style="font-size:15px;"> The Doctor laughed, and went on down his favourite path, while, after jerking the snail over the hedge, Thomas returned to the ladder.
“Let him eat his lordship’s stuff,” he said, with a chuckle. “An’ the master ought to ha’ been a lord, miss. The way he put down his lordship’s amazen. They do nowt but talk about it every night at the ‘Half-Moon.’”
“Now, nail up that long loose strand, Thomas,” said Veronica hastily.
“Ay, miss, I’ll nail him,” said the man, climbing the ladder once more; “but would you mind asking the master, miss, to give me something for my back?”
“Why don’t you ask him yourself?”
“I did, miss, four times over; and he always says the same. ‘Go to the properly qualified doctor,’ he says, – just as if there was any one in these parts o’ such guid quality as he is. Nay, miss, you might speak to him for me: he did me a wonderful lot o’ guid once. Mint iles is nothing to that tincture as he gives me. I say it, and I’ll say it agen – Wo ho!”
(This to the ladder, which shifted a little, and had to be rearranged against the wall.)
” – Agen anybody,” continued Thomas, with a shred in his lips. “The master’s a wonderful doctor, and he ought to ha’ been a lord.”
Just then the Doctor called his child.
“Coming, papa.”
“Here’s young Master Rolleston coming along the road, miss,” continued Thomas, hammering away at his bines. “Not much like his father, he ain’t. Wouldn’t ha’ ketched him sticking shutter-boards up in the very front o’ people’s houses, and wanting to cut down the trees. Nice young gent, he is, as ever stepped, miss. Very different to my lord, and – Hullo, when did she go?” said the gardener, looking round to find that his young mistress had gone.
“Ah! I see. Gone into the house ’cause Mr Rolleston’s coming. Tck! Shouldn’t be a bit surprised to hear them two asked in church some day; and a very pretty pair they’d make. Mum! here’s the master.”
Thomas went on hammering away; for the Doctor, who had been to the gate to meet his visitor, had received him coldly, and slowly led him into the room where Veronica was seated.
“Well, Mr Rolleston, may I ask the meaning of this visit?” he said, after a conscious greeting between the young people.
“Doctor Salado, pray, pray don’t take that tone with me!” cried Denis appealingly.
“What other tone can you expect, after the treatment I have received?”
“I know, sir. It has been most painful; but I have come to apologise.” As he spoke he glanced at Veronica, who was seated, looking pale and troubled, with her eyes cast down.
“Oho! An apology? That alters the case. Then his lordship is apologetic, and acknowledges that he is in the wrong?”
The young man flushed.
“I – I regret to say, sir, that my father does not know of my visit.”
“Then you have came to apologise for him without his leave?”
“No, sir; I have come to apologise for myself, and to ask you not to think ill of my father.”
“Humph! Very right of you to defend your father, young man.”
“He is a little hasty and irritable, sir. He has been put out ever since you took this place, for he had set his mind upon it for years. It was a disappointment to him, sir.”
“I had set my mind upon having the place, and it would have been a bitter disappointment to me to have missed it. Let me see, Mr Rolleston: with the paddock, garden, and orchard there are about six acres.”
“So I have heard, sir.”
“And your father has thousands of acres?”
“Yes, sir.”
“And he grudges me my little bit. Hardly fair, eh?”
“I can make no defence, sir. I only throw myself upon your mercy. My father is too unwell and irritable to see the matter in the light I do.”
“Ah! you are a prejudiced observer,” said the Doctor drily.
“I hope not, sir: I wish to be just; and I ask you not to think ill of us for this affair.”
“Humph! And are you apologising for Lady Pinemount too?”
“For my mother, sir? There is no need.”
“Oh! Why, I thought when Ahab coveted Naboth’s vineyard, the queen – ”
“Doctor Salado!” cried Denis, springing from his seat with flashing eyes, “how dare you. It is an insult to my dear mother, who is as pained and grieved as I am.”
“I beg her ladyship’s pardon humbly,” said the Doctor, as he saw Denis glance again at Veronica, and that she made him an imploring sign.
“I – I beg yours, sir,” faltered Denis.
“What for, my lad? Defending your mother? It was quite right. Shake hands.”
Denis caught the Doctor’s hand, and Veronica uttered a sigh of relief.
“There now, sit down, and let’s talk sensibly; and next time a man insults Lady Pinemount like that, knock him down. So you have come to apologise, eh?”
“Yes, sir. It is most painful to me. I have no authority, but I know you to be a straightforward English gentleman who sees my position, and I ask you to be lenient with my father and forbearing towards him.”
“But you see this is all selfishness, Denis Rolleston.”
“Yes, sir; but you don’t know all.”
“All what? That you have a silly, boyish liking for my child.”
“Silly! boyish!” cried the young man, flushing. “Don’t you be hard upon me too.”
“It’s the simple truth,” said the Doctor drily; “and very simple too. Here are you, son of the nobleman who holds this handsome estate, with a right to look very high in a matrimonial alliance, and yet you come hanging about here after a young lady, daughter of such a nobody as an eccentric old naturalist who has spent the past thirty years abroad. You must be very weak-minded, young man.”
“Words, sir,” cried Denis eagerly. “You know in your heart you think I am as wise as I know I am.”
His eyes met Veronica’s again, and there was a proud look of happiness in his glance.
“Bah – bah – bah! Heroics, sentiment. Rubbish!” cried the Doctor. “Come, be frank. Your father knows of your inclinations?”
“Yes, sir.”
“And he flew into a rage when he found it out?”
Denis was silent.
“Of
