Dr Thorne - Anthony Trollope [100]
When, therefore, Lady Arabella found herself alone with the doctor, and called upon to say out her say in what best language she could select for the occasion, she did not feel to be very much at her ease. There was that about the man before her which cowed her, in spite of her being the wife of the squire, the sister of an earl, a person quite acknowledged to be of the great world, and the mother of the very important young man whose affections were now about to be called in question. Nevertheless, there was the task to be done, and with a mother’s courage she essayed it.
‘Dr Thorne,’ said she, as soon as their medical conference was at an end, ‘I am very glad you came over today, for I had something special which I wanted to say to you’: so far she got, and then stopped; but, as the doctor did not seem inclined to give her any assistance, she was forced to flounder on as best she could.
‘Something very particular, indeed. You know what a respect and esteem, and I may say affection, we all have for you’ – here the doctor made a low bow – ‘and I may say for Mary also’; here the doctor bowed himself again. ‘We have done what little we could to be pleasant neighbours, and I think you’ll believe me when I say that I am a true friend to you and dear Mary –’
The doctor knew that something very unpleasant was coming, but he could not at all guess what might be its nature. He felt, however, that he must say something; so he expressed a hope that he was duly sensible of all the acts of kindness he had ever received from the squire and the family at large.
‘I hope, therefore, my dear doctor, you won’t take amiss what I am going to say.’
‘Well, Lady Arabella, I’ll endeavour not to do so.’
‘I am sure I would not give any pain if I could help it, much less to you. But there are occasions, doctor, in which duty must be paramount; paramount to all other considerations, you know; and, certainly, this occasion is one of them.’
‘But what is the occasion, Lady Arabella?’
‘I’ll tell you, doctor. You know what Frank’s position is?’
‘Frank’s position! as regards what?’
‘Why, his position in life; an only son, you know.’
‘Oh, yes; I know his position in that respect; an only son, and his father’s heir; and a very fine fellow he is. You have but one son, Lady Arabella, and you may well be proud of him.’
Lady Arabella sighed. She did not wish at the present moment to express herself as being in any way proud of Frank. She was desirous rather, on the other hand, of showing that she was a good deal ashamed of him; only not quite so much ashamed of him as it behoved the doctor to be of his niece.
‘Wcll, perhaps so; yes,’ said Lady Arabclla, ‘he is, I believe, a very good young man, with an excellent disposition; but, doctor, his position is very precarious; and he is just at that time of life when every caution is necessary.’
To the doctor’s ears, Lady Arabella was now talking of her son as a mother might of her infant when whooping-cough was abroad or croup imminent. ‘There is nothing on earth the matter with him, I should say,’ said the doctor. ‘He has every possible sign of perfect health.’
‘Oh, yes; his health! Yes, thank God, his health is good; that is a great blessing.’ And Lady Arabclla thought of her four flowerets that had already faded. ‘I am sure I am most thankful to see him growing up so strong. But it is not that I mean, doctor.’
‘Then what is it, Lady Arabclla?’
‘Why, doctor, you know the squire’s position with regard to money matters?’
Now the doctor undoubtedly did know the squire’s position with regard to money matters – knew it much better than did Lady Arabella; but he was by no means inclined to talk on that subject to her ladyship. He remained quite silent, therefore, although Lady Arabella’s last speech had taken the form of a question. Lady Arabella was a little offended at this want of freedom on his part, and became somewhat sterner in her tone – a thought less condescending in her manner.
‘The squire