# The Two Uncles explained — Doctor Thorne > Chapter companion for Doctor Thorne by Anthony Trollope. ## What happens Dr. Thorne visits Sir Roger Scatcherd to negotiate a loan for Mr. Gresham and to reveal the existence of Mary Thorne, Sir Roger's niece. Sir Roger, initially resistant to lending more money without title-deeds, is deeply moved by the revelation about Mary. He insists on meeting her and providing for her, but Dr. Thorne resists, fearing the instability of Sir Roger's character and the impact on Mary's settled life at Greshamsbury. The chapter explores the tension between the two uncles over Mary's future and the implications of Sir Roger's will. ## Themes in this chapter ### Inheritance and Wealth The central conflict revolves around Sir Roger's will and the potential inheritance of Mary Thorne, highlighting the power and peril of wealth. ### Family and Secrecy Dr. Thorne's long-held secret about Mary's parentage is revealed, testing family bonds and trust between the two uncles. ### Professional Dignity vs. Practicality Dr. Thorne balances his professional duty to Mr. Gresham with the practical need to secure Mary's future, while Sir Roger's bluntness contrasts with the doctor's cautious approach. ## Character check-ins ### Dr. Thomas Thorne Visits Sir Roger to negotiate a loan for Mr. Gresham and reveals the secret of Mary Thorne's parentage, determined to protect her from the potential instability of Sir Roger's wealth. ### Sir Roger Scatcherd Ill but clear-headed, he is initially hard-nosed about lending money but becomes emotionally stirred upon learning of Mary's existence, wanting to provide for her and meet her. ### Mary Thorne Revealed to be the living child of Dr. Thorne's brother and Sir Roger's sister, she is the subject of the uncles' dispute over her future and inheritance. ### Lady Scatcherd Mentioned as Sir Roger's wife who could host Mary, though Dr. Thorne dismisses the idea. ### Louis Scatcherd Referred to as Sir Roger's son, Louis Philippe, who is the current heir under the will. ## Key lines > “Well, come, Thorne, what is it you call her? Tell it out, man. And, look you, if it’s your name she bears, I shall think more of you, a deal more than ever I did yet. Come, Thorne, I’m her uncle too. I have a right to know. She is Mary Thorne, isn’t she?” Sir Roger presses Dr. Thorne to confirm Mary's identity, asserting his own right as her uncle and promising to respect Thorne more if she bears his name. _Sir Roger's demand for the truth about Mary's parentage._ > “I don’t want to take her from you. I don’t want to take her; but surely there can be no harm in her coming here to see us? I can provide for her, Thorne, remember that. I can provide for her without reference to Louis Philippe. What are ten or fifteen thousand pounds to me? Remember that, Thorne.” Sir Roger assures Dr. Thorne he does not intend to take Mary away, but insists she should visit and that he can financially provide for her independently of his son. _Sir Roger's offer to support Mary financially._ > “No, Scatcherd,” he said at last, “she cannot come here; she would not be happy here, and, to tell the truth, I do not wish her to know that she has other relatives.” Dr. Thorne firmly refuses Sir Roger's request for Mary to visit, explaining she would not be happy and he prefers she remain unaware of her other relatives. _Dr. Thorne's protective stance regarding Mary's happiness and ignorance of her family._ > “But to ask me to go on lending money to a third party, and he over head and ears in debt, by way of obliging you, why, it’s a little too much.” Sir Roger complains that Dr. Thorne is asking him to lend more money to Mr. Gresham, who is already deeply in debt, which he finds unreasonable. _Sir Roger's reluctance to extend further credit to Mr. Gresham._ > “Your will says your sister’s eldest child.” “Yes; but that’s only in the event of Louis Philippe dying before he is twenty-five.” “Exactly; and now I know something about your sister’s eldest child, and, therefore, I have come to tell you.” Dr. Thorne reveals that Sir Roger's will, which names his sister's eldest child as heir if Louis dies before 25, is relevant because he knows that child is alive. _The pivotal moment when Dr. Thorne discloses the existence of Mary as the potential heir._ ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/doctor_thorne_se/chapters/xiii-the-two-uncles - Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/doctor_thorne_se - All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/doctor_thorne_se/chapters