"There I think you are wrong, Mary," said the doctor, quickly; "and I will say that I wish you, a stable, middle-aged man, and an old friend of her father's, would go and spend more time by her side; it would keep off these buzzing young gnats." "If I said anything unkind, Mr Harley," said the little lady, holding out her hand, "please forgive me. I only wish to help my husband to do his duty towards the young lady who is in our charge." "My dear Mrs Bolter," said the Resident, taking the extended hand, "I only esteem my dear old friend's wife the more for the brave way in which she behaved. I am sure we shall be the firmest of friends!" "I hope we shall, I am sure," said the little lady, warmly. "What do you say, Bolter?" "I know you will," cried the doctor. "You won't be able to help it, Harley. She is just the brave, true lady we want at the station to take the lead and rule the roost. She'll keep all the ladies in order." "Now, Henry!" "But you will, my dear; and I tell you at once that Neil Harley here will help you all he can." Five minutes later the doctor and his wife were alone, the former being called to account for his very warm advocacy of Mr Harley. "Well, my dear, he deserves it all," said the doctor. "But I don't quite like his behaviour towards Helen Perowne," said the little lady; "and now we are upon the subject, Harry, I must say that I don't quite like your conduct towards that girl." The doctor turned, took her hands, held them, and laughed. "Why, what a droll little body you are, Mary!" "And why, sir, pray?" said the lady, rather sharply. "Four or five months ago, my dear, I don't believe you knew the real meaning of the word _love_, and now I honestly believe you are finding out the meaning of the word _jealousy_ as well; but seriously, my dear, that girl makes me shiver!" "Shiver, sir! Why?" "She's a regular firebrand coming amongst our young men. She'll do no end of mischief. I see it as plain as can be, and I shall have to set to as soon as I get home to compound a fresh medicine--pills at night, draught in the morning--for the cure of love-sickness. She'll give the lot the complaint. But, you dear, silly little old woman, you don't think that I--oh!--oh! come, Mary, Mary, my dear!" "Well, there, I don't think so, Harry," said the little lady, apologetically, "but she is so horribly handsome, and makes such use of those dreadful eyes of hers, that it makes me cross when I see the gentlemen obeying her lightest beck and call." "Well, she does lead them about pretty well," chuckled the doctor. "She's a handsome girl!" "Henry!" "Well, my dear, I'll think she's as ugly as sin if you like." "And in spite of all you say of Mr Harley, I don't think he is behaving well. She gave him a few of those looks of hers when he came down to our wedding, and he has been following her ever since. I've watched him!"