"Phee-ew!" whistled the doctor, and he sat back in his chair thinking and biting his nails. "What does she mean?" he thought. "Am I too hard upon her? Is my dislike prejudice, or am I justified in thinking her a woman as deceitful as she is bad? If I am right, I am wanted down here to help some one or other of her plans. I won't stop. I'm sorry for poor Scarlett, and I might do him good, but--" "You have considered the matter, and you will stay, doctor, will you not?" said Lady Scarlett sweetly. "No, madam; I do not think it would be fair to any of the parties concerned." "Doctor!" she cried appealingly, "oh, pray, don't say that. Forgive me if I speak plainly. Is it a question of money? If it is, pray, speak. I'd give up half of what we have for my husband to be restored." "No, madam," said the doctor bluntly; "it is not a question of money. Several things combine to make me decline this offer; principally, I find a want of confidence in undertaking so grave a responsibility." "Doctor!" cried Lady Scarlett, rising and standing before him, with one hand resting upon the table, "you are trying to deceive me." "Indeed, madam--" "You never liked me, doctor, from the hour I was engaged; you have never liked me since." "My dear Lady Scarlett!--" "Listen to me, doctor. A woman is never deceived upon such points as this; she as readily notes the fact when a man dislikes as when he admires her. It is one of the gifts of her sex." "I was not aware of it," said the doctor coldly, "but I will take it that it is so." "I have never injured you, doctor." "Never, madam." "I have, for my dear husband's sake, always longed to be your friend; but--be frank with me, doctor, as I am with you--you never gave me a place in your esteem." The doctor was silent. "I don't know why," continued Lady Scarlett, with tears in her eyes, "for I have always tried to win you to my side; but you have repelled me. You have been friendly and spoken kindly; but there was always a something behind. Doctor, why is all this--No; stop! Don't speak to me--don't say a word. What are my poor troubles, or your likes and dislikes, in the face of this terrible calamity? You dislike me, Doctor Scales. I do not dislike you; for I believe you to be an honourable man. Let us sink all our differences. No, I beg--I pray of you to stop here--to give up everything else to the study of my poor husband's case. My only hope is in you." As she made this appeal with an intensity of earnestness that was almost dramatic in its tone and action, the doctor imitated her movement and rose to his feet.