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370 but he consumed enough himself to throw a large family into such difficulties.

'Ha—a!' he ejaculated, after a draught; 'I'm better now. Well, what's the news?'

'You've been out, uncle; you ought to have the news. How's Mrs. Green?'

'Really as bad as ennui and solitude can make her.'

'And Mrs. Oaklerath?'

'She's getting better, because she has ten children to look after, and twins to suckle. What has he been doing?' And the doctor pointed towards the room occupied by Sir Louis.

Mary's conscience struck her that she had not even asked. She had hardly remembered, during the whole day, that the baronet was in the house. 'I do not think he has been doing much,' she said. 'Janet has been with him all day.'

'Has he been drinking?'

'Upon my word, I don't know, uncle. I think not, for Janet has been with him. But, uncle'

'Well, dear—but just give me a little more of that tipple.'

Mary prepared the tumbler, and, as she handed it to him, she said, 'Frank Gresham has been here to-day.'

The doctor swallowed his draught, and put down the glass before he made any reply, and even then he said but little.

'Oh! Frank Gresham.'

'Yes, uncle.'

'You thought him looking pretty well?'

'Yes, uncle; he was very well, I believe.'

Dr. Thorne had nothing more to say, so he got up and went to his patient in the next room.

'If he disapproves of it, why does he not say so?' said Mary, to herself. 'Why does he not advise me?'

But it was not so easy to give advice while Sir Louis Scatcherd was lying there in that state.

had been sedulous in her attentions to Sir Louis, and had not troubled her mistress; but she had not had an easy time of it. Her orders had been, that either she or Thomas should remain in the room the whole day, and those orders had been obeyed.