"Humph!" he said; "poor old Moredock is right, perhaps, about the girl. Confounded hard upon the people to have such a scoundrel loose among them." He half-hesitated, as if he felt that it was his duty to interfere, but there was too much earnest work at the Rectory for him to speak at a time like this. And, besides, he could not have explained why, but the thought seemed to afford him something like satisfaction, for it was evident that if Tom Candlish had stooped to court pretty Dally Watlock, the Rectory servant, everything must have long been at an end between Leo and the squire's brother, the thrashing administered by Mr Salis having been effectual in its way. He was extremely anxious, too, about Leo; for unconsciously a new interest was awakening in him, and he felt that no case in which he had been engaged had ever caused him more anxiety than this. So he hurried on to his patient's room, where the fever was growing more intense, and the flushed face was rolled from side to side upon the white pillow. "Just the same, sir," said Mrs Milt, as he asked a few eager questions. "She's been going on like that ever since you left. Isn't she very bad? Hark at her breath." "Very bad, Milt," said the doctor gravely; "and if matters go on like this I shall send over to King's Hampton for--" "No, no; don't you do that, sir," said the old housekeeper sharply. "If you can't save her no one can." "Why, Milt!" exclaimed the doctor wonderingly. "Oh! you needn't look like that, sir. I know you. It's a deal of wherrit you give me with your awkward ways and irregular hours; but I will say this for you, there isn't a cleverer doctor going." "And yet you walked over to King's Hampton to the other doctor when you were ill." "Well, you had put me out so just then, and I felt as if I would sooner have died than come to you." "Ugh! you obstinate old thing," said North. "There, I'm going down to talk to Mr Salis for a while; then I shall come and take your place for six hours while you go and lie down." "Oh!" ejaculated Mrs Milt; and she tightened her lips and remained silent for a few moments, while her master re-examined his patient. Then, drawing herself up: "I may be obstinate, sir, but I think I know my duty in a case of illness. I'm here to watch by Miss Leo Salis's bedside, and here I'm going to stay." "Mrs Milt," said the doctor sternly, "the first duty of a nurse is to obey instructions, as you well know. Now, no more talking, but sit down till I return." Mrs Milt looked tighter than ever, and her rigid stay-bone gave a crack, but she obeyed; while the doctor went down to where Salis and Mary were anxiously awaiting his report. "I meant to have had some tea ready for you," said Mary, after hearing what he had to say; "but Dally is missing. She must have gone to her grandfather's cottage." The doctor uttered a loud "Humph!" and then remarked that he could wait.