So Elsley was won to detail the symptoms of internal _malaise_, which he was only too much in the habit of watching himself; but there were some among them which Tom could not quite account for on the ground of mere effeminate habits. A thought struck him. "You sleep ill, I suppose?" said he carelessly. "Very ill." "Did you ever try opiates?" "No--yes--that is, sometimes." "Ah!" said Tom, more carelessly still, for he wished to hide, by all means, the importance of the confession. "Well, they give relief for a time: but they are dangerous things--disorder the digestion, and have their revenge on the nerves next morning, as spitefully as brandy itself. Much better try a glass of strong ale or porter just before going to bed. I've known it give sleep, even in consumption--try it, and exercise. You shoot?" "No." "Pity; there ought to be noble cocking in these woods. However, the season's past. You fish?" "No." "Pity again. I hear Alva is full of trout. Why not try sailing? Nothing oxygenates the lungs like a sail, and your friends the fishermen would be delighted to have you as super-cargo. They are always full of your stories to them, and your picking their brains for old legends and adventures." "They are noble fellows, and I want no better company; but, unfortunately, I am always sea-sick." "Ah! wholesome, but unpleasant: you are fond of gardening?" "Very; but stooping makes my head swim." "True, and I don't want you to stoop. I hope to see you soon as erect as a Guardsman. Why not try walks?" "Abominable bores--lonely, aimless--" "Well, perhaps you're right. I never knew but three men who took long constitutionals on principle, and two of them were cracked. But why not try a companion; and persuade that curate, who needs just the same medicine as you, to accompany you? I don't know a more gentleman-like, agreeable, well-informed man than he is." "Thank you. I can choose my acquaintances for myself." "You touchy ass!" said Thurnall to himself. "If we were in the blessed state of nature now, wouldn't I give you ten minutes' double thonging, and then set you to work, as the runaway nigger did his master, Bird o' freedom Sawin, till you'd learnt a thing or two." But blandly still he went on. "Try the dumb-bells then. Nothing like them for opening your chest. And do get a high desk made, and stand to your writing instead of sitting." And Tom actually made Vavasour promise to do both, and bade him farewell with-- "Now, I'll send you up a little tonic; and trouble you with no more visits till you send for me. I shall see by one glance at your face whether you are following my prescriptions. And, I say, I wouldn't meddle with those opiates any more; try good malt and hops instead." "Those who drink beer, think beer," said Elsley, smiling; for he was getting more hopeful of himself, and his terrors were vanishing beneath Tom's skilful management.