ha！ha！ha！\'laughedthesickman，andthengreedilyswallowedthedose。
CHAPTERXXV
SIRROGERDIES
ThatnightthedoctorstayedatBoxallHill，andthenextnight；sothatitbecameacustomarythingforhimtosleepthereduringthelatterpartofSirRoger\'sillness。HereturnedhometoGreshamsbury；
forhehadhispatientsthere，towhomhewasasnecessaryastoSirRoger，theforemostofwhomwasLadyArabella。Hehad，therefore，noslightworkonhishands，seeingthathisnightswerebynomeanswhollydevotedtorest。
MrRerechildhadnotbeenmuchwrongastotheremainingspaceoflifewhichhehadallottedtothedyingman。OnceortwiceDrThornehadthoughtthatthegreatoriginalstrengthofhispatientwouldhaveenabledhimtofightagainstdeathforasomewhatlongerperiod；butSirRogerwouldgivehimselfnochance。Wheneverhewasstrongenoughtohaveawillofhisown，heinsistedonhavinghisverymedicinemixedwithbrandy；andinthehoursofthedoctor\'sabsence，hewastoooftensuccessfulinhisattempts。
\'Itdoesnotmuchmatter，\'DrThornehadsaidtoLadyScatcherd。\'Dowhatyoucantokeepdownthequantity，butdonotirritatehimbyrefusingtoobey。Itdoesnotmuchsignifynow。\'SoLadyScatcherdstilladministeredthealcohol，andhefromdaytodayinventedlittleschemesforincreasingtheamount，overwhichhechuckledwithghastlylaughter。
TwoorthreetimesthesedaysSirRogeressayedtospeakseriouslytohisson；butLouisalwaysfrustratedhim。Heeithergotoutoftheroomonsomeexcuse，ormadehismotherinterfereonthescorethatsomuchtalkingwouldbebadforhisfather。Healreadyknewwithtolerableaccuracywhatwasthepurportofhisfather\'swill，andbynomeansapprovedofit；butashecouldnotnowhopetoinducehisfathertoalteritsoastomakeitmorefavourabletohimself，heconceivedthatnoconversationonmattersofbusinesscouldbeofusetohim。
\'Louis，\'saidSirRoger，oneafternoontohisson；\'Louis，IhavenotdonebyyouasIoughttohavedone——Iknowthatnow。\'
\'Nonsense，governor；nevermindaboutitnow；IshalldowellenoughI
daresay。Besides，itisn\'ttoolate；youcanmakeittwenty-threeyearsinsteadoftwenty-five。\'
\'Idonotmeanastomoney，Louis。Therearethingsbesidesmoneywhichafatheroughttolookto。\'
\'Now，father，don\'tfretyourself——I\'mallright；youmaybesureofthat。\'
\'Louis，it\'sthataccursedbrandy——it\'sthatthatI\'mafraidof：youseemehere，myboy，I\'mlyingherenow。\'
\'Don\'tyoubeannoyingyourself，governor；I\'mallright——quiteright；
andasforyou，why，you\'llbeupandaboutyourselfinanothermonthorso。\'
\'Ishallneverbeoffthisbed，myboy，tillI\'mcarriedintomycoffin，onthosechairsthere。ButI\'mnotthinkingofmyself，Louis，butyou；thinkwhatyoumayhavebeforeyouifyoucan\'tavoidthataccursedbottle。\'
\'I\'mallright，governor；rightasatrivet。It\'sverylittleItake，exceptatanoddtimeortwo。\'
\'Oh，Louis！Louis！\'
\'Come，father，cheerup；thissortofthingisn\'tthethingforyouatall。Iwonderwheremotheris：sheoughttobeherewiththebroth；
justletmego，andI\'llseeforher。\'
Thefatherunderstooditall。Hesawthatitwasnowmuchbeyondhisfadedpowerstotouchtheheartorconscienceofsuchayouthashissonhadbecome。Whatnowcouldhedoforhisboyexceptdie？Whatelse，whatotherbenefit，didhissonrequireofhimbuttodie；todiesothathismeansofdissipationmightbeunbounded？Heletgotheunresistinghandwhichheheld，and，astheyoungmancreptoutoftheroom，heturnedhisfacetothewall。Heturnedhisfacetothewall，andheldbittercommunewithhisownheart。Towhathadhebroughthimself？Towhathadhebroughthisson？Oh，howhappywouldithavebeenforhimcouldhehaveremainedallhisdaysaworkingstone-masoninBarchester！Howhappycouldhehavediedassuch，yearsago！Suchtearsasthosewhichwetthepillowarethebitterestwhichhumaneyescanshed。
