As Eugene did not wish to believe that Dr. Bilks had artfully conspired to expel Dick from Pine Hill, he found evidence enough in his memory to convince him that such had not been the fact. He was laboring to satisfy himself that both the doctor and Dick were honest and true men, and he finally came to the conclusion that his friend was jealous--that the green-eyed monster was the cause of all his troubles. He would return to the hotel, see Dick again, and persuade him not to leave Poppleton. “Well, Eugene, what was the result of the examination?” asked Julia, as he entered the sitting-room. “Dick was discharged.” “O, I am so glad!” exclaimed she. “Dick is sorry.” “How can that be?” “He thinks his character has not been vindicated.” “Poor fellow! He is too sensitive.” “I know he is. Julia, what do you think of Dr. Bilks?” demanded Eugene, abruptly. “You know what I think of him, Eugene,” she replied, coloring slightly, as though she feared that the gossips’ story was to be rehearsed by her brother. “Do you think he is an honest man?” “Certainly I do.” “Do you think Dick Birch is an honest man?” “Certainly I do.” “Both of them cannot be.” “I am sure they are.” “Dr. Bilks says he saw Dick on the Point Road the night of the murder; Dick says he was in his chamber.” “The doctor may be mistaken.” “He swears, in court, with no qualification whatever, that he saw him with Buckstone. Dick swears to the contrary. One of them has perjured himself. Which is it?” “Neither; there is some mistake.” “Julia, do you love Dr. Bilks?” “What a question!” “This is a very serious matter; let us consider it before it is too late. Will you answer me? Do you love him?” “I never thought of such a thing!” exclaimed she. “Do you love Dick Birch?” “I never thought of such a thing!” she replied, laughing in her confusion. “Do you like either of them?” “Both.” “Be candid with me, Julia.” “I am, entirely so.” “You evade my questions.” “Indeed, I do not! I like them both.” “Do you love either of them?” “No.” “If either of them had sincerely offered you his hand and heart, would you have accepted him?” “How should I know?” laughed Julia, to whom these interrogatories were exceedingly distasteful. “You know that Dick loved you.” “I ought to know it; he made oath that he did on the stand in court.” “I am very serious, Julia; and you treat the matter too lightly.” “As neither Dr. Bilks nor Dick ever spoke a word to me on the subject to which you allude, how can I answer you?” “Could you have loved Dick well enough to accept him?” “I could; but I did not.” “Can you love Dr. Bilks well enough to accept him?” “I can; but I don’t,” laughed Julia. “Do you regard his present attentions as merely professional?” “Friendly, as well as professional.” “You are not blind, Julia.” “I am not.” “You can see what the doctor means.” “I do not know that he means anything.”