“It has always been a matter of wonder to me how he has lived so long. To go on existing, and be so sensitive to public opinion, is something quite beyond my comprehension.” “You would not mind such attacks, then?” said Beattie, with a very slight sneer. “I should think not! A man must be a fool if he does n't know there are scores of fellows who don't like him; and he must be an unlucky dog if there are not others who envy him for something or other, though it only be his horse or his dog, his waistcoat or his wife.” In the look of malevolence he threw across the table as he spoke this, might be read the concentrated hate of one who loved to insult his victim. The doctor saw it, and rose to leave, disgusted and angry. “I suppose Sir William knows I am here?” said he, coldly. “I suspect not,” said Sewell. “If you 'll talk to my wife, or look over the 'Times,' I'll go and tell him.” The Chief Baron was seated at his writing-table when Sewell entered, and angrily cried out, “Who is there?” “Sewell, my Lord. May I come in?” “Sir, you have taken that liberty in anticipation of the request. What do you want?” “I came to say, my Lord, that Dr. Beattie is here.” “Who sent for him, sir?” “Not I, my Lord, certainly.” “I repeat my question, sir, and expect a direct answer.” “I can only repeat my answer, my Lord. He was not sent for by me or with my knowledge.” “So that I am to understand that his presence here is not the result of any active solicitude of my family for the consequences of this new outrage upon my feelings;” and he clutched the newspaper as he spoke, and shook it with passion. “I assure you, my Lord, Beattie has come here of his own accord.” “But on account of this!” and the words came from him with a hissing sound that denoted intense anger. Sewell made a gesture to imply that it might be so, but that he himself knew nothing of it. “Tell him, then, sir, that the Chief Baron regrets he cannot see him; that he is at this moment engaged with the reply to a late attack in the House of Commons, which he desires to finish before post hour; and add, sir, that he is in the best of health and in excellent spirits,--facts which will afford him increased enjoyment, if Dr. Beattie will only be kind enough to mention them widely in the course of his visits.” “I 'm delighted, my Lord, to be charged with such a message,” said Sewell, with a well-assumed joy. “I am glad, sir, to have pleased you, at the same time that I have gained your approbation.” There was a haughty tone in the way these words were delivered that for an instant made Sewell doubt whether they meant approval or reprimand; but he thought he saw a look of self-satisfied vanity in the old man's face, and he merely bowed his thanks for the speech.