Butwhiletheyweredropping，thememoirofhislifewasinquickcourseofpreparation。Itwas，indeed，nearlycompleted，withconsiderabledetail。Hehadlingeredonfourdayslongerthanmighthavebeenexpected，andtheauthorhadthushadmorethanusualtimeforthework。Inthesedaysamanisnobodyunlesshisbiographyiskeptsofarpostedupthatitmaybereadyforthenationalbreakfast-tableonthemorningafterhisdemise。Whenitchancesthatthedeadheroisonewhoistakeninhisprimeoflife，ofwhosedeparturefromamongusthemostfar-seeing，biographicalscribecanhavenopropheticinkling，thismustbedifficult。Ofgreatmen，fullofyears，whoareripeofthesickle，whointhecourseofNaturemustsoonfall，itisofcoursecomparativelyeasyforanactivecompilertohavehiscompletememoirreadyinhisdesk。Butinorderthattheideaofomnipresentandomniscientinformationmaybekeptup，theyoungmustbechronicledasquicklyastheold。Insomecasesthistaskmust，onewouldsay，bedifficult。Neverthelessitisdone。
ThememoirofSirRogerScatcherdwasprogressingfavourably。Inthisitwastoldhowfortunatehadbeenhislife；now，inhiscase，industryandgeniuscombinedhadtriumphedoverthedifficultieswhichhumblebirthanddeficienteducationhadthrowninhisway；howhehadmadeanameamongEngland\'sgreatmen；howtheQueenhaddelightedtohonourhim，andnobleshadbeenproudtohavehimasaguestattheirmansions。Thenfollowedalistofallthegreatworkswhichhehadachieved，oftherailroads，canals，docks，harbours，jails，andhospitalswhichhehadconstructed。Hisnamewasheldupasanexampletothelabouringclassesofhiscountrymen，andhewaspointedatasonewhohadlivedanddiedhappy——everhappy，saidthebiographer，becauseeverindustrious。Andsoagreatmoralquestionwasinculcated。AshortparagraphwasdevotedtohisappearanceinParliament；andunfortunateMrRomerwasagainheldupfordisgrace，forthethirtiethtime，ashavingbeenthemeansofdeprivingourlegislativecouncilsofthegreatassistanceofSirRoger\'sexperience。
\'SirRoger，\'saidthebiographerinhisconcludingpassage，\'waspossessedofanironframe；butevenironwillyieldtotherepeatedblowsofthehammer。Inthelatteryearsofhislifehewasknowntoovertaskhimself；andatlengththebodygaveway，thoughthemindremainedfirmtothelast。Thesubjectofthismemoirwasonlyfifty-ninewhenhewastakenfromus。\'
AndthusSirRoger\'slifewaswritten，whilethetearswereyetfallingonhispillowatBoxallHill。Itwasapitythataproof-sheetcouldnothavebeensenttohim。Nomanwasvainerofhisreputation，anditwouldhavegreatlygratifiedhimtoknowthatposteritywasabouttospeakofhiminsuchterms——tospeakofhimwithavoicethatwouldbeaudiblefortwenty-fourhours。
SirRogermadenofurtherattempttogivecounseltohisson。Itwastooevidentlyuseless。Theolddyinglionfeltthatthelion\'spowerhadalreadypassedfromhim，andthathewashelplessinthehandsoftheyoungcubwhowassosoontoinheritthewealthoftheforest。ButDrThornewasmorekindtohim。Hehadsomethingyettosayastohisworldlyhopesandworldlycares；andhisoldfrienddidnotturnadeafeartohim。
ItwasduringthenightthatSirRogerwasmostanxioustotalk，andmostcapableoftalking。Hewouldliethroughthedayinastatehalf-comatose；buttowardseveningwouldrousehimself，andbymidnighthewouldbefulloffitfulenergy。Onenight，ashelaywakefulandfullofthought，hethuspouredforthhiswholehearttoDrThorne。
\'Thorne，\'saidhe，\'Itoldyouaboutmywill，youknow。\'
