"Will you have the goodness to point out which road you mean to take, Mr Wilton," said Leigh, wrathfully, "and then I can choose another?" "No need, Doctor; your road's my road, and I'll stick to you like a `tec'." Leigh's eyes literally flashed. "There, it's of no use for you to be waxy, Doctor, because it won't do a bit of good. I've got a scent like one of my retrievers; and I've run you down at last." "Am I to understand then, sir, that you intend to watch me?" said Leigh, sternly. "That's it. Of course I do. I've been at it ever since you left the old place. When I make up my mind to a thing I keep to it--stubborn as pollard oak." "Indeed," said Leigh, sarcastically; "and now you have found me, pray what do you want?" "Jenny!" said Claud, with the pollard oak simile in voice and look. "Confound your insolence, sir!" cried Leigh, fiercely. "How dare you speak of my sister like that?" "'Cause I love her, Doctor, like a man," and there was a slight quiver in the speaker's voice; but his face was hard and set, and when he spoke next his words sounded firm and stubborn enough. "I told her so, and I told you so; and whether she'll have me some day, or whether she won't, it's all the same, I'll never give her up. She's got me fast." In spite of his anger, Leigh could not help feeling amused, and Claud saw the slight softening in his features, and said quickly: "I say, tell me how she is." "My sister's health is nothing to you, sir, and I wish you good morning." He strode on, but Claud took step for step with him, in spite of his anger. "It's of no use, Doctor, and you can't assault me here in London. I shall find out where you live, so you may just as well be civil. Tell me how she is." Leigh made no reply, but walked faster. "Her health nothing to me," said Claud, in a low, quick way. "You don't know; and I shan't tell you, because you wouldn't believe, and would laugh at me. I say, how would you like it if someone treated you like this about Kate?" "Silence, sir! How dare you!" thundered Leigh, facing round sharply and stopping short. "Don't shout, Doctor; it will make people think we're rowing, and collect a crowd. But I say, that was a good shot; had you there. Haven't found her yet, then?" "My good fellow, will you go your way, and let me go mine?" "In plain English, Doctor, no, I won't; and if you knock me down I'll get up again, put my hands in my pockets, and follow you wherever you go. I shan't hit out again, though I am in better training and can use my fists quicker than, you can, and I've got the pluck, too, as I could show you. Do just what you like, call me names or hit me, but I shan't never forget you're Jenny's brother. Now, I say, don't be a brute to a poor fellow. It ain't so much of a sin to love the prettiest, dearest, little girl that ever breathed." "Will you be silent?" "Oh, yes, if you'll talk to a fellow. You might be a bit more feeling, seeing you're in the same boat."