“As I said awhile ago,” said the Judge, with a smile of deeper malice, “these witty fellows spare nobody! At the very moment he praises the sherry he disparages the host. Why should not this place be filled by one of my family, Haire? I call upon you to show cause.” “There's no reason against it. I never said there was. Nay, I was far from satisfied with you on the day you refused my prayer on behalf of one belonging to you.” “Sir, you are travelling out of the record,” said the Judge, angrily. “I can only say,” added Haire, “that I wish Colonel Sewell joy with all my heart; and if he 'll allow me, I 'll do it in a bumper.” “'A reason fair to drink his health again!' That 's not the line. How does it go, Lucy? Don't you remember the verse?” “No, sir; I never heard it.” “'A reason fair,--a reason fair.' I declare I believe the newspapers are right. I am losing my memory. One of the scurrilous rascals t'other day said they saw no reason Justice should be deaf as well as blind. Haire, was that yours?” “A thousand a year,” muttered Haire to Sewell. “What is that, Haire?” cried the old Judge. “Do I hear you aright? You utter one thousand things just as good every year?” “I was speaking of the Registrar's salary,” said Haire, half testily. “A thousand a year is a pittance,--a mere pittance, sir, in a country like England. It is like the place at a window to see a procession. You may gaze on the passing tide of humanity, but must not dare to mix in it.” “And yet papa went half across the globe for it,” said Lucy, with a flushed and burning cheek. “In your father's profession the rewards are less money, Lucy, than the esteem and regard of society. I have ever thought it wise of our rulers not to bestow titles on physicians, but to leave them the unobtrusive and undistinguished comforters of every class and condition. The equal of any,--the companion of all.” It was evident that the old Judge was eager for discussion on anything. He had tried in vain to provoke each of his guests, and he was almost irritable at the deference accorded him. “Do I see you pass the decanter, Colonel Sewell? Are you not drinking any wine?” “No, my Lord.” “Perhaps you like coffee? Don't you think, Lucy, you could give him some?” “Yes, sir. I shall be delighted.” “Very well. Haire and I will finish this magnum, and then join you in the drawing-room.” Lucy took Sewells arm and retired. They were scarcely well out of the room when Sewell halted suddenly, and in a voice so artificial that, if Lucy had been given to suspectfulness, she would have detected at once, said, “Is the Judge always as pleasant and as witty as we saw him today?” “To-day he was very far from himself; something, I 'm sure, must have irritated him, for he was not in his usual mood.” “I confess I thought him charming; so full of neat reply, pleasant apropos, and happy quotation.” “He very often has days of all that you have just said, and I am delighted with them.”