\'Yes，\'saidtheother；\'andIhaveblamedmyselfgreatlythatIhavenotagainurgedyoutoalterit。Yourillnesscametoosuddenly，Scatcherd；andthenIwasaversetospeakofit。\'
\'WhyshouldIalterit？Itisagoodwill；asgoodasIcanmake。NotbutthatIhavealtereditsinceIspoketoyou。Ididitthatdayafteryouleftme。\'
\'HaveyoudefinitelynamedyourheirindefaultofLouis？\'
\'No——thatis——yes——Ihaddonethatbefore；IhavesaidMary\'seldestchild：Ihavenotalteredthat。\'
\'But，Scatcherd，youmustalterit。\'
\'Must！wellthen，Iwon\'t；butI\'lltellyouwhatIhavedone。Ihaveaddedapostscript——acodiciltheycallit——sayingthatyou，andyouonly，knowwhoishereldestchild。WinterbonesandJackMartinhavewitnessedthat。\'
DrThornewasgoingtoexplainhowveryinjudicioussuchanarrangementappearedtobe；butSirRogerwouldnotlistentohim。Itwasnotaboutthatthathewishedtospeaktohim。Tohimitwasamatterofbutminorinterestwhomightinherithismoneyifhissonshoulddieearly；hiscarewassolelyforhisson\'swelfare。Attwenty-fivetheheirmightmakehisownwill——mightbequeathallthiswealthaccordingtohisownfancy。SirRogerwouldnotbringhimselftobelievethathissoncouldfollowhimtothegraveinsoshortatime。
\'Nevermindthat，doctor，now；butaboutLouis；youwillbehisguardian，youknow。\'
\'Nothisguardian。Heismorethanofage。\'
\'Ah！butdoctor，youwillbehisguardian。Thepropertywillnotbehistillhebetwenty-five。Youwillnotdeserthim？\'
\'Iwillnotdeserthim；butIdoubtwhetherIcandomuchforhim——whatcanIdo，Scatcherd？\'
\'Usethepowerthatastrongmanhasoveraweakone。Usethepowerthatmywillwillgiveyou。Doforhimasyouwouldforasonofyourownifyousawhimgoinginbadcourses。Doasafriendshoulddoforafriendthatisdeadandgone。Iwoulddosoforyou，doctor，ifourplaceswerechanged。\'
\'WhatcanIdo，thatIwilldo，\'saidThorne，solemnly，takingashespokethecontractor\'sowninhisownwithatightgrasp。
\'Iknowyouwill；Iknowyouwill。Oh！doctor，mayyouneverfeelasIdonow！Mayyouonyourdeath-bedhavenodreadasIhave，astothefateofthoseyouwillleavebehindyou！\'
DoctorThornefeltthathecouldnotsaymuchinanswertothis。ThefuturefateofLouisScatcherdwas，hecouldnotbutowntohimself，greatlytobedreaded。Whatgood，whathappiness，couldbepresagedforsuchaoneashewas？Whatcomfortcouldheoffertothefather？
Andthenhewascalledontocompare，asitwere，theprospectsofthisunfortunatewiththoseofhisowndarling；tocontrastallthatwasmurky，foul，anddisheartening，withallthatwasperfect——fortohimshewasallbutperfect；tolikenLouisScatcherdtotheangelwhobrightenedhisownhearthstone。Howcouldheanswertosuchanappeal？
Hesaidnothing；butmerelytightenedhisgraspoftheother\'shand，tosignifythathewoulddo，asbesthecould，allthatwasaskedofhim。
SirRogerlookedupsadlyintothedoctor\'sface，asthoughexpectingsomewordofconsolation。Therewasnocomfort，noconsolation。
\'Forthreeorfouryears，hemustgreatlydependonyou，\'continuedSirRoger。
\'IwilldowhatIcan，\'saidthedoctor。\'WhatIcandoIwilldo。Butheisnotachild，Scatcherd：athisagehemuststandorfallmainlybyhisownconduct。Thebestthingforhimwillbetomarry。\'
\'Exactly；that\'sjustit，Thorne：Iwascomingtothat。Ifhewouldmarry，Ithinkhewoulddowellyet，forallthathascomeandgone。Ifhemarried，ofcourseyouwouldlethimhavethecommandofhisownincome。\'
\'Iwillbegovernedentirelybyyourwishes：underanycircumstanceshisincomewill，asIunderstand，bequitesufficientforhim，marriedorsingle。\'
