Leonard rose, and went to the door. Gerald ran after him into the passage and whispered, "I will tell you everything that passes, Leonard. You must not be hurt." "Nothing can hurt me that is for your good," said Leonard. "I will walk up and down the street, and wait till you come out." He was furious with the doctor. "Officious fool!" he muttered when he was outside. "What mischief will he be up to?" "Now," said the doctor, when Gerald rejoined him, "I can speak more freely. I have nothing whatever to say against your brother----" "Nothing can be said against him," interrupted Gerald, warmly. "It is pleasant to see the affection that exists between you," remarked the doctor; "but he is not the young lady's lover." "No," said Gerald, "I am." "It is for that reason," said the doctor, with a slight frown, "that I desire to confer with you alone. Young gentleman, it is my intention to speak very plainly to you. You are the young lady's lover, you declare. Her honorable lover, may I ask?" "Her honorable lover," replied Gerald, "as I am a gentleman." "Declared and accepted?" "Declared and accepted." "Have you any objection to my saying what is in my mind?" "Not the slightest." "You love her honorably. Therefore you would do much to restore her to health?" "I would give all I possess in the world. I would sacrifice my life for her dear sake." "You are rich?" "I am very well-to-do." "Have you a thousand a-year?" "Three, at least, and funds in hand besides." "What is the young lady's income?" "She has none." "She is poor, then?" "Yes." "And friendless?" "With the exception of ourselves and two good maiden ladies who have known her only for a day, she has no friends." "Nor family--parents, I mean, brothers and sisters?" "She has none." "Your frank answers make my task easier, but at the same time do not remove my doubts. I am taking the liberty of an old man, for I am old enough to be your grandfather. The young lady interests me greatly, and all that I know of her I have learned from the good people who, perfect strangers to her, have taken her to their bosoms with as much sincerity and almost as much affection as if she were a child of their own." "God bless them for it!"