The doctor, short and broad, was now stumping up the straight avenue, under the noble trees that roofed it over, and Major Jackson sauntered about in the vicinity of the gate, more interested in Lake's safety than he would have believed possible a day or two before. Lord Chelford being an early man, was, notwithstanding the ball of the preceding night, dressing, when St. Ange, his Swiss servant, knocked at his door with a dozen pockethandkerchiefs, a bottle of eau-de-cologne, and some other properties of his metier. St. Ange could not wait until he had laid them down, but broke out with-- 'Oh, mi Lor!--qu'est-il arrive?--le pauvre capitaine! il est tue--il se meurt--he dies--d'un coup de pistolet. He comes de se battre from beating himself in duel--il a ete atteint dans la poitrine--le pauvre gentil-homme! of a blow of the pistol.' And so on, the young nobleman gathering the facts as best he might. 'Is Larcom there?' 'In the gallery, mi lor.' 'Ask him to come in.' So Monsieur Larcom entered, and bowed ominously. 'You've seen him, Larcom. Is he very much hurt?' 'He appears, my lord, to me, I regret to say, almost a-dying like.' 'Very weak? Does he speak to you?' 'Not a word, my lord. Since he got a little water he's quite quiet.' 'Poor fellow. Where have you put him?' 'In the housekeeper's lobby, my lord. I rather think he's a-dying. He looks uncommon bad, and I and Mrs. Esterbroke, the housekeeper, my lord, thought you would not like he should die out of doors.' 'Has she got your mistress's directions?' 'Miss Brandon is not called up, my lord, and Mrs. Esterbroke is unwillin' to halarm her; so she thought it better I should come for orders to your lordship; which she thinks also the poor young gentleman is certainly a-dying.' 'Is there any vacant bed-room near where you have placed him? What does Mrs. ---- the housekeeper, say?' 'She thinks, my lord, the room hopposit, where Mr. Sledd, the architeck, slep, when 'ere, would answer very nice. It is roomy and hairy, and no steps. Major Jackson, who is gone to the town to fetch the doctor, my lord, says Mr. Lake won't a-bear carriage; and so the room on the level, my lord, would, perhaps, be more convenient.' 'Certainly; tell her so. I will speak to Miss Brandon when she comes down. How soon will the doctor be here?' 'From a quarter to half an hour, my lord.' 'Then tell the housekeeper to arrange as she proposes, and don't remove his clothes until the doctor comes. Everyone must assist. I know, St. Ange, you'll like to assist.' So Larcom withdrew ceremoniously, and Lord Chelford hastened his toilet, and was down stairs, and in the room assigned by the housekeeper to the ill-starred Captain Lake, before Doctor Buddle had arrived.