\'Ah！——but，Thorne，Ishouldliketothinkheshouldshinewiththebestofthem。ForwhatIhavemadethemoneyforifnotforthat？Nowifhemarries——decently，thatis——somewomanyouknowthatcanassisthimintheworld，lethimhavewhathewants。ItisnottosavethemoneythatIhaveputitintoyourhands。\'
\'No，Scatcherd；nottosavethemoney，buttosavehim。Ithinkthatwhileyouareyetwithhimyoushouldadvisehimtomarry。\'
\'HedoesnotcareastrawforwhatIadvise，notonestraw。Whyshouldhe？HowcanItellhimtobesoberwhenIhavebeenabeastallmylife？HowcanIadvisehim？That\'swhereitis！Itisthatthatnowkillsme。Advise！Why，whenIspeaktohimhetreatsmelikeachild。\'
\'Hefearsthatyouaretooweak，youknow：hethinksthatyoushouldnotbeallowedtotalk。\'
\'Nonsense！heknowsbetter；youknowbetter。Tooweak！whatsignifies？WouldInotgiveallthatIhaveofstrengthatoneblowifIcouldopenhiseyestoseeasIseebutforoneminute？\'Andthesickmanraisedhimselfinhisbedasthoughhewereactuallygoingtoexpendallthatremainedtohimofvigourintheenergyofthemoment。
\'Gently，Scatcherd；gently。Hewilllistentoyouyet；butdonotbesounruly。\'
\'Thorne，youseethatbottlethere？Givemehalfaglassofbrandy。\'
Thedoctorturnedroundinhischair；buthehesitatedindoingashewasdesired。
\'DoasIaskyou，doctor。Itcandonoharmnow；youknowthatwellenough。Whytorturemenow？\'
\'No，Iwillnottortureyou；butyouwillhavewaterwithit？\'
\'Water！No；thebrandybyitself。ItellyouIcannotspeakwithoutit。What\'stheuseofcantingnow？Youknowitcanmakenodifference。\'
SirRogerwasright。Itcouldmakenodifference；andDrThornegavehimthehalfglassofbrandy。
\'Ah，well；you\'veastingyhand，doctor；confoundedstingy。Youdon\'tmeasureyourmedicinesoutinsuchlightdoses。\'
\'Youwillbewantingmorebeforemorning，youknow。\'
\'Beforemorning！indeedIshall；apintortwobeforethat。Irememberthetime，doctor，whenIhavedrunktomyowncheekabovetwoquartsbetweendinnerandbreakfast！aye，andworkedalldayafterit！\'
\'Youhavebeenawonderfulman，Scatcherd，verywonderful。\'
\'Aye，wonderful！well，nevermind。It\'sovernow。ButwhatwasI
saying？——aboutLouis，doctor；you\'llnotdeserthim？\'
\'Certainlynot。\'
\'He\'snotstrong；Iknowthat。Howshouldhebestrong，livingashehasdone？NotthatitseemedtohurtmewhenIwashisage。\'
\'Youhadtheadvantageofhardwork。\'
\'That\'sit。SometimesIwishthatLouishadnotashillingintheworld；thathehadtotrudgeaboutwithanapronroundhiswaistasI
did。Butit\'stoolatenowtothinkofthat。Ifhewouldmarry，doctor。\'
DrThorneagainexpressedanopinionthatnostepwouldbesolikelytoreformthehabitsoftheyoungheirasmarriage；andrepeatedhisadvicetothefathertoimplorehissontotakeawife。
\'I\'lltellyouwhat，Thorne，\'saidhe。Andthen，afterapause，hewenton。\'Ihavenothalftoldyouasyetwhatisonmymind；andI\'mnearlyafraidtotellit；though，indeed，Idon\'tknowwhatIshouldbe。\'
\'Ineverknewyouafraidofanythingyet，\'saidthedoctor，smilinggently。
\'Well，then，I\'llnotendbyturningcoward。Now，doctor，tellthetruthtome；whatdoyouexpectmetodoforthatgirlofyoursthatweweretalkingof——Mary\'schild？\'
Therewasapauseforamoment，forThornewasslowtoanswerhim。
\'Youwouldnotletmeseeher，youknow，thoughsheismynieceastrulyasyours。\'
\'Nothing，\'atlastsaidthedoctor，slowly。\'Iexpectnothing。Iwouldnotletyouseeher，andtherefore，Iexpectnothing。\'
\'ShewillhaveitallifpoorLouisshoulddie，\'saidSirRoger。
\'Ifyouintenditsoyoushouldputhernameintothewill，\'saidtheother。\'NotthatIaskyouorwishyoutodoso。Mary，thankGod，candowithoutwealth。\'
