What alliance could be more impossible, thought he to himself, than one between Mary Thorne and Louis Scatcherd?
"I will alter it all if you will give me your hand upon it that you will do your best to bring about this marriage.

Everything shall be his on the day he marries her; and should he die unmarried, it shall all then be hers by name.

Say the word, Thorne, and she shall come here at once.

I shall yet have time to see her." But Dr Thorne did not say the word; just at the moment he said nothing, but he slowly shook his head.
"Why not, Thorne ?" "My friend, it is impossible." "Why impossible ?" "Her hand is not mine to dispose of, nor is her heart." "Then let her come over herself." "What! Scatcherd, that the son might make love to her while the father is so dangerously ill! Bid her come to look for a rich husband! That would not be seemly, would it ?" "No; not for that: let her come merely that I may see her; that we may all know her.

I will leave the matter then in your hands if you will promise me to do your best." "But, my friend, in this matter I cannot do my best.