"O yes; she never neglects him," replied the doctor, hurriedly going into another branch of his subject. "His money affairs, too, seem to worry him a great deal; and I know it causes him intense agony to be compelled by his weakness to leave so much to other hands." "But his cousin--Mr Prayle--seems to be devoting himself heart and soul to their management." "O yes; he seems indefatigable; and Lady Scarlett is always watching over his interests; but no man can find an adequate substitute for himself." Aunt Sophia watched the doctor anxiously, asking herself what he really thought, and then half bitterly reflecting how very shallow after all their trust was of each other upon this delicate question of Sir James Scarlett's health. As she looked, she could not help seeing that the doctor's eyes were fixed upon hers with a close scrutiny; and it was with almost a malicious pleasure that she said quietly a few words, and watched the result: "You know, I suppose, that Lady Martlett is coming here to dinner this evening?" "Coming here? To dinner? This evening?" "Yes. Is there anything so wonderful in that?" "O no; of course not. Only--that is--I am a little surprised." "I don't see why you should be surprised. Lady Martlett always made a great friend of Lady Scarlett, from the time she first came down." "Yes; I think I have heard so. Of course, there is nothing surprising, except in their great diversity of tastes." "Extremes meet, doctor," said Aunt Sophia, smiling; "and that will be the case when you take her Ladyship down to dinner." "I? Take her down?--No, not I," said Scales quickly. "In fact, I was thinking of running up to town to-day. There is an old friend of mine, who has studied nervous diseases a great deal in the Paris hospitals; he is over for a few weeks, and I thought I would consult him." "At the expense of running away, and making it appear to be because Lady Martlett is coming to dinner." "Oh; but that idea would be absurd." "I don't know that, doctor, because, you see, it would be so true. There, there: don't look cross. I am not an obstinate patient. Why, doctor, are you afraid of her?" "No; I am more afraid of myself," he said bitterly; "and I have some pride, Miss Raleigh." "Too much--far too much.--Do you know, doctor, I am turning match-maker in my old age?" "A worthy pursuit, if you could make good matches." "Well, would it not be a good one between you and Lady Martlett?" "Admirable!" he cried, in a bitterly ironical tone. "The union of a wealthy woman, who has a right to make a brilliant contract with some one of her own class, to a beggarly, penniless doctor, whose head is full of absurd crotchets.--Miss Raleigh, Miss Raleigh, where is your discrimination!" "In my brains, I suppose," said Aunt Sophia; "though I do not see how that portion of our organisation can make plans and plots." "Then you are plotting and planning to marry me to Lady Martlett."