\'Thorne，ononeconditionIwillputhernameintoit。Iwillalteritononecondition。Letthetwocousinsbemanandwife——letLouismarrypoorMary\'schild。\'
Thepropositionforamomenttookawaythedoctor\'sbreath，andhewasunabletoanswer。NotforallthewealthofIndiawouldhehavegivenuphislambtothatyoungwolf，eventhoughhehadhadthepowertodoso。Butthatlamb——lambthoughshewas——had，ashewellknew，awillofherownonsuchamatter。Whatalliancecouldbemoreimpossible，thoughthetohimself，thanonebetweenMaryThorneandLouisScatcherd？
\'Iwillalteritallifyouwillgivemeyourhanduponitthatyouwilldoyourbesttobringaboutthismarriage。Everythingshallbehisonthedayhemarriesher；andshouldhedieunmarried，itshallallthenbehersbyname。Saytheword，Thorne，andsheshallcomehereatonce。Ishallyethavetimetoseeher。\'
ButDrThornedidnotsaytheword；justatthemomenthesaidnothing，butheslowlyshookhishead。
\'Whynot，Thorne？\'
\'Myfriend，itisimpossible。\'
\'Whyimpossible？\'
\'Herhandisnotminetodisposeof，norisherheart。\'
\'Thenlethercomeoverherself。\'
\'What！Scatcherd，thatthesonmightmakelovetoherwhilethefatherissodangerouslyill！Bidhercometolookforarichhusband！Thatwouldnotbeseemly，wouldit？\'
\'No；notforthat：lethercomemerelythatImayseeher；thatwemayallknowher。Iwillleavethemattertheninyourhandsifyouwillpromisemetodoyourbest。\'
\'But，myfriend，inthismatterIcannotdomybest。Icandonothing。And，indeed，Imaysayatonce，thatitisaltogetheroutofthequestion。Iknow——\'
\'Whatdoyouknow？\'saidthebaronet，turningonhimalmostangrily。
\'Whatcanyouknowtomakeyousaythatitisimpossible？Issheapearlofsuchpricethatamanmaynotwinher？\'
\'Sheisapearlofgreatprice。\'
\'Believeme，doctor，moneygoesfarinwinningsuchpearls。\'
\'Perhapsso；Iknowlittleaboutit。ButthisIdoknow，thatmoneywillnotwinher。Letustalkofsomethingelse；believeme，itisuselessforustothinkofthis。\'
\'Yes；ifyousetyourfaceagainstitobstinately。YoumustthinkverypoorlyofLouisifyousupposethatnogirlcanfancyhim。\'
\'Ihavenotsaidso，Scatcherd。\'
\'Tohavethespendingoftenthousandayear，andbeabaronet\'slady！
Why，doctor，whatisityouexpectforthisgirl？\'
\'Notmuch，indeed；notmuch。Aquietheartandaquiethome；notmuchmore。\'
\'Thorne，ifyouwillberuledbymeinthis，sheshallbethemosttoppingwomaninthiscounty。\'
\'Myfriend，myfriend，whythusgrieveme？Whyshouldyouthusharassyourself？Itellyouitisimpossible。Theyhaveneverseeneachother；theyhavenothing，andcanhavenothingincommon；theirtastes，andwishes，andpursuitsaredifferent。Besides，Scatcherd，marriagesneveranswerthataresomade；believeme，itisimpossible。\'
Thecontractorthrewhimselfbackonhisbed，andlayforsometenminutesperfectlyquiet；somuchsothatthedoctorbegantothinkthathewassleeping。Sothinking，andweariedbythewatching，DrThornewasbeginningtocreepquietlyfromtheroom，whenhiscompanionagainrousedhimself，almostwithvehemence。
\'Youwon\'tdothisthingforme，then？\'saidhe。
\'Doit！Itisnotforyouormetodosuchthingsasthat。Suchthingsmustbelefttothoseconcernedthemselves。\'
\'Youwillnotevenhelpme？\'
\'Notinthisthing，SirRoger。\'
\'Thenby——，sheshallnotunderanycircumstanceseverhaveashillingofmine。Givemesomeofthatstuffthere，\'andheagainpointedtothebrandybottlewhichstoodeverwithinhissight。\'
Thedoctorpouredoutandhandedtohimanothersmallmodicumofspirit。
\'Nonsense，man；filltheglass。I\'llstandnononsensenow。I\'llbemasterofmyownhousetothelast。Giveithere，Itellyou。Tenthousanddevilsaretearingmewithin。You——youcouldhavecomfortedme；butyouwouldnot。FilltheglassItellyou。\'
