"Well, my lady, he is very much better, there's no doubt of that. He will be out of bed to-morrow or the next day, and, if he takes care, will have no relapse," was the housekeeper's answer. "No doubt it might be safer for the doctor to continue to come a little longer, if it were only to enjoin strict quiet; but you see my lord does not like him." "I fancied he did not." "He is not our own doctor, as perhaps your ladyship has heard," pursued Mrs. Edwards. "_He_ is a Mr. Hill: a clever, pleasant man, of a certain age, who was very intimate with the late lord. They were close friends, I may say. When his lordship met with this accident, it put him out uncommonly that we had to send for the young man, Dr. Macferraty, Mr. Hill being away." "If Lord Level is so well as to do without a doctor, I might go into his room. Don't you think so, Mrs. Edwards?" "Better not for a day or two, my lady; better not, indeed. I'm afraid my lord will be angry at your having stayed here--there being no fitting establishment or accommodation for your ladyship; and----" "That is such nonsense!" interrupted Lady Level. "With Sanders and Timms here, I am more attended to than is really necessary. And even if I had to put up with discomfort for a short time, I dare say I should survive it." "And it might cause his lordship excitement, I was about to say," quickly continued Mrs. Edwards. "A very little thing would bring the fever back again." Blanche sighed rebelliously, but recognised the obligation to condemn herself a little longer to this dreary existence. CHAPTER XI. THE QUARREL. The following day was charmingly fine: the sun brilliant, the air warm as summer. In the afternoon Lady Level went out to take a walk. Lord Level was not up that day, but would be, all being well, on the morrow. It was the injury to the knee more than his general health that was keeping him in bed now. Outside the gate Blanche looked about her, and decided to take the way towards the railway station. Upper Marshdale lay close beyond it, and she thought she would see what the little town was like. If she felt tired after exploring it, she could engage the solitary railway fly to bring her home again. She went along the deserted road, passing a peasant's cottage now and then. Very near to the station she met the surly boy. He was coming along with a leap and a whistle, and stopped dead at sight of Lady Level. "I say," said he, in a low tone, all his glee and his impudence gone out of him, "be you going _there_?" "Yes," answered Lady Level, half smiling, for the boy amused her. He had pointed to indicate the station, but so awkwardly that she thought he pointed to the roofs and chimneys beyond it. "Yes, I am. Why?" His face fell. "Not to tell of _me_?" he gasped. "To tell of you! What should I have to tell of you?" "About that there half-crown. You _give_ him to me, mind; I never asked. You can't see the station-master if you try: he's a gone to his tea."