was a trifle greedy, was silently
enjoying a dish of oysters delicately rolled in bacon. He looked up at
his questioner.

"A great deal, Mr. Birch."

"Everything, in fact?"

"Everything--except, of course, what is indispensable."

Mr. Birch looked puzzled.

"I heard of you from the Duchess, doctor. She says you are one of the
most learned men in England."

"The Duchess?" The doctor screwed up his eyes and looked round the
table.

Mr. Birch, with complacency, named the wife of a neighboring potentate
who owned half the county.

"Don't know her," said the doctor--"don't know her; and--excuse the
barbarity--don't wish to know her."

"Oh, but so charming!" cried Mr. Birch--"and so kind!"

The doctor shook his head, and declared that great ladies were not to
his taste. "Poodles, sir, poodles! 'fed on cream and muffins!'--there is
no trusting them."

"Poodles!" said Fanny, in astonishment. "Why are duchesses like
poodles?"

The doctor bowed to her.

"I give it up, Miss Merton. Ask Sydney Smith."

Fanny was mystified, and the sulky look appeared.

"Well, I know I should like to be a duchess. Why shouldn't one want to
be a duchess?"

"Why not indeed?" said the doctor, helping himself to another oyster.
"That's why they exist."

"I suppose you're teasing," said Fanny, rather crossly.

"I am quite incapable of it," protested the doctor. "Shall we not all
agree that duchesses exist for the envy and jealousy of mankind?"

"Womankind?" put in Diana. The doctor smiled at her, and finished his
oyster. Brave child! Had that odious young woman been behaving in
character that morning? He would like to have the dealing with her! As
for Diana, her face reminded him of Cowper's rose "just washed by a
shower"--delicately fresh--yet eloquent of some past storm.--Good
Heavens! Where was that fellow Marsham? Philandering with
politics?--when there was this flower for the gathering!

* * * * *

Luncheon was half-way through when a rattling sound of horses' hoofs
outside drew the attention of the table.

"Somebody else coming to lunch," said Mr. Birch. "Sorry for 'em, Miss
Mallory. We haven't left 'em much. You've done us so uncommon well."

Diana herself looked in some alarm round the table.

"Plenty, my dear lady, plenty!" said the doctor, on her other hand.
"Cold beef, and bread and cheese--what does any mortal want more? Don't
disturb yourself."

Diana wondered who the visitor