\'IshouldbekillingyouwereItodoit。\'
\'Killingme！killingme！youarealwaystalkingofkillingme。DoyousupposethatIamafraidtodie？DonotIknowhowsoonitiscoming？Givemethebrandy，Isay，orIwillbeoutacrosstheroomtofetchit。\'
\'No，Scatcherd。Icannotgiveittoyou；notwhileIamhere。Doyourememberhowyouwereengagedthismorning？\'——hehadthatmorningtakenthesacramentfromtheparishclergyman——\'youwouldnotwishtomakemeguiltyofmurder，wouldyou？\'
\'Nonsense！Youaretalkingnonsense；habitissecondnature。ItellyouIshallsinkwithoutit。Why，youknow，Ialwaysgetitdirectlyyourbackitturned。Come，Iwillnotbebulliedinmyownhouse；givemethatbottle，Isay！\'——andSirRogeressayed，vainlyenough，toraisehimselffromthebed。
\'Stop，Scatcherd；Iwillgiveittoyou——Iwillhelpyou。Itmaybethathabitissecondnature。\'SirRogerinhisdeterminedenergyhadswallowed，withoutthinkingofit，thesmallquantitywhichthedoctorhadbeforepouredoutforhim，andstillheldtheemptyglasswithinhishand。Thisthedoctornowtookandfillednearlytothebrim。
\'Come，Thorne，abumper；abumperforthisonce。“Whateverthedrink，itabumpermustbe。“Youstingyfellow！Iwouldnottreatyouso。
Well——well。\'
\'It\'saboutasfullasyoucanholdit，Scatcherd。\'
\'Tryme；tryme！myhandisarock；atleastatholdingliquor。\'Andthenhedrainedthecontentsoftheglass，whichwereinsufficientquantitytohavetakenawaythebreathofanyordinaryman。
\'Ah，I\'mbetternow。But，Thorne，Idoloveafullglass，ha！ha！ha！\'
Therewassomethingfrightful，almostsickening，inthepeculiarhoarsegutturaltoneofhisvoice。Thesoundscamefromhimasthoughsteepedinbrandy，andtold，alltooplainly，thehavocwhichthealcoholhadmade。Therewasafiretooabouthiseyeswhichcontrastedwithhissunkencheeks：hishangingjaw，unshornbeard，andhaggardfacewereterribletolookat。Hishandsandarmswerehotandclammy，butsothinandwasted！Ofhislowerlimbsthelostusehadnotreturnedtohim，sothatinallhiseffortsatvehemencehewascontrolledbyhisownwantofvitality。Whenhesupportedhimself，half-sittingagainstthepillows，hewasinacontinualtremor；andyet，asheboasted，hecouldstilllifthisglasssteadilytohismouth。Suchnowwastheheroofwhomthatreadycompilerofmemoirshadjustfinishedhiscorrectandsuccinctaccount。
Afterhehadhadhisbrandy，hesatglaringawhileatvacancy，asthoughhewasdeadtoallaroundhim，andwasthinking——thinking——thinkingofthingsintheinfinitedistanceofthepast。
\'ShallIgonow，\'saidthedoctor，\'andsendLadyScatcherdtoyou？\'
\'Waitawhile，doctor；justoneminutelonger。SoyouwilldonothingforLouis，then？\'
\'IwilldoeverythingforhimthatIcando。\'
\'Ah，yes！everythingbuttheonethingthatwillsavehim。Well，I
willnotaskyouagain。Butremember，Thorne，Ishallaltermywillto-morrow。\'
\'Doso，byallmeans；youmaywellalteritforthebetter。IfImayadviseyou，youwillhavedownyourownbusinessattorneyfromLondon。
Ifyouwillletmesendhewillbeherebeforeto-morrownight。\'
\'Thankyoufornothing，Thorne：Icanmanagethatmattermyself。Nowleaveme；butremember，youhaveruinedthatgirl\'sfortune。\'
Thedoctordidleavehim，andwentnotaltogetherhappytohisroom。Hecouldnotbutconfesstohimselfthathehad，despitehimselfasitwere，fedhimselfwithhopethatMary\'sfuturemightbemademoresecure，aye，andbrightertoo，bysomesmallunheededfractionbrokenofffromthehugemassofheruncle\'swealth。Suchhope，ifithadamountedtohope，wasnowallgone。Butthiswasnotall，norwasthistheworstofit。ThathehaddonerightinutterlyrepudiatingallideaofamarriagebetweenMaryandhercousin——ofthathewascertainenough；thatnoearthlyconsiderationwouldhaveinducedMarytoplighthertrothtosuchaman——that，withhim，wasascertainasdoom。Buthowfarhadhedonerightinkeepingherfromthesightofheruncle？
