Dykeman!" exclaimed the
invalid,--"why do you trouble me about women when I'm in this condition?
I don't care if they were all at the bottom of the sea! Reach me the
colchicum! I must keep my mind calm."

Whenever tolerably well, Lord Lilburne was careless of his health; the
moment he was ill, Lord Lilburne paid himself the greatest possible
attention. Though a man of firm nerves, in youth of remarkable daring,
and still, though no longer rash, of sufficient personal courage, he was
by no means fond of the thought of death--that is, of his own death.
Not that he was tormented by any religious apprehensions of the Dread
Unknown, but simply because the only life of which he had any experience
seemed to him a peculiarly pleasant thing. He had a sort of instinctive
persuasion that John Lord Lilburne would not be better off anywhere
else. Always disliking solitude, he disliked it more than ever when
he was ill, and he therefore welcomed the visit of his sister and the
gentle hand of his pretty niece. As for Beaufort, he bored the sufferer;
and when that gentleman, on his arrival, shutting out his wife and
daughter, whispered to Lilburne, "Any more news of that impostor?"
Lilburne answered peevishly, "I never talk about business when I have
the gout! I have set Sharp to keep a lookout for him, but he has learned
nothing as yet. And now go to your club. You are a worthy creature,
but too solemn for my spirits just at this moment. I have a few people
coming to dine with me, your wife will do the honors, and--you can
come in the evening." Though Mr. Robert Beaufort's sense of importance
swelled and chafed at this very unceremonious conge, he forced a smile,
and said:--

"Well, it is no wonder you are a little fretful with the gout. I have
plenty to do in town, and Mrs. Beaufort and Camilla can come back
without waiting for me."

"Why, as your cook is ill, and they can't dine at a club, you may as
well leave them here till I am a little better; not that I care, for I
can hire a better nurse than either of them."

"My dear Lilburne, don't talk of hiring nurses; certainly, I am too
happy if they can be of comfort to you."

"No! on second thoughts, you may take back your wife, she's always
talking of her own complaints, and leave me Camilla: you can't want her
for a few days."

"Just as you like. And you really think I have managed as well as I
could about this young man,--eh?"

"Yes--yes! And so you go to Beaufort Court in