"I told you you spoke too lightly of your own ailments, Miss Derinzy," said George, with an earnest, passionate look; "and this account of what you suffer seems to give me the idea that you require more skilled treatment than can be afforded by Mrs. Stothard, kind though she may be." "I didn't say she was kind," said the girl sullenly; "I hate her!" "Has my father never prescribed for you in one of these attacks?" "Never; and never shall!" "I hope you don't hate him too?" asked George with a smile. "I--I don't like him." "May I ask why not?" "I--I can't tell; but his prescribing for me would be of no use, he could do me no good." "How can you tell that?" "Because he has happened to come down here by chance to see my aunt when I have been ill, and of course if he could have cured me, they would have asked him to do so." "Of course," said George. He looked at her steadily, but could glean nothing from the expression on her face, and he changed the subject. "You haven't seen Paul this morning?" "No, I see very little of him. Before he came down, my aunt talked so much to me about his visit, and said he was so amusing and so delightful, and that I should be so much pleased with him." "Well?" "Now you are asking me questions again. I intended to make you tell me all about London and what the people do there; and we have been out here for half an hour, and talked about nothing but myself. What did you mean by 'Well'?" she added laughing. George laughed too. "I meant, and you found all Mrs. Derinzy's anticipations realised?" "Not the least in the world. I don't find my cousin amusing, and I am sure he doesn't talk much; he walks about smoking a pipe and smoothing his moustache with his fingers; and whenever one speaks to him, his thoughts seem to be a long way off, and he has to call them back before he answers you. I told my aunt he was like those people you read of in books, who are in love." "What did she say to that?" "She smiled, and said she had noticed the same since Paul had been down here, and that very likely that might be the reason." "You must not be hard on Paul," said George Wainwright, at the same time frowning slightly; "if you knew him as well as I do, you would think him the best fellow in the world." "I find that that is what is always said of people whom I don't care about," said Annette, quietly. "My father, for instance," said George, with a laugh, "and Mrs. Stothard." "Of Dr. Wainwright, certainly," said Annette. "My aunt and uncle are never tired of proclaiming his praises; and my aunt has reasons, for I believe it is to his skill that my aunt owes her life; but I never heard anyone say anything good of Mrs. Stothard." "Poor Mrs. Stothard," said George. "She will most likely---- Ah, here is the Captain."