Had things ended there, Dr. Humphrey Craig would not have returned home unexpectedly on the present occasion. But he had heard whispers and caught glimpses--he saw a gossip nudge her neighbour and look up a bye-street; and looking himself, recognised two figures whose backs were turned. Not a word said he; but he watched young Andrews narrowly that evening, and the next, and on the third day he spoke. He spoke, and the bubble burst. Ignorant of any cause for the non-delivery of her prescribed tonic which she had arranged to receive herself at one of the park lodges--since General Boldero was not to be annoyed by the suspicion of ill-health, and would infallibly make a fuss if medicines were handed in at the front door--Leonore, after waiting some time in vain, returned home and said nothing about the matter;--but she started a little when she heard a voice in the doorway a few hours later, and found that it proceeded from Dr. Humphrey Craig. He had not yet rung the bell; and took the liberty of a privileged old friend to hail her instead of doing so. "Mrs. Stubbs? It was you I wanted to see. If no one's about, I'll step inside for a minute. Eh? It's all right, is it? I've something here for you; but I might have a word first, perhaps?" She drew him into an empty room. "This is not a professional visit," nodded he; "you haven't called me in, and there will be no note of it in my tablets,--but I understand from my young man that you are feeling a wee bit run down,--don't be frightened, we'll soon put you to rights--and I thought I'd look in. How's the appetite?" Presently it was the sleep--then the spirits, the walking powers;--she was completely put through her facings, her tongue looked at, her pulse felt,--and at length the doctor sat back in his chair. "I have known you from a child, Miss Leonore, ahem--Mrs. Stubbs. Your family has honoured me with its friendship for fifteen years now, and as a friend," with emphasis, "I'm going to lay down the law on this matter. If you'd prefer me to speak to Miss Sue, I will." "Oh, no--no." "I thought not," said the doctor, smiling a little grimly. "But if it should become necessary, I shall do it all the same. You must get away from this place. Your father must be made to let you go. Only for a bit, of course,--but that bit I do insist upon. You've been shut up here, fretting, and brooding, for a matter of nearly two years----" "Indeed, indeed I am quite well." "You tell Tommy Andrews you're not. Trust me, my dear young lady, you wouldn't have told Tommy anything if you had been. It was, ahem--a foolish thing to do, to consult a raw young apprentice." "I--I didn't like to trouble you."