e came down the stairs. "His head is full of business; he
will give his brain no respite," said he; "but for that, I 'd not call
his case hopeless. Would it not be possible to let him suppose that all
the important matters which weigh upon him were in safe hands and in
good guidance?"

Augustus shook his head doubtingly.

"At least could he not be persuaded to suffer some one--yourself, for
example--to take the control of such affairs as require prompt action
till such time as he may be able to resume their management himself?"

"I doubt it, Doctor; I doubt it much. Men who, like my father, have had
to deal with vast and weighty interests, grow to feel that inexperienced
people--of my own stamp, for instance--are but sorry substitutes in time
of difficulty; and I have more than once heard him say, 'I'd rather lash
the tiller and go below, than give over the helm to a bad steersman.'"

"I would begin," continued the doctor, "by forbidding him all access to
his letters. You must have seen how nervous and excited he becomes
as the hour of the post draws nigh. I think I shall take this
responsibility on myself."

"I wish you would."

"He has given me, in some degree, the opportunity; for he has already
asked when he might have strength enough to dictate a letter, and I
have replied that I would be guided by the state in which I may find him
to-morrow for the answer. My impression is that what he calls a letter
is in reality a will. Are you aware whether he has yet made one?"

"I know nothing--absolutely nothing--of my father's affairs."

"The next twelve hours will decide much," said the doctor, as he moved
away, and Augustus sat pondering alone over what he had said, and trying
to work out in his mind whether his father's secrets involved anything
deeper and more serious than the complications of business and the
knotty combinations of weighty affairs.

Wearied out--for he had been up the greater part of the night--and
fatigued, he fell off at last into a heavy sleep, from which he was
awoke by Nelly, who, gently leaning on his shoulder, whispered, "Mr.
Sedley has come, Gusty; he is at supper in the oak parlor. I told him
I thought you had gone to lie down for an hour, for I knew you were
tired."

"No, not tired, Nelly," said he, arousing himself, half-ashamed of being
caught asleep. "I came in here to think, and I believe I dropped into a
doze. What is he like,--this Mr. Sedley? What manner of man is he?"

"H