The squire felt it kind in the doctor that he should thus endeavour to comfort him; but he could not understand, and did not inquire, on what basis these golden hopes was founded.  It was necessary, however, to return to the subject which he had come to discuss.  Would the doctor assist him in preventing this marriage?  That was now the one thing necessary to be kept in view.

’But, doctor, about the young people; of course they cannot marry, you are aware of that.’

‘I don’t know that exactly.’

‘Well, doctor, I must say I thought you would feel it.’

‘Feel what, squire?’

‘That, situated as they are, they ought not to marry.’

’That is quite another question.  I have said nothing about that either to you or to anybody else.  The truth is, squire, I have never interfered in this matter one way or the other; and I have no wish to do so now.’

’But should you not interfere?  Is not Mary the same to you as your own child?’

Dr Thorne hardly knew how to answer this.  He was aware that his argument about not interfering was in fact absurd.  Mary could not marry without his interference; and had it been the case that she was in danger of making an improper marriage, of course he would interfere.  His meaning was, that he would not at the present moment express any opinion; he would not declare against a match which might turn out to be in every way desirable; nor, if he spoke in favour of it, could he give his reasons for doing so.  Under these circumstances, he would have wished to say nothing, could that only have been possible.

But as it was not possible, and as he must say something, he answered the squire’s last question by asking another.  ’What is your objection, squire?’

‘Objection!  Why, what on earth would they live on?’

’Then I understand, that if that difficulty were over, you would not refuse your consent merely because of Mary’s birth?’

This was a manner in which the squire had by no means expected to have the affair presented to him.  It seemed so impossible that any sound-minded man should take any but his view of the case, that he had not prepared himself for argument.  There was every objection to his son marrying Miss Thorne; but the fact of their having no income between them did certainly justify him in alleging that first.

’But that difficulty can’t be got over, doctor.  You know, however, that it would be cause of grief to us all to see Frank marry much beneath his station; that is, I mean, in family.  You should not press me to say this, for you know that I love Mary dearly.’

’But, my dear friend, it is necessary.  Wounds sometimes must be opened in order that they may be healed.  What I mean is this;—­and, squire, I’m sure I need not say to you that I hope for an honest answer,—­were Mary Thorne an heiress; had she, for instance, such wealth as that Miss Dunstable that we hear of; in that case would you object to this match?’