Neil's head began to droop, but the old man's mind was so deeply immersed in the subject nearest his heart that he did not see the change in his pupil's face. "Like the meddlesome old idiot I was, I snatched at the opportunity of bringing you together, and insisted upon her coming down to your father's place to tend him." A low sigh escaped from Neil's breast. "For I said to myself: the old man will see her and learn her value, and the sweetness of her nature. He will be ready to open his arms to her, and call her daughter when the son has spoken to her; and I thought I was doing right to you both. Neil, my lad, you ought to have had more confidential moments with me, and told me that you already loved. I had no right to know, my dear boy, but it would have saved much pain. I love Lady Cicely very dearly--as much as if she were my own flesh and blood." Neil looked up at the old man wonderingly, but he was gazing down at his hat. "Yes, bless her!" he continued, repeating his words, "as if she were my own flesh and blood; and this misfortune--I can call it nothing else-- hurts me very much, and I am certain it will grieve her terribly, for she loves you, my boy, I am sure." "My dear Sir Denton--Lady Cicely?" cried Neil, looking at him as if doubting his sanity. "Whom do you mean?" "Oh! I had forgotten. Of course you do not know--Lady Cicely, the late Duke of Atheldene's daughter--Nurse Elisia--my dear young friend, who gave up her life of luxury and ease to devote herself as you have seen." "Sir Denton!" "Yes, my dear boy, it is so. Don't look at me as if you thought I were wandering. That was my castle in the air, Neil Elthorne, and I am deeply grieved for both your sakes. Ah, how easily we clever men, as we think ourselves, are deceived. But, as your old friend, my boy, may I ask--some lady--in your neighbourhood--an attachment, perhaps, of many years?" Neil looked at him wildly and his lips were quivering with the agony still so new. "I beg your pardon, my dear boy," said Sir Denton softly. "I ought not to have laid my hand so roughly on the wound. Forgive me." Neil remained silent for a few minutes, and Sir Denton rose to go. "There, then, my dear boy," he said in a different tone, "I consider, then, that the appointment is settled and you will go?" "Yes, Sir Denton. My preparations will be very few. I shall be ready to go by this vessel if the authorities are willing." "And God speed you in your work!" "And God speed me in my work!" said Neil solemnly. Sir Denton grasped the young surgeon's hand, holding it firmly. "Come and dine with me to-night, and we'll have a long chat over it. I dare say I can give you a few useful hints. I must go to the hospital now. Good-bye for the present." But Neil held his hand firmly still. "Wait a moment," he said hoarsely. "You accuse me of want of confidence in you. I am not the kind of man who babbles about the strongest feeling of his nature."