I remembered
particularly as being the one where Mrs. Foster had lodged when she was
in Guernsey. Upon inquiring for Dr. Dobree, we were ushered at once,
without warning, into his presence.

Even I should scarcely have recognized him. His figure was sunken and
bent, and his clothes, which were shabby, sat in wrinkles upon him. His
crisp white hair had grown thin and limp, and hung untidily about his
face. He had not shaved for a week. His waistcoat was sprinkled over
with snuff, in which he had indulged but sparingly in former years.
There was not a trace of his old jauntiness and display. This was a
rusty, dejected old man, with the crow's-feet very plainly marked upon
his features.

"Father!" I said.

"Uncle!" cried Julia, running to him, and giving him a kiss, which she
had not meant to do, I am sure, when we entered the house.

He shed a few tears at the sight of us, in a maudlin manner; and he
continued languid and sluggish all through the interview. It struck me
more forcibly than any other change could have done, that he never once
appeared to pluck up any spirit, or attempted to recall a spark of his
ancient sprightliness. He spoke more to Julia than to me.

"My love," he said, "I believed I knew a good deal about women, but I've
lived to find out my mistake. You and your beloved aunt were angels.
This one never lets me have a penny of my own: and she locks up my best
suit when she goes from home. That is to prevent me going among my own
friends. She is in Jersey now; but she would not hear a word of me going
with her, not one word. The Bible says: 'Jealousy is cruel as the grave;
the coals thereof are coals of fire, which hath a most vehement flame.'
Kate is jealous of me. I get nothing but black looks and cold shoulders.
There never lived a cat and dog that did not lead a more comfortable
life than Kate leads me."

"You shall come and see Arnold and me sometimes, uncle," said Julia.

"She won't let me," he replied, with fresh tears; "she won't let me
mention your name, or go past your house. I should very much like to see
Martin's wife--a very pretty creature they say she is--but I dare not. O
Julia! how little a man knows what is before him!"

We did not prolong our visit, for it was no pleasure to any one of us.
Dr. Dobree himself seemed relieved when we spoke of going away. He and I
shook hands with one another gravely; it was the first time we had done
so since he had announced his intention of ma