"You will have plenty of time for both," said the old lady; and then as they left the room: "I look your place then, Gertie, and acted as your mouthpiece," she whispered. "Did I play my part correctly?" Gertrude tried to answer, but the words would not come; and, escaping from her companion in dread lest she would break down, she ran off to the stable to make Bruno her confidant, and ended by bringing him with her to let him lie down upon the grass just outside the drawing-room window. Meanwhile, the gentlemen were discussing the topic uppermost in their minds, and the result of the conversation was a declaration from the visitor that Saul Harrington must be made to speak out. "Must?" said the old lawyer. "Easily said, sir; but suppose it is against Saul Harrington's interest to speak. A cross-examining barrister might do a great deal, but you could do nothing." "I don't know; so much depends upon accident. At all events I shall see him at once." "That would be useless just now," said the doctor. "He is seriously ill, and half delirious at times. You could do no good by seeing him now." "Let's join the ladies," said the lawyer. "I wish you would not come down here, sir. It seems to me that you place me in a very peculiar position." "One for which you will be grateful some day, Mr Hampton," said the young man laughing. "How hard it is to get elderly people to do their duty." They were on the way to the drawing-room, and the doctor had just opened the door. There was a loud bark, and the sound of something being overturned. "Bruno! Bruno!" cried Gertrude, as she caught the dog by his collar. "Bless us and save us, my dear!" cried Mrs Hampton. "Do have that dog locked up." "What's that? My patient!" said the young man, as he entered the drawing-room. Gertrude's ears tingled, for this was all new to those present. There was a volley of barks and the dog stood panting and listening. "Well, Bruno, old fellow; how's the head?" The dog gave a joyful whine, ran to him, and tried to raise himself up so as to place his paws upon the speaker's breast, but failed. "Come, you are ten times better than when I saw you last--ever so much stronger, too. Why, the head's getting all right again." "When did he see him last?" thought Mrs Hampton. "Why, you seem old friends," said Doctor Lawrence. "Yes," said Gertrude quickly. "Mr George Harrington saw me when I was down the garden one day with the dog." The lawyer coughed. "No, sir, don't do that," said the young man laughing, as he sat with the dog resting his heavy head upon his knee. "Do what, sir?" "Cough in that meaning way. It is a reflection upon the lady." "Oh, indeed!"