"I don't believe people would be so dishonest, my dear; and as for Mr Saxby--he's a goose. No more courage or speculation in him than a frog. Not so much. A frog will travel about and investigate things; while Mr Saxby sits boxed up in his office all day long, and as soon as a good opportunity occurs, he spoils it. I might have made a large fortune by now, if it had not been for him. Write and tell him to buy me a hundred twenty-pound shares." The letter was written, read over by Aunt Sophia, in a very judicial manner, through her gold-rimmed eyeglass, approved, and had just been addressed and stamped, when there was the sound of wheels once more, and the servant shortly after announced Lady Martlett. At the same moment the visitor and Doctor Scales entered the drawing-room from opposite doors, the latter feeling bright and refreshed by his nap; and Aunt Sophia and Naomi looked on wonderingly as Lady Martlett stopped short and the doctor smiled. Her Ladyship was the first to recover herself, and walked towards Aunt Sophia with stately carriage and extended hand. "I have only just heard of the accident," she said in a sweet rich voice. "My dear Miss Raleigh, I am indeed deeply grieved." She bent forward and kissed Aunt Sophia, and then embraced Naomi, before drawing herself up in a stately statuesque manner, darting a quick flash of her fine eyes at the doctor and haughtily waiting to be introduced. "It's very kind of you, my dear Lady Martlett," said Aunt Sophia--"very kind indeed; and I'm glad to say that, thanks to Doctor Scales here, my poor nephew has nearly recovered from the shock.--But I forgot; you have not been introduced. Lady Martlett; Doctor Scales." "Doctor Scales and I have had the pleasure of meeting before," said Lady Martlett coldly. "Yes," said the doctor; "I had the pleasure of being of a little assistance to her Ladyship;" and as he spoke he took a sixpence out of his pocket, turned it over, advanced a step with the coin between his finger and thumb, as if about to hand it to its former owner; but instead of doing so, he replaced it in his pocket and smiled. Lady Martlett apparently paid no heed to this movement, but bowed and turned to Aunt Sophia; while the doctor said to himself: "Now, that was very weak, and decidedly impertinent. I deserved a snub." "Doctor Scales and I met last week--the day before--really, I hardly recollect," said Lady Martlett. "It was while I was out for a morning ride. He was polite enough to open a gate for me." "Oh, indeed!" said Aunt Sophia quietly; and she wondered why the visitor should be so impressive about so trifling a matter. "And now, tell me all about the accident," said Lady Martlett; "I am so fond of the water, and it seems so shocking for such an innocent amusement to be attended with so much risk." "I was always afraid of the water," said Aunt Sophia; "and not without reason," she added severely; "but against my own convictions I went."