"Apropos of my visit to Brudenell Hall! I hope, Ishmael, that you will be able to join me there in the course of the summer?" "Father, yes! I promise you to do so. I will be at pains to put my business in such train as will enable me to visit you for a week or two." "Thanks, Ishmael! And now, do you know I think the first dinner bell rang some time ago and it is time to dress?" And Herman Brudenell arose, and after pressing Ishmael's hand, left the library. The interview furnished Ishmael with too much food for thought to admit of his moving for some time. He sat by the table in a brown study, reflecting upon all that he had heard, until he was suddenly startled by the pealing out of the second bell. Then he sprang up, hurried to his chamber, hastily arranged his toilet, and went down into the dining room, where he found all the family already assembled and waiting for him. CHAPTER IV. BEE. And coldly from that noble heart, In all its glowing youth, His lore had turned and spurned apart Its tenderness and truth-- Let him alone to live, or die-- Alone!--Yet, who is she? Some guardian angel from the sky, To bless and aid him?--Bee! _--Anon._ Ishmael received many other invitations. One morning, while he was seated at the table in his office, Walter Middleton entered, saying: "Ishmael, leave reading over those stupid documents and listen to me. I am going to Saratoga for a month. Come with me; it will do you good." "Thank you all the same, Walter; but I cannot leave the city now," said Ishmael. "Nonsense! there is but little doing; and now, if ever, you should take some recreation." "But I am busy with getting up some troublesome cases for the next term." "And that's worse than nonsense! Leave the cases alone until the court sits; take some rest and recreation and you will find it pay well in renewed vigor of body and mind. I that tell you so am an M. D., you know." "I thank you, Dr. Middleton, and when I find myself growing weak I will follow your prescription," smiled Ishmael, rising and beginning to tie up his documents. "And that's a signal for my dismissal, I suppose. Off to the City Hall again this morning?" inquired Walter. "Yes; to keep an appointment," replied Ishmael. And the friends separated. Later in the day, when the young attorney had returned and was spending his leisure hour in going on with the book-packing, Judge Merlin entered and threw himself into a chair and for some moments watched the packer. "What is that you are doing now, Ishmael? Oh, I see; doctoring a sick book!" "Well, I dislike to see a fine volume that has served us faithfully and seen hard usage perish for the want of a moment's attention; it is but that which is required when we have the mucilage at hand," he said, smiling and pointing to the bottle and brush, and then deposited the book in its packing-case.