"In Lady Hartledon I attribute them entirely to her present state of health. I assure you, I don't see the slightest cause for fear as regards your wife's heart. She is of a calm temperament too; as far as I can observe." They stood talking for a minute at the door, when Lord Hartledon went out. Pike happened to pass on the other side of the road. "He is here still, I see," remarked Hartledon. "Oh dear, yes; and likely to be." "I wonder how the fellow picks up a living?" The surgeon did not answer. "Are you going to make a long stay with us?" he asked. "A very short one. I suppose you have had no return of the fever?" "Not any. Calne never was more healthy than it is now. As I said to Dr. Ashton yesterday, but for his own house I might put up my shutters and take a lengthened holiday." "Who is ill at the Rectory? Mrs. Ashton?" "Mrs. Ashton is not strong, but she's better than she was last year. I have been more concerned for Anne than for her." "Is _she_ ill?" cried Lord Hartledon, a spasm seizing his throat. "Ailing. But it's an ailing I do not like." "What's the cause?" he rejoined, feeling as if some other crime were about to be brought home to him. "That's a question I never inquire into. I put it upon the air of the Rectory," added the surgeon in jesting tones, "and tell them they ought to go away for a time, but they have been away too much of late, they say. She's getting over it somewhat, and I take care that she goes out and takes exercise. What has it been? Well, a sort of inward fever, with flushed cheeks and unequal spirits. It takes time for these things to be got over, you know. The Rector has been anything but well, too; he is not the strong, healthy man he was." "And all _my_ work; my work!" cried Hartledon to himself, almost gnashing his teeth as he went back down the street. "What _right_ had I to upset the happiness of that family? I wish it had pleased God to take me first! My father used to say that some men seem born into the world only to be a blight to it; it's what I have been, Heaven knows."