"And I'm glad to see you--looking so much better," said Oldroyd. "Why, man, your brain has been working in a new direction; your eyes don't look so dreamy, and the balance is getting right. Come, confess, don't you feel more energetic than you did?" "Ten times," said Alleyne frankly. "Then you'll end by being a firm believer in my system--cure without drugs, eh?" "Indeed I shall," said Alleyne, smiling. "And to show how consistent I am," said Oldroyd, "I've just promised to send your maid a bottle of medicine. But come, sir, I'm just off among the hills to see a patient. It's a lovely day; only about six miles. Come with me, and I'll leave the pony and walk." Alleyne shook his head. "No," he said, "I should be very poor company for you, Oldroyd--yes, I will go," he cried, recollecting himself. "Wait a minute and I'll be back." "All right," replied the doctor, who amused himself peeping among the various glasses till Alleyne came back in a closely-fitting shooting jacket, for which he had changed the long, loose dressing-gown he had worn. "That's better," cried Oldroyd, approvingly; "why, Alleyne, you will be worth two of the patients I saw a few months ago if you go on like this." Alleyne smiled sadly, and took a soft felt hat from its peg; and as he did so, he sent his hand again to his long, wild hair, and thought of his sister's words, the colour coming into his cheeks, as he said in an assumed easy-going manner,-- "It's time I had my hair cut." "Well, not to put too fine a point upon it, Alleyne, it really is. I like short hair, it is so comfortable on a windy day." The colour stayed in Alleyne's cheeks, for, in spite of himself, he felt a little nettled that his companion should have noticed this portion of his personal appearance; but he said nothing, and they went out into the yard, where, unfastening the pony, Oldroyd threw the rein over the docile little creature's neck and then tied it to a loop in the saddle, after which the pony followed them like a dog, till they reached its stable, where it was left. "Now," cried Oldroyd, "what do you say to a good tonic?" "Do I need one?" said Alleyne, looking at him wistfully. "Badly. I don't mean physic, man," laughed Oldroyd, "but a strong dose of fresh air off the hills." Alleyne laughed, and they started off across the boggy heath, avoiding the soft places, and, wherever the ground was firm, striding along at a good brisk pace over the elastic turf, which seemed to communicate its springiness to their limbs, while the sweet breeze sent a fresh light into their eyes.