," said Ransford.

"In that case," continued Bryce, more coolly than ever, "I shall
certainly want to know what you have against me--or what Miss Bewery has
against me. Why am I objected to as a suitor? You, at any rate, know
who I am--you know that my father is of our own profession, and a man
of reputation and standing, and that I myself came to you on high
recommendation. Looked at from my standpoint, I'm a thoroughly eligible
young man. And there's a point you forget--there's no mystery about me!"

Ransford turned sharply in his chair as he noticed the emphasis which
Bryce put on his last word.

"What do you mean?" he demanded.

"What I've just said," replied Bryce. "There's no mystery attaching to
me. Any question about me can be answered. Now, you can't say that as
regards your ward. That's a fact, Dr. Ransford."

Ransford, in years gone by, had practised himself in the art of
restraining his temper--naturally a somewhat quick one. And he made
a strong effort in that direction now, recognizing that there was
something behind his assistant's last remark, and that Bryce meant him
to know it was there.

"I'll repeat what I've just said," he answered. "What do you mean by
that?"

"I hear things," said Bryce. "People will talk--even a doctor can't
refuse to hear what gossiping and garrulous patients say. Since she
came to you from school, a year ago, Wrychester people have been much
interested in Miss Bewery, and in her brother, too. And there are a good
many residents of the Close--you know their nice, inquisitive ways!--who
want to know who the sister and brother really are--and what your
relationship is to them!"

"Confound their impudence!" growled Ransford.

"By all means," agreed Bryce. "And--for all I care--let them be
confounded, too. But if you imagine that the choice and select coteries
of a cathedral town, consisting mainly of the relicts of deceased
deans, canons, prebendaries and the like, and of maiden aunts, elderly
spinsters, and tea-table-haunting curates, are free from gossip--why,
you're a singularly innocent person!"

"They'd better not begin gossiping about my affairs," said Ransford.
"Otherwise--"

"You can't stop them from gossiping about your affairs," interrupted
Bryce cheerfully. "Of course they gossip about your affairs; have
gossiped about them; will continue to gossip about them. It's human
nature!"

"You've heard them?" asked Ransford, who was too vexed to keep back his
cu