Step by step, slowly and painfully, he returned to his chamber, not uttering a word as he went. “Yes, this is better, doctor; this half light soothes; it is much pleasanter. One more kindness. I wrote to Lady Lendrick this morning to come up here. I suppose my combative spirit was high in me, and I wanted a round with the gloves,--or, indeed, without them; at all events, I sent the challenge. But _now_, doctor, I have to own myself a craven. I dread the visit Could you manage to interpose? Could you suggest that it is by your order I am not permitted to receive her? Could you hint”--here he smiled half maliciously--“that you do not think the time has come for anodynes,--eh, doctor?” “Leave it to me. I 'll speak to Lady Lendrick.” “There 's another thing: not that it much matters; but it might perhaps be as well to send a few lines to the morning papers, to say the accounts of the Chief Baron are more favorable to-day; he passed a tranquil night, and so on. Pemberton won't like it, nor Hayes; but it will calm the fears of a very attached friend who calls here twice daily. You'd never guess him. He is the agent of the Globe Office, where I 'm insured. Ah, doctor, it was a bright thought of Philanthropy to establish an industrial enterprise that is bound, under heavy recognizances, to be grieved at our death.” “I must not make you talk, Sir William. I must not encourage you to exert yourself. I 'll say good-bye, and look in upon you this afternoon.” “Am I to have a book? Well; be it so. I I 'll sit and muse over the Attorney-General and his hopes.” “I have got two very interesting miniatures here. I 'll leave them with you; you might like to look at them.” “Miniatures! whose portraits are they?” asked the other, hastily, as he almost snatched them from his hand. “What a miserable juggler! what a stale trick this!” said he, as he opened the case which contained the young man's picture. “So, sir, you lend yourself to such attempts as these.” “I don't understand you,” said Beattie, indignantly. “Yes, sir, you understand me perfectly. You would do, by a piece of legerdemain, what you have not the courage to attempt openly. These are Tom Lendrick's children.” “They are.” “And this simpering young lady is her mother's image; pretty, pretty, no doubt; and a little--a shade, perhaps--of _espièglerie_ above what her mother possessed. She was the silliest woman that ever turned a fool's head. She had the ineffable folly, sir, to believe she could persuade me to forgive my son for having married her; and when I handed her to a seat,--for she was at my knees,--she fainted.” “Well. It is time to forgive him now. As for her, she is beyond forgiveness, or favor, either,” said Beattie, with more energy than before.