a long holiday. Having replied to this,
Ovid had a question to put, on his side.

"How is our patient, Sir Richard?"

"Out of danger."

"And what do the other doctors say now?"

Sir Richard laughed: "They say it's my luck."

"Not convinced yet?"

"Not in the least. Who has ever succeeded in convincing fools? Let's try
another subject. Is your mother reconciled to your new plans?"

"I can hardly tell you. My mother is in a state of indescribable
agitation. Her brother's Will has been found in Italy. And his daughter
may arrive in England at a moment's notice."

"Unmarried?" Sir Richard asked slyly.

"I don't know."

"Any money?"

Ovid smiled--not cheerfully. "Do you think my poor mother would be in a
state of indescribable agitation if there was _not_ money?"

Sir Richard was one of those obsolete elderly persons who quote
Shakespeare. "Ah, well," he said, "your mother is like Kent in King
Lear--she's too old to learn. Is she as fond as ever of lace? and as
keen as ever after a bargain?" He handed a card out of the carriage
window. "I have just seen an old patient of mine," he resumed, "in whom
I feel a friendly interest. She is retiring from business by my advice;
and she asks me, of all the people in the world, to help her in getting
rid of some wonderful 'remnants,' at 'an alarming sacrifice!' My kind
regards to your mother--and there's a chance for her. One last word,
Ovid. Don't be in too great a hurry to return to work; you have plenty
of spare time before you. Look at my wise dog here, on the front seat,
and learn from him to be idle and happy."

The great physician had another companion, besides his dog. A friend,
bound his way, had accepted a seat in the carriage. "Who is that
handsome young man?" the friend asked as they drove away.

"He is the only son of a relative of mine, dead many years since," Sir
Richard replied. "Don't forget that you have seen him."

"May I ask why?"

"He has not yet reached the prime of life; and he is on the way--already
far on the way--to be one of the foremost men of his time. With a
private fortune, he has worked as few surgeons work who have their bread
to get by their profession. The money comes from his late father. His
mother has married again. The second husband is a lazy, harmless
old fellow, named Gallilee; possessed of one small attraction--fifty
thousand pounds, grubbed up in trade. There are two little daughters,
by the second marriage. With such a