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 splendid moor. Would the Highlands suit me?"

"Is the Baron thinking of going soon?"

"Oh, almost immediately," she said with some hesitation. "He talks of making a run down to Scotland to see the place before he buys it, and I am almost afraid he will not be here to receive his friends next Wednesday—the 12th of August is near at hand."

"And so you are making preparations for a start, eh? And Baron Sampson will give his friends the slip on Wednesday," and Dr. Ayscough felt the pulse in his hand give a sudden bound. "Well, I do not see that the journey would do you any harm, and change of air and scene would do you good. You are nervous."

"No, I am not; I cannot think what possesses everybody to suspect me of nerves. What reason upon earth can I have for being nervous?"

"That you must tell me," he said, "I can only assert the fact; and I am not bound to furnish reasons for the illnesses of you London fine ladies."