tell him of the dinner party at Steephill and see how the land lay. I cannot tell whether Mr. Tredgold had any suspicion of the motives which made his medical man so very attentive to him, but he was always glad to see the doctor, who amused him, and whose vigorous life and occupation it did the old gentleman good to see. “Ah, doctor, you remind me of what I was when I was a young man--always at it night and day. I didn’t care not a ha’penny for pleasure; work was pleasure for me--and makin’ money,” said the old man with a chuckle and a slap on the pocket where, metaphorically, it was all stored. “You had the advantage over me, then,” the doctor said. “Why, you fellows must be coining money,” cried the patient; “a golden guinea for five minutes’ talk; rich as Creosote you doctors ought to grow--once you get to the top of the tree. Must be at the top o’ the tree first, I’ll allow--known on ‘Change, you know, and that sort of thing. You should go in for royalties, doctor; that’s the way to get known.” “I should have no objection, Mr. Tredgold, you may be sure, if the royalties would go in for me; but there are two to be taken into account in such a bargain.” “Oh, that’s easily done,” said the old man. “Stand by when there’s some accident, doctor--there’s always accidents; and be on the spot at the proper time.” “Unless I were to hire someone to get up the accident---- Would you go so far as to recommend that?” Old Tredgold laughed and resumed the former subject. “So you took my Katie in to dinner? Well, I’m glad of that. I don’t approve of young prodigals dangling about my girls; they may save themselves the trouble. I’ve let ’em know my principles, I hope, strong enough. If I would not give in to my little Stella, it stands to reason I won’t for Kate. So my Lady Jane had best keep her fine gentlemen to herself.” “You may make your mind quite easy, sir,” said the doctor; “there were nothing but county people, and very heavy county people into the bargain.” “County or town, I don’t think much of ’em,” said old Tredgold; “not unless they can table their money alongside of me; that’s my principle, Dr. Burnet--pound for pound, or you don’t get a daughter of mine. It’s the only safe principle. Girls are chiefly fools about money; though Stella wasn’t, mind you--that girl was always a chip o’ the old block. Led astray, she was, by not believing I meant what I said--thought she could turn me round her little finger. That’s what they all think,” he said with a chuckle, “till they try--till they try.” “You see it is difficult to know until they do try,” said Dr. Burnet; “and if you will excuse me saying it, Mr. Tredgold, Miss Stella had every reason to think she could turn you round her little finger. She had only to express a wish----”