Doctor Thorne

==Plot summary==

==Plot summary==

When their father dies, Doctor Thomas Thorne and his younger brother Henry are left to provide for themselves. Thomas begins to establish a medical practice, while Henry seduces Mary Scatcherd, the sister of stonemason Roger Scatcherd. When Roger finds out that Mary has become pregnant, he decides to give Henry a thrashing, but Henry dies from a blow to the head. While her brother is in prison for the death, Mary gives birth to a girl. A former suitor offers to marry Mary and emigrate to America to start a new life, but not if she keeps the baby. Doctor Thorne persuades Mary to accept the offer and she tells Roger that the baby has died. Thorne promises to raise his niece, naming her Mary Thorne, but keeps her parentage secret, and arranges for her to be looked after on a nearby farm and later to attend a boarding school.

When their father dies, Doctor Thomas Thorne and his younger brother Henry are left little from the estate. Thomas begins to establish a medical practice, while Henry seduces Mary Scatcherd, the sister of stonemason Roger Scatcherd. When Roger finds out that Mary has become pregnant, he gives Henry a thrashing, but Henry dies from a blow to the head. Roger is found guilty of manslaughter and sentenced to six months in prison.

While her brother is incarcerated, Mary gives birth to a girl. A former suitor offers to marry Mary and emigrate to America to start a new life, but not if she keeps the baby. Doctor Thorne persuades Mary to accept the offer, and she tells Roger that the baby has died. Thorne promises to raise his niece, naming her Mary Thorne. He keeps her parentage secret, and arranges for her to be looked after on a nearby farm and later to attend a boarding school.

The doctor had visited Scatcherd in prison and they became friends. Scatcherd accepted the doctor's financial advice and continued to do so in later life. After prison, Scatcherd rises quickly in the world through his competence in railway contracts. When Thorne became the Greshams' family doctor he also became advisor to Frank Gresham. About this time an heir had been born at Greshamsbury Hall, but Lady Arabella was at some loss as to dealing with the infant. Thorne knew that Mrs Scatcherd had been left high and dry by her husband's imprisonment and readily adopted the role of nurse to young Frank.

When Thorne becomes the family doctor to the Greshams, the preeminent family of the county, he also became advisor to the head of the family, squire Frank Gresham. About this time an heir is born at Greshamsbury Hall to much celebration. The aristocratic mother, Lady Arabella, engages a [[wet nurse]] for her son, also named Frank. However, the girl proves to be too fond of brandy. Thorne knows that Mrs Scatcherd had been left in dire financial distress by her husband's imprisonment, so he arranges for her to take over the role.

Meanwhile, time has passed and 12 year old Mary came to Greshamsbury from her school in Bath. Quite soon she is invited to music lessons and gradually becomes as an extra sister to the children at the big house. Dr Thorne feels he has to inform Frank Gresham, in strictest confidence, of Mary's background to allow him to decide if there may be an objection to her associating with his family. She has neither family nor money which gives Lady Arabella some qualms but the Squire overrules her. However, unknown to nearly everyone, Mary's maternal uncle, Roger Scatcherd, has [[Rags to riches|risen from humble beginnings to great wealth]]. Thorne persuades Scatcherd to lend increasing sums to the head of the family, the local squire. Eventually, much of the Gresham estate is put up as [[collateral (finance)|collateral]] for these loans.

Time passes, and 12-year-old Mary Thorne came to Greshamsbury from her school in Bath. Soon she endears herself to the Greshams. Dr Thorne feels he has to inform Frank Gresham, in strictest confidence, of Mary's background to allow him to decide if he would object to her associating with his family. Lady Arabella some qualms but the squire overrules her.

As young adults, Mary and Frank Gresham – the only son and heir of the squire of Greshamsbury – fall in love. However, his parents need him to marry wealth; the squire has squandered much money on expensive and fruitless campaigns for a seat in Parliament and is grieved that he can leave little to his son. As Mary is penniless and of suspect birth, such a marriage is inconceivable to his mother and to her relatives, the aristocratic de Courcys. They wish Frank to marry the eccentric 30-year-old heiress Martha Dunstable instead. Frank reluctantly visits Courcy Castle in order to meet Miss Dunstable, and they become friends. He foolishly and playfully proposes, but she wisely demurs, knowing that he does not love her.

Mary's maternal uncle, Roger Scatcherd, has [[Rags to riches|risen from humble beginnings to great wealth and a knighthood]] through his prodigious skills, not only as a mason but also as a contractor. Doctor Thorne, who had visited Scatcherd in prison and befriended him, becomes his financial advisor. Thorne persuades Scatcherd to lend increasing sums to Frank Gresham, who had impoverished himself by running for Parliament three times. Eventually, much of the Gresham estate is put up as [[collateral (finance)|collateral]] for these loans.

As young adults, Mary and the younger Frank Gresham—the only son and heir of the squire—fall in love. However, his parents need him to marry wealth. As Mary is penniless and of suspect birth, such a marriage is inconceivable to his mother and to her relatives, the aristocratic de Courcys. They wish Frank to marry the eccentric 30-year-old heiress Martha Dunstable instead. Frank reluctantly visits Courcy Castle in order to meet Miss Dunstable, and they become friends. He foolishly and playfully proposes, but she wisely demurs, knowing that he does not love her.

Sir Roger Scatcherd is a chronic drunkard, and Doctor Thorne tries in vain to get him to curtail his drinking. In his will, Scatcherd leaves the bulk of his estate to his only son, the dissolute Louis Philippe. However, he leaves Doctor Thorne in control of the inheritance until Louis Philippe reaches the age of 25. Should Louis die before then, Scatcherd stipulates that the estate goes to his sister Mary's eldest child. Thorne, knowing that Scatcherd is thinking of the children Mary had in America, is forced to divulge Mary's parentage to Scatcherd, but Scatcherd leaves the will unchanged.

Sir Roger Scatcherd is a chronic drunkard, and Doctor Thorne tries in vain to get him to curtail his drinking. In his will, Scatcherd leaves the bulk of his estate to his only son, the dissolute Louis Philippe. However, he leaves Doctor Thorne in control of the inheritance until Louis Philippe reaches the age of 25. Should Louis die before then, Scatcherd stipulates that the estate goes to his sister Mary's eldest child. Thorne, knowing that Scatcherd is thinking of the children Mary had in America, is forced to divulge Mary's parentage to Scatcherd, but Scatcherd leaves the will unchanged.

Roger Scatcherd eventually dies of drink. The son proves just as much an alcoholic as the father, and his weaker constitution quickly brings him to the same end before he turns 25. After consulting with lawyers, Doctor Thorne confirms that his niece Mary is the heiress, now wealthier than even Miss Dunstable.

Roger Scatcherd eventually dies of drink. The son proves just as much an alcoholic as the father, and his weaker constitution quickly brings him to the same end. After consulting with lawyers, Doctor Thorne confirms that his niece Mary is the heiress, now wealthier than even Miss Dunstable.

Unaware of these developments, the still resolute Frank finally persuades his doting father to consent to his marriage to Mary. When all is revealed, the rest of his relations heartily congratulate him.

Unaware of these developments, the still resolute Frank finally persuades his doting father to consent to his marriage to Mary. When all is revealed, the rest of his relations heartily congratulate him.