I helped him out of his awkwardness in the best way, by appearing not to observe it, and going straight on, I said: “Those revivals of interest in a subject happen to me often; one book suggests another, and often sends me back a wild-goose chase over an interval of twenty years. But if you still care to possess a copy, I shall be only too happy to provide you; I have still got two or three by me—and if you allow me to present one I shall be very much honoured.” “You are very good indeed,” he said, quite at his ease again, in a moment: “I almost despaired—I don’t know how to thank you.” “Pray don’t say a word; the thing is really so little worth that I am only ashamed of having offered it, and if you thank me any more I shall throw it into the fire in a fit of modesty.” Mr. Jennings laughed. He inquired where I was staying in London, and after a little more conversation on a variety of subjects, he took his departure. CHAPTER II. THE DOCTOR QUESTIONS LADY MARY, AND SHE ANSWERS. “I like your vicar so much, Lady Mary,” said I, so soon as he was gone. “He has read, travelled, and thought, and having also suffered, he ought to be an accomplished companion.” “So he is, and, better still, he is a really good man,” said she. “His advice is invaluable about my schools, and all my little undertakings at Dawlbridge, and he’s so painstaking, he takes so much trouble—you have no idea—wherever he thinks he can be of use: he’s so good-natured and so sensible.” “It is pleasant to hear so good an account of his neighbourly virtues. I can only testify to his being an agreeable and gentle companion, and in addition to what you have told me, I think I can tell you two or three things about him,” said I. “Really!” “Yes, to begin with, he’s unmarried.” “Yes, that’s right,—go on.” “He has been writing, that is he was, but for two or three years perhaps, he has not gone on with his work, and the book was upon some rather abstract subject—perhaps theology.” “Well, he was writing a book, as you say; I’m not quite sure what it was about, but only that it was nothing that I cared for, very likely you are right, and he certainly did stop—yes.” “And although he only drank a little coffee here to-night, he likes tea, at least, did like it, extravagantly.” “Yes, that’s _quite_ true.” “He drank green tea, a good deal, didn’t he?” I pursued. “Well, that’s very odd! Green tea was a subject on which we used almost to quarrel.” “But he has quite given that up,” said I. “So he has.” “And, now, one more fact. His mother or his father, did you know them?” “Yes, both; his father is only ten years dead, and their place is near Dawlbridge. We knew them very well,” she answered. “Well, either his mother or his father—I should rather think his father, saw a ghost,” said I. “Well, you really are a conjurer, Dr. Hesselius.” “Conjurer or no, haven’t I said right?” I answered merrily.