For Luigi was slowly grinding out the last new waltz, and it had such an effect on the more frivolous of the hired servants, that as soon as their elders had quitted the underground banquetting hall, two of them clasped each other, and began to spin round the place, proving that music had charms as well as the man. CHAPTER EIGHT. FAMILY MATTERS. Charley Melton made up his mind that he would behave honourably, and he called several times more at Portland Place, till it became evident that there was no prospect of his being admitted. He saw the carriage twice in the Park, and bowed, to obtain a cold recognition from her ladyship the first time, the cut direct from her the second time, and an agonised look from Maude. "That's the second time this week," he muttered angrily; "I must end this." He stopped short, leaning over the rails and watching the carriage as it was pulled up, and a fashionably-dressed gentleman went to the door and stood talking for some considerable time. "My rival, I suppose. Sir Grantley Wilters, then, is to be the happy man? Here, come along, Joby, it is time to take to stratagem. I wonder what has become of Tom?" The next day a special message was sent to that medical attendant, Doctor Todd, Lady Barmouth imploring him to come directly, as Maude was so ill that she was growing uneasy. "Humph!" said the doctor, "poor girl. But she must wait her turn." He hurried through his interviews with his regular patients, and reached Portland Place just as lunch was going in; but it was put back while Lady Barmouth took him into the drawing-room, where Maude was seated. "Ah, my dear!" he exclaimed, in his cheery way. "Why, I say, what's the matter?" He sat talking to her for some little time, wrote a prescription, and then rose. "There, Lady Barmouth," he said; "that is all I can do. Give her change _and_ peace of mind, and she will soon be well." "Indeed, doctor," cried her ladyship, "she shall have everything she can wish for. As to peace of mind, why what is there to disturb it? It is our peace of mind that suffers. Poor Sir Grantley Wilters is half distracted about her." "Is he?" said the doctor, bluntly. "Why, what has it got to do with him?" "Hush, doctor! Fie!" exclaimed her ladyship, smiling. "There, you are making somebody blush. It is too bad." Maude darted an indignant glance at her mother, and with flaming cheeks and eyes full of tears left the room. "Poor girl, she is so hysterical," said her ladyship. "Ah, these young girls, these young girls! Of course you will stay lunch, doctor?" "Yes," he said shortly, "I intended to. I'm precious hungry, and you've put me out of my usual course." "I'm so sorry," said her ladyship; "but it was very good of you to come," as the door opened and the earl came toddling into the room. "Ah, doctor," he said, "doosed glad to see you. Did you hear my leg was threatening again?" "No," said the doctor, shaking hands. "We must have a consultation."