"Yes, sir; but you cannot make him retract from driving me off the family tree for a time," said Denis, with a sad smile. "I am only a beggar now, and I must go." "Indeed you will not. And as for being a beggar, Very here will have plenty for you both." "Which I could not take." "Then, confound you, sir!" cried the Doctor, with mock fury, "I'll bring an action against you for breach of promise of marriage. There, pet, don't cry: you shall have your pretty boy." "Doctor Salado, you must not go. You don't know my father." "Thoroughly, my lad. There--take heart, both of you. Denis, my lad, you sha'n't be a pensioner on my bounty. Come, I'll bet you five pounds that your father and mother dine here with us to-night, and talk to my Very here as if she were their child, as she has to be." "Doctor Salado, are you mad?" "Yes, my lad. I have been all my life, but I'm not at all dangerous. God bless you, my lad! I believe in you, and when I come back you'll believe in me." VOLUME ONE, CHAPTER EIGHT. DOCTOR SALADO'S MAGIC. "Take the good the gods provide you," seemed to be Denis Rolleston's motto, for he was very happy with Veronica, while the Doctor made off across the park, gave the bell at the open door a tremendous tug, and then waited till a serious-looking butler came to the front. "Tell his lordship I want to see him directly." "Not at home, sir," said the man stolidly. "Tell his lordship I want to see him directly," cried the Doctor sternly. "He's in the library: I heard his laugh as I came up to the house." "But--" "Stand aside, fellow!" cried the Doctor; and he marched in, flung open the library door, and shut it sharply, as Lord Pinemount rose from his chair pale with rage. "Morning," said the Doctor. "Sit down. I want a chat with you." He took a seat coolly, and looked critically at the angry man before him, who was breathless with passion. "How dare you!" he said at last--"how dare you force your presence here! Go, sir, before I send for the police." "Don't make a fool of yourself, sir: sit down. You must know that the business is important, or I should not act like this." "You are a madman, sir!" "Yes, perhaps: sit down." There was such a tone of authority in the Doctor's words that his lordship dropped back in his chair wondering at his own action. "That's better. Now then, Pinemount, let's look the state of affairs in the face. Your boy loves my child." "I have no son, sir. I have cut him off." "Humph! All talk, sir. Can't be done. He loves my girl, and she loves him. He is up at my house now; and after I have talked to you I want you to bring her ladyship over to the young people, and make things comfortable." "Yes, you are mad," said his lordship, reassuring himself. "How dare you presume like this! Leave my house, sir!" "Don't raise your voice, man, and let all the servants know you are in a passion."