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s note?" "It is in the hands of my children's governess. I have lodged it with her for security, and gain her evidence if, unfortunately, the business goes further." "Gentlemen," said Frank, "before I answer you, I must insist on seeing the lady, and the note exactly in the state it now is." "Certainly! nothing can be fairer," said the general. "I will conduct you to the school-room at once." "I should like, if you please, to be paid for these documents first," said the lawyer. "The agreement stamp is very high." "And, as short accounts make long friendships," said the medical man, "I should like to receive my fee for attendance." "What attendance, sir?" said Frank, whom even the approaching interview with Alice could scarcely keep cool. "I visited you professionally at the inn yesterday, sir, and sat by your side till nearly twelve o'clock. Time with a medical man is money; and I think my demand moderate at five guineas." "Very moderate, indeed!" said The Chobb. "Sir Henry Halford would have charged you five times the sum for half the time." "But I never called this skilful physician in," said Frank, amazed in spite of himself. "Didn't you? But here comes General Hosham. General Hosham, did this gentleman call me in professionally yesterday?" "Most assuredly he did," replied the general. "I have a perfect recollection of the fact; but perhaps he may confuse it with something else. I thought I heard the name of Sir Henry Halford. He did not call _him_ in. If I might advise, as an older man than any of you, and a mutual friend of both parties, I would suggest that this gentleman had better at once pay my step-son, George--Dr Chobb--five pounds--pounds instead of guineas--a compromise is always best between friends. Pay him the money, my good sir, and come up with me to the school-room." A five-pound note instantly covered the doctor's face with smiles, and two tens had the same effect upon the lawyer's. "Now, sir," he said, "I go with you;" and, preceded by the general, he went up a narrow flight of stairs. "The French and Italian lessons are over," said the general, "and the music is not yet begun." He opened a door, and, at the farther end of the room, a young woman, with extraordinary breadth of back, was busy over a large washing-tub, in the act of wringing a child's shirt. Five or six dirty children were sewing and knitting, in different parts of the room, and Frank looked round, enqui
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