Howcouldhejustifyittohimselfifhehadthusrobbedherofherinheritance，seeingthathehaddonesofromaselfishfearlestshe，whowasnowallhisown，shouldbeknowntotheworldasbelongingtoothersratherthantohim？Hehadtakenuponhimonherbehalftorejectwealthasvalueless；andyethehadnosoonerdonesothanhebegantoconsumehishourswithreflectinghowgreattoherwouldbethevalueofwealth。Andthus，whenSirRogertoldhim，ashelefttheroom，thathehadruinedMary\'sfortune，hewashardlyabletobearthetauntwithequanimity。
Onthenextmorning，afterpayinghisprofessionalvisittohispatient，andsatisfyinghimselfthattheendwasnowdrawingnearwithstepsterriblyquickened，hewentdowntoGreshamsbury。
\'Howlongisthistolast，uncle？\'saidhisniece，withsadvoice，asheagainpreparedtoreturntoBoxallHill。
\'Notlong，Mary；donotbegrudgehimafewmorehoursoflife。\'
\'No，Idonot，uncle。Iwillsaynothingmoreaboutit。Ishissonwithhim？\'Andthen，perverselyenough，shepersistedinaskingnumerousquestionsaboutLouisScatcherd。
\'Ishelikelytomarry，uncle？\'
\'Ihopeso，mydear。\'
\'Willhebesoveryrich？\'
\'Yes；ultimatelyhewillbeveryrich。\'
\'Hewillbeabaronet，willhenot？\'
\'Yes，mydear。\'
\'Whatishelike，uncle？\'
\'Like——Ineverknowwhatayoungmanislike。Heislikeamanwithredhair。\'
\'Uncle，youaretheworsthandindescribingIeverknew。IfI\'dseenhimforfiveminutes，I\'dbeboundtomakeaportraitofhim；andyou，ifyouweredescribingadog，you\'donlysaywhatcolourhishairwas。\'
\'Well，he\'salittleman。\'
\'Exactly，justasIshouldsaythatMrsUmblebyhadared-hairedlittledog。IwishIhadknowntheseScatcherds，uncle。Idoadmirepeoplethatcanpushthemselvesintheworld。IwishIhadknownSirRoger。\'
\'Youwillneverknowhim，Mary。\'
\'Isupposenot。Iamsosorryforhim。IsLadyScatcherdnice？\'
\'Sheisanexcellentwoman。\'
\'IhopeImayknowhersomeday。Youaresomuchtherenow，uncle；I
wonderwhetheryouevermentionmetothem。Ifyoudo，tellherfrommehowmuchIgrieveforher。\'
Thatsamenight，DrThorneagainfoundhimselfalonewithSirRoger。
Thesickmanwasmuchmoretranquil，andapparentlymoreateasethanhehadbeenontheprecedingnight。Hesaidnothingabouthiswill，andnotawordaboutMaryThorne；butthedoctorknewthatWinterbonesandanotary\'sclerkfromBarchesterhadbeeninthebedroomagreatpartoftheday；and，asheknewalsothatthegreatmanofbusinesswasaccustomedtodohismostimportantworkbythehandsofsuchtoolsasthese，hedidnotdoubtbutthatthewillhadbeenalteredandremodelled。Indeed，hethoughtitmorethanprobable，thatwhenitwasopeneditwouldbefoundtobewhollydifferentinitsprovisionsfromthatwhichSirRogerhadalreadydescribed。
\'Louisiscleverenough，\'hesaid，\'sharpenough，Imean。Hewon\'tsquandertheproperty。\'
\'Hehasgoodnaturalabilities，\'saidthedoctor。
\'Excellent，excellent，\'saidthefather。\'Hemaydowell，verywell，ifhecanonlybekeptfromthis；\'andSirRogerhelduptheemptywine-glasswhichstoodbyhisbedside。\'Whatalifehemayhavebeforehim！——andtothrowitawayforthis！\'andashespokehetooktheglassandtosseditacrosstheroom。\'Oh，doctor！wouldthatitwerealltobeginagain！\'
\'Weallwishthat，Idaresay，Scatcherd。\'
\'No，youdon\'twishit。Youain\'tworthashilling，andyetyouregretnothing。Iamworthhalfamillioninonewayoranother，andIregreteverything-everything——everything！\'
