“The cause goes over on account of the opposite counsel’s being in the court of appeals. Ah’s me! I have no pleasure in managing a cause since this Code of Procedure has innovated on all our comfortable and venerable modes of doing business. I believe I shall close up my affairs, and retire, as soon as I can bring all my old cases to a termination.” “If you _can_ bring those old cases to a termination, you will be the first lawyer who ever did.” “Yes, it is true, Ned,” answered Dunscomb, coolly taking a pinch of snuff, “you doctors _have_ the advantage of us, in this behalf; _your cases_ certainly do not last for ever.” “Enough of this, Tom—you will go to Biberry, I take it for granted?” “You have forgotten the fee. Under the new code, compensation is a matter of previous agreement.” “You shall have a pleasant excursion, over good roads, in the month of May, in an easy carriage, and drawn by a pair of as spirited horses as ever trotted on the Third Avenue.” “The animals you have just purchased in honour of Mrs. Updyke that is—Mrs. McBrain that is to be—” touching tho bell, and adding to the very respectable black who immediately answered the summons, “Tell Master Jack and Miss Sarah I wish to see them. So, Ned, you have let the widow know all about it, and she does not pout or look distrustful—that is a good symptom, at least.” “I would not marry a jealous woman, if I never had a wife!” “Then you will never marry at all. Why, Dr. McBrain, it is in the nature of woman to be distrustful—to be jealous—to fancy things that are merely figments of the brain.” “You know nothing about them, and would be wisest to be silent—but here are the young people already, to ask your pleasure.” “Sarah, my dear,” resumed the uncle in a kind and affectionate tone of voice, one that the old bachelor almost universally held towards that particular relative, “I must give you a little trouble. Go into my room, child, and put up, in my smallest travelling bag, a clean shirt, a handkerchief or two, three or four collars, and a change all round, for a short expedition into the country.” “Country! Do you quit us to-day, sir?” “Within an hour, at latest,” looking at his watch. “If we leave the door at ten, we can reach Biberry before the inquest reassembles. You told those capital beasts of yours, Ned, to come here?” “I told Stephen to give them a hint to that effect. You may rely on their punctuality.” “Jack, you had better be of our party. I go on some legal business of importance, and it may be well for you to go along, in order to pick up an idea, or two.” “And why not Michael also, sir? He has as much need of ideas as I have myself.” A pretty general laugh succeeded, though Sarah, who was just quitting the room, did not join in it. She rather looked grave, as well as a little anxiously towards the last-named neophyte of the law. “Shall we want any books, sir?” demanded the nephew.