"The very culmination of my wishes, madam," said the doctor, nodding. "Then why couldn't you say so in plain English?" cried Scarlett, clapping him on the shoulder. "What a fellow you are, Jack! I say, if you get talking in such a metaphorical manner about salts and senna and indigestion I don't wonder at the profession being dead against you." "Would you like to come round to the dairy, Doctor Scales?" said Lady Scarlett. "I'd rather go there than into the grandest palace in the world." "Then come alone," cried Scarlett thrusting his arm through that of his old schoolfellow; and the little party went down a walk, through an opening in a laurel hedge, and entered a thickly thatched, shady, red-brick building, with ruddy-tiled floor, and there, in front of them was a row of shallow glistening tins, brimming with rich milk, whose top was thick with yellow cream. "Hah! how deliciously cool and fresh!" cried the doctor, as his eye ranged over the white chum and marble slabs. "Some men are wonderfully proud of their wine-cellars, but at a time like this I feel as if I would rather own a dairy and keep cows." "Now then, Kitty, give him his draught," said Scarlett. "Yes, just one glass," cried the doctor; "and here we are," he said, pausing before a great shallow tin, beyond which was freshly chalked the word "Dolly." "This is the well in the pleasant oasis from which I'd drink." "Give him some quickly, Kitty," cried Scarlett; "his metaphors will make me ill." "Then my visit will not have been in vain," cried the doctor merrily. Then he ejaculated, "Hah!" very softly, and closed his eyes as he partook of the sweet rich draught, set down the glass, and after wiping his lips, exclaimed: "`Serenely calm, the epicure may say'--" "O yes; I know," said Sir James, catching him up. "`Fate cannot harm me--I have dined to-day.' But you have not dined yet, old fellow; and you shall have such a salad! My own growing; Kitty's making. Come along now, and let's look round. Prayle's here." "Is he?" said the doctor, raising his eye-brows slightly, and his tone seemed to say: "I'm sorry to hear it." "Yes, poor fellow; he's working too hard, and I brought him down to stay a bit. Now you've come, and we'll have--" "No, no; I must get back. None of your unmanly temptations. I'm going to catch the last up-train to-night." "One of your patients in a dangerous state, I suppose?" said Scarlett, with a humorous glance at his wife. "No: worse luck! I've no patients waiting for me. I say, old fellow, you haven't a rich old countess about here--baroness would do--one who suffers from chronic spleen, as the French call it? Get me called in there, you know, and make me her confidential attendant." "Why, there's Lady Martlett," said Scarlett, with another glance at his wife which plainly said: "Hold your tongue, dear." "Widow lady. Just the body. I dare say she'll be here before long." "Oh, but I'm off back to-night."