“Well, I really did not. But, after all, what can they do? They are evidently afraid to go to the Court of Chancery, and ask for a jury in the asylum; and what else can they do?” “Humph! They might arrange an escape, and hide him for fourteen days; then we could not recapture him without fresh certificates; could we?” “Certainly not.” “And the doors would be too well guarded; not a crack for two doctors to creep in at.” “You go too fast. _You_ know the law from me, and you are a daring man that would try this sort of thing; but a timid woman, advised by a respectable muff like Oldfield! They will never dream of such a thing.” “Oldfield is not her head-man. She has got another adviser, and he is the very man to do something plucky.” “I don't know who you mean.” “Why, her lover, to be sure.” “Her lover? Lady Bassett's lover!” “Ay, the young parson.” Wheeler smiled satirically. “You certainly are a good hater. Nothing is too bad for those you don't like. If that Lady Bassett is not a true wife, where will you find one?” “She is the most deceitful jade in England.” “Oh! oh!” “Ah! you may sneer. So you have forgotten how she outwitted us. Did the devil himself ever do a cunninger thing than that? tempting a fellow into a correspondence that seemed a piece of folly on her part, yet it was a deep diabolical trick to get at my handwriting. Did _you_ see her game? No more than I did. You chuckled at her writing letters to the plaintiff _pendente lite._ We were both children, setting our wits against a woman's. I tell you I dread her, especially when I see her so unnaturally quiet, after what we have done. When you hook a large salmon, and he makes a great commotion, but all of a sudden lies like a stone, be on your guard; he means mischief.” “Well,” said Wheeler, “this is all very true, but you have strayed from the point. What makes you think she has an improper attachment?” “Is it so very unnatural? He is the handsomest fellow about, she is the loveliest woman; he is dark, she is fair; and they are thrown together by circumstances. Another thing: I have always understood that women admire the qualities they don't possess themselves--strength, for instance. Now this parson is a Hercules. He took Sir Charles up like a boy and carried him in his arms all the way from where he had the fit. Lady Bassett walked beside them. Rely on it, a woman does not see one man carry another so without making a comparison in favor of the strong, and against the weak. But what am I talking about? They walk like lovers, those two.” “What, hand in hand? he! he!” “No, side by side; but yet like lovers for all that.” “You must have a good eye.” “I have a good opera-glass.” Mr. Wheeler smoked in silence.