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Rh did want something more, though at the present moment he could have hardly said what.

Lady Scatcherd's courage was somewhat resuscitated by the presence of her ancient trusty ally; and, moreover, she began to conceive that the little man before her was unreasonable beyond all conscience in his anger, seeing that that for which he was ready to work had been offered to him without any work at all.

'Madam,' said he, again turning round at Lady Scatcherd, 'I was never before treated in such a way in any house in Barsetshire—never—never.'

'Good heavens. Dr. Fillgrave!' said he of Greshamsbury, 'what is the matter?'

'I'll let you know what is the matter, sir,' said he, turning round again as quickly as before. I'll let you know what is the matter. I'll publish this, sir, to the medical world;' and as he shrieked out the words of the threat, he stood on tiptoes and brandished his eye-glasses up almost into his enemy's face.

'Don't be angry with Dr. Thorne,' said Lady Scatcherd. 'Any ways, you needn't be angry with him. If you must be angry with anybody—'

'I shall be angry with him, madam,' ejaculated Dr. Fillgrave, making another sudden demi-pirouette. 'I am angry with him—or, rather, I despise him;' and completing the circle, Dr. Fillgrave again brought himself round in full front of his foe.

Dr. Thorne raised his eyebrows and looked inquiringly at Lady Scatcherd; but there was a quiet sarcastic motion round his mouth which by no means had the effect of throwing oil on the troubled waters.

'I'll publish the whole of this transaction to the medical world, Dr. Thorne—the whole of it; and if that has not the effect of rescuing the people of Greshamsbury out of your hands, then—then—then, I don't know what will. Is my carriage—that is, post-chaise there?' and Dr. Fillgrave, speaking very loudly, turned majestically to one of the servants.

'What have I done to you, Dr. Fillgrave,' said Dr. Thorne, now absolutely laughing, 'that you should determine to take my bread out of my mouth? I am not interfering with your patient. I have come here simply with reference to money matters appertaining to Sir Roger.'

'Money matters! Very well—very well; money matters. That is your idea of medical practice! Very well—very well. Is my post-chaise at the door? I'll publish it all to the medical world—every word—every word of it, every word of it.'

'Publish what, you unreasonable man?'