"Then we needn't fidget about our dinner," said Sir John, laughing. "Doctor, you're right. Morris, that will do." Somehow from that minute the evening brightened very pleasantly at Brackley. Lucy thought it charming, and Glynne was an attentive listener to every astronomical word that fell from Alleyne's lips. Twice over Oldroyd went up to see his patient, and each time came back with the information that he was sleeping heavily, and that there was not the slightest cause for alarm. After that, no one was uneasy, and Rolph was almost forgotten. Alleyne left with his sister about eleven, the two being sent home in the brougham. Glynne needed no persuasion to go to bed, and Oldroyd sat and smoked a cigar with the major and Sir John in the library till twelve, when he went and had another look at his patient. "Well," said the baronet, on his return, "what news?" "Sleeping like a baby," replied Oldroyd. "I think I'll go now." "Anybody sitting up for you, Mr Oldroyd?" "Oh, no." "Then there's no one to be uneasy about your absence?" "Certainly not." "Then would you oblige me by stopping here to-night, in case you are wanted?" Oldroyd was perfectly willing to oblige, and he was shown to a spare bedroom, where he slept heartily till eight, and then rose and went to the patient, whom he found dressing for his morning walk, while his self-issued bulletin was that he was better. He would not believe the cook. Volume 1, Chapter XIV. TERRESTRIAL TRIALS. "I think it was very foolish of your brother to invite them, Lucy," said Mrs Alleyne, austerely. "All these preparations are not made without money; and when they are made, we have the bitterness of feeling that what is luxury to us is to them contemptible and mean." "Oh, but, mamma, you don't know Glynne, or you would not talk like that. She is as simple in her tastes as can be, and thinks nothing of the luxury in which they live." "She would think a great deal of it, my dear, if, by any misfortune in life, it should all pass from her." "No, mamma, I don't think she would," said Lucy. "She is a strange girl." "For my part," said Mrs Alleyne, very sternly, "I don't think we are doing wisely in keeping up this intimacy." "Oh, mamma!" "I have said it. Look at the expense I have been put to in preparations. In the constant struggle which I go through day after day, paring and contriving to make our little income last out; any addition of this kind is a weariness and a care. Of what good, pray, is this visit but to satisfy the curiosity of a few heartless people?" "Oh, mamma, don't say that. Glynne is the kindest and most amiable of girls, and nobody could be nicer to me than the major and Sir John." "Of course they are nice to you--to my daughter," said Mrs Alleyne, pulling up her mittens--a very dingy black pair that had lain by till they were specked with a few grey spots of mildew. "And the major thinks very highly of Moray."