"Old, you style him!" cried Dr. Knox. "I should rather call him young--of the two." Major Leckie laughed. "It is a word we are all given to using, doctor. Of course Collinson's not old in years. Why is he staying at Lefford?" "I'm sure I don't know. Unless it is that he has fallen in love. I heard him remark one day that the air of the place suited him." "Ah ah, Master Collinson!" laughed the major. "In love, are you, sir! Caught at last, are you! Who is the lady?" "Nay, I spoke only in jest," returned Dr. Knox. "He seems to be a general admirer; but I don't know that it is any one in particular. Report has mentioned one or two ladies, but report is often a false town-crier." "Well, she will be in luck--whoever gets him. He is one of the nicest, truest fellows I know; and will make a rare good husband." "It is said he has private means. Do you know whether that's true?" "He has very good private means. His father left him a fortune. Sometimes we fancy he will not stay with us long. I should not be surprised if he sells out while he is at home, and settles down." "Johnny Ludlow heard him say something the other night to that effect," observed the doctor, looking at me. "Yes," I said, confirming the words. "He is about buying an estate now, I believe. But he talked of going back to India for a few years." "I hope he will. There's not a man amongst us, that I would not rather spare than Collinson. I _should_ like to see him. I might walk into Lefford now--if you will give me his address, doctor. Will you spare me for an hour or two, Sir Henry?" "Well, I must, I suppose," grumbled Sir Henry. "It's rather bad of you, though, Leckie; and after putting me off with so miserably short a stay. You get here at ten o'clock last night, and you go off at ten o'clock to-night! Fine behaviour that!" "I am obliged to go to-night, Westmorland; you know I am, and I could not get to you earlier, although I tried. I won't be away a minute longer than I can help. I can walk into Lefford in half-an-hour--my pace is a quick one. No; and I won't stay an unconscionable time with Collinson," he added, in answer to a growl of the baronet's. "Trust me. I'll be back under two hours." "Bring him back with you for the rest of the day," said Sir Henry. "Oh, thank you. And I am sure you will say he is the best fellow going. I wonder you and he have not found out one another before." "If you don't mind taking a seat in yonder nondescript vehicle--that Mr. Johnny Ludlow here has the audacity to say must have been built in the year One," laughed Dr. Knox, pointing outside, "I can drive you to Captain Collinson's lodgings." "A friend in need is a friend indeed," cried the major, laughing also. "What style of vehicle do you call it?" "_We_ call it the conveyance. As to its style--well I never had the opportunity of asking that of the builder. I believe my father bought it second-hand when he first went into practice many a year ago."