“The shadow will correct that,” said Sydney, smiling; “and when the foreground is darker.” A violent slam of the door cut short the explanation. It was George Onslow, who, too indignant at the practised impertinence toward his sister, dashed out of the room in a passion. “How underbred your brother will persist in being, my love,” said she, calmly; “that vile trick of slamming a door, they learn, I 'm told, in the Guards' Club. I 'm sure I always thought it was confined to the melodrames one sees at the Porte St. Martin.” At this moment a servant appeared at the door. “Colonel Haggerstone's compliments, my Lady, and begs to know how Sir Stafford is to-day.” “Something better,” replied she, curtly; and as the man disappeared, she added, “Whose compliments did he say?” “I did not hear the name; it sounded like Haggerstone.” “Impossible, child; we know of no such person. What hour is it?” “A few minutes past two.” “Oh dear! I fancied it had been four or five or six,” sighed she, drearily. “The amiable doctor has not made his report to-day of your papa, and he went to see him immediately after breakfast.” “He told George that there was no amendment,” said Sydney, gravely. “He told George! Then he did not deign to tell me.” “You were not here at the moment. It was as he passed through the room hurriedly.” “I conclude that I was in my dressing-room. But it is only in keeping with Mr. Grounsell's studied disrespect, a line of conduct I grieve to see him supported in by members of this family.” “Mr. Alfred Jekyl, my Lady,” said a servant, “with inquiry for Sir Stafford.” “You appear to know best, my dear, how your papa is. Pray answer thai inquiry.” “Sir Stafford is not better,” said Sydney to the servant. “Who can all these people be, my dear?” said Lady Hester, with more animation of manner than she had yet exhibited. “Jekyl is a name one knows. There are Northamptonshire Jekyls, and, if I mistake not, it was a Jekyl married Lady Olivia Drossmore, was it not? Oh, what a fool I am to ask you, who never know anything of family or connection! And yet I 'm certain I 've told you over and over the importance the actual necessity of this knowledge. If you only bestowed upon Burke a tithe of the patience and time I have seen you devote to Lyell, you 'd not commit the shocking mistake you fell into t' other day of discussing the Duchess of Dartley's character with Lord Brandford, from whom she was divorced. Now you 'd never offend quartz and sandstone by miscalling their affinities. But here comes the doctor.”