\'Youshouldnotthinkthatway，Scatcherd；youneednotthinkso。
YesterdayyoutoldMrClarkethatyouwerecomfortableinyourmind。\'
MrClarkewastheclergymanwhohadvisitedhim。
\'OfcourseIdid。WhatelsecouldIsaywhenheaskedme？Itwouldn\'thavebeenciviltohavetoldhimthathistimeandwordswereallthrownaway。But，Thorne，believeme，whenaman\'sheartissad——sad——sadtothecore，afewwordsfromaparsonatthelastmomentwillnevermakeitright。\'
\'MayHehavemercyonyou，myfriend！——ifyouwillthinkofHim，andlooktoHim，Hewillhavemercyonyou。\'
\'Well——Iwilltry，doctor；butwouldthatitwerealltodoagain。
You\'llseetotheoldwomanformysake，won\'tyou？\'
\'What，LadyScatcherd？\'
\'LadyDevil！Ifanythingangersmenowitisthat“ladyship“——hertobemylady！Why，whenIcameoutofjailthattime，thepoorcreaturehadhardlyashoetoherfoot。Butitwasn\'therfault，Thorne；itwasnoneofherdoing。Sheneveraskedforsuchnonsense。\'
\'Shehasbeenanexcellentwife，Scatcherd；andwhatismore，sheisanexcellentwoman。Sheis，andeverwillbe，oneofmydearestfriends。\'
\'Thank\'ee，doctor，thank\'ee。Yes；shehasbeenagoodwife——betterforapoormanthanarichone；butthen，thatwaswhatshewasbornto。
Youwon\'tletherbeknockedaboutbythem，willyou，Thorne？\'
DrThorneagainassuredhim，thataslongashelivedLadyScatcherdshouldneverwantonetruefriend；inmakingthispromise，however，hemanagedtodropallallusiontotheobnoxioustitle。
\'You\'llbewithhimasmuchaspossible，won\'tyou？\'againaskedthebaronet，afterlyingquitesilentforaquarterofanhour。
\'Withwhom？\'saidthedoctor，whowasthenallbutasleep。
\'Withmypoorboy，Louis。\'
\'Ifhewillletme，Iwill，\'saidthedoctor。
\'And，doctor，whenyouseeaglassathismouth，dashitdown；thrustitdown，thoughyouthrustouttheteethwithit。Whenyouseethat，Thorne，tellhimofhisfather——tellhimwhathisfathermighthavebeenbutforthat；tellhimhowhisfatherdiedlikeabeast，becausehecouldnotkeephimselffromdrink。\'
These，reader，werethelastwordsspokenbySirRogerScatcherd。Asheutteredthemheroseupinbedwiththesamevehemencewhichhehadshownontheformerevening。Butintheveryactofdoingsohewasagainstruckbyparalysis，andbeforenineonthefollowingmorningallwasover。
\'Oh，myman——myown，ownman！\'exclaimedthewidow，rememberingintheparoxysmofhergriefnothingbutthelovesoftheirearlydays；\'thebest，thebrightest，thecleverestofthemall！\'
SomeweeksafterthisSirRogerwasburied，withmuchpompandceremony，withintheprecinctsofBarchesterCathedral；andamonumentwasputuptohimsoonafter，inwhichhewasportrayed，assmoothingablockofgranitewithamalletandchisel；whilehiseagleeye，disdainingsuchhumblework，wasfixeduponsomeintricatemathematicalinstrumentabovehim。CouldSirRogerhaveseenithimself，hewouldprobablyhavedeclared，thatnoworkmanwaseverworthhissaltwholookedonewaywhileherowedanother。
Immediatelyafterthefuneralthewillwasopened，andDrThornediscoveredthattheclausesofitwereexactlyidenticalwiththosehisfriendhaddescribedtohimsomemonthsback。Nothinghadbeenaltered；norhadthedocumentbeenunfoldedsincethatstrangecodicilhadbeenadded，inwhichitwasdeclaredthatDrThorneknew——andonlyDrThorne——whowastheeldestchildofthetestator\'sonlysister。Atthesametime，however，ajointexecutorwithDrThornehadbeennamed——oneMrStock，amanofrailwayfame——andDrThornehimselfwasmadealegateetothehumbleextentofathousandpounds。AlifeincomeofathousandpoundsayearwaslefttoLadyScatcherd。
