'I understand all about it,' he said. 'You need not try to tell me any more. My little Wych!— Look here; there are just two things to be said, one mediate, the other immediate. In the first place, no uncertainty of motives need embarrass or delay your action in a course that you know to be right. In the next place,—Hazel,—don't you see, that when we have been married a while and I am become an old story, I shall be more of a help and less of a hindrance? And I know all about you; and I don't know it a bit better after all this long exposition than I did before. And if I have changed my standpoint relatively to some things, I have never changed it respecting you, except to draw nearer. Now confess you have been a foolish child.' The soft laugh which answered him had more than shyness to make it unsteady. 'I do not suppose you want to change me for anybody else,' she said. 'But I do not want you to think I _am_ anybody else.' There came just then rapid hoof-beats round the house, and in a minute more Dingee presented himself in the red room, bearing a request that Mr. Rollo would come to the side door for a moment, to see Dr. Arthur Maryland. CHAPTER XVI. DR. ARTHUR'S NEWS. The doctor was on horseback, but standing a little way off from the steps. 'Stay where you are—' he said, speaking low however. 'Dane, there is ship fever among those Swedes that have just come to the Hollow.' 'The Schiffers?' 'Yes. I was not certain till to-night, but I have been all day taking precautions and making arrangements, and could not get away a minute sooner. I was afraid you might miss a message; and I would not write notes there to be opened here. Now I cannot stop to talk, but if you will send me general orders every morning for men and business in the Hollow, I will see them carried out. Good- night.—My respects to her Grace.' 'Stop—Arthur!' said the other as he was moving off—'I shall be there presently.' 'On no account!' said Dr. Arthur wheeling round. 'I am too glad that you were here to-day. Always depute that part of your work which somebody else can do.' 'I will be there, Arthur, in an hour or two. Go on—you had better not wait for me.' Dr. Arthur sat still a minute, looking down between his horse's ears. 'Well,' he said,—'perhaps it is none of my business, — but do you know what a sensitive plant you have to deal with in there? She must not have another shock like that mysterious one of a month ago. Good-night!—' With a somewhat slow step, Rollo left the hall door and went back to the red room. But his face shewed no change to disturb Wych Hazel. He came back first to the fire, and somewhat thoughtfully, quite silently, put it in order. By that time he was ready. He faced Wych Hazel, and spoke in his ordinary tone. 'I am glad we have had this day, Wych—and I am glad we have had our talk this evening: for I find we cannot have another in some time.'