"I have already remarked that I shall only require to see Mr. Denison for a few minutes," replied Mr. Plackett, stiffly. There was something about this little black-bearded, foreign-looking doctor which impressed him unfavourably. "You will pardon me for intimating that I only speak in the interests of my patient," responded Jago, in his blandest accents. "Anything that excites Mr. Denison is a source of danger to him in his present condition. He is, and has been for some time now, so very weak, that his lasting so long has somewhat surprised his friends; and he is so very----" "Very much surprised them indeed, I fancy," interrupted the lawyer: and Dr. Jago took a glance at him with his keen eyes. "And so very self-willed, I was about to add," went on the Doctor, with a smile. "It is a difficult matter to manage him at times." Mr. Charles Plackett rose. "If Squire Denison is ready to receive us, sir, it seems to me that the sooner we get the interview over, the better." "I am quite of your opinion, sir," returned the Doctor, his tones as bland as the lawyer's were curt. "Mr. Denison is quite ready and waiting. I believe you have met Mr. Denison before?" added Dr. Jago, as they were quitting the room. "We have met twice," responded Mr. Charles Plackett. "It was in London, about five or six years ago." "So long ago as that!" exclaimed Hubert Stone. "Dear me! You will find him greatly altered, sir." "I expect that. But I should know him, however much he may be changed," pursued the lawyer. "Is Mr. Denison able to sit up?" "Some days he is--but never so early as this. You will have to see him in bed." The Squire's bedroom was next to his sitting-room. As they passed through the green baize doors, both thrown wide open to-day, Charles Plackett noticed them. "These look new," remarked he. "Put up to keep out the draughts?" "Not so much that as to keep out noise," remarked Dr. Jago. "One would think you had not much noise at the Hall here." "Pardon me. Visitors are pretty frequent, and it annoys the Squire to hear them when he cannot receive them. His ears are quick." Dr. Jago halted at the bedroom door as he spoke. "Wait just an instant," he whispered; "I'll go in and see that he has not dropped asleep." So they waited outside, the two visitors and Hubert. "It is quite right," said Dr. Jago, reappearing. "He is awake and ready to see you." Opening wide the door he stepped back; Mr. Plackett and his clerk entered. Hubert went in last and closed the door gently.