"I wish I could have remained over tomorrow," he observed to her. "I should like to see and hear how all these poor people get on." "Are you sure you cannot remain?" "I am sure that I ought not. You have heard me speak of Frank Allister Sara?" "Often. The young Scotchman who was with you at Bracknell and Street's for so many years." "We were articled together. He has become very ill lately; and--and the firm has not behaved quite well to him. I have no voice in that part of its economy, or it should never have been." "What did they do?" inquired Sara. "He has not got on as I have. Still he held a tolerably fair post in the house; but his health failed, and he had to absent himself. Mr. Street found out how ill he was, came to the conclusion that he'd be of no use to us again, and wrote him his dismissal. I thought it very hard; and he--he"---- "Yes!" said Sara, eagerly interested. "He found it harder than he could bear. It put the finishing stroke to his illness, and I don't think he will rally. He has no relatives near, few friends; so I see him all I can, and I gave him a faithful promise to spend tomorrow with him. Time's up, and the guard's impatient, I see." "Does the guard know you are going?" "Yes. Don't you see him looking round for me? Fare you well, Sara. I may be down again in a day or two." He had taken her hands for a moment in both his as he stood before her. "I trust you will get safe to town?" she whispered. "Ay, indeed! This night has proved to us that safety lies not with ourselves. God bless you, my dearest!" He crossed the platform and stepped into the carriage, which the guard was holding open. The next moment the train was steaming out of the station, Sara Davenal looking after it with a lingering look, a heart at rest, as that sweet word of endearment rang its echoes on her ear. CHAPTER XIV. A WHIM OF LADY OSWALD'S. The medical body, as a whole, is differently estimated by the world. Some look down upon it, others look up to it; and their own position in the scale of society has no bearing or bias on the views of the estimators. It may be that a nobleman will bow to the worth and value of the physician, will regard him as a benefactor of mankind, exercising that calling of all others most important to the welfare of humanity; while a man very far down in the world's social ladder will despise the doctor wherever he sees him.