"Will your Ladyship deign to notice the tints upon these peaches?" said the doctor evasively.--"Here is one," he said, lowering his voice, "that seems as if it had been mocking you, when your cheek is flushed with the exercise of riding, and you imperiously command the first poor wretch who passes your way to open the gate." "The peaches look very fine," said her Ladyship, refusing to notice the remark--"much finer than mine, dear Lady Scarlett. My head-gardener says that some disease has attacked the leaves." "You should invite Doctor Scales over to treat the ailment," said Aunt Sophia archly.--"My dear James, what is the matter?" "It is too bad--it is disgraceful!" cried Scarlett, stamping his foot. "Because I am weak and ill, every one imposes on me. That old scoundrel has been neglecting everything." "What! Monnick?" cried Aunt Sophia. "Yes. No one else has the key. Ah! here you are," he said more angrily, "look, Kate, you ought to be more particular. These keys should be brought to you." "What is wrong, dear?" said Lady Scarlett anxiously, as she came down that side of the peach-house, closely followed by Prayle. "Everything is wrong," cried the unhappy man, gazing at her wildly. "I cannot bear it." He hurried from the peach-house, followed by the doctor, who calmed him by degrees. "Some of the best peaches stolen," he cried. "It is too bad; I set such a store by them." "And I set such store by your recovery, old fellow," said the doctor. "That was a wretched fit of temper; but it's over now. Don't worry about it, man; and now go and lie down till dinner-time." "No--no: I have no wish to--" "Mind what I say.--Yes, you have, my dear boy. Come: a quiet nap till dinner-time, and then you will have forgotten this petty trouble, and be fresh and cool." Scarlett sighed and walked slowly to the house, his companion seeing him lie down before going to his own room, and taking up a book which he read till it was time to get ready for the evening meal. Then he made his few simple preparations and strolled out into the garden again, to think out his plans and go over the events of the day and the possibility of his effecting a permanent cure. Item: to think a little about his own sore place, and how long it would take to heal up so thoroughly that he could always with impunity look Lady Martlett in the face. Volume 2, Chapter IV. MR SAXBY HAS ASPIRATIONS. A couple of months had passed. "Mr Saxby wants to speak to you, ma'am," said Fanny; and Aunt Sophia jumped up in a pet. "What does he want now? This is four times he has been down this month. Where is he?" "In the study, ma'am. He wouldn't come in here." Aunt Sophia entered the study to find quite a strong odour in the room. It was something between lemon-scented verbena and magnolia; and as soon as she noticed it, she began to sniff, with the result that the busy City man, so strong in his office, so weak outside